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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-09-22 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES REGULAR SESSION MINUTES September 22, 1997 CALL TO ORDER Chair Twomey called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Present were Committee Members Cavicchi, D'Antona, Stohlman, Twomey and Williams. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and Asso- ciate Superintendent Richards. BILLS & PAYROLL Chair Twomey advised that bills and payroll are circulating now and he would be moving to Citizen's Input on the agenda. CITIZENS' INPUT J. Mandell, a member of CPR, summarized a letter written to the Committee regarding the Chicago Math Program. She stated that there are conflicting stories on whether test results will be available by both group and individual. She stated that clear communication is needed. Ms. Mandell then asked whether test results will be broken down by tutored versus non - tutored students. She stated that she does not want the school system to get credit for higher scores when parents have paid to have their children tutored to bring them up to grade level. She also requested that the Standford 8 test that was given to students last year be given again to this year's students so that we can compare Reading students to Reading students. Chair Twomey advised that a copy of the letter from CPR would be submitted for inclusion in the minutes. Ms. D'Antona stated that CPR has had regular contact with the School Committee. She stated that she would like a list of active members of the CPR, a list of officers, copies of minutes and a location on where they meet. She stated that she would like to be able to listen to the views of all concerned parents. Ms. Mandell agreed to provide the information requested by Ms. D'Antona and also made a statement encouraging all parents to go to the library and review the survey. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -2- September 22, 1997 Mr. Stohlman asked that, if possible, Ms. Mandell's questions be answered at this time. Mr. Richards advised that individual test results will be made available. Ms. Williams questioned whether if the decision to break out tutored versus non - tutored is delayed, is it too late when tests are being given in the beginning of October. Mr. Richards advised that to break out tutored versus non - tutored may slow the availability of test results, but would not effect the test date. Mr. Stohlman stated that there are a number of different ways to break out test results and he does not believe tutored versus non - tutored is the best way to break out. Ms. Cavicchi stated that she also will not support tutored versus non - tutored break out because you cannot be sure that parents are willing to identify students as being tutored and it will not be scientifically valid. She stated that the purpose of the test is to find out how the students are doing now and what, if any, steps need to be taken regarding the program. Ms. Williams stated that at first she supported the tutored ver- sus non - tutored break out and after further thought, she ques- tions how tutored would be defined. What about parents who work harder with children on homework, are they considered tutored? The children that went to math camp are they considered tutored? She also stated that parents should not be asked to mark their children as tutored. She stated that considering the lengths CPR went through to get the survey results, she has concerns about how safe the tutored versus non - tutored information will be. Chair Twomey stated that it is obvious that there is not a major- ity for splitting out tutored versus non- tutored. Chair Twomey also stated that the issuing of the Stanford 8 test can be dis- cussed at a latter date. CABLE COMMISSION APPOINTMENT Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that Town Manager had in- formed him that the School Department has one position on the Cable Commission which should be filled by a recommendation by the School Committee to the Selectmen. Dr. Harutunian recommended to the Committee that Jim Biller be recommended to the Selectmen by the School Committee. He stated the importance REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -3- September 22, 1997 cable will play in future technology and that he felt the School Department would be well served by Mr. Biller's appointment to the Cable Commission. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion that the School Committee recommend Jim Biller to be School Committee's liaison to the Cable Commis- sion on the recommendation of the Superintendent. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0. Mr. Biller stated that he will work hard on the Commission and he agrees with Dr. Harutunian that cable will play a significant role in future technology. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that the student representa- tive to the Committee will be appointed on Thursday afternoon and will be at the next School Committee meeting. Dr. Harutunian advised that there is an adjustment to the budget calender. Budgets will be distributed to the School Committee and a budget presentation of approximately one hour will be made on December 18th. Dr. Harutunian advised that Peat Marwick has accepted $25,000 as the full amount for the Feasibility Study. Also, the study will be approximately two weeks later than discussed because of a later start. Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that in their packet was a copy of the letter to pre- school parents regarding School Size and Enrollment Committee. Chair Twomey asked Dr. Harutunian what type of response he has been getting on School Size and Enrollment Committee. Dr. Harutunian advised that PTO's are receiving letters, and that he has been in touch with the clergy association and others and is still planning to have everything in place by the first week of October. Ms. Williams requested that the at large position be advertised in the paper and possibly the Globe North Weekly. Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that a letter had been sent to parents informing them of locations of crossing guards, times that they are on duty and the names of the crossing guards at each location. He also informed the Committee that police have REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -4- September 22, 1997 been asked to contact school building principals with information about any type of construction project which may impede children's path to school. Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that in their packet is a draft letter notifying parents of the October 6th Special School Committee meeting for budget input. He requested any feedback from the Committee. Chair Twomey requested that the meeting location be moved to the high school lecture hall to insure that there would be sufficient space available. SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE Ms. D'Antona advised the School Committee that the School Build- ing Committee met with Dr. Harutunian and the school principals to discuss population and enrollment projections. The consensus of the meeting was that district wide solutions are needed. Waiting for valuable input from the School Size and Enrollment Committee. The School Building Committee requests that the S- chool Committee review projection numbers and formally accept them so the Building Committee can use the figures to make deci- sions. Mr. Ensminger's original study was right on the money, however, projections are good for only five years. Projections now are clearly beyond what was anticipated and Mr. Ensminger concurs with the new numbers as presented to the Committee. Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that he was encouraged that a possible February date for a special Town Meeting was being discussed. Architects advised at the meeting that a February meeting will still allow the School Committee to make the dead- line for submittal to the state for funding. Town Manager ad- vised Dr. Harutunian that a February Town Meeting was also being considered for the police station project. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -5- September 22, 1997 RMHS FEASIBILITY STUDY Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that he is requesting that the School Committee hold a discussion relative to a feasibility study for the purpose of determining whether Reading Memorial High School is substantially sound and monetarily feasible for renovation and where space can be made available for other use in the high school. Ms. D'Antona stated that the information from this report will be critical in light of enrollment issues. She stated that we need to look at everything, the feasibility report, the Space Size and Enrollment recommendations to enable us to make educationally and financially sound decision. At 8:30 Mr. Spadafora arrived. Chair Twomey stated that the original report told us the cost and that there is 100,000 extra square feet at the high school which may be of great use to the Town or School Department. Can't know whether this is academically and economically feasible without the Phase II study. Need to have answers to these questions. Ms Cavicchi made a motion to include $40,000 in the warrant to fund a feasibility study for Reading Memorial High School. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0. Dr. Harutunian introduced Mr. Penta, the Finance Committee liai- son to the School Committee. BUILDING PROJECTS Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that the amount of work required from the Superintendent's Office concerning the Joshua Eaton, Birch Meadow and High School projects has increased sig- nificantly and he is requesting that a part -time person be hired to write RFPS, work with the architects and other organizations on these very important building projects. Chair Graham of the School Building Committee stated that during the joint meeting, it was obvious that Dr. Harutunian has a tre- mendous plate of major projects. Chair Graham stated that he fears that all projects will not get done unless we have someone to work closely on the projects. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -6- September 22, 1997 Mr. Stohlman stated that in normal times, no big projects, he had the impression that the director of building would be doing this type of work. Dr. Harutunian stated that most of these projects don't have an architect. There is a lot of leg work at Coolidge. Mr. Spadafora stated that Dr. Harutunian's time should be spent on educational matters not construction. He questioned whether if there was a Director of Buildings would we still need to hire this part time person and should we hire a Director of Buildings and increase the salary to meet the needs of the projects? Dr. Harutunian advised that we would still need a Director of Buildings. Director would be heavily involved in Peat Marwick study. Dr. Harutunian advised that the salary for the Director of Buildings is sufficient. Chair Twomey stated that it appears to be not so much a matter of the caliber of the person but the time needed to manage the pro- jects. Chair Graham of the School Building Committee stated that it is a consuming job to keep buildings up and to try to add in these projects to the Director of Buildings is not feasible. Mr. Spadafora made a motion that the School Committee authorize the Superintendent to contract an individual, to report to the Superintendent, to provide logistical expertise on the three school building projects as set forth in the memorandum of Sep- tember 18, contract range from $50,000 to $60,000. Mr. Stohlman made an amendment to the motion to qualify the words $50,000 to $60,000 with uo to $60,000. The motion was seconded by Ms. Cavicchi. The vote was 6 -0. BUDGET PROCESS A discussion was held among School Committee members, Dr. Harutunian, Town Manager and Town Accountant regarding making a minor adjustment to the capital budget process this year. The proposed change was that Dr. Harutunian meet with Town Manager, Finance Director and Town Accountant to work on capital budget. Superintendent will bring forth, with approval of the School Committee, a list of capital work that needs to be done, with a time frame on when it needs to be done and the cost. The Superintendent will then work with Town Manager, Town Account and Finance Director and bring back to the School Committee how the plan fits. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -7- September 22, 1997 Chair Twomey asked how different the proposed process will be from last year's process. Town Manager explained that the capital process is different from operating process. The Superintendent must have adequate direc- tion from the School Committee to try to find balanced program before School Committee takes a formal vote. He also stated that School Committee needs to be aware of constraints of Town. Mr. Spadafora agreed with Town Manager. Mr. Spadafora also stated that role of School Committee is to advocate for the needs of the schools keeping in mind constraints of Town. However, it is difficult to dream when wearing two hats. The School Committee has to focus on the school side. Mr. Stohlman stated that as a member of School Committee what matters most is that things we request being done get done. However, don't want to give Harry latitude to approve capital plan changes without coming to the School Committee. Dr. Harutunian advised that the change in the process will put him at the table with the town decision makers. There will be time for the School Committee to re -give input on capital projects. Chair Twomey stated that the benefit is that we are working together and going to Town Meeting unified with the town. The change doesn't prohibit us from getting our say. CURRICULUM Mr. Richards distributed to the Committee copies of the Reading Public Schools Curriculum Initiatives progress report dated September 22, 1997. He informed the Committee that the five year cycle has been used in Reading for many years, but in prior years, progress beyond year two was often difficult because of lack of funding. If we can sustain increased funding for curriculum initiatives like that approved in the FY98 budget, the five year cycle is reasonable. Mr. Stohlman asked what areas curriculum covers and where the Committee and the public come in to establish greater goals. Mr. Richards advised that it covers English /language arts, social studies, health, foreign language, physical education, arts guidance, math and science. Mr. Richard also stated that there is a strong effort to reach parents at open house about new initiatives. Also, toward the end of the year parents are made REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -8- September 22, 1997 aware of things that may be purchased and we look for input from the parents. The School Committee will receive information re- garding curriculum in both November and June. Dr. Harutunian asked Mr. Stohlman to what level of curriculum the School Committee wanted to be involved in, to the level of pick- ing text books, calculators etc. Mr. Stohlman advised that he would like to have more general dialogue, what kids are learning and are they successful. Ms. Williams questioned when talking about open house feed back from parents, are you referring to pilot programs. Mr. Richards advised that plan is to familiarize parents with things we are doing and pilot programs, want their feedback. In the next few years earth science and life science will be looked into and will be looking for parents and School Committee input. Mr. Stohlman asked if it is 5 years for every subject from pilot to full implementation and questioned the evaluations from pro- gram to program. Mr. Richards advised that any major change is 5 years and evalua- tions are done annually. Mr. Richards also advised the Committee that there is a major shift away from site basis to central vi- sion. Grade level teachers meet approximately 9 times per year to go over issues. Mr. Stohlman stated that he is looking forward to November and getting information about all 9 curriculum levels. Mr. Richards advised intent is only for new initiatives. Mr. Stohlman stated that CPR has been making suggestions about math curriculum and he wants to be sure parents have useful input into the curriculum and teaching of elementary math. Dr. Harutunian advised that Stanford 9 test is not intended to test Chicago Math, the only way to determine success of program is over the long term. Dr. Harutunian advised that the meeting to determine School Com- mittee Goals has tentatively been set October 18th from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ADJOURN At 11:15 Mr. Soadafora made a motion to adjourn Ms Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0. pectfully �ttd, r arry Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools