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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-01-26 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts REGULAR SESSION January 26, 1998 CALL TO ORDER Chair Twomey called to meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Superintendent's conference room. Present were School Committee members Cavicchi, D'Antona, Spadafora, Twomey and Williams. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian, Associate Superintendent Richards, Finance Member Keigley and Student Representative Lanthier. Dr. Harutunian introduced the new student representative to the School Committee, Adam Lanthier. GIFTS Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee of a $500.00 gift from Mr. Al Fulchino from Mobil Oil Service Station. The donation will be used to purchase a video camera with sound capabilities. Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee of a $1,000.00 gift to the Birch Meadow School Technology Fund from Mr. an Mrs. Steven Koppel. Mr. Stohlman arrived at 7:42 p.m. Ms D'Antona requested that the superintendent's evaluation and evaluation form be included on the February 9th agenda for discussion. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian invited the Committee and the public to attend a meeting with Dr. McGrath - Lewis, Director of Admissions for Harvard University, on January 30th at 2:30 p.m. at Reading Memorial High School. Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that the Coolidge Math Team came in first in mathematics competition on December 11, 1997. Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that two Reading School teachers were presenters at the NERA Annual Conference on October 23, 24, 25, 1997. The presenters, both from Parker Middle School, Jill Piantedosi, Reading Specialist and Kathleen Daly, teacher of Language Arts spoke about Using Traditional Literature to Connect Middle School Readers to Cultural Values and Lifelong Virtues. Nancy Powell, teacher of Language Arts at Coolidge REGULAR SESSION -2- January 26 1998 Middle School, presented the Massachusetts Award to Lois Lowry (in absentia) at the banquet. Dr. Harutunian advised that David DiCiccio of Joshua Eaton School is the first place winner, Kristian Finigan of Birch Meadow is the second place winner and Kathleen Burns of the Killam School is the third place winner in the Reading Municipal Light Department's T -shirt contest. Dr. Harutunian advised that through the efforts of Ellen Mounteer and the Killam School Science Center Committee, the Killam School was selected as a winner of the 1998 Youth Garden Grant. Dr. Harutunian distributed a letter from Gail Phillips- Spence regarding why the school system had not issued a "fact sheet" about charter schools in general. Dr. Harutunian and the Committee discussed an updated calendar. The following dates were agreed upon. February 4 - Reading School Committee and Reading School Building Committee at 7:30 p.m. February 5 - Reading School Committee and Reading Finance Committee at 7:30 p.m. February 9 - Reading School Committee at 7:30 p.m. February 10 - Reading Highlights at RMHS at 7:30 p.m. February 11 - Reading School Committee /Enrollment and School Size Committee at 7:00 p.m. February 18 - Reading School Committee and Reading Finance Committee at 7:30 p.m. February 23 - Elementary School Hearings - Enrollment and School Size Report - Killam School at 7:00 p.m. February 24 - Elementary School Hearings - Enrollment and School Size Report - Birch Meadow at 7:00 p.m. February 25 - Elementary School Hearings - Enrollment and School Size Report - Joshua Eaton at 7:00 p.m. March 3 - Elementary School Hearings - Enrollment and School Size Report - Barrows at 7:00 p.m. March 4 - Reading School Committee for the purpose of discussing enrollment issues 7:30 p.m. March 9 - Reading School Committee at 7:30 p.m. REGULAR SESSION -3- January 26 1998 BUDGET The Committee discussed the proposed budget. Mr. Stohlman asked for the rational behind the number of ed assistants requested. Dr. Harutunian advised that the ed assistants are needed because of the increase in staff and increase in students, method of curriculum, increasing responsibilities, more buses, and cafeteria assistance. The ed assistants will be distributed proportionally according to needs. Mr. Stohlman stated that the public needs to know that the maintenance picture is not good, we are not adequately covering schools and we will eventually have to pay. Chair Twomey stated that it is a balancing act with curriculum, staffing, supplies and maintenance. Dr. Harutunian advised that there were three things that the Committee asked that he do this year with the budget: 1. Have meeting with principals and School Committee. 2. Invite public input prior to the process. 3. Have a curriculum presentation. Dr. Harutunian stated that he felt the three items helped in the budget process. Dr. Harutunian distributed to the Committee a copy of the DRAFT Fiscal Year 1999 Capital Plan which the Town Manager has distributed to the Finance Committee. The plan is presently $3.9 million out of balance but it clearly shows at this time that all school department projects and requests are within the draft. Ms. D'Antona made a motion to approve the Superintendent's recommended budget of 523,544,479. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES The Committee discussed the letter received from the Library Board of Trustees asking the School Committee as well as the Finance Committee and the Selectmen to allow them to become a full - fledged member of the Budget Council. REGULAR SESSION -4- January 26 1998 Finance Committee Member Keigley informed the Committee that the Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen have voted not to allow the Library Board of Trustees to become members of the Budget Council. Mr. Stohlman moved that the School Committee support the petition of the Reading Library Board of Trustees to become member of the Budget Council. Ms. Williams seconded the motion The vote was 2 -4 Mr. Stohlman and Ms Williams voted yes Ms Cavicchi Ms D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora and Mr. Stohlman voted no. Mr. Spadafora stated that the negative vote did not mean that the Committee did not want to work with the Library Board. The concern is that expanding the Budget Council will make communication more difficult. MINUTES Mr. Spadafora made a motion to approve the minutes of November 24, 1997 as amended to show Ms. Williams arrived during executive session at 7:04 p.m. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman and Ms. Williams. Mr. Spadafora made a motion to approve the minutes of December 1997 as amended by Mr. Stohlman and Ms. D'Antona to add page 4 last line to read "Stanford 8 and 9 test which showed a steady decrease in percentile rankings over the past four years. Dr. Masonis compared Standford 8 to 9 and indicated his interpretation is there was not a steady decline. Page 6 next to the last paragraph changed to read "Dr. Harutunian requested approval to purchase from the budget a one quarter page add in the year book from the School Committee and School Administration. Mr. Stohlman objected to using taxpayers money to purchase the add and suggested to purchase the add out of pocket. The consensus of the Committee was to purchase the ad with money from the budget as has been done in the past.,, Ms D'Antona seconded the motion the vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomev and Ms. Williams. Mr. Spadafora made a motion to approve the minutes of December 18, 1997. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. REGULAR SESSION -5- January 26, 1998 ADJOURN At 9:55 p.m. Mr. Spadafora made a motion to adiourn and enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing bargaining strategies with respect to union and non union negotiations. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion the vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomev and Ms. Williams. Respectfully submitted, Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent