HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-01-12 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Reading, Massachusetts
Regular Session January 12 1998
Chair Twomey called the meeting to order at 8:02 p.m. at the
Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee
Members Cavicchi, D'Antona, Stohlman, Twomey and Williams. Also
present were Superintendent Harutunian, Associate Superintendent
Richards and Town Account Richard Foley.
BILLS & PAYROLL
Bills 1/12/98 $136,430.41
Payroll biweekly 1/09/98 $139,669.55
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Dr. Harutunian advised that he would like to move the Public
Hearing scheduled for January 21 at 7:30 p.m. to January 21 at
7:00 p.m. so that a joint School Committee and School Building
Committee meeting could be held after the public hearing.
The Committee agreed to move the meeting to 7:00 p.m. but noted
that the School Building Committee should be made aware that the
public hearing may run late.
Mr. Stohlman also requested that the School Committee have time
to review all the information that the School Building Committee
has prior to the meeting.
Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee of more early admissions for
Reading seniors.
Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that the Enrollment
Committee would like to meet with the School Committee on
February 2nd. The Committee advised that they are unable to meet
on February 2nd and suggested February 5th at 7:30 p.m.
A lengthy discussion was held regarding the Reading Advantaged
Charter Middle School request to rent space at Reading Memorial
High School.
Regular Session -2- January 12 1998
Mr. Stohlman moved that the School Committee direct the
administration to reply to the January 7, 1998 letter from the
directors of the Reading Advantaged Charter Middle School to the
Reading School Committee regarding a request for space at the
Reading Memorial High School with the following:
That the architect studying the High School will be investigating
the use of excess space for among other things academic uses by
groups other than the High School.
That the School Committee will consider putting their reauest on
a future agenda once reports are received from both the
Elementary School Size and Enrollment Study Committee and the
architect studying the High School, and once the Charter School
receives approval.
SPECIAL EDUCATION BUDGET
Dr. Harutunian distributed an updated page 11 and page 12 for the
budget books.
Dr. Harutunian advised that he is continuing to work on a
breakdown of the $3.2 million in requests which were not included
in the budget.
At 8:35 Finance Committee member Keigley arrived.
Dr. Harutunian advised that a question was raised on page 59 of
the budget regarding legal services. Dr. Harutunian advised that
the legal services have saved money on costly litigations.
Dr. Harutunian advised that a new computer for the SPED Director
for $1,300.00 was included in the total.
Chair Twomey requested that Dr. Harutunian look into whether
purchasing a memory card would eliminate the need to purchase a
new computer.
Ms. Williams pointed out that the $6,600.00 total was included in
the computer costs breakout and this figure should be adjusted to
include just the $1,300.00 for the SPED computer.
Under the budget item for physical therapy, Chair Twomey
questioned whether these service were shopped around to determine
if we were providing the right service in a cost effective
mr -JOV WAM
Dr. Harutunian advised that the Reading School Department belongs
to two consortiums and their average pay is used to determine a
reasonable fee.
Regular Session -3- January 12 1998
Ms. Cavicchi questioned whether some of these outside services
are used because of the amount of children that require the
services.
Dr. Harutunian advised that yes, they are trying to maintain a
manageable work load.
Finance Committee Keigley asked what the figure was that was
pulled out of the tuition account and put into deaf services
account.
Dr. Harutunian advised that the figure is $19,344.00
Chair Twomey asked what portion of total SPED budget is being
spent within Reading Schools and what portion is spent on
students outside Reading public schools.
Ms. D'Antona questioned whether a programmatic audit of SPED
programs has been done to ensure continuity, quality and cost.
Dr. Harutunian advised that a consultant did an assessment one
year ago and found that we are doing a good job 13.1 which is
below state average. The state also does programmatic review
every three years.
Dr. Harutunian also advised that a survey went out to all SPED
staff today asking how much time is spent with regular ed
students.
Ms. Williams asked when the last time the state had done an audit
at Reading was. Dr. Harutunian advised that the state had last
audited Reading two years ago.
Dr. Harutunian distributed and discussed the FY99 SPED tuition
and transportation budget as of January 12, 1998. Chair Twomey
asked that Transportation - Nursing Care continue to be listed as
a separate line item.
Dr. Harutunian advised that certain SPED accounts have been
frozen for the $179,025 shortfall in the SPED budget. Dr.
Harutunian will provide a list of the accounts that have been
frozen, however, no regular ed accounts have been frozen.
REGULAR SESSION 4 JANUARY 12, 1998
ADJOURN
At 9:55 p.m. Mr. Stohlman made a motion to adjourn from regular
session and return to executive session for the purpose of
discussing union negotiations and the possible sale /lease of real
estate. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms.
Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams.
Respectfully bmitted, 1
66---t� G� .
Harry K. Harutunian, Ph. D.
Superintendent of Schools