HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-02-04 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Reading, Massachusetts
Regular Session February 4, 1998
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Twomey called the School Committee meeting to order at 7:04
p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were
School Committee members Cavicchi, D'Antona, Stohlman and Twomey.
Also present was Superintendent Harutunian.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 7:05 Mr. Stohlman made a motion to enter into executiv
session to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for
negotiations with the teacher's union, custodian union, nurses
union and to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of
real property to return to rec,Lular session at approximately 7:30
p.m. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion the vote was 4 -0 Ms.
Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Twomey and Mr. Stohlman.
Ms. Williams arrived during executive session.
At 7:35 p.m. Chair Twomey called the regular session meeting back
to order.
BILLS & PAYROLL
Bills and payroll are as follows:
Payroll $554,362.37 1/29/98 General salaries
Bills $258,678.86 2/2/98
Mr. Stohlman moved to approve the Custodian Contract as
delineated in the memorandum dated February 3 from Dr. Harutunian
to the School Committee. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The
vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey
and Ms. Williams.
Mr. Stohlman moved to request $16,766.29 for FY97 expenses for
custodial contract at the March Town Meeting. Ms. Cavicchi
seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms.
D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams.
Regular Session -2- February 4, 1998
Mr. Stohlman moved to request $23,000 at April Town Meeting to
pay for the rest of the custodial contract. Ms. Cavicchi
seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms.
D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams.
A discussion was held between School Building Committee Chairman
Russ Graham and the School Committee regarding the proposed
Coolidge Middle School Project. Chairman Graham discussed with
the Committee the process that the School Building Committee will
follow if the School Committee endorses the Coolidge Middle
School Project.
Mr. Stohlman asked whether the School Building Committee looked
at the greater picture that impact of the project may have on
future building projects in the town.
Mr. Graham advised that they did not. The School Building
Committee used the assumptions given to them regarding the
capital plan. Mr. Graham stated that when going through the
process, they were very concerned that the middle school would
stay a priority.
Ms. D'Antona moved that the School Committee endorse the decision
of the School Building Committee to place the Coolidge Middle
School Project on the warrant for the March Town Meeting. Ms.
Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms.
D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams.
Mr. Stohlman stated that he is endorsing putting this on the
warrant; however, he needs more information regarding the
elementary schools and more discussions on the capital plan
before he has total enthusiastic support for the plan.
Ms. Cavicchi stated that this endorsement in no way negates the
work of the School Size and Enrollment Committee. This is
strictly a timing issue.
ADJOURN
At 8:20 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to adjourn. Ms. D'Antona
seconded the motion The vote was 5 -0. Ms Cavicchi Ms
D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams.
Re-s,pectfully submitted,
C
arry K. arutunian, Ph.D.
Superintendent