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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-08-07 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts School Committee Meeting Regular Session Minutes August 7, 1995 Call to Order Chair Cummings called the regular school committee meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present with the exception of Mr. Twomey. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and Assistant Superintendent Richards. Adjourn Mr. Stohlman moved to adiourn to executive session at 7:00 n.m. for the purpose of union and non -union discussion. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The motion was unanimous. Mrs. Cavicchi, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman and Mrs. D'Antona Call to Order Chair Cummings reconvened the School Committee meeting at 7:40 p.m. and welcomed the audience. Bills and Payrolls The warrants for bills were as follows: August 7, 1995 - Bills - $ 274,596 The warrants for payrolls were as follows: August 4, 1995 - Biweekly - Minutes Mr. Stohlman moved to approve $ 160,999 the minutes of May 25, 1995. Mrs. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 in favor. Mr. Stohlman moved to approve the minutes of June 6, 1995. Mrs. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 in favor. Mr. Stohlman moved to approve the minutes of June 12, 1995. Mrs. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 in favor. Mr. Stohlman moved to approve the minutes of June 26, 1995. Mrs. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote wa 5 -0 in favor. Mr. Stohlman moved to approve the minutes of July 10, 1995. Mrs. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 5 - 0 in favor. Regular Session Minutes 2 _ August 7, 1995 Mr. Stohlman moved to approve the minutes of July 12 1995 Mrs Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 -1 with Mr. Spadafora abstaining. Citizens' Input There was no citizens' input. Report of the School Committee Chair and Superintendent Chair Cummings thanked and commended Dennis Richards for an outstanding job as Interim Superintendent. He noted that the time and energy that Dennis gave to the job was remarkable. He went on to say that Dennis is truly an educational leader and a professional in the truest sense. Superintendent Harutunian gave his opening statement to the School Committee. He explained how his entry plan would work and how he would be collecting data. Once all the data was collected he will present it to the School Committee for validation. After validation the document will be circulated to everyone who has been interviewed. Once this process is completed he will publish the document and use this as a statement of the Reading Public Schools's core values for the next two to three years. He expressed his excitement about what he has seen and heard in the first six weeks as Superintendent. He thanked all the committees for their support and confidence in selecting him as Superintendent of Schools. He went on to thank Mr. Richards noting his professionalism, hard work, devotion etc. New Business: The Reading Community is interested in naming the Parker Middle School field after Stephen Collins of Reading who recently passed away. Stephen Collins has spent several years coaching and supervising the children of Reading as part of the United Soccer Program. The parents would like to have a dedication in October. Mr. Stohlman moved to name the field at Parker Middle School after Stephen Collins. Mrs. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0. Parker Middle School Building Project Mr. Russell Graham stated that TLT Construction of Lynnfield was the lowest bidder for the Parker Middle School Building Project. The lowest bid price was $ 9,763,700. The total being $ 11, 409, 000 with indirect costs. Mr. Russell was requesting approval of the Reading School Committee. Mr. Russell explained that TLT Reqular Session Minutes 3 Auaust 7. 1995 Construction was tough to deal with but capable. He feels that TLT Construction Company coupled with a top notch Clerk of the Works will yield the proper results. Mr. David Finney from the Design Partnership of Cambridge reported that he has worked with TLT Construction in the past in Georgetown and on Martha's Vineyard. He agrees that TLT is a tough company but he feels they are able to meet the building schedule. Mr. Finney recommends the awarding of the contract to TLT Construction Company. The Design Partnership also suggested a budget $ 100,000 for the Clerk of the Works position instead of $ 80,000. Mrs. D'Antona recommended that they accept the $ 9,763,000 bid plus the alternate bid of $ 44,000 as well as Change Order #1 for X109,000. Mrs. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0. Old Business Dr. Harutunian recommended that the School Committee approve Change Order 37B for the Joshua Eaton School Building Project. This increase is for excavation work (ejector pit) to install a second pump in the Boiler Room floor. The estimated cost was $ 14,600. The actual cost was $ 17,154. The difference is $ 2,554. Mr. Stohlman moved to approve Change Order 37B. Mrs. Cavicchi moved to second the motion. The vote was 4 -0. FY95 Budget Update Beth Klepeis gave a brief FY95 budget update. There was discussion about the FY96 budget format. Mr. Stohlman asked if a beginning budget amount column could be added. Beth said a column could be added. Personnel We have no Pupil Personnel Director. It was decided to hold off on the hiring of a PPS Director at this time. Boston Gas Update Boston Gas will be able to honor its commitment of installing 5,600 feet of mains and services, at no cost to Reading, if all boilers are converted within 8 years instead of the previously calculated 7 years. Peter Hechenbleikner stated that oil was 59 cents per gallon, the lowest it has been in 20 years. The more expensive oil is, the better gas looks. There is no reason to hurry in the decision making process. It was recommended to wait until spring because oil prices are so low. Regular Session Minutes 4 August 7 1995 Medical Correspondence Policy Assistant Superintendent Richards reviewed the rough draft hand -out concerning policy on medical correspondence. Mr. Stohlman moved to approve the policv on medical correspondence Mrs. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0. Teacher Inservice Date Chanae Town Clerk Catherine Quimby has requested that the March 19th Teacher Inservice Day be changed to March 5, 1996. Robert Donovan did not have an issue with the change. The fact the schools are closed on an election day helps out the traffic situation greatly. Mr. Stohlman moved to change the Teacher Inservice Day from March 19th to March 5th. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion The vote was 5 -0. Time and Learning Elementary There was discussion about Time and Learning. Mr. Richards reviewed Principal Papandreou's memo on Time and Learning regulations. The memo summarizes calculations which resulted in changes in the school day. Mr. Spadafora asked how parents will obtain the information concerning the school day. He was told that there would be a direct mailing, a P.T.O. Newsletter and announcements on Cable TV. Mr. Stohlman moved to approve the new Elementary School schedule Mrs. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 5- 0. Dr. Harutunian explained that the School Committee Meeting Packets would now go out on Thursday afternoons. If anyone has information for the packet please make sure the information reaches the Superintendent's office by Monday of that week. Adjourn At 9:40 Mr. Stohlman moved to adjourn. Mr Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0. Susan Cavicchi Matthew Cummings Robin D'Antona Robert Spadafora Thomas Stohlman Respectfully submitted, Harry Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools