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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-10-14 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts REGULAR SESSION October 14 1997 CALL TO ORDER Chair Twomey called the meeting to order at 7:40 at the Reading Municipal Light Department meeting room. Present were Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards. BILLS AND PAYROLL Bills and payroll are as follows: $172,245.67 $560,864.05 $555,744.26 $138.932.19 $231,270.80 CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that the Collins Field item had been pulled from the agenda. Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on the status of the School Size and Enrollment Committee. Dr. Harutunian advised that he had several volunteers under the categories of Clergy, Realtors and Citizen At Large. He requested that the School Committee do a lottery to select the volunteers from these groups. The names from each category were pulled from a box and will be contacted in the order they were pulled. The results are as follows: REGULAR SESSION -2- October 14, 1997 Clergy 1. Reverend Garbarino Realtors 1. Ms. Giglio Citizen At Large 1. Mr. Dwyer STRATEGIC PLANNING 2. Reverend McLean 3. Reverend Vendt 2. Ms. Stackpole 3. Ms. Ranaldi 2. Ms. Ranaldi Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on the status of the Strategic Planning Committee. Dr. Harutunian discussed the packet that was distributed regarding Strategic Planning including his memorandum of October 9, listing participants on the Committee. He advised the Committee that the School Committee's Goals that they would begin discussing tonight would be a major focus point for the Strategic Planning group. Ms. D'Antona requested that the Director of Guidance be included on the list of participants. Dr. Harutunian advised that he hopes to have the 102 members chosen by the end of October. He stated that 6 people will serve at the 17 tables, one member of each table will be designated as a facilitator. The facilitators' function will be to help discussions at each table move forward. The facilitators will be trained at a three hour session by Dr. Baugh on November 5. Ms. Cavicchi asked for clarification on the category of government participant. Dr. Harutunian advised that the participant under that category would be either an elected official or a person appointed to a committee or commission in the town. Ms. D'Antona questioned what kind of background information would be given to people that are not part of the school system to familiarize them with the system. REGULAR SESSION -3- October 14, 1997 Dr. Harutunian advised that there are currently three to five informational items being included. Rather than doing a mailing on bulk items, a statement is included in the letter asking anyone looking for further information to contact the Superintendent's office. Mr. Stohlman questioned who will be selecting town government and business at large groups. Dr. Harutunian advised that something will be put in the newspaper advertising the positions. If more people than we need come forward, we will first look for balanced cross section and if necessary will go to a lottery system. Mr. Stohlman then questioned who selected the writing group. Dr. Harutunian advised that he, Associate Superintendent Richards and Dr. Baugh would select the writing group with input from the facilitators. He also advised that the writing group would be reporting back to the large group for checks and balances and then the draft document will go out to focus groups. Mr. Stohlman questioned how the focus group list will be added to. Dr. Harutunian advised that he was planning to publish a list of the focus groups and meeting dates in the newspaper. He will also encourage anyone or any group not listed who is interested in participating to come forward. Mr. Stohlman stated that he wants assurance that the group of 102 will feel free to explore things other than the School Committee's goals. Dr. Harutunian stated that the 102 people come with agendas and issues of their own and he will encourage people to express their ideas. Ms. Williams questioned how the word will get out to the public about the type of participants we are looking for. REGULAR SESSION -4- October 14. 1997 Dr. Harutunian advised that he would be writing an article for the newspaper about Strategic Planning explaining the process to the public. Chair Twomey stated that this will be a living document that we will revisit and will assist us in improving the process for gathering data from the community. He stated that this is the town's document not the school committee's. CITIZEN'S BUDGET INPUT Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that he had included a summary of the input received from citizens at the budget hearing. SCHOOL COMMITTEE GOALS The School Committee began discussions on last year's goals and made some updates to those goals. Dr. Harutunian recommended that he and Associate Superintendent Richards listen to the input of the Committee, draft the goals and return them to the Committee for editing. Learning After discussion, it was decided to have a separate goal to focus on the specific area of integrating technology into curriculum. It was decided to draft a goal to focus on curriculum excellence and gather information about what qualifications top colleges are looking for in high school graduates and whether Reading is meeting those qualifications. It was decided to have a goal to make sure that all students who are highly motivated have a way to flower in their area of specialty. Facilities & Buildings It was decided that the goal for middle schools should be re- worded to include not only renovation but the development of a plan to accommodate the incoming middle school population. REGULAR SESSION -5- October 14 1997 Communication The communication goal is a long term goal. The home page is started but not yet complete. Communications from school system out to parents /public needs to improve. Goal should include vehicles to inform people in general about what is going on within the school system. Chair Twomey advised that this discussion would continue at the School Committee meeting to be held on Saturday, October 18 at 8:00 a.m. at the Reading Municipal Light Department. ADJOURN Mr. Stohlman made a motion to adjourn at 9.35 p.m. into executive session for the purpose of discussing union and non -union personnel issues discussina strategies relevant to potential litigation and approval and release of executive session minutes The motion was seconded by Ms Cavicchi Ms Cavicchi Ms D'Antona. Mr. Stohlman. Mr. Twomey and Ms Williams voters yes The committee will not reconvene after executive session. Respectfully_submitted, Harry R. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools