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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-10-27 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE READING, MASSACHUSETTS REGULAR SESSION October 27, 1997 CALL TO ORDER Chair Twomey called the meeting to order at in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee members Cavicchi, D'Antona, Stohlman and Twomey. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards. Ms Cavicchi made a motion at 7:05 p.m. to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing potential litigation and strategies for union collective bargaining. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion The vote was 4 -0 Ms Cavicchi Ms D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey, Mr. Spadafora arrived during executive session. Chair Twomey called the meeting back to order at 7:40 p.m. NATIONAL MERIT (Out of order) Chair Twomey and Ms. Cavicchi presented, on behalf of the School Committee, the Excellence in Education Awards to the 14 Reading Memorial High School Students who received National Merit Commended Recognition. Both the School Committee and Dr. Harutunian expressed praise for these students who represent the top 50 of all juniors. At 7:45 p.m. Chair Twomey advised the Committee would take a short break. At 7:50 p.m. Chair Twomey called the meeting back to order. BILLS & PAYROLL The bills and payroll are as follows: Salaries October 17, 1997 $144,949.02 Biweekly salaries October 23, 1997 $559,400.34 Teacher salaries Bills October 20, 1997 $110,214.24 October 27, 1997 $208,133.88 REGULAR SESSION -2- October 27, 1997 MR. DELONG'S CLASS Dr. Harutunian requested a moment to thank Mr. DeLong's 4th grade class at the Joshua Eaton School. Dr. Harutunian had the pleasure of visiting Mr. DeLong's class on October 14th and read two books to the class. CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen input. Ms. Cavicchi expressed her thanks to Dr. Harutunian, Dr. Richards, the teachers, and school psychiatrists for the kindness and care they showed the Donahue children. Chair Twomey also expressed his thanks and the thanks of the Committee to the support shown not only for the Donahue children, but for all the children and families of Reading during this very difficult time. Dr. Harutunian informed the Committee that the Donahue children are with Elaine Donahue's brother and wife and they are seeking temporary custody of the children. Dr. Harutunian also wished to express his thanks to all those who supported the schools during this very difficult time and distributed to the Committee a list of all those involved. RFP A discussion was held among Committee members, Ms. Klepesis, Domenic Cacciapuotti, David Alesse and a representative from Seebe Corporation regarding proposed projects at Joshua Eaton, Birch Meadow and Reading Memorial High School. The time frame for the projects would be: Joshua Eaton start date 11/1/97 completed 12/31/97 Birch Meadow start date 11/1/97 completed 12/31/97 RMHS start date 11/1/97 completed 2/28/98. Mr. Stohlman moved to approve $149,910 for projects at the Joshua Eaton school as described in the memorandum of October 17, 1997. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0. Ms. Cavicchi, Ms._ D'Antona, Mr.SDadafora, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey REGULAR SESSION -3- October 27, 1997 Mr. Stohlman moved to approve 5503,124 for projects at the Birch Meadow school as described in the memorandum of October 17, 19970 Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0. Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr.Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey. Mr. Stohlman moved to approve $976,234 for projects at the Reading Memorial High School as described in the memorandum of October 17, 1997. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0. Ms. Cavicchi, Ms.D_'Ant_ona, Mr.Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twome COLLINS FIELD A discussion was held regarding renovations to Collins Field. Three bids were received and Gold Star Wholesale was the low bidder. Mr. Spadafora made a motion to approve the bid for Gold Star Wholesale for the Parker Middle School sod project. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0. Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey. NETWORKING Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that he has been informed by counsel that there has been a major change in the law regarding the blanket contractor list. Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that we will be unable to move forward with the Networking Project until an RFP is prepared. Dr. Harutunian advised that the RFP should be completed by mid - January. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian advised that he had spoken with the Director of Admissions at Harvard, Marilyn McGrath -Lewis regarding what colleges are looking for in applicants. Ms. McGrath -Lewis advised Dr. Harutunian that she would be happy to come to a School Committee meeting and discuss that with the Committee. Dr. Harutunian also advised that he asked her if applicants from Reading High School have lost any stature over the last several years. She advised that Reading Memorial High School is a great school and applicants have not lost any stature. REGULAR SESSION -4- October 27, 1997 Ms. Cavicchi requested that Reading students currently attending Harvard be invited to speak at the same meeting. Dr. Harutunian advised that Louise DiCarlo and Mary Hichborn, teachers at the Arthur W. Coolidge Middle School, have been selected to be presenters at the New England League of Middle Schools Conference next month. Their topic will be The 20+ Club - One Way to Keep Middle School Kids Reading!!! Dr. Harutunian advised that two Reading teachers, Kathleen Daly and Jill Piantedosi from Parker Middle School taught a graduate course this summer at Salem State College. Dr. Harutunian advised that a copy of their letter to him and the course description is included in the Committee's packet for their information. Dr. Harutunian distributed a memorandum comparing substitute teacher pay rates of surrounding communities with the substitute teacher pay rate for Reading. Reading does pay as good if not better than almost every community in the area. Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that he had received a letter of regret from Mr. Thomas Kostinden, C.E.O. of TLT Construction Company informing us that he will be unable to attend the dedication of the Parker Middle School. Dr. Harutunian distributed to the Committee an up to date list of members of the Enrollment and School Size Committee Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that John Doherty had completed the application for the 1997 -1998 Blue Ribbon Schools Program. A copy of the application has been included in the Committee's packet. Dr. Harutunian informed the Committee that included in their packet was a letter from Charles Montgomery from QSP, Inc. To Mr. Cowles of the Parker Middle School praising the school, students and staff. REGULAR SESSION -5- October 27, 1997 Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that a summary of the presentation that Nancy Powell, sixth grade Reading /Language Arts Teachers and Sue Redgate, Reading Specialist, gave at the Greater Boston Council Reading Association Fall Conference was included in their packets. Dr. Harutunian congratulated the Girls Varsity Swim Team which won the Middlesex League Championship with an impressive 7 -9 record. The highlight of the season was the Rockets 93 -92 come from behind victory over defending champion Belmont. Dr. Harutunian expressed his congratulations to Captains Julie O'Rourke, Shannon Cahoon, Cara Natale and Coach Margeson. Dr. Harutunian informed the Committee that a parent from Joshua Eaton, Mrs. Mary Lautman wrote a grant on behalf of the Joshua Eaton School to obtain support funding for participation in NetDay. The school has been awarded the $1,000 grant and participated in NetDay on October 25. Nancy Twomey helped to ensure that the school had the necessary equipment to participate in NetDay. Dr. Harutunian wished to thank the following for their donations to NetDay: Mrs. Mary Lautman for writing the grant. Sun Microsystems Foundation for awarding Joshua Eaton School the Open Gateways for Cash Mini - Grant. The Exhibit Source for donation of $500.00 to be used toward the purchase of a Power Mac computer and Stylewriter printer. Dawn and Robert O'Connor for donation of 550 computer disks. Frances and Robert Harty for donation of a keyboard and printer. Susan and Stewart Don for donation of two monitors and one printer. Ms. Williams arrived at 9:05 p.m. COMPUTER TECHNICIAN Mr. Stohlman made a motion to move 540,00 from reaular education to administration account for purpose of hiring a computer technician as outlined in the memorandum of October 22, 1997. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0. Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr, SDadafora, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomev and Ms. William REGULAR SESSION -6- October 27, 1997 MINUTES Mr. Stohlman made a motion to amend the executive session minutes of March 22, page 3 under executive session, vote to read ...to negotiate with Superintendent Harutunian... Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 -1 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr - -Suadafora and Mr. Twomey voted yes Ms. Williams abstained. Mr. Stohlman requested that minor corrections be made to the minutes of September 22, 1997. Mr. Spadafora made a motion to approve the minutes of September 22, 1997 with changes as noted by Mr. Stohlman. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0. Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman and Ms. Williams. Mr. Stohlman requested that minor corrections be made to the minutes of September 24, 1997. Mr. Spadafora made a motion to approve the minutes of September 24 1997 with changes as noted by Mr. Stohlman. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0. Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman and Ms. Williams. Mr. Stohlman requested that minor corrections be made to the minutes of October 6, 1997. Mr. Stohlman made a motion to approve the minutes of October 6, 1997 with changes as noted. Ms, D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0. Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman and Ms. Williams. SCHOOL COMMITTEE GOALS A discussion was held regarding a date for another School Committee Goal setting session. A tentative date of November 6 at 8:00 p.m. was agreed upon. Dr. Harutunian requested that any member that had additional goals please forward them to his office. REGULAR SESSION -7- October 27, 1997 ADJOURN Mr. Spadafora made a motion to adjourn at 9.25 p.m. from regular session and to reconvene into executive session for the purpose of discussing bargaining strategies relative to union and non- union personnel and also to discuss possible litigation. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0. Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Respectfully submitted, Harry R. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools