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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-05-01 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts School Committee Meeting REGULAR SESSION MINUTES May 1, 1997 CALL TO ORDER Chair Susan Cavicchi called the regular session to order at 6:40 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present with the exception of Mr. Twomey. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Harry K. Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Dennis Richards, Russ Graham, School Building Committee and Margaret Cowell, School Building Committee. RMHS Renovation Pro*ect Chair Susan Cavicchi said that at the last School Committee Meeting of April 7, 1997, a motion was voted on to hire a consultant for $40,000 for the high school. The discussion focused on whether or not to proceed with the motion. Mr. Graham plans to make an instructional motion so that funds from the sale of the landfill will be for the high school construction project. Russ decided to make the motion since many officials mentioned it and since he had been introduced to make it at the Town Meeting by the School Building Committee. Mr. Stohlman plans to make an instructional motion so that funds from the sale of the landfill will be for the high school construction project. Russ decided to make the motion since many officials mentioned that he since had been instructed to make it at the Town Meeting by the School Building Committee. Mr. Stohlman said he hoped the School Committee could agree to support the motion. Mr. Stohlman prepared a draft statement for consideration by the School Committee. Chair Susan Cavicchi asked Mr. Stohlman if he had abandoned the plan to speak if the issue of the School Committee vote comes up. Mr. Stohlman said he intended to speak about Russ's motion. He said this is the way for Town Meeting to know how the School Committee feels about Russ's motion. Mr. Stohlman said the official record is that the high school construction is slated for 2006 and this was not acceptable to him. He said if there is School Committee supports Russ, Chair Susan Cavicchi can speak; if there is no School Committee support, he will speak. Mr. Spadafora asked where does the Committee go from here. He said that at the meeting at Barrows, the Committee said that without resources, the high school construction project is not going anywhere. Mr. Spadafora was not sure how to show the Town Meeting that the School Committee and the SBC are together. Mr. Stohlman said he agreed that both Committees are not together. The Town Meeting want to hear where we agree. Mr. Stohlman said he wanted to highlight the agreements and accentuate the positive. Chair Susan Cavicchi said the School Committee and the SBC also need to get together to discuss the roles. She will ask the School Committee to read Tom's draft over. Chair Susan Cavicchi said if they liked the draft, she will probably be reading it. Ms. D'Antona suggested beginning after the second paragraph. She also had a questions about who will report. Mr. Stohlman said he intentionally left out who will report, he said if Russ is going to say it, you can delete it. Ms. Williams said it needs to be Regular Session Page 2 May 1 1997 said because there are new Town Meeting members. Russ said you have to give background information. Dr. Harutunian said the second and third sentence in the second paragraph may be confusing. The Draft is as follows: SBC= School Building Committee SC= School Committee RMHS= Reading Memorial High School At Town Meeting last fall, the SBC summarized a feasibility study of RMHS done by the architectural firm of Drummey, Rosane, and Anderson. The report concluded that the present building was structurally sound and contained more space than was needed for a high school of 1300 -1400 students. It reported that interior finishes, lighting fixtures, electrical plumbing and mechanical systems had reached the end of their useful lives. It also reported that, although the quantity of space was not an issue the arrangement of that space, the quality of that space, did not meet the educational goals of the School Department and, in some cases, the educational standards of the state. The report concluded with the recommendation that most of the High School be renovated at a cost of $30 million dollars, two thirds of which would be reimbursed by the state. The SC recognizes that the $1.85 million dollars recently approved by Town Meeting is a necessary, but temporary solution to the High School problem. The work proposed on Page 15 of the Town Meeting booklet was chosen specifically to meet immediate structural, mechanical, safety, and accreditation issues. An acceptable permanent solution has not yet been recommended. The instructional motion before you represents a positive step towards a permanent solution. A well- designed, educationally sound high school is just a dream without the money to pay for it. Sale of real estate funds will play an essential part in realizing that dream. The School Committee is committed to further meetings and consultation with the SBC, the Finance Committee, and the Selection in an effort to solve the High School problem. This fall, hopefully in the comfortable seats of the new Parker Middle School Auditorium, you will be presented a report of progress on this issue, the proposed renovations at the Coolidge Middle School, and any additional anticipated school building projects. Please show your support by voting for this instructional motion. Mr. Stohlman moved that his statement be the School Committee response to Russ' motion. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. Ms. D'Antona moved to amend statement to delete the first two paragraphs. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. Regular Session Page May 1, 1997 Mr. Spadafora said he agreed that the School Committee needs to say what is in the first two paragraphs. He wanted to cut the last two sentences in the second paragraph. Ms. Cavicchi said asked how many votes were for the amendment. The vote was 4 against and l in favor. Ms. D'Antona was in favor. Mr. Spadafora moved to cut "It also stated ...ending with $9 million dollars. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was 4 in favor and 1 against. Ms. Williams was against. Chair Susan Cavicchi asked those in favor of Mr. Stohlman's original motion as amended. The vote was 5 -0. The Superintendent asked the date of the alternative meeting was May 12. The Committee agreed May 5 then May 12 then May 19 if the School Committee meetings are canceled because of Town Meeting. Dr. Harutunian said the 13th and 15th were canceled. He asked for the date after May 19th for Coolidge. Chair Susan Cavicchi said possibly May 27th. Dr. Harutunian agreed and said he would check with Mr. Doherty. Dr. Harutunian confirmed that the meeting with the SBC is June 9th at 7:30. Russ said he wanted the Committee to know that the SBC went to the FINCOM at their request. ADJOURN At 7.14 p.m., Mr. Spadafora moved to adjourn. Ms. Williams seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0. Ms. Cavicchi Ms. D'Antona Mr. Spadafora Mr. Stohlman Ms. Williams Respectfully submitted, Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools