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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-05-26 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts REGULAR SESSION May 26, 1998 CALL TO ORDER Chair Twomey called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. in the Superintendent's office. A notice was posted at the RMHS Lecture Hall informing the public that the School Committee meeting would be called to order at the Superintendent's office and the Committee would go immediately into executive session and open session would begin at approximately 7:30 p.m. in the lecture hall. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, D'Antona, Stohlman and Twomey. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion at 7:05 p.m. to enter into executive session for the purpose of conducting strategy sessions in preparation for neaotiations with the Teachers' Association Custodial and Maintenance Workers, Cafeteria Employees' Association of Secretaries and Clerks Educational Assistants Association, Nurses and Director of Facilities (non - union) and to return to open session after executive session. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey. At 7:35 p.m. Chair Twomey called the meeting back to order at the lecture hall. Student Representative Sankaran was present. RECOGNITION OF TEACHERS WITH 25 TO 30 YEARS OF TEACHING SERVICE The School Committee presented plaques to teachers with 25 to 30 years of service and thanked the teachers for their years of service. At 8:15 p.m. Chair Twomey advised the Committee would take a short break. At 8:23 p.m. Chair Twomey called the meeting back to order. REGULAR SESSION -2- May 26 1998 BILLS & PAYROLL Bills and payroll are as follows: Payroll 5/21/98 $549,325.65 Bills 5/26/98 $276,439.00 Payroll 5/15/98 $152,404.06 Bills 5/18/98 $85,838.48 STRATEGIC PLANNING Dr. Patsy Baugh gave an overview of the Goals, Mission, Beliefs and Vision of Strategic Planning. Ellen Howland, K -8 Language Arts, English and Social Studies Instructional Specialist, gave a presentation on the Strategic Planning Mission Statement. Judy Donovan, Teacher of Science at Reading Memorial High School, gave a presentation on Strategic Planning Beliefs Linda Dockser, a parent at the J. Warren Killam School, gave a presentation on Strategic Planning Vision. Gail Phillips- Spence gave a presentation on Strategic Planning Goals and suggested sub - goals. Chair Twomey thanked all the members of the Strategic Planning Committee. Chair Twomey stated that he believed this was an important planning tool and that the School Committee had wanted this plan to be the community's vision, belief and goals and not just the School Committee's. Ms. Cavicchi thanked the group for their work and asked why certain words were in bold within the vision and beliefs. Dr. Baugh stated that the bold words were used to help pull the main theme from the paragraph. Ms. D'Antona stated that she was very impressed with the work and asked for more information on the process used, including focus groups. REGULAR SESSION -3- Max 26 1998 Dr. Baugh advised that national models don't include focus groups. She stated that Reading was trying to reach a wide variety of people and that 102 people were on the Committee. The data from the Committee was sent out to diversified groups. Student Representative Sankaran asked why there were no students on the Committee. Dr. Baugh advised that students were asked for feedback within focus groups. Mr. Stohlman asked what distinguished a vision from a goal. Dr. Baugh advised that a goal is a way to achieve a vision. The group wanted a vision to be drawing a picture of words based on mission beliefs and goals. Mr. Stohlman stated that 102 discussed, ranked and gave first pass at consolidating beliefs and goals, why was vision not given the tally of 102. Dr. Baugh advised that the group of 102 didn't deal with the vision. The vision was created from goals, beliefs and missions. Dr. Baugh stated that the vision was drafted by all teachers. Mr. Stohlman questioned why only teachers were involved in the drafting of the vision. Dr. Baugh stated that they wanted the expertise of teachers. Mr. Stohlman asked what the number in parenthesis after the goal represents. Ms. Phillips- Spence stated that the goals developed at the tables were rated with 1 being most important and 5 being least important, the aggregate sum is the number in parenthesis. After discussion, it was decided that Mr. Stohlman would meet with Ms. Phillips- Spence to go over notes on scoring. Mr. Stohlman questioned the phrases in Vision "ownership of learning ". REGULAR SESSION -4- May 26 1998 Dr. Baugh advised that phrase was from Massachusetts Common Core of Learning. Mr. Stohlman questioned why enrichments are being specified in summer and after school only when data shows the need to enrich within the school curriculum. After discussion, it was decided that Vision bullet #2 will be changed and a period will be placed after the word "members" and the remainder of the bullet will be eliminated. After discussion, it was decided that Vision bullet #5 the word "state" will be deleted from the bullet. Mr. Stohlman questioned why they used the Massachusetts Common Core of Learning in goal number 1. Mr. Stohlman stated that should be a minimum not a high expectation. Dr. Harutunian advised that the state standards are a minimum. He also stated that we can include the phrase a "a minimum benchmark" in goal number 1. Mr. Stohlman stated that he was pleased that goal number 2 included everyone, it was emphasized in data that we are not challenging gifted students. After discussion, it was decided to add "operational budget" to goal number 3. Mr. Stohlman questioned whether goal number 4 should remove phrase 21st century and replace with modern. Mr. Stohlman questioned how the group settled on the word educate for goal number S. Dr. Baugh advised that the group felt educate was a more active word. Dr. Harutunian suggested that the Committee submit all questions regarding strategic planning to him by June 15th and Strategic Planning would be put on the School Committee agenda for June 22 for further discussion. REGULAR SESSION -5- May 26 1998 Dr. Harutunian thanked the community for their efforts in working on this plan. He also thanked all teachers, parents and administrators involved in Strategic Planning. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian stated that he had the opportunity to visit Stacey Parker's first grade class and thanked them for their hospitality. Dr. Harutunian informed the Committee that the RMHS students participated for the third year in Whittier Regional Technical High School's Model United Nations Competition and were top performers in all categories. Dr. Harutunian discussed the Budget June 17th. He asked all members to Report prior to the meeting. Council Meeting scheduled for review the Peat Marwick Dr. Harutunian distributed information regarding EPI pens to the Committee. PERSONNEL Dr. Harutunian advised that Mr. John M. Marion will be joining the Reading School Department as Director of Technology on July 1, 1998. Dr. Harutunian advised that an additional 18 -hour Special Education Aide position is needed at the Birch Meadow School. Mr.Stohlman moved _t_o add _$5,000 to the SPED personnel account and remove $5,000, as described in the memorandum dated May 26, 1998, from non - personnel. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 Ms Cavicchi Ms D'Antona Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey. Chair Twomey requested that Dr. Harutunian keep track of SPED increases so when the Committee goes before the Finance Committee they will have all information necessary. REGULAR SESSION -6- May 26, 1998 SPECIAL TOWN EMPLOYEES A discussion was held regarding the School Committee requesting that the Board of Selectmen designate School Committee members as special town employees. Ms. D'Antona moved to request the Board of Selectmen designate the School Committee as special town employees. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey. ADJOURN Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to adjourn at 10:45 p.m. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey. Respectfully - mitted, Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools