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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-02-10 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 10 1997 CALL TO ORDER Chair Susan Cavicchi called the regular session to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present with the exception of Matthew Cummings who was expected to arrive later. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Harry K. Harutuman, Associate Superintendent Dennis Richards and RMHS School Committee representative Marissa Freitas. STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL OF RMHS Marissa Freitas introduced the members of the RMHS Student Advisory Council. They each gave a brief presentation of four topics that have been discussed this year. 1. RMHS Spirit Flag Presenters - Connor Hardy & Jared Ranere 2. Student Photo ID Cards Presenters - Dee Dee Freitas & Monica Driscoll 3. Diversity Committee Presenters - Tara Vaccaro & Wendy Mahan 4. "Yellow Dress" Performance Presenter - Marissa Freitas The presenters for the Student Photo ID Cards explained that they can be used throughout the town as a library card, also used in the cafeteria and other endless uses. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 FEBRUARY 10, 1997 Marissa Freitas explained that the senior lounge is now ready to open. It has been freshly painted and furnished. RMHS Principal Orlando responded to a question from Mr. Spadafora that once a student goes over a certain number of tardies it would have to be worked out with parents as well. He stated there should be a reward for the student that arrives to school on time. Mr. Cummings arrived during this presentation. There was a five minute break. Chair Cavicchi brought the meeting back to order again at 7:30 p.m. CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen's input. GIFT Dr. Harutunian showed the committee and the audience a stuffed snowman that Ms. Fusco's Grade 3, Killam Elementary students, David Sage and Bob Wilson had made for him. He thanked the students. CONTINUED DISCUSSION OF BUDGET FOR FY98 SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDED PLAN FOR LOWERING ELEMENTARY CLASS SIZE (FY98) Dr. Harutuman presented his proposal for elementary class size. • Move the R.I.S.E. program to RMHS (4 Classrooms) • Move the two teachers in the two portable classrooms at Killam School into the rooms that are now available because of the R.I.S.E. program moving to RMHS REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 FEBRUARY 10, 1997 • Move the two portable classrooms from Killam School to Barrows School • Split the fourth grade at Barrows School and put the new class in one of the portable classrooms that came from the Killam School • Take one "K" teacher from the Birch Meadow School and 60 "K" students from the Birch Meadow School and send them to Barrows School for the 1997 -1998 school year. Move the "K" teacher from Birch Meadow School to the other portable classroom at Barrows School • Add the 60 "K" students from the Birch Meadow School to the 59 Barrows School "K" students and now divide them among 3 "K" teachers, six sessions • Move the Special Education teacher(s) at Birch Meadow School from the room next to the Media Center to the space next to the Principal's office and move the music teacher to a new space. • Move the Birch Meadow School new fifth grade (fifth session) into the empty "K" classroom • Move the Birch Meadow School new fourth grade (fifth session) into the empty room next to the Media Center that was used by the special education teacher(s) • Place two educational assistants for the classes at Killam School in the budget DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOOL SIZE BEFORE AND AFTER School FY98 Change FY98(revised) Killam 598 45 -50 less w/o 598 R.I.S.E. Barrows 359 60 More "K" from 419 Birch Meadow Eaton 514 No Change 514 Birch Meadow 627 60 less "K" went 567 to Barrows REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 FEBRUARY 10, 1997 Mr. Spadafora asked if there would be a break in the Birch Meadow 5 classes in FY99. Dr. Harutunian replied that something has to be done at Barrows. Need to come in with a plan so we can ask for an architect at the fall Town Meeting. Mr. Twomey congratulated the Superintendent and other administrators who thought out this measure for the elementary district. Dr. Harutunian replied to Mr. Stohlman's question saying there were 4 teachers originally asked for and now with the movement in the third grade we need to have 2 educational assistants. Mr. Spadafora moved to reduce on page 14 of the FY98 Draft Budget 1 teacher from 13.7 to 12.7 and decrease by $33,000 from $450,450 to $417,450. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. Discussion followed. The vote was 5 in favor and 1 vote Mr. Cummings against. Mr. Spadafora moved to increase the Educational Assistants on page 14 from 2 to 4 from $25,000 to an additional $25,000. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. Mr. Cummings said we have not addressed the shortfall we have now. The vote was 5 in favor and 1 vote (Mr. Cummings) against. DISCUSSION OF INSTRUCTIONAL SPECIALIST POSITION (FY98) Dr. Harutunian explained the position of Instructional Specialist and stated we need leadership. Mr. Spadafora, who made the original motion of cutting the Instructional Specialist, said he would be more comfortable if the administration could cut from the Professional Development area. Dr. Harutunian added that most of the professional development is being done at no cost to Reading Public Schools. We do believe we can do more of that with Lowell and Brown University. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 FEBRUARY 10, 1997 Ms. D'Antona said she could support the 2 Instructional Specialists if we could correct other areas. Mr. Twomey suggested it would show a commitment of the school committee and if useful to move forward. Mr. Twomey moved to increase page 14 line Instructional specialists from 2 to 4 from $64,000 to $128,000. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion Ms. D'Antona said this is a moral statement of fiscal prudence that this is the best of what we can do. Mr. Spadafora continued that it is additional comfort if we come to a resolution of keeping reality of the 2. Mr. Twomey stated the administration needs time to work out a plan to see where they can take out $64,000. Dr. Harutunian said he would come in with a menu to show where we can discuss. Mr. Cummings said he would vote against this because we will need to cut more later when we prioritize. The vote was 2 in favor (Ms. Cavicchi Mr. Twomey) and 4 voted in opposition DISCUSSION OF MIDDLE SCHOOL FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROGRAM FY98 Mr. Cummings noted that Foreign Language would be and add on and not a replacement. Mr. Cummings moved to direct the Administration that those teachers have the same teaching load next year as this year. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion Dr. Harutunian replied there is no cut in the instructional mode and no cut in contact time. Mr. Cummings stated it was not the school committee's intention to change the load of teachers. The vote was 5 -0 -1 abstention (Mr. Twomey). FY98 BUDGET BREAK DOWN Mr. Twomey moved to change FY98 Regular day on page 9 to $13,950,201 and change the bottom line to $21,571,025. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. Mr. Cummings stated the bottom line needs to be looked at to see how we can REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 FEBRUARY 10, 1997 afford the $21,571,025. He supports the budget because he knows it will be coming back. The vote was unanimous. MINUTES Mr. Spadafora moved to approve the minutes of November 7, 1996. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. Mr. Stohlman asked to have lawn mowers removed from the second to the last paragraph on page 1, to remove elevators and Everyone seemed to agree. in the third paragraph on page 3. He asked that sentence be replaced with There was a consensus to agree. He questioned the vote on page 4 for the FinCom and he thought it should read 8 -0. On page 6 in the second sentence he asked to remove collaboration of the Capital Plan and replace it with draft of the School Committee's Capital Plan. The minutes were approved as amended 6 -0. Dr. Harutunian reminded the school committee that they will need to bring the remaining draft school committee minutes to the next meeting. FinCom representative Carol Grimm said this Wednesday FinCom will be discussing Public Safety and Public Works. On February 5 they discussed employee benefits and whatever number they came up with for teachers will be the number in the budget. CALENDAR AND MEETINGS Dr. Harutunian asked the school committee to be prepared to discuss the Kindergarten Cut Off Date and the 1997 -1998 School Starting Date on March 10. It was suggested that they meet for an Open Meeting on Health Services March 11 and to discuss Parker Furniture and Equipment - Phase 2 on March 24. ADJOURN At 9.15 p.m. Mr. Spadafora moved to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of discussing union personnel and not return to regular session. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Ms Cavicchi Mr. Cummings Ms. D'Antona Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey