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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-09-08 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES REGULAR SESSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 8, 1997 CALL TO ORDER Chair Twomey called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. All school committee members were present. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Harry K. Harutunian and'Associate Superintendent Dennis Richards. INTRODUCTION OF NEW TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS Dr. Harutunian advised the committee that at this time, each school's principal would introduce new staff from their school At 8:02 Chair Twomey advised that the committee would take a short break. At 8:10 Chair Twomey called the meeting back to order. CITIZEN'S INPUT A concerned parent spoke about the Chicago Math Program survey results. He advised the committee that he had met with Dr. Harutunian and that their request to let surveys be seen was denied. A Freedom of Information Act was filed with the State and the surveys have been released with out the teachers' names on the surveys. The concerned parent believes that the Superintendent's report on the survey results does not convey the true feelings of the teachers. The parent also asked that the school committee review the surveys. Also, he requested that when the Stanford 9 Test is given to the 5th graders that the results be broken down to include the total number of students and the number of students that were being tutored in math. Mike Hickey, President of the Reading Teachers' Association, read a statement that the Reading Teachers' Association was completely against the survey results being released with the teachers' names on them. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -2- SEPTEMBER 8, 1997 Another concerned parent advised that the teachers' names had been whited out by the administration before the surveys were released. The parent also stated that the survey provided no area to put dislikes and that the survey was not accurate. She stated an example to question #4 that asked about attending workshops, she advised that several teachers had answered that they did not wish to attend workshops. She stated that when you look at another section of the survey, the reason they did not want to attend workshops was that there were so many problems with the program. Another concerned parent advised that the survey is important to all parents and that the program chosen has many problems. It was not anyone's intention to hurt any teachers. She also questioned the status on roofing at Birch Meadow and the work in the cafeteria. Another concerned parent questioned the status on the negotiations with the nurse, the Birch Meadow and Coolidge carpeting and the maintenance of carpeting at Parker School. Chair Twomey advised that at this time the committee would be moving to Parker Project on the agenda. PARKER PROJECT (out of order) Dr. Harutunian advised that Parker Phase I was completed last year and we are currently working on Phase II. He also advised that the net balance on the project will be $706,900 if the request before the committee tonight is approved. Dr. Delaney advised that the project is 991i; done, mostly punch list items remaining. Mr. Spadafora questioned the break up of the two budgets, total in revised versus total. Dr. Delaney advised that the band room included instruments, the physical education included all gym equipment and the classroom was a catch all account, including wall maps and materials for social studies and science. Dr. Harutunian stated that the administrators realize that there is more to technology cost than just purchasing equipment. There is the cost for paper, ribbons and personnel to maintain the equipment. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -3- SEPTEMBER 8, 1997 A motion was made by Ms. D'Antona to approve the additional 548,335 to the Parker Middle School project as described in Phase II budget. The motion was seconded by Mr. Stohlman. The vote was 6 -0. Dr. Harutunian thanked Rich Radville for all his volunteer work during this project. Mr. Radville put much time and energy into the project and his efforts are appreciated. ENROLLMENT AND SCHOOL SIZE (out of order) Dr. Harutunian advised that he is recommending to the School Committee that an Enrollment and School Size Committee be formed to develop long term solutions to the overcrowding in the Elementary Schools. It is recommended that the committee be made up of the following: 4 elementary principals 4 elementary teachers (one chosen by faculty at each elementary school) 1 local Realtor 1 member of the Finance Committee 1 member of the Selectmen (to be selected by the Selectmen) 1 Town Finance Director 1 member of the School Building Committee (to be selected by the Chairman of the School Building Committee) 1 member of the Reading Clergy Association 12 parents - 3 from each elementary school: 1 parent of a preschool age child who has no other child enrolled in the Reading Schools; 1 parent of a Kindergarten, 1st or 2nd grade child; and 1 parent of a 3rd, 4th or 5th grade child. One parent from each family may apply and that parent may only submit his /her name once. The three parents from each elementary school will be selected by a lottery system (Birch Meadow parents whose kindergarten children are attending Barrows School this year should apply through the Birch Meadow PTO). 1 Town Meeting Member (who has no school age children). Dr. Harutunian advised the School Committee that if they agreed with the process, a form will go out to all parents and all preschool parents, names taken from the census, and an advertisement will be placed in the newspaper. Dr. Harutunian stated that because this is a large issue, all areas of town should be involved. He also recommends that the Committee be formed by October 1. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -4- SEPTEMBER 8, 1997 Dr. Harutunian also requested that the School Committee discuss the preferences for the format for recommendations from the Enrollment and School Size Committee: 1. Should the Enrollment Committee bring to the School Committee one recommendation only? 2. Should the Enrollment Committee bring to the School Committee three recommendations? 3. Should the Enrollment Committee bring to the School Committee three prioritized recommendations? Dr. Harutunian also recommended that the Enrollment and School Size Committee meeting be very open and available to the public. He recommends possibly televising the meetings, minutes should be taken and posted at each school and a time for public input should be scheduled at each meeting. Dr. Harutunian also advised that he had met with the PTO presidents regarding this issue and they agreed that the lottery system was the fairest way to select parent representatives. A concerned parent questioned how a lottery system would work, what about getting qualified people to serve as parent representatives? Dr. Harutunian stated that any parent is qualified to serve on this committee. The co- president of the Birch Meadow PTO stated that she feels the lottery is the fairest way, every single person interested in working on the Committee has a fair chance. She stated that no matter how people were selected others would always question the criteria. She stated that people need to come to the Committee meetings with an open mind and be able to work as a team. The concerned parent stated that too many things get done behind the scenes and a PTO meeting should have been held to discuss this issue. A concerned parent stated that they would like to see the number of representatives from Barrows /Birch Meadow be re- examined because that group is impacted by busing. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -5- SEPTEMBER 8, 1997 Mr. Stohlman stated that he is happy that the Committee meetings will be televised and open to the public. He questioned Dr. Harutunian on whether the results would be brought to the School Committee for approval and whether a School Committee member will serve on the new committee. He also stated that he felt it would be wisest to ask the PTO how they want to pick volunteers for the committee. Dr. Harutunian advised that the purpose of the committee is strictly to discuss and narrow the issue, the process is open ended and will include public hearings. Dr. Harutunian also stated that he did not feel a school committee member should sit on the committee because the school committee will have the final say on the issue. The Co- President of the Birch Meadow PTO stated that the process for picking volunteers was discussed and that the choice of a lottery system was the consensus. The four elementary school PTO's agreed that they wanted a uniform way to pick volunteers. Ms. Williams stated that consideration should be given to the shifting of numbers to show population differences. A school of 600 should have more representatives that a school of 300. Ms. Williams stated that although the committee is broad based it doesn't seem to be community at large, suggests that a representative be appointed from the middle school community. Dr. Harutunian advised that the at large member is the member to be selected from town meeting, he also advised that the committee is up to 27 members. Ms. Williams stated that she hoped the at large member would not be limited to a town meeting member. Mr. Spadafora stated that he was glad this committee was not focused on redistricting. He hoped the mission statement broadens to look at the possibility of additional elementary schools. He questioned when the recommendations would be ready. Dr. Harutunian stated that hopefully the recommendations would be ready by the end of the calendar year. The committee will meet once a week for the 12 weeks for approximately 2 hours at each meeting. Dr. Harutunian would like to have the recommendations in time for the upcoming budget. Ms. D'Antona stated that she sees the committee looking at alternatives other than redistricting. She stated that the committee should seek qualified educators to talk about impact of REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -6- SEPTEMBER 8, 1997 class and school size. She stated that the timing of this committee is good with the updates and additions to the elementary schools and hopes that the recommendations will come with a list of pros and cons. Ms. Cavicchi stated that she felt the committee was broad based and fairly chosen. She would like information from the committee including the minutes and would also like frequent presentations from the committee. Dr. Harutunian advised that the co- chairs from the committee should report to the school committee at each meeting. Chair Twomey stated that the committee should be as broad based and non pre- selective as possible. The plan appears good. His feeling is that no school committee member should be on the committee. He stated that the group should feel as though they have a free hand in investigating the options. Would prefer an open and public process, including public hearings. Mr. Twomey also stated that the recommendations should come back with the pros and cons of each solution. Ms. Williams stated that she should be able to put her name in the lottery as a parent not as a school committee member. She stated again her belief that there should be some correlation between population and number of representatives. Mr. Spadafora stated that he believes that the School Committee should allow the Space and Enrollment Committee to put the plan together. Feels it would be some what of a conflict of interest for Ms. Williams to serve on the Space and Enrollment Committee. Ms. D'Antona stated that she was not sure how a School Committee member would influence other members of the Space and Enrollment Committee. Ms. Cavicchi stated that she felt that if a school committee member were on the Space and Enrollment Committee that the member would be privy to all information, have more input into decisions and may sway perception. Mr. Stohlman stated that Ms. Cavicchi's reasoning would eliminate all School Committee liaison positions. He asked if it is a conflict for Ms. Cavicchi to serve on the recreation committee. Ms. Cavicchi stated that this issue is highly emotional and different from the recreation committee. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -7- SEPTEMBER 8, 1997 Mr. Stohlman stated that the school committee member would be one of 28 people on the Space and Enrollment Committee and did not feel that the school committee member would influence the rest of the committee. He sees a school committee member serving on the committee as a positive not a negative. Mr. Stohlman made a motion to have a member of the School Committee appointed to the Space and Enrollment Committee by the Chairman. The motion was seconded by Ms. Cavicchi. The vote was 2 -4 with Ms. Williams and Mr. Stohlman voting yes, Ms. D'Antona, Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Twomey and Mr. Spadafora voting no. Ms. Williams made a motion to appoint a member at large, a Reading resident, with no grammar school aged children, a registered voter and not a member of any of the other groups listed to the Space and Enrollment Committee. The motion was seconded by Mr. Stohlman. The vote was 6 -0. Mr. Stohlman made a motion that the format for recommendations from the Space and Enrollment Committee be prioritized recommendations, more than one, with reasons and rationale. The motion was seconded by Mr. Spadafora. The vote was 6 -0. Mr. Twomey stated his concern that if the committee recommendation come to the School Committee by the end of December that it would be too late in the budget cycle. Dr. Harutunian stated that the recommendations would not have a big impact on the operational budget but would have an impact on the long term capital budget. Dr. Harutunian also asked that if the Committee had any comments on the application form for the Space and Enrollment Committee that he be notified in the next day or two. STRATEGIC PLANNING (out of order) Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that the representatives from FMS had to leave, they had another meeting. He also advised that the representative had spoken to Ms. Williams about her concern on the amount of money miscellaneous costs may amount to in their proposal. The representative advised that the miscellaneous costs should be only a few hundred dollars. Dr. Harutunian introduced Dr. Baugh to the Committee. Ms. Cavicchi asked Dr. Baugh what major changes had been made to her previous proposal. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -8- SEPTEMBER 8, 1997 Dr. Baugh advised that she had increased the number of participants from 25 to 102. The larger group should meet the committee's goal of connecting to the community. She advised that the criteria from the larger group would then be broken down into smaller writing groups. Ms. D'Antona advised that she liked the fact that the writing comes from the committee. However, she questioned how that large a number of people could be brought together. Dr. Baugh advised that Dr. Harutunian would ask the 102 to bring in their beliefs, do a summary and then ask them to deal with mission statement looking for specific criteria. A smaller writing group would be formed and would include Ms. Baugh, Dr. Harutunian and the principals. The group would complete a draft, send the draft out to focus groups and then to the School Committee. Chair Twomey stated that he like the idea of the broad spectrum of participants. He questioned how once the writing process goes to the smaller group how does it get back to the larger group? Dr. Baugh advised that the process is as follows. The 102 people are advisory, the smaller group writes the draft, the draft goes out to six focus groups and is then re- drafted. After the re -draft it is given to the staff. Mr. Spadafora stated that he is glad to see that the strategic planning brings it through to action plan. Also pleased that attempts are made to better connect to the community. Chair Twomey asked Dr. Baugh her reasoning for the number of 102 participants. Dr. Baugh advised that the committee wanted a broad spectrum of people and the number 102 was convenient for 17 tables of six per table. Dr. Harutunian stated that as the School Committee looks at goals each year, the Strategic Planning Committee could give great input. Mr. Stohlman questioned how many members will be on the writing team? Dr. Baugh advised that she would recommend herself, Dr. Harutunian,a principal representative and a teacher representative be on the committee and the remaining members would be up to the REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -9- SEPTEMBER 8, 1997 Committee however, she does not recommend more than six members on the writing team. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to hire Baugh Consulting to develop long term strategic plan as recommended by the Superintendent and the plan as presented. The motion was seconded by Ms. D'Antona. The vote was 6 -0. Dr. Harutunian asked the School Committee that any questions regarding Baugh proposal be forwarded to him by Monday. At 10:15 Chair Twomey advised that the Committee would take a short break. The meeting reconvened at 10:20. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT (out of order) Dr. Harutunian advised that the contract for a study of school and town buildings custodial and maintenance needs that the Town allocated $25,000 for is exempt from bid process. He spoke to Peat Marwick and received a quote of $25,000 to $30,000. He advised that if the contract goes over $25,000, the school department would pay 2/3 of the cost and the Town would pay 1/3. Mr. Twomey advised that he felt Dr. Harutunian should go back to Peat Marwick and get firm quote of $25,000. Mr. Stohlman stated that if Dr. Harutunian wanted to come and ask to vote on increase they would vote, however, don't like to be put in the middle. Dr. Harutunian advised that he would speak to Peat Marwick again and tell them the proposal must not exceed $25,000. LIAISON APPOINTMENTS Chair Twomey advised the following liaison appointments: 1. Ms. Williams is appointed as School Committee liaison to the Millennium Committee. 2. Ms. Williams is re- appointed as the School Committee liaison to the Reading 350th committee. 3. Ms. D'Antona has stepped down as a member of the School Building Committee. Chair Twomey will be the new member. 4. Mr. Stohlman to continue as liaison to the Finance Committee after the responsibilities of the liaison are clarified. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -10- SEPTEMBER 8, 1997 5. The appointment for liaison to the Board of Selectmen will be decided at the September 15th school committee meeting. Dr. Harutunian advised that citizen input is expected to be heavy during next 6 -8 months and would like to move approval of the minutes to the end of the meeting. Mr. Spadafora made a motion that the School Committee amend the policy for approval of minutes under Routine Matters to follow Information and Proposals. The motion was seconded by Ms. Williams. The vote was 6 -0. SCHOOL OPENING Dr. Harutunian advised that the opening of school has gone very smoothly. They are working quickly to fix the few class size problems. He also advised that this is the second year that RMHS students are not allowed to leave the building and this has helped in bringing down the number of tardies. He also advised that students must stay in studies or cafeteria when not in class. This has resulted in a cleaner building. Dr. Harutunian said the goal of this is to have the students have more time in front of the teachers. Mr. Spadafora advised that he went through the high school last week and that the building is cleaner. He would like some thought given to allowing seniors to have an open campus to have them semi - prepared for college responsibilities. Dr. Harutunian advised that he has distributed the three policies, Parental Rights and Parental Notification Relative to Sex Education polices have been sent home with each elementary student, Parental Rights and Parental Notification Relative to Sex Education policies are being mailed home by the secondary principals and all professional and support staff in the Reading Public Schools are receiving a copy of the new School Committee policy of Harassment and Discrimination. IOWA TESTING Dr. Harutunian discussed the Iowa Test Results. He commended Dennis Richards, the principals, the faculty and the parents. Dr. Harutunian also stated that all standardized testing will now appear in college transcripts which will further motivate grade 10 students taking the test. A concerned parent stated that the 76 for 3rd grade reading should be higher. The booklet of test results broke down the figure by proficient reader, advanced reader and pre- reader. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -11- SEPTEMBER 8, 1997 Dr. Harutunian advised that Reading compares itself to similar towns and communities. He stated that any child that doesn't read in this town is of a major concern. 86% of 3rd graders are reading at or better than proficient. SCHOOL MAINTENANCE Dr. Harutunian advised that a copy of the Maintenance of the Schools is enclosed in the Committee's package. He advised that this report has been slowed up by the changes. SCHOOL CALENDAR Dr. Harutunian advised that there was an error in the school calendar that needed to be corrected. Martin Luther King day should be listed as January 19th. Chair Twomey advised Dr. Harutunian to notify the parents of this change. SCHEDULE OF MATH TESTING Dennis Richards advised that the math testing will be held in the beginning of October. BUSING Dr. Harutunian advised that he had received a request from a parent whose child lived less than two miles who wanted to pay to take the school bus. Dr. Harutunian advised that this would not add another bus stop to the route, the child would pick up the bus at a regular bus stop. The bus is only partially filled and this would not overload the bus. Mr. Spadafora stated that this was an administrative issue, he requested that Dr. Harutunian decide on the best way to handle these requests and bring it back to the Committee. Ms. Williams asked that Dr. Harutunian make sure that we are not cramming the buses. Ms. Cavicchi questioned what would happen if received more requests than seats on the bus? Dr. Harutunian advised that either a lottery system or perhaps the person living furthest from the school would receive preference. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -12- SEPTEMBER 8, 1997 HOME SCHOOLING Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that Dennis Richards had reviewed the two requests for home schooling and found that both requests meet the School Committee policy on Home Education of Students. Mr. Spadafora made a motion to approve the two home schooling requests as described in Dr. Harutunian's memorandum of September 4 1997. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0. CONTRACT TO CLEAN TOWN BUILDING Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that now that the school department is in charge of the cleaning of the buildings and the money is transferred under the School Department budget, a vote was needed to approve the contract with Systems Management, Inc. Mr. Spadafora made a motion to approve the contract with Systems Management Inc to clean the Reading Town Hall, the Reading Library and the Reading Senior Center for a cost of 51,695.00 per month The motion was seconded by Ms. Cavicchi. The vote was 6 -0. ADJOURN At 11.15 Mr. Spadafora made a motion to adjourn and enter into executive session for the purpose of negotiation and possible litigation. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms Cavicchi Ms D'Antona Mr. Spadafora Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey, Ms. Williams. ectfully submitted, arry Harutunia�P. Super' tendent of Schools