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Home My WebLink About1998-07-21 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts REGULAR SESSION �=?�'- I x.98 CALL TO ORDER - Chair D'Antona called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in th(I -.S uper,..-Jnndent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee members C2; ✓ i1, Dahl, D'Antona, Twomey and Williams. Also present was SuperintenecC , ° a X:� ariian. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 7:06 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to enter into executive s a xooz ,ire: a REGULAR SESSION -2- July 21, 1998 Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on the Division of Occupational Safety Report. He advised the Committee that the Administration has checked with the State, the company that did the report, the District Attorney's office, the library and former Superintendent Munnelly and has been unable to locate the report. Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that if the Administration is unable to locate the report, he has been assured by the procurement office that we will be able to hire a company to do the report within the next 5 weeks, prior to school opening. The cost will be between $20,000 and $25,000. Dr. Harutunian advised that in April of 1998 we did do our third year re- inspection. Ms. Williams asked if we are required to file the report with any agency. Dr. Harutunian advised that, to the best of his knowledge, the report does not have to be filed with any agency. Dr. Harutunian distributed a memorandum stating the results of the AP Calculus Exam. Dr. Harutunian advised that students scoring 3 to 5 on the test receive college credit for the course. Thirty Reading high school students took the test and all 30 students scored a 3 or higher on the test. Dr. Harutunian distributed a report from Siebe regarding the Coolidge Middle School Fossil Fuel Comparison. The report recommends using gas at Coolidge Middle School. Dr. Harutunian advised that there is a gas line already in place that may be able to accommodate both Coolidge and the pool at the YMCA. Dr. Harutunian advised that he has spoken to a representative from Boston Gas and is waiting for a letter confirming there will be no additional cost to the Town of Reading to deliver fuel to Coolidge and that there is enough pressure in the line to serve both Coolidge and the pool at the YMCA. Dr. Harutunian advised that if the line needs to be replaced we will need to reevaluate the cost saving of using gas. Ms. Cavicchi left the room during the discussion of report from Siebe regarding the Coolidge Middle School Fossil Fuel Comparison. Ms. Williams questioned whether the School Department would give the gas line to the YMCA or fight to use the line if the line does not have enough pressure to handle both the pool at the YMCA and the Coolidge Middle School. Dr. Harutunian advised that it is a complicated issue because the pool project is a collaborative effort with the Town. REGULAR SESSION -3- July 21, 1998 Dr. Harutunian advised that CommTract has completed the LAN at the Eaton school and this Friday, Birch Meadow will be completed. CommTract is scheduled to begin work at the high school sometime next week. Dr. Harutunian advised that he is waiting to hear from CommTract to see if they will honor their original price for work at the Killam School and if so, how long the price will remain in effect. Mr. Twomey asked when the School Committee would have to make a decision on the work at the Killam School. Dr. Harutunian advised that he is waiting to hear from CommTract and will get back to the Committee as soon as he has the information. Dr. Harutunian advised that the State of Massachusetts did a survey among cities and towns in Massachusetts regarding several different areas of school technology. Dr. Harutunian advised that Reading was in the top 1/3 of all cities and towns in Massachusetts. The School Committee agreed that the next School Committee meeting will be held on August 31, 1998. Dr. Harutunian advised that at the meeting of August 31, the Labor Council RFP Subcommittee's recommended law firm representative will be giving a brief presentation and will be available to answer any questions the Committee may have. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chair D'Antona advised that Mr. Stohlman was not available to attend this evening's meeting but had sent a memorandum with corrections and comments regarding the minutes. Mr. Twomey made a motion to accept the School Committee minutes of February 1998. Ms. Williams seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 to accept the minutes with corrections and additions as noted. Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Mr. Twomey made a motion to accept the School Committee minutes of February 24, 1998. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 -1 to accept the minutes with corrections and additions as noted. Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams voted yes, Mr. Dahl abstained. REGULAR SESSION -4- July 21, 1998 Mr. Twomey made a motion to accept the School Committee minutes of February 25 1998. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 -1 to accept the minutes with corrections and additions as noted. Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams voted yes, Mr. Dahl abstained. Mr. Twomey made a motion to accept the School Committee minutes of March 3, 1998. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 -1 to accept the minutes with corrections and additions as noted. Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams voted yes, Mr. Dahl abstained. Mr. Twomey made a motion to accept the School Committee minutes of March 4, 1998. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 to accept the minutes with corrections and additions as noted. Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Mr. Twomey made a motion to accept the minutes of the joint meeting of the School Committee/Finance Committee /School Building Committee of March 6, 1998. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 -1 to accept the minutes with corrections and additions as noted. Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona and Mr. Twomey �yes, Ms. Williams abstained. Mr. Twomey made a motion to accept the School Committee minutes of March 10, 1998. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 to accept the minutes with corrections and additions as noted. Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona and Mr. Twomey �yes. (Ms. Williams was out of the room during the vote.) Mr. Twomey made a motion to accept the School Committee minutes of March 16, 1998. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 to accept the minutes. Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams voted yes. Mr. Twomey made a motion to accept the Budget Council minutes of March 18, 1998. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 to accept the minutes with corrections and additions as noted. Ms. Cavicchi Mr. Dahl Ms. D'Antona Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams voted yes. Mr. Twomey made a motion to accept the School Committee minutes of April 9, 1998. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 to accept the minutes with corrections and additions as noted. Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams voted REGULAR SESSION -5- July 21, 1998 Mr. Twomey made a motion to accept the School Committee minutes of April 13 1998. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 -1 to accept the minutes with corrections and additions as noted. Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Twomey voted yes, Ms. Williams abstained. Mr. Twomey made a motion to accept the School Committee minutes of April 16, 1998. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 to accept the minutes. Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams voted Mr. Twomey made a motion to accept the School Committee minutes of April 27, 1998. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 -1 to accept the minutes. Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Twomey oted yes, Ms. Williams abstained. ADJOURN Ms. Cavicchi made a motion at 9:02 p.m. to adjourn. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Twomey an d Ms. Williams voted yes. spectfully itted, Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools