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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-10-18 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts Special Session October 18 1997 CALL TO ORDER Chair Twomey called the meeting to order at 8:20 a.m. at the Reading Municipal Light Department. Present were Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT (Out of order) Dr. Harutunian asked the School Committee for clarification on the citizen at large position for the School Size and Enrollment Committee. There was a stipulation that the citizen at large member of the committee have no school age children. The candidate selected for the at large position, Mr. Dwyer, has no school age children but does have pre- school children and Dr. Harutunian asked whether the Committee felt this would disqualify Mr. Dwyer for the at large position. The Committee advised that this would not disqualify Mr. Dwyer. Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that an updated report from NESDEC regarding school enrollment projections was included in their packet. Dr. Harutunian advised that there is no major change in the report, but that the report now included actual enrollment numbers for this year. Dr. Harutunian discussed with the Committee the recommendations for expenditures of bonding appropriations for Joshua Eaton, Birch Meadow and Reading Memorial High School as outlined in Beth Klepeis's draft memorandum of October 17. The three projects went out under one bid. The only bidder for the building maintenance projects related to energy conservation and HVAC was Siebe. Dr. Harutunian advised that there is enough money for the Joshua Eaton project. Special Session -2- October 18, 1997 Dr. Harutunian advised that there is not enough money to complete the Birch Meadow project due to the asbestos abatement/ installation at a cost of $142,617. He advised that either cuts need to be made to the Birch Meadow project or we need to go to town meeting to ask for the money for asbestos abatement/ installation. Dr. Harutunian also advised that the Reading Memorial High School project is short of money mainly due to $600,000 in asbestos abatement, installation. The recommendation is that projects A and C outlined in Beth Klepeis's memo be completed. The Committee voiced concern that Town Meeting approved funds for the High School project and it is important that the visible projects at the High School be completed with the money appropriated. They also questioned whether it is cost efficient to replace a boiler when there won't be any improvement to the efficiency of controls and no replacement of unit ventilators. The Committee requested that Dr. Harutunian look into whether it is better to do Section B than Section A as outlined in Beth Klepeis's memo. Dr. Harutunian advised that he would look into the matter and also that Beth Klepeis, Domenic Cacciapuotti and David Alesse would attend the School Committee meeting on October 27 to answer any other questions the School Committee may have regarding this issue. CITIZEN'S INPUT (out of order) A concerned citizen spoke regarding the pay for substitute teachers in Reading. She advised that in her opinion, the substitute teachers are underpaid. She advised the Committee that she would receive the same amount of money for child care reimbursement for serving on a jury as a substitute teacher receives for a day's work. She also stated that she wished to make the Committee aware that her second grade child is doing very well with the math program. She stated that from her experience, the teachers are working very hard and putting great effort into the math program. Special Session -3- October 18, 1997 SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT (continued) Associate Superintendent Richards stated that he had surveyed surrounding towns regarding the pay scale for substitute teachers. He advised that, of the towns contacted, Reading has the second highest pay scale for substitute teachers. He also advised that a notice stating that Reading is looking for qualified substitute teachers has been sent out to area colleges and to the homes of all elementary students. The possibility of hiring permanent substitutes was briefly discussed. Dr. Harutunian advised that we may want to talk with RTA about this subject. Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that three families whose children are not eligible for bus service have requested to take advantage of the pay for bus service that was discussed at an earlier School Committee meeting. Dr. Harutunian requested the Committee's consensus to start a pilot program for these families wishing to pay for bus service. The cost for the bus would be $1.00 each way. The cost would be broken into two payments, one due in January and the other due in June. The Committee agreed to the pilot program. Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that Cindy Conte has resigned and that in addition to replacing Ms. Conte's position of Director of Technology, he is looking into the possibility of hiring a technician for the remainder of this year. Each position would be at a salary of approximately $50,000. Chair Twomey questioned whether $50,000 was too high a salary for a technician. Dr. Harutunian advised that he would look into this matter and would come before the Committee with a formal recommendation at the October 27th meeting. Dr. Harutunian advised that it was the strong consensus of all elementary principals that, due to projected enrollments, kindergarten registration be moved from April to January this year. Special Session -4- October 18, 1997 Ms. D'Antona stated that moving registration from April to January will put pressure on pre- schools to evaluate children earlier and may lead to parents registering their children for kindergarten just to cover their options and later dropping the children from the kindergarten list. Dr. Harutunian advised that enrollments are tight and a difference of 10 children will determine whether a portable classroom is needed. Mr. Spadafora left the meeting at 9:30 a.m. SCHOOL COMMITTEE GOALS Communication The goal of communication was discussed. The Committee stated that they feel they are not reaching the town as a whole and discussed potential vehicles they may use for better communications. The possibility of using cable television more was discussed. Cable possibilities discussed included having the Superintendent give a 5 -10 minute briefing on current school issues every week and producing a Parker Middle School before and after video. Expanding the use of the WEB page was also discussed. Fiscal Responsibility The Committee discussed their goal of Fiscal Responsibility and agreed that improvements have been made, including the Committee having held a pre- budget public hearing. The possibility of having a 3 -5 year Strategic Budget Plan for The Operational Budget and /or a 3 -5 year Programmatic Strategic Plan was discussed. The Committee agreed that the Programmatic Strategic Plan would give the School Committee a clear picture of where the School Department is headed over the next 3 -5 years without leaving the public with the impression that the budget was already set and their input would not be taken into consideration. At 10:45 a.m. Chair Twomey advised that the Committee would take a short break. Chair Twomey called the meeting back to order at 10:55. Special Session -5- October 18 1997 Respect and Dignity It was decided to continue to implement and promote the plan. The plan focuses on victims and harassers and we need to support counseling and services. There is a need to communicate with the public on the safety issues we have put in. Continued supervision is needed and the teachers have to accept responsibility for supporting this goal. Mr. Spadafora returned to the meeting at 11:10 a.m. Strategic Planning The Committee needs to consider building in a process for annual review so the strategic planning document is always current. Special Education The majority of this section has been put on hold because the governor's office had put together a task force which was recommending that we go to the Federal Law 94 -142. New Goals Ms. Cavicchi requested a goal of developing and implementing a community school program. The community school program could put under one umbrella the schools, recreation department, adult education department, creative arts, Chapter 766, and the council on aging. The community school program would possibly open 1 or 2 schools from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday's for enrichment programs. Mr. Twomey requested that a focus be put on assessing and improving delivery, by individual teachers, of a balanced curriculum at each grade level. After discussion, it was decided that this issue would fall under the communication goal. It will be clearly communicated to all parents what to expect from curriculum and the channels to go through if they are uncertain that the curriculum is being delivered. Dr. Harutunian left the meeting at 12:10 p.m. Special Session -6- October 18, 1997 MINUTES Mr. Stohlman made a motion to approve the School Committee minutes of August 4, 1997. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey. Mr. Stohlman requested several minor corrections be made to the minutes of August 4th. Mr. Stohlman made a motion to approve the School Committee minutes of August 5, 1997. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 -1 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey voted yes, Mr. Spadafora abstained. Mr. Stohlman requested several minor corrections be made to the minutes of August 5th. Mr. Stohlman made a motion to approve the School Committee minutes of September 8, 1997. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey. Mr. Stohlman made a motion to approve the School Committee minutes of September 15, 1997. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey. Mr. Stohlman requested several minor corrections by made to the minutes of September 15th. ADJOURN At 12:35 Mr. Spadafora made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey. Respectfully submitted, Harry Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools