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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-02-25 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts REGULAR SESSION February 25, 1998 CALL TO ORDER Chair Twomey called the meeting to order at 7 :15 p.m. at the Joshua Eaton school. Present were Committee members Cavicchi, D'Antona, Williams, Spadafora, Stohiman and Twomey. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards. SCHOOL SIZE & ENROLLMENT PRESENTATION Lisa Pittella thanked the members of the School Size and Enrollment Committee and gave a presentation on the School Size and Enrollment Committee's recommendation to the School Committee for solving the elementary school enrollment problem. Ms. Pittella described the three solutions recommended by the School Size and Enrollment Committee including the pros and cons of each solution. 1. New elementary school and addition /renovation to Barrows. 2. New elementary school only. 3. Convert Coolidge to K -5 or 3 -5 elementary school and build new middle school. Chair Twomey opened the discussion up to questions from the audience. Karen Millet stated that there is a need for a short term plan, can't make decision not knowing short term solution. Chair Twomey stated that all solutions are 2 years out. The School Committee is in the process of trying to lease space in town to.accommodate the overflow of kindergartners. Plan for the fall of 1999 that all Killam and Birch Meadow kindergartners will go to a central leased facility. Phil Worth questioned where the kindergartners are going and why is the School Committee going to town meeting for Coolidge project when they have not decided on plan. REGULAR SESSION -3- February 25, 1998 Bob Salter stated that as a town meeting member he suggests that the School Committee present a clear voice on the issue at town meeting. Chair Twomey stated that Mr. Salter's comment was a good comment and the School Committee is aware that they need to go to town meeting with a clear voice. The School Committee, on March 4th, only needs to decide on endorsing Coolidge renovation they do not need to have an elementary solution at that time. If School Committee endorses Coolidge then elementary school solution number 3 from the School Size and Enrollment Committee is no longer an option. The School Committee hopes to have an elementary school solution by August so that the solution can be brought to fall town meeting. Bob Salter asked whether it would be possible to move the 5th grade to the middle schools once renovation is complete. Chair Twomey stated that no, that would not be possible without moving eighth grade to high school and question the educational program of making that type of move. Kathy Foley stated that solution 1 does not meet the capital plan and asked how the School Committee will overcome that. Chair Twomey advised that if the School Committee feels that solution 1 is the best solution need to discuss with the financial people in town. There is a possibility that the $3,000,000 for Killam may end up to be SBAB reimbursable and that would change the financial picture significantly. Kathy Keens asked whether the short term lease for kindergartners could become a long term lease. Chair Twomey advised that there are legal constraints regarding length of leases. Gael Phillips Spence advised that the Committee did look into central kindergarten but just removing kindergartners from schools did not open up sufficient space. REGULAR SESSION -5- February 25, 1998 Bob McCarthy asked whether the NESDEC numbers took into account older residents and the possibility of turn over of homes to young families. Chair Twomey stated that NESDEC did bring those figures into the projections. Dr. Harutunian stated that he believes Barrows will be the next big turn over area. Kathy Foley asked when the School Committee thinks they will come to a solution. Chair Twomey stated that hope to have study completed by late summer or early fall. Mr. Stohlman asked whether the School Size and Enrollment Committee looked into grade shifting, is there a sweet spot size for elementary, middle and high school. Gael Phillips Spence stated that the Committee did look into that but all principals felt it was educationally advantageous to remain K -5, 6 -8 and 9 -12. Also, there was no cost savings found in moving grades. Dr. Harutunian stated that research shows in communities of low socioeconomic smaller schools do better educationally. Kendra Cooper requested a copy of that study. SUPERINTENDENT'S EVALUATION Mr. Stohlman made a motion to make the following changes to the School Committee's evaluation sheet. On page 6, item number 2 under Planning and Organization strike the words "school employees" and replace with "those employees who report directly to the superintendent Page 7 under Evaluation Criteria, strike items number 2 and 3 in their entirety. 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 -6- February 25, 1998 ADJOURN Ms. Cavicchi made a motion at 9:30 that the School Committee Teachers Negotiating Team adjourn into executive session to discuss strategies relevant to bargaining with the teachers. Ms. D'Antor_a seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Respectfully submitted, Harry K. Harutunian Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools