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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-06-08 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts REGULAR SESSION June 8, 1998 CALL TO ORDER Chair Twomey called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Dahl, D'Antona, Stohlman, Twomey and Williams. Also present were Student Representative Sankaran, Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards. Chair Twomey advised that this meeting was being held for the purpose of reorganization and election of new officers. Chair Twomey passed the gavel to Dr. Harutunian to chair the meeting during reorganization. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Dr. Harutunian asked the Committee for nominations for the position of Chairperson of the School Committee. Mr. Dahl nominated Ms. D'Antona for the position of Chairperson. Mr. Twomey seconded the nomination. Ms. Williams nominated Mr. Stohlman for the position of Chairperson. Mr. Stohlman seconded the nomination. Mr. Stohlman discussed his qualifications for the position of Chairperson of the School Committee including his past experience as Chairperson of other town boards, his knowledge of Robert's Rules of Order and his seniority on the School Committee. Mr. Stohlman also stated that he believed he would have the unique perspective, as chairperson, to make the public feel that they are being listened to by the School Committee. REGULAR SESSION -2- June 8, 1998 Mr. Dahl stated that he does not take nominations lightly and he felt nominating Ms. D'Antona was in the best interest of the town and the children. He stated that people who supported him in his election to the School Committee are demonstrably in tune with the direction that he took tonight. Mr. Dahl stated that he had spoken with Ms. D'Antona and believes that they have similar priorities. He also stated that to base the election of a chairperson solely on seniority may cause the Committee to lose site of what they may be looking for in a leadership position. Mr. Stohlman stated that the Committee must feel that the Chair can carry everyone's agenda and that he has demonstrated his ability to carry the Committee's agenda while serving as liaison to the Finance Committee. Ms. D'Antona stated that there is no question that the Chairperson must be a facilitator. She also stated that the Committee has worked hard to change and that the community knows that the School Committee is accessible. Ms. D'Antona also stated that whenever the Committee had elected a chair in the past, they always knew the chairperson had at least one year to serve and would be on the Committee to see the budget through to town meeting. Mr. Stohlman stated that if he decided not to run again or if he loses the election, he would agree to see the budget through to town meeting. Ms. Williams expressed dissatisfaction that the meeting was not televised for the community. She also stated that she was dissatisfied that the meeting was being held at 6:00 p.m. rather than at 7:00 p.m. when more members of the community would be able to attend the meeting and that there was no information available ahead of time on who would be nominated. Ms. Williams stated that, if elected, Mr. Stohlman would be a facilitator and that he has served as a School Committee member for six years and it will be a disservice to Mr. Stohlman if the Committee did not elect him as Chair. REGULAR SESSION -3- June 8, 1998 Dr. Harutunian advised that he had contacted Media One for television coverage. Media One advised him that they felt there was not enough on the agenda for Media One to pay an employee to cover the meeting. Mr. Twomey stated that Ms. Williams knew the process in advance and if she felt there was a problem she should have brought the problem forward earlier so the Committee could address the issue. Mr. Twomey stated that Mr. Stohlman is an outstanding worker but that he believed that the School Committee would not be well served with Mr. Stohlman as Chair because of interpersonal skills issues. Dr. Harutunian asked for a vote of the Committee for those in favor of Ms. D'Antona for Chairperson. The vote was 4 -2. Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona and Mr. Twomey voted yes. Mr. Stohlman and Ms. Williams voted no. Dr. Harutunian asked for a vote of the Committee for those in favor of Mr. Stohlman for Chairperson. The vote was 2 -4 Mr. Stohlman and Ms. Williams voted yes. Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona and Mr. Twomev voted no. Dr. Harutunian then asked for a unanimous vote of support for Ms. D'Antona as Chairperson. The vote remained 4 -2. Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona and Mr. Twomey voted yes. Mr. Stohlman and Ms. Williams voted no. Dr. Harutunian passed the gavel to Chair D'Antona. Chair D'Antona asked the Committee for nominations for the position of Vice Chairperson of the School Committee. Mr. Stohlman nominated Mr. Dahl for the position of Vice Chairperson. Ms. Williams seconded the nomination. REGULAR SESSION -4- June 8, 1998 Mr. Dahl stated that he would feel more comfortable in the position of Vice Chairperson if he had more experience on the Committee and stated that, at this time, he would rather have an experienced member of the Committee in the position of Vice Chairperson. Mr. Dahl nominated Mr. Twomey for the position of Vice Chairperson. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the nomination. Chair D'Antona asked the Committee for a show of hands for those in favor of Mr. Dahl as Vice Chairperson. Ms. Williams voted in favor of Mr. Dahl. Chair D'Antona asked the Committee for a show of hands for those in favor of Mr. Twomey as Vice Chairperson. Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey voted in favor of Mr. Twomev as Vice Chairperson. Chair D'Antona asked for acclamation for Mr. Twomey as Vice Chairperson. The vote was unanimous, 6 -0. Mr. Stohlman requested Chair D'Antona add the subject of interpersonal relationships among the School Committee members to the next School Committee agenda. Chair D'Antona advised that she was not familiar with the upcoming agenda but would schedule the item for a future agenda and would look into having a representative from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees present to facilitate. Ms. Williams advised the Committee that she would be moving out of state and would be submitting her resignation from the School Committee in the near future. Mr. Dahl wished Ms. Williams the best in her move and questioned how the new school committee member would be selected. REGULAR SESSION -5- June 8, 1998 Chair D'Antona advised that the School Committee and Board of Selectmen would select a member to complete the term until the next regular town election is held. Dr. Harutunian advised that he will get additional information regarding the selection process. ADJOURN Mr. Twomey made a motion to adjourn at 6:45 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. R spectfully mitted, Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools