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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-08-05 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES REGULAR SESSION MINUTES AUGUST 5, 1997 CALL TO ORDER Chair Timothy Twomey called the meeting to order at 7:30. All school committee members were present with the exception of Robert Spadafora. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Harry K. Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Dennis Richards. CITIZEN'S INPUT Ms Cooper made a statement regarding maintaining a healthy learning environment. Ms Cooper was concerned that there were no MSDS sheets available for the chemicals used to clean the carpets at the Parker School after the sprinkler pipes burst on January 2. She advised that she had requested this information and also had requested maintenance logs for the seven schools from Dr. Harutunian. She received a letter dated April 23 from Dr. Harutunian that stated the maintenance schedules do not exist. Ms. White stated that the carpets needed to be cleaned three times per year in order not to void the warranty. She inquired how we would prove that the carpets had been cleaned. Dr Harutunian stated that he had several conversations with Ms. Cooper regarding the MSDS sheets and that he has been working to obtain the information from TLT. Dr Harutunian advised that he has received a commitment from TLT that the sheets will be available tomorrow morning. Dr Harutunian also advised that he spoke with Attorney Mike Pierce of the Secretary of State's Office and Attorney Pierce advised that in his opinion, the Reading School Department is acting in good faith and he is not sure that Reading is required to provide this information. It is Dr. Harutunian's intent that all information be made available. Dr. Harutunian advised that there have been no maintenance records for the past ten years and one of Mr. Bandini's goals SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING - 2 - AUGUST 5. 1997 this year was to provide a preventive maintenance schedule for all schools. However, since Mr. Bandini has resigned after eight months, his replacement will be responsible for setting up a maintenance schedule. A second citizen made a statement regarding the Chicago Math Program. She stated that the committee that was created to review math programs had not agreed with the decision to go with Chicago Math. She is concerned that all teachers receive the full 15 hours of training required for this program. She was also concerned that remedial programs be made available to any child who may need it to work with this math program. She voiced another concern that too much school time was taken up by plays and also that events at the Birch Meadow School including the holiday sing -along is overcrowded and is becoming a safety hazard. She inquired if the high school auditorium could be made available for these events. Dr. Harutunian advised that the high school auditorium is available but that principals do not like to use the auditorium, preferring to keep events at their schools. Also, parking during the day is also a problem at the high school. Dr. Harutunian also advised that the Parker Auditorium is on line and ready to be used. Mr. Stohlman stated it was a good report at yesterday's meeting on the Chicago Math Program. He was glad that the public had the opportunity to speak on the issues. Mr. Stohlman requested that a copy of his statement regarding the chair election be included as part of the minutes. REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR AND SUPERINTENDENT Dr. Harutunian advised that he is formally disclosing under General Law 268A 23(b)(3) his position as Trustee at Endicott College. Ms. D'Antona advised that she is formally disclosing under General Law 268A, 23(b)(3) her position as Executive Director of the Reading Extended -day Activities Program. STRATEGIC PLANNING Chair Twomey stated that last year, it was the unanimous opinion of the School Committee to tackle strategic planning. There was concern for the timing and funding. Strategic Planning has now been built into the budget and the Committee is ready to move ahead. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING - 3 - AUGUST 5, 1997 Dr. Harutunian advised that he has received proposals from three groups, Baugh Consulting Services, Future Management Systems (FMS) and Boston Partners in Education, Inc. Baugh Consulting Services and FMS had previously made a presentation to the Committee. All three of the proposals are under $10,000. Mary Williams asked how it was decided that three proposals would be sufficient for the Committee to review and how the three were chosen. Ms. Williams also voiced concerns regarding FMS's quote of $9,600 plus expenses. There is concern that the School Committee will have no control over the expenses and the contract could go above the $10,000. Ms. Williams also expressed concern that Baugh Consulting Services appeared to be a "one man band ". Dr. Harutunian advised that last June, the Committee had agreed to look at three proposals. Dr. Harutunian spoke to eight superintendents from surrounding communities, two of the proposals came from information from other superintendents. Dr. Harutunian informed the Committee that all consultants work closely with large numbers of people and need to know the community. In response to Ms. Williams concern about Baugh Consulting, he stated that you want only one person to facilitate. Dr. Harutunian stated that the most important part of strategic planning is taking the School Committee's goals and putting them out to the community through focus groups. He stated that Patsy Baugh worked as a top administrator at Reading and has worked in North Reading is familiar with the community. Tom Stohlman expressed concerns regarding fitting strategic planning into the existing structure and not reinventing the wheel. Mr. Stohlman also questioned the responsibilities after the plan is formed. Mr. Stohlman expressed concern that Boston Partners did not have time line included and did not mention school committee at all. Robin D'Antona noted that FMS was more of a central clearing house to collect information and give back to the committees to develop actual plans. She felt FMS talked about realistic goals for the system. Ms. D'Antona was also impressed with Baugh Consulting and felt Baugh's flexibility would fit well with the system. Susan Cavicchi stated that she was pleased with both Baugh's Consulting and FMS's proposals. She stated that she is still shocked that the School Committee will not be heavily involved in this process. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING - 4 - AUGUST 5, 1997 Timothy Twomey advised that he would be pleased with either Baugh Consulting or FMS and felt that details for either one still need to be ironed out, including estimates for out -of- pocket expenses. Dr. Harutunian suggested that he schedule both Baugh Consulting and FMS to appear before the Committee to make another presentation. Each presentation will be limited to thirty minutes. It was decided that the two would make presentations at the September 8th School Committee Meeting. Susan Cavicchi questioned whether any thought had been given to costs for child care for volunteers to the Strategic Planning Committee. Dr. Harutunian advised that the steering committees usually send only one or two representatives to attend thee various meetings. SCHOOL COMMITTEE GOALS Timothy Twomey advised that last years goals were done in almost a retreat type of setting and wanted to get a sense from the Committee if they should use the same setting this year. It was decided that the Committee would meet on a Saturday, date to be determined, to work on goals. Dr. Harutunian advised that he had requested that all administrators go into their school improvement plans, take school committee goals and highlight what issues they have tried to resolve. Dr. Harutunian felt that this would give the Committee an idea on how administrators are working towards accomplishing the goals of the School Committee. Susan Cavicchi stated that she felt this was very helpful in seeing how School Committee goals are being met. Timothy Twomey advised that he would like some input from the principals to work in concert with the School Committee on goals. Mr. Stohlman stated that the School Improvement Plans assist the Committee for goals and planning and is helping to close the communication circle. Ms. D'Antona advised that she would like to use all different vehicles to assist with setting this year's goals, including input from principals, School Improvement Plans and site visits. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING - 5 - AUGUST 5, 1997 Discussion on the Schools Committee's goals included: Learning - Mr. Stohlman commented that the information contained in the School Improvement Plans was helpful to see how this goal was being met. Facilities and Buildings - Mr. Stohlman requested that Dr. Harutunian ensure that carpet maintenance updates be made available to the community for Parker School as was agreed last year. Communications - Mr. Stohlman commented that the WEB page will require considerable amount of work to keep it fresh and a useful tool for parents. Dr. Harutunian advised that he met with Cindy Conte today regarding a press release written for State Technology Grant and at the end the press release a request was made for volunteers to work the WEB page. Fiscal Responsibility - Mr. Stohlman stated his displeasure at the Noble Pilot Project being canceled. He requested that Dr. Harutunian keep the committee better informed. Dr. Harutunian advised that all correspondence he received regarding the Noble Project was forwarded to the committee. Respect and Dignity - Committee Member D'Antona stated that the harassment policy sets the tone for the district and she felt that the harassment policy had come a long way, including incorporating bullying into the policy. She felt that the high school and Coolidge School have made strong strides in this area. Dr. Harutunian advised that the administration takes this policy seriously and all administrators are working to achieve this goal. Associate Superintendent Richards stated that the Diversity Committees have been formed and trained by Mr. Green and that all staff at the Parker School and high school are scheduled to receive training. Strategic Planning Special Education - Committee Member Stohlman advised that he would like to revisit this goal and let the public know in more detail what things are being done to control costs. Dr. Harutunian advised the Legislative Committee is working aggressively on this issue and both the leadership of the House and Senate are behind the work of this committee. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING - 6 - AUGUST 5, 1997 Member D'Antona stated that she would prefer if the School Committee's goals for next year did not have individual members name beside the goals. Chair Twomey advised that the names appeared only to indicate responsibility for drafting the language for the individual goal. Member Cavicchi stated that having the superintendent responsible for implementing the goals of the School Committee is good. She stated that she has seen more action on School Committee's goals this year since giving the responsibility to the superintendent. Dr. Harutunian stated the all of the School Committee's goals are achievable. School Improvement Plans Committee Member Stohlman stated that this year the School Committee will be doing strategic planning and all school councils should be aware of this. Chair Twomey requested that Dr. Harutunian supply all school councils with a copy of the strategic planning proposals. Committee Member Stohlman requested that the time table for School Improvement Plans should be looked at. Chair Twomey stated that the School Improvement Plans are not completed in time for the budget process and the School Improvement Plans have financial implications which should be taken into account at budget time. He stated that the Committee would soon be entering into budget process and will not have the 1998 School improvement Plans available. Dr. Harutunian stated that many School Improvement Plans are long term goals. He also stated that he had met with the principals to discuss developing budgets and School Improvement Plans at the same time to ensure funding of the goals. He advised that the principals did not like the idea of completing School Improvement Plans in coordination with the budget process. Associate Superintendent Richards stated that he and Dr. Harutunian meet with all principals at budget time and go line by line through budget requests. Rationale behind this is to have future School Improvement Plan goals in mind. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING - 7 - AUGUST 5, 1997 Committee Member Stohlman stated that the School Councils are formed in the fall and suggests that the School Committee meet with the School Councils to let them know budget process timing. The School Councils should be made aware that if they miss the budget process, any goals will be at least a year away. Committee Member Cavicchi advised that all School Councils are aware of the budget process and noted that Dr. Harutunian also meets with School Councils to explain the budget process allowing all School Councils the opportunity to work within the budget process. Committee Member D'Antona stated that one of the exciting things about School Councils is that every wish or plan is not solely dependent on school department funding. Ms. D'Antona hopes and would encourage all schools to be independent and to be empowered to look for corporate sponsors and PTO sources to provide certain things. Committee Member Williams pointed out that all elementary schools asking for lunch problems to be resolved. She was concerned that four different people are trying to solve what may be a common problem among the schools. She questioned whether the School Councils receive copies of all the School Improvement Plans. Dr. Harutunian advised that generally these types of issues are hammered out by the building principals. He also noted the principals receive copies of all School Improvement plans and they are co- chairs of the School Councils. Chair Twomey suggested that the school Improvement Plans should be put on the WEB page. Committee Member Williams asked where the communication on technology is. Dr Harutunian stated that they are moving away from a strong school based technology and moving toward district wide technology. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING - 8 - AUGUST 5, 1997 ADJOURN At 10:05 Ms. Cavicchi moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey, Ms. Williams. es ectfully s fitted, arry Harutunian, Ph.D. Superi tendent of Schools