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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-05-11 School Committee Minutes.A a READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts REGULAR SESSION May 11, 1998 CALL TO ORDER Chair Twomey called the meeting t Superintendent's Conference Room. members Cavicchi, Dahl, D'Antona, Also present were Superintendent Superintendent Richards. o order at 7:00 p.m. in the Present were School Committee Stohlman, Twomey and Williams. Harutunian and Associate Ms. Cavicchi made a motion at 7:02 p.m. to enter into executive session for the purposes of conducting strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with the Teachers' Association, Custodians and Maintenance Workers, Cafeteria Employees, Association of Secretaries and Clerks, Educational Assistants Association and Nurses and to return to regular session at approximately 7:30 p.m. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Chair Twomey called the meeting back to order at 7:36 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING Chair Twomey called the public hearing to order and advised that each year a school system is required to participate in the School Choice program unless the School Committee votes to opt out of the program. The public hearing is scheduled so that citizens can express their views regarding School Choice. There was no public input. Chair Twomey closed the public hearing at 7:38 p.m. PRESENTATION TO ROBERT L. SPADAFORA, JR. Chair Twomey thanked former School Committee Member Spadafora on behalf of the School Committee for his years of dedicated service. Dr. Harutunian also thanked former School Committee Member Spadafora for his support to the Superintendent, the administration and the administrative council. The School Committee and Administration presented Mr. Spadafora with a chair. Chair Twomey advised that the Committee would take a short break. REGULAR SESSION -2- May 11 1998 At 7:42 p.m. Chair Twomey called the meeting back to order. MINUTES (out of order) Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to approve the minutes of March 23 1998. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 -1 to aQprove the minutes with amendments as noted. Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams voted ves, Mr. Dahl abstained. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to approve the minutes of March 25, 1998. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 to approve the minutes with amendments as noted. Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to approve the minutes of April 1 1998. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 -1 to approve the minutes with amendments as noted Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomev voted ves and Ms. Williams abstained. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to approve the minutes of April 4, 1998. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 to aQprove the minutes with amendments as noted Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Dr. Harutunian asked for consensus from the Committee that the Superintendent have authorization to send thank you letters on behalf of the School Committee. It was the consensus of the Committee, 6 -0, that Dr. Harutunian have the authorization to send thank you letters on behalf of the School Committee. BILLS & PAYROLL There were no bills and payroll for this meeting. CITIZENS' INPUT There was no citizens' input. REGULAR SESSION -3- May 11, 1998 GIFTS Dr. Harutunian thanked the following for their gifts to Parker Middle School: • Charlie McDonald donated more than $200 to fund the purchase of astronomy materials. • Parent Teachers Organization has funded a series of enrichment programs and support services for students, as well as financial support in several areas. • Gil Rodrigues, a Parker parent, has been instrumental in securing a very generous contribution from Raptor Systems. The company has installed a new firewall at the school, an item which would have been funded by the building project. They have also provided technical support for a year for training and a filtering device for Parker internet users. The value of this gift is set at $20,000. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian informed the Committee that he was advised by Ed Palmer that at the 1927 Town Meeting, it was decided that the Parker Assembly Hall be named Shepardson Hall after Albert R. Shepardson. Dr. Harutunian advised that he has requested Dr. Delaney check into the history of this matter and get back to him with information. Dr. Harutunian will report back to Committee with information. Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on the MCAS tests. He advised that things are going well with the test. The state has recommended a time frame of 45 minutes for the test, however, administration has found that students need an hour to complete the test and the time has been extended to 1 hour. Students are saying test is not hard but is rigorous. All students are taking the test very seriously. Dr. Harutunian advised that he had the opportunity to visit with teacher Tiffany Lynch and her fifth grade class and he wanted to thank Ms. Lynch and her entire class. REGULAR SESSION -4- May 11, 1998 Dr. Harutunian expressed his thanks to Mr. Orlando and Mr. Vaccaro for their work regarding the protest which they filed on behalf of the Reading Boys' Track and Field Team in their meet on April 27, 1998 vs. Woburn High School. Dr. Harutunian advised that, due to class size, next year one fourth grade section will be eliminated at the Barrows School. This decision allows the fifth grade to remain at three sections. Dr. Harutunian advised that the Commission on Public Secondary School voted to accept the Five -Year Progress Report of Reading Memorial High School and to continue the school's accreditation. Mr. Stohlman requested that a copy of the report be distributed to the Committee. Dr. Harutunian advised that he had sent letters and plaques to all eligible teachers who were unable to attend the presentation ceremony on April 9, 1998. Dr. Harutunian advised that 28 students at RMHS received national recognition on the National Latin Examination administered in March. Dr. Harutunian advised that several former RMHS students have been nominated for induction to the RMHS Athletic Hall of Fame. Dr. Harutunian advised that he had approved a request from the Athletic Director to hold baseball practice on Sunday, May 3, 1998. This practice was requested because a majority of the players on the team are taking the SAT I on Saturday and would be unable to attend a practice. Dr. Harutunian advised that a letter from Phil Vaccaro was enclosed in their packet outlining some of the highlights of the 1997 -1998 Winter Athletics Programs. CALENDAR Dr. Harutunian advised that he was trying to set up a Budget Council meeting for a presentation by Peat Marwick. A tentative date of June 17 at 7:30 was set. Dr. Harutunian will confirm the dates with the other boards and get back to the Committee. REGULAR SESSION -5- Mav 11. 1998 Mr. Stohlman requested that Peat Marwick have available the square footage costs for maintaining private sector space such as office space and also square footage costs for maintaining other schools both public and private. Dr. Harutunian advised that he had spoken to Peat Marwick and they assured him they would have that information available. Ms. Williams left the meeting at 8:20 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi advised that the meeting listed for June 5th should be June 2nd. Dr. Harutunian advised that the recognition of teachers with 25- 30 years of service will be on the agenda for May 26th. Dr. Harutunian suggested that after the School Committee reorganization meeting on June 8th, the School Committee go out to dinner. The Committee agreed and requested that the School Committee meeting begin at 6:30 p.m. on June 8th. Dr. Harutunian advised that he will move the curriculum presentation from the agenda on June 8th to the agenda on June 15th. Dr. Harutunian advised that Ms. Williams wants to discuss the possibility of the School Committee adopting a policy on acceptable use of computers. Chair Twomey advised the Committee would discuss when Ms. Williams was present. PERSONNEL Chair Twomey advised that, in executive session, the Committee voted to approve and sign the contract with the school nurses and a sideletter stating that the school department would not contract out service through June 30, 1999. It is a one year contract from July 1, 1997 to June 30, 1998. Chair Twomey advised that the Committee would be entering negotiations shortly for the subsequent contract. Dr. Harutunian advised that a R.N. Supervisor will be added to the nursing staff. A concerned citizen asked whether the nurse supervisor would be seeing students when they were supervising. �I REGULAR SESSION -6- May 11, 1998 Dr. Harutunian advised that the details had not yet been worked out. Mr. Stohlman moved to ratify the aareement between the Readin School Committee and the Reading Teamsters Local 25 Professional School Nurses expiring June 30, 1998 with attached appendixes A and B. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey. Mr. Stohlman moved to ratify the sideletter dated May 7, 1998 from Attorney Drachman to Lou DiGiampaolo reaardina Teamsters Local 25 Contract for School Nurses. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona. Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twome Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that courier's hours from 35 to 20 hours so th per week secretary could be hired for the Dr. Harutunian advised that the reduction was not a problem for the courier. he had reduced the at a temporary 15 hour maintenance garage. in the courier's hours Chair Twomey requested that if Dr. Harutunian decides to add hours and make the temporary position a benefitted position he would like it brought to the Committee's attention. COOLIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Ms. D'Antona moved, on the recommendation. of the Superintendent to adopt the Educational Specifications for Coolidae Middle School, as stated in the memorandum dated May 7, 1998. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. Mr. Stohlman moved to amend the motion to include the words "and Preliminary Schematic Drawings" after the word Specification. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the amendment. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey. Mr. Stohlman wanted to know why core facilities was not checked off on the form and if the figure of $9,608,400 includes the proposed additions. Dr. Harutunian advised he will check and get back to Mr. Stohlman. REGULAR SESSION -7- May 11 1998 Mr. Stohlman moved to ratify the Long Range Educational Plan as indicated in the letter from Dr. Harutunian to James Anderson dated May 7, 1998. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona- Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twome Mr. Stohlman moved to approve the current Coolidge Middle School site as the site for the proposed renovations and additions. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey. LOCAL AREA NETWORK A discussion was held regarding the award recommendation for Communication Wiring at RMHS, Birch Meadow School, Joshua Eaton School and J.W. Killam Elementary School. After discussion, Dr. Harutunian advised that he would pull Killam from the recommendation. Mr. Stohlman stated that he did not have a problem with Killam being done but is troubled that we don't have Barrows covered. Chair Twomey requested that Dr. Harutunian check into whether, if Comm-Tract would agree to hold the bid on Killam until the elementary solution report is received and if Killam is part of the solution, the project could be done and be eligible for SBAB reimbursement. Mr. Dahl stated that there was a $15,000 difference between the two bids for Killam and he would like Dr. Harutunian to check into whether Comm-Tract will hold the bid for Killam. Mr. Stohlman moved to accept the bid from Comm-Tract for installation of LAN as shown in the memorandum dated May 7, 1998 from RMHS, Birch Meadow School and the Joshua Eaton School for a total of $254,093.64. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 5_ -0_ Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twome REGULAR SESSION -8- May 11, 1998 SCHOOL CHOICE Dr. Harutunian advised that the Administration recommends that the School Committee not vote for school choice because there is no room in the elementary schools and the high school is still in transition from closing the campus. Mr. Stohlman moved, pursuant to the provisions of G.L.c. 76 & 12B, the School Committee of Reading, following public hearing, hereby withdraw from its obligation to enroll non - resident students in Readina Public Schools during the school year beainnina July 1, 1998 for the following_ reasons: Programmatic Reasons, Class Sizes and General District Enrollment. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey. Mr. Stohlman requested that the discussion of the request of the Board of Selectmen to designate School Committee members as special municipal employees be added to the agenda for the meeting to be held on May 26th. ADJOURN Ms. Cavicchi made a motion at 9:30 p.m. to adjourn and reconvene into executive session for the purposes of conductina strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with the Teachers' Association Custodians and Maintenance Workers Cafeteria Employees, Association of Secretaries and Clerks, Educational Assistants Association and Nurses not to return to regular session. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey. R spectfully s itted, 1� I cktt"�- Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools