HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-05-25 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS
READING, MASSACHUSETTS
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
REGULAR SESSION MINUTES MAY 25,1995
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Twomey called the regular school committee meeting to order
at 7:00 in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were
present with exception of Susan Cavicchi and Robert Spadafora.
(Mr. Spadafora arrived later.) Also present was Interim
Superintendent Dennis Richards.
OLD BUSINESS
1.FY95 BUDGET UPDATE
Mr. Twomey gave a summary of last nights Selectmen's Meeting. He
noted that the P.A.C. parents are both angry and frustrated about
the Special Education Budget. He went on to explain that the
budget process is a difficult one. The budget is prepared in
December and finalized in February. By the time school starts in
September there could be a multitude of circumstances having
dramatic effects on the budget.
It was said that the Superintendent should be able make decisions
on spending. Mr. Twomey recommended that the School Committee be
kept up to date on budget changes.
Mrs. D'Antona feels that money should be set aside for emergency
SPED situations. It should be labeled as such. In the budgeting
process we should have a pool of cash set aside for unforeseen
expenditures.
Mr. Twomey stated the cost of SPED is volatile and unpredictable
and that Town Meeting will vote out reserve line items.
Mr. Cummings stated Building Maintenance and Special Education are
two items that have dramatic effect reserve funds.
2. JOSHUA EATON PORTABLES
Bids for the relocation of the portables are due by June 12, 1995.
The cost is estimated at $ 48,079.12 instead of the $ 36,000 that
was budgeted. The $12,070.12 difference will be taken from the
Maintenance Budget.
REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 MAY 25,1995
3. PREPARATION FOR SUPERINTENDENT CANDIDATE INTERVIEWS
The School Committee decided to create a list of 7 questions. They
will ask each candidate the same questions. The questions are as
follows:
1. Define with specific examples your management philosophy and
how that plays out with peers, staff, parents, School Committee and
Town.
2. Provide the community with your vision of the Reading School
System over the next five years. What are the major components of
achieving this vision?
3. From your limited introduction to the School District, compare
and contrast the structure between your current situation and
Reading. Give one example of a difference or contrast and how it
would help Reading.
4. Provide your definition of an "ideal working relationship" with
the School Committee.
5. Given the enormous complexities of running an $18 Million
operation, how do you accomplish having the day -to -day activities
done, the weekly crises solved, address the concerns of various
constituencies, be visible and still be able to be the "EDUCATIONAL
LEADER "?
6. Given the resources we have for public education in Reading,
outline the process by which you put a budget together. Give
specific examples. Discuss your roles in the execution of the
budget once it has been approved by Town Meeting.
7. What useful method of teacher evaluation have you used in the
past? What was successful and why?
ADJOURN
Mrs. D'Antona moved to Adjourn. Mr. Cummings seconded the motion.
Matt Cummings
Robin D'Antona
Thomas Stohlman
Timothy Twomey
Robert Spadafora Re pectfully submitt ,
3dw-__9
De nis Richards
Interim Superintendent