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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-06-23 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts School Committee Meeting REGULAR SESSION MINUTES_ June 23, 1997 CALL TO ORDER Chair Timothy Twomey called the regular session to order at 7:02 p.m. at the Birch Meadow Principal's Conference Room. Mr. Spadafora moved to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of strategies on collective bargaining and litigation for union and non -union personnel. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The regular session resumed at 7:42 p.m. in the Birch Meadow Gymnasium. All members were present with the exception of Ms. Williams . Also present were Superintendent Dr. Harry K. Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Dennis Richards. Chair Timothy Twomey explained that a week ago a number of parents, represented by Ms. Richissin, during the Citizen Input segment of the School Committee Meeting brought up their concerns regarding the Birch Meadow busing issue. The parents requested another meeting to present their concerns to the School Committee. Mr. Twomey explained the fall 1996 budgeting process and how all of the needs of the school system were addressed. This included class size and resources available to meet the needs of the children. The consensus was that large class sizes were not good for the children. He explained the busing method that has been used the past 28 years as a method to help balance the overall needs of the kids K -5. He said the budget was approved at Town Meeting which meant 56 children would be bused to Barrows. Mr. Twomey explained what the format would be for the evening. He said there would be one half - hour presentation followed by comments for one hour. After that, the administration will make comments for twenty minutes. Ms. Richissin gave a presentation by transparencies. She discussed the cost, possible solutions, positive and negatives of adding a fifth 5th grade class at Birch Meadow, Reading School Committee Policy dated July 27, 1981 and results of busing Kindergarten students. Mr. Twomey thanked Ms. Richissin for her presentation and opened up the discussion for the next hour to any comments from other individuals present. Below are the highlights of the comments that were given: • The number of children being bused was questioned. • Class size is important. • Not happy with 28 children in a class. (said several times) • Twenty -eight years is not a short term solution. • Kindergarten education is not only academics. • Kindergarten should be a positive experience for the children. • Principal Davidson is supported. • Will children come back for first grade? • What will happen in three years? Regular Session Page 2 June 23 1997 • Thirty new houses in Birch Meadow district, what about discussions with the planning commission? • Birch Meadow parents are not pulling together. • The district needs to be thought of as a whole. • The greater good of the school is what is being looked at, begin with the busing this year. • Not fair to give children negative feedback. • Have safety issues been addressed? • Parents want their children to attend Birch Meadow. • Decisions about this issue were poor, School Committee should establish guidelines. • What about space at St. Agnes? • One neighborhood continually experiencing redistricting. • No plan is in place? • The problem is not going away. A new school is needed. • Children's education should come first in decision process not cost. • Public school versus private school. Expectations should be the same. • Logistics problem with several children in schools. • Parents represent 20% of town. • Disappointed that portables are acceptable to parents. • All people in community should be taken into consideration and not at the 11th hour. • Busing should be a last resort. • A good job has been done in letting parents know what is happening. • Children should be bused the next three years. • When will the children be coming back? • When will parents find out about 5 I grade students. • House bought near Birch Meadow, concerned children being bussed. • Would like to meet the new Barrows' Principal. • Keep the parents informed about future decisions. • Want to keep children together in same school. • Classrooms are large at the middle schools. • Portables are adequate. Dr. Harutunian addressed comments and questions he heard. He discussed the portables, classroom size, and the enrollment figures in Reading and how they rose since he began in August of 1995. He explained the overcrowding issues at each elementary school. He stressed that he wanted the to be a positive experience for first -time Kindergarten parents. The Superintendent explained the task force that will be implemented this fall to address the issues. He said space of other locations was looked at. The safety issue is being closely looked at and discussions are being held with the Reading Police Department. He said removal of a fifth grade is not a solution to this problem. Mr. Davidson explained the letter he sent and the process he used to determine which students get bussed. He acknowledged the fine group of parents he has dealt with who have advocated for their children and he hoped the parents continue to do this. He said he continues to support his original plan to bus 56 children to the Barrows Elementary School. Dr. Harutunian said he will arrange to have Kindergarten parents meet Karen Callan, the new Barrow Principal, sometime in August. Regular Session Page 3 June 23 1997 Chair Timothy Twomey asked the School Committee for their comments. Mr. Stohlman said he was not yet convinced we cannot predict what will happen next year. He reiterated what he heard this evening regarding the busing plan, the portables being adequate, the School Committee decision to change to five Grade 5 classrooms. He said he heard that the community was willing to tolerate busing if class size is smaller. He said he thought prior to this evening, Birch Meadow was a dysfunctional family but what he has seen is compassion, frank and open discussion, respect, sympathy and support. He said he hopes it continues and it is not as dysfunctional as he originally thought. Mr. Spadafora said the teachers and administration in Reading are doing a fantastic job. He discussed the site -based responsibilities of the schools since Educational Reform. He felt the community should support the administration so that everyone can move forward. He said there are limited resources and the School Committee does not like the word redistricting. He said he stands behind the task force for the children's sake. Ms. D'Antona said she was impressed with the feedback she heard. The comments were educationally sound. She said her first meeting was at Birch Meadow regarding renovations and it was interesting to come full circle. She said she understood the frustrations of the community and felt these discussions were fruitful. Ms. Cavicchi said she appreciated the concern and emotions the individuals present were going through. She said in this situation there did not appear to be an easy answer and everyone needs to work together to solve these issues. She said the parents love their children and the School Committee does too. The Principal made the decision and we support him. She said our decisions are for the community as a whole. She thanked them for their time and effort. Chair Timothy Twomey discussed how class size at the grammar school level was a major issue in the past. He said it will be a challenge next year to come up with a reasonable solution. He said the best possible solution is to have interaction between the student and the teacher. There are too many children where that connection does not happen. He said the Committee thought they found a reasonable global solution that was cost effective. He felt the decision was in the best interest of the children. He felt the process was a reasonable one under the circumstances and a process of reexamination will take place in the fall. Mr. Stohlman said he would like the School Committee to put on the agenda the predictability of what will happen the next school year. Dr. Harutunian said the administration hopes the overcrowding committee will have something by the holidays, then hopefully a decision will be made in February. Mr. Stohlman said he would like the decision to be sooner. ADJOURN At 9:50 p.m., Mr. Spadafora moved to adjourn to reconvene to Executive Session. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous 5 -0. Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey. Regular Session Page 4 June 23, 1997 Respectfully submitted, z---�� C, Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools