HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-03-10 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Reading, Massachusetts
REGULAR SESSION March 10, 1998
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Twomey called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. in the
Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee
Members Cavicchi, D'Antona, Stohlman, Twomey and Williams. Also
present were Student Representative Lantheir, Superintendent
Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards.
BILLS & PAYROLL
Bills and payroll are as follows:
Salaries
2/26
$555,972.19
Bills
3/02
$315,969.14
Salaries
3/06
$162,828.02
Bills
3/09
$120,906.01
PRESENTATION OF MASSACHUSETTS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL
SUPERINTENDENT'S AWARD FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Dr. Harutunian advised that the Town of Reading is eligible for
one Massachusetts Association of School Superintendent's Award
for Academic Excellence. This year's recipient is Steven
Rulison. Dr. Harutunian shared with the Committee a list of
Steven's academic achievements and extra curricular activities.
CITIZEN'S INPUT
There was no citizen input.
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Dr. Harutunian advised that Committee of a letter from the
teacher's of the sixth grade stating that they were impressed
with the depth of math knowledge that the 5th graders would be
bringing into the sixth grade next year.
Dr. Harutunian advised that he had approved four school trips
information on the trips was included in the Committee's packet.
REGULAR SESSION -2- March 10, 1998
LAND BETWEEN YMCA AND BIRCH MEADOW
Dr. Harutunian advised that Mr. Latham is representing the YMCA
and has requested to be able to enter from town property to be
able ro clean the area between the YMCA and the Birch Meadow
School. Dr. Harutunian advised that he has spoken to counsel and
counsel is very comfortable with the request.
Ms. Cavicchi made a motion that should the School Committee be
found to have an interest in the property than the School
Committee approves of use of property by the YMCA as requested in
the letter of February 13 from Brad Latham. Ms. Williams
seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona
Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey, Ms. Williams.
E V" 0 �
Mr. Twomey requested that the minutes of the public hearing of
1/21/98 and the school committee meeting of 1/21/98 be shown as
one set of minutes. Dr. Harutunian requested that under
paragraph 5 add, holding back on decision until after town
meeting.
Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to approve the School Committee
minutes of January 21, as amended. Ms. Williams seconded the
motion. The vote was 4 -0 -1 Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr.
Twomey and Ms. Williams voted yes, Ms. Cavicchi abstained.
Mr. Stohlman made a motion to approve the School Committee
minutes of January 26. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The
vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey
and Ms. Williams.
Mr. Stohlman made a motion to approve the School Committee
minutes of January 28. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The
vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey
and Ms. Williams.
Mr. Stohlman made a motion to approve the School Committee
minutes of February February 4,1998. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the
motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr.
Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams.
REGULAR SESSION -3- March 10, 1998
Mr. Stohlman made a motion to approve the School Committee
minutes of February 5, 1998 with the following addition to the
first paragraph. "Only three members being present and not
constituting a quorum, the School Committee took no action." Ms.
Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 -1 Ms. Cavicchi,
Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams voted yes, Mr. Stohlman
abstained.
Mr. Stohlman made a motion to approve the School Committee
minutes of February 9, 1998 as amended by Mr. Stohlman. Ms.
Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 -1 Ms. Cavicchi,
Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey voted yes, Ms. Williams
abstained.
Mr. Stohlman made a motion to approve the School Committee
minutes of February 10, 1998, as amended by Mr. Stohlman. Ms.
Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 -1 Ms. Cavicchi,
Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey voted yes, Ms. Williams
abstained.
Mr. Stohlman made a motion to approve the School Committee
minutes of February 11, 1998, as amended by Mr. Stohlman. Ms.
Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms.
D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams.
Mr. Stohlman made a motion to approve the School Committee
minutes of February 18, 1998, as amended by Mr. Stohlman. Ms.
Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 -1 Ms. Cavicchi,
Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey voted yes, Ms. Williams
abstained.
Ms. Williams asked Dr. Harutunian when he was speaking of letter
regarding 5th grade math program did he have a sense that
students are ahead of typical students.
Dr. Harutunian advised that the 6th grade teachers were so
impressed that it would play into consideration for new math
books. Breadth of knowledge of students is deeper and area and
content being covered is broader.
REGULAR SESSION -4- March 10, 1998
Mr. Stohlman asked how the state test will help evaluate our
curriculum.
Dr. Harutunian advised that this will be part of the presentation
scheduled for March 16th.
ADJOURN
At 8:50 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to adjourn and enter into
executive session for the purpose of conducting strategy session
in preparation for negotiations with Teachers Association,
Cafeteria Employees, Custodial and Maintenance Employees,
Association of Secretaries and Clerks and the Educational
Assistants Association. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion the
vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey
and Ms. Williams.
Respectfully submitted,
Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools