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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-06-22 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts REGULAR SESSION June 22, 1998 CALL TO ORDER Chair D'Antona called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Superintendent's conference room. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Dahl, D'Antona and Twomey. Also present was Superintendent Harutunian. EXECUTIVE SESSION 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 negotiations with the Teachers' Association, Custodial and Maintenance Workers, Cafeteria Employees' Association of Secretaries and Clerks, Educational Assistants Association, Nurses, Director of Facilities (non- union) and the Superintendent (non- union) and to return to open session after executive session. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona and Mr. Twomey. Mr. Stohlman arrived during executive session. CALL BACK TO ORDER Chair D'Antona called the meeting back to order at 7:35 p.m. BILLS & PAYROLL There were no bills and payroll for this meeting CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian advised that he was looking for direction from the Committee regarding the joint RFP venture between the town and the school department for hiring an attorney. After discussion, the Committee agreed that Dr. Harutunian, Town Manager Hechenbleikner and Chair D'Antona would interview the candidates and return to the School Committee with their recommended candidate and all the back up for the recommended candidate. . REGULAR SESSION -2- June 22, 1998 Dr. Harutunian advised that a list of ten companies that had sent in proposals for the Elementary Feasibility Study was included in the School Committee packet. The School Building Committee will be meeting on June 23 to discuss moving forward on the selection of an architect for the Elementary Feasibility Study. Dr. Harutunian discussed a proposal from Mr. Tom Otway who is requesting to place a small rose garden at the intersection outside the Parker Middle School. Mr. Otway would contract with a local landscaping company to design, install and maintain the garden. Mr. Twomey asked that Dr. Harutunian confirm that if, in the future, the garden needs to be relocated the School Department would not be responsible for the cost of relocating the garden. Dr. Harutunian advised that he will confirm this information. Dr. Harutunian discussed the profile of the Class of 1998. He stated that 77% are going to a four year college. Dr. Harutunian stated that he believes that closing the campus and the requiring seniors to take six classes has contributed to the success. Dr. Harutunian advised that the closing of schools went very well. STRATEGIC PLANNING Dr. Harutunian advised that the School Committee will be asked to vote on the Vision, Mission, Goals and Beliefs in the fall. He also stated that the School Committee will revisit the Strategic Planning document every year and make whatever revision are necessary. Dr. Harutunian introduced the members of the Strategic Planning Committee that would be making a presentation this evening. Mr. Twomey stated that the School Committee has had Strategic Planning on the docket for several years. Mr. Twomey stated that this is a very important vehicle and it is a great accomplishment to provide vision and belief for the schools. Mr. Stohlman stated that when he reviewed raw making comments was not to push his own goals positively the Strategic Planning Committee's stated that his intent was not to change but make sure we accurately reflect the Strategic Committee's thoughts. data, his intent in but to analyze, goals. He also to emphasize and Planning REGULAR SESSION -3- June 22, 1998 BELIEF STATEMENT #1 Mr. Stohlman stated that the modifier "highest" was used again and again by the original Strategic Planning Committee, why did the word disappear? The group advised that they were told to be concise and "high quality education" is in the first sentence and they felt that covered what the Committee was looking for. Mr. Stohlman stated that he understood but wondered if the statement lost some punch when the modifier was removed. BELIEF STATEMENT #2 Mr. Stohlman stated that "well maintained" was a phrase used by the Strategic Planning Committee and he believed it added something to the belief. The group advised again that they were trying to be concise and felt that since the word "safe" remained in the belief then it was understood that it was well maintained. Mr. Dahl stated that he has no problem with the redundancy and would like to see the phrase "well maintained" remain in the belief. BELIEF STATEMENT #4 Mr. Stohlman asked whether the group meant to have problem solving and creative expression joined together. Mr. Dahl stated that this is process that gets sharpened along the way. Dr. Harutunian advised that if the School Committee wants to change the document, they could change it. Mr. Stohlman stated that he did not want to change something if it was added or removed by the Committee for good reason. VISION STATEMENT Mr. Stohlman asked whether the Strategic Planning Committee's intent it item #2 under Vision was to ask for enrichment only during the summers and after school hours. REGULAR SESSION -4- June 22, 1998 Ms. Philips Spence stated that she agreed with Mr. Stohlman and felt the phrase "summers and after school hours" should be eliminated from the statement. Mr. Dahl stated that he would like to see a change in Vision Item #3. Item #3 states "Teachers will be respected and recognized for their knowledge, abilities, education..." Mr. Dahl would like to change the phrase to include "Teachers and students...". Ms. D'Antona agreed with Mr. Dahl that the Vision statement should include the phrase both teachers and students. GOALS Mr. Stohlman stated that Goal #1 needs to be written so that it is clear that the Common Core of Learning is a minimum not our ideal. Ms. Cavicchi stated that the community needs to understand that there are mandated standards. Mr. Stohlman stated that in Goal #4 he would like to see the phrase "21st Century" replaced with the word modern or up to date. Mr. Dahl stated that Goal #1 sets "high expectations for all students" and would like a phrase added that sets high expectations for teachers as well. The Committee thanked the group for their time. The Committee will be voting on the strategic planning document in the fall. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept all seven School Improvement Plans as presented. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 5 70 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey. .. r REGULAR SESSION -5- June 22, 1998 ADJOURN At 10:06 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi moved to adjourn and re -enter executive session for the purpose of conducting strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with the Teachers' Association, Custodial and Maintenance Workers, Cafeteria Employees' Association of Secretaries and Clerks, Educational Assistants Association, Nurses, Director of Facilities (non- union) and the Superintendent (non- union) and not return to open session. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey. spectfully submitted, Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools