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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-11-06 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE READING, MASSACHUSETTS REGULAR SESSION November 6 1997 CALL TO ORDER Chair Twomey called the meeting to order at 8:05 p.m at 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. BILLS & PAYROLL The bills and payroll are as follows: Bi- weekly Salaries 10/31/97 $138,666.65 Bills 11/03/97 $170,040.89 Ms. Williams arrived at 8:07 p.m. CITIZEN INPUT There was no citizen input. SCHOOL COMMITTEE GOALS Community Based Programs Mr. Spadafora arrived at 8:35 p.m. The Committee discussed the Community Based Programs goal and changed the language to read as follows: • The School Committee directs the school administration to explore a community based program which will be run and operated by the Town's Recreation Department. Ms. D'Antona moved to accept the Community Based Programs goal with the language as modified. Ms Cavicchi seconded The vote was 5 -0 -1. Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman Mr. Twomey Ms. Williams voted yes Mr. Spadafora abstained REGULAR SESSION -2- November 6 1997 Special Education The Committee discussed the Special Education goal and made minor changes. The goal will read as follows: • Work to continue to develop recommendations that will improve organization of Special Education programs, and /or approaches and the fiscal viability for Special Education and pupil support services. Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept the Special Education goal with the language as modified. Ms D'Antona seconded the motion The vote was 6 -0. Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Strategic Planning The Committee discussed the Strategic Planning goal and agreed to remove bullet item number one from the Communication goal and insert the item as the first bullet item in the Strategic Planning goal. The Strategic Planning goal will read as follows: • To move forward with a comprehensive strategic plan for the Reading Public Schools that will encompass the entire Reading Community. • The School Committee through its strategic planning process will develop an annual review process for strategic planning. Mr. Stohlman made a motion to approve the Strategic Planning goal as modified. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion The vote was 6- 0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora. Mr. Stohlman Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Respect and Dignity The Committee discussed the Respect and Dignity goal and made changes to bullet item number one and added the last paragraph under the Respect and Dignity goal from the memorandum dated October 3, 1997. The Respect and Dignity goal will read as follows: REGULAR SESSION -3- November 6 1997 • To continue to move toward intimidation free schools as a fundamental right of all. The School Committee will continue to implement its new policy to prevent sexual harassment, bullying and discrimination. • The School Department will integrate within its scope of subject matter the concept of tolerance of values and interests of others in connection with all school related activities (i.e. academics, athletics, arts, extracurricular, etc.) • The School Department will continue to incorporate conflict management techniques in curricular and school related activities. • The School Department will begin to move the focus from a reactive course in dealing with harassment to a proactive with special emphasis on potential victims and harassers. • Furthermore, the school committee recognizes the school's obligation to encourage social consciousness. Therefore the school committee directs the administration to explore avenues of opportunities and resources for developing social and civic responsibility. Mr. Stohlman made a motion to accept the Respect and Dignity goal as amended. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was 6- 0, Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Fiscal Responsibility The School Committee discussed the Fiscal Responsibility goal and deleted the last word of the goal, "needs" and replaced it with "strategies ". The goal will read as follows: • The School Department will continue to monitor and advocate for short and long term needs both operational and capital for the Reading Public Schools while developing a three to five year operational budget which can be used as a blueprint for the School Department's financial strategies. REGULAR SESSION -4- November 6 1997 Mr. Stohlman made a motion to accept the Fiscal Responsibility goal as amended. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion The vote was 6 -0. Ms. Cavicchi Ms D'Antona Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Communication The School Committee discussed the Communication goal, bullet item number 1 has been moved to the Strategic Planning goal and changes were made to bullet item number 3. The goal will read as follows: • The Superintendent will establish with Media One a five to ten minutes update program on Channel 3 to help facilitate communications to the Reading community. • The School Department will propose a solution to updating and maintaining the Internet Web Page to facilitate communications between the Reading Public Schools, parents and the Reading community. Mr. Stohlman made a motion to accept the Communication goal as amended. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona. Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Facilities and Buildings The School Committee discussed the Facilities and Buildings goal. Bullet item number one has been changed to read as follows: • Develop physical and financial plans for the renovation to or new construction of Reading Memorial High School. Mr. Stohlman made a motion to accept bullet item number one under Facilities and Buildings as amended Ms Williams seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams The School Committee added the following bullet item under Facilities and Building goal: REGULAR SESSION -5- November 6 1997 • Develop administrative guidelines for identification of patterns that may indicate problems due to unhealthy situations in a building. Mr. Stohlman made a motion to approve the item added under the Buildina and Facilities goal. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion The vote was 6 -0, Ms. Cavicchi, Ms D'Antona Mr. Spadafora Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey, Ms. Williams. Bullet items two through four under Building and Facilities will read as follows: • To move forward with a plan to address potential overcrowding and program needs at the Coolidge Middle School in the next two to four years. • To receive a report of the Elementary Enrollment and School Size Committee and to implement a long -range plan for addressing overcrowding in the elementary schools. • To continue to implement and evaluate a pilot program merging the school buildings with the town buildings. • To move forward with a comprehensive study of facilities /maintenance and man power in all fourteen buildings in Reading and implement a long range plan to address the recommendations. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to approve bullet items 2 -4 under the Buildings and Facilities goal as amended. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman. Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams Learning The Committee agreed to a language change for bullet item number one and to delete bullet item number two under the Learning Goal. Bullet item number one will read as follows: • To review, understand and validate a three year plan of implementation of curriculum K -12. Specifically in the areas of math, science and foreign language. REGULAR SESSION -6- November 6 1997 Mr. Stohlman made a motion to approve bullet item number one as modified and to delete bullet item number 2 under the Learning goal. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion The vote was 6 -0 Ms Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona Mr. Spadafora Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomev and Ms. Williams. The Committee agreed to a language change to bullet item number three under the Learning goal. Bullet item number three will now read: • To review, understand and implement the Commonwealth Core Curriculum: The Curriculum Frameworks and to continue to move forward with high expectations for students, students being fully engaged in productive learning and meaningful evaluation of student performance. Mr Stohlman made a motion to approve bullet item number 3 under the Learning Goal as modified Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion The vote was 6 -0 Ms Cavicchi Ms D'Antona Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams The Committee agreed to a language change to bullet item number four under the Learning goal. Bullet item number four will now read: • To review understand and validate the high school restructuring effort to improve student opportunities and achievement particularly as it relates to college expectations and the work of the guidance department in motivating, challenging and preparing students for college and work. Mr. Stohlman made a motion to approve bullet item number four under the Learning goal as modified Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion The vote was 6 -0 Ms Cavicchi Ms D'Antona Mr. Spadafora Mr. Stohlman Mr. Twomey and Ms Williams REGULAR SESSION -7- November 6. 1997 ADJOURN Mr. Spadafora made a motion at 10.15 p.m. to adjourn into executive session to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property and to discuss strategies with respect to union bargaining and to discuss possible litigation. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr, Stohlman,Mr. Twomev and Ms. William pectfully submitted, Harr K. Harutunian, Ph. D. Superintendent of Schools