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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-08-21 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES AUGUST 21 1995 CALL TO ORDER Chair Matthew Cummings called the regular session to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present with the exception of Roberta D'Antona. Also present were Superintendent Harry K. Harutunian and a reporter from the Chronicle. ADJOURN Mr. Stolhlman moved to adiourn to executive session for purposes of bargaining and negotiations with _union )ersonnel and announced the School Committee would reconvene in Open Session near 7:30 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Susan Cavicchi, Matthew Cummings Thomas Stohlman Robert Spadafora Timothy Twomey CALL TO ORDER At 7:40 p.m. Chair Cummings reconvened the School Committee's Regular Session. MINUTES There were no minutes for approval. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for bills were as follows: August 14, 1995 - Bills - $52,794.24 The warrant for payrolls were as follows: August 11, 1995 - Biweekly - $45,347.92 REGULARS SESSION MINUTES 2 AUGUST 21 1995 LIAISON REPORT Chair Cummings greeted and introduced Camille Anthony, liaison for the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Anthony welcomed Superintendent Harutunian. As a citizen, she asked if the school committee ever had books from the school library go to the public library during the summer. Dr. Harutunian replied that is one of their agenda items to be discussed on September 8th and 9th. He added there would be a lot of activity in this area. Mr. Cummings was contacted by Jane Fiore who is looking for a liaison for the Drug and Health Committee. School Committee member Robert Spadafora volunteered. SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR AND SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian expressed appreciation to Edward Quinn of TASC for the computer equipment recently donated to the Reading school system. I -le congratulated Donna Pappalardo for her second presentation and her recognition by the Board of Education of the Mathematics and the Science & Technology Curriculum Frameworks. Dr. Hal- Utunlan asked the members of the School Committee to host a reception for the new Reading Public Schools' teachers on September 7, 1995 from 7 - 7:30 p.m. The members responded favorably to this request. In response to a parent's request, Chair Cumming's clarified that all policies need to be discussed in open session under a requirement of the Open Meeting Law. PERSONNEL There was no personnel this evening. OLD BUSINESS MEDICAL CORRESPONDENCE POLICY - SECOND VOTE Discussion regarding the Policy on Medical Correspondence noted Mr. Stohlman's comments under the paragraph titled Medications. His suggestion was to title the paragraph Medications/ Medical Procedures and to include in the second line after the word medications or medical procedures. Mr. Stohlman moved the so noted additions for the Policy on Medical Correspondence. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. REGULAR SESSION MiNUTES 3 AUGUST 21 1995 Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept by a second policy vote for the Policy JHB Polite on Medical. Cgrrespondence as outlined. Mr. Twomey seconded the vote The vote was unanimous UPDATE ON SCHOOL BUSSING CONTRACT Superintendent Harutunian brought to the attention of the School Committee information that Arthur Corporation doing business as Suburban School Transportation, which is our carrier for mandated school bussing, field trips, and athletics transportation, recently filed for Chapter 1 1 and is reorganizing. He added that we have been in contact with Mr. Bernard, President of Suburban School Transportation and they have assured us that they will be able to meet their obligations with the Reading School Department. Dr. Harutunian asked anyone who has concerns to address them to Central Office and speak with Maureen. Chair Cummings asked that Attorney Cohen review the bus contract and advise us what recourse we have if the bus is not safe or if drivers are not acting in a responsible manner. Ms. Cavicchi asked that we also check to see if they are bonded. Dr. Harutunian advised that we are going through the process with two carriers who could pick Up students if necessary on a day's notice. UPDATE ON THE EATON BUILDING PROJECT Dr. Harutunian informed the School Committee the clean up of the Eaton School began today and he is confident all safety and health codes will be met for the opening of school. Concerns about dust particles and paint were checked out by Design Partnership and we are below state regulation levels. Mr. Twomey asked if enough of the site work would be done so the traffic flow will run smoothly. The Superintendent replied the area will be paved on Friday. He complimented Principal Page for the remarkable job she has done and also the Clerk of the Works, Bill Capone. UPDATE ON KiLLAM PORTABLES Superintendent Harutunian stated all classrooms, including the modules, will be ready for the opening of school at Killam Elementary School on August 30th. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 AUGUST 21 1995 NEW BUSINESS SCI -IDOL BUILDING ASSISTANCE GRANT Dr. Harutunian stated Commissioner of Education Robert V. Antonucci on behalf of the Governor, informed the School Committee that a School Building Assistance Grant has been approved for Joshua Eaton and Birch Meadow Elementary Schools. The Superintendent advised that all the schools, as well as the adjacent fields, are 66% reimbursable from the State. He added that we could still apply for this in the Parker Project. Parker is going to see if we can do an addendum to our original SBAC request. On another note, Dr. Harutunian congratulated Parker Principal Delaney, while in Australia, was chosen as the International President of the Middle School Principal's Organization. BUDGET FY 1996 Dr. I Iarutunian announced that lie has spent part of every day with Town Treasurer Beth Klepeis and Town Accountant Richard Foley so he and the School Committee would have a better understanding of the FY96 budget format. He explained the only part missing on the School Budget Analysis Budget Summary is the projected format. The Superintendent outlined the areas School Committee should be looking at. He noted on July 1, 1994 the amount of money that was asked for in the Fall, $208,000, was a town wide addition. In the late Spring when we knew what the expenditures were for FY95 a $250,000 was added. Dr. Harutunian stated the $250,000 was applied to the bottom line rather than individual accounts. The format he is presenting to the School Committee will give a better picture. He added that he would send out information to School Committee within the next week outlining his recommendations for cuts that will equal $300,000. He will also give the committee an additional list of $80,000 to allow them to add something else. The Superintendent stated the FY95 Special Needs allocation was $2.5 million. A $3 million was spent this school year. He informed the School Committee that he will be interviewing someone tomorrow for the Special Education Interim Pupil Personnel Director. I le added that lie informed the School Committee members that he put a 20% hold on everyone's budgets today and will release when we are aware of where we stand. He asked members if they were agreeable to this format. Mr. Spadafora asked who will receive this budget analysis and how soon the School Committee will receive it? Dr. Harutunian stated a monthly report will be made and sent to the School Com- mittee, Administrators, Principals, two copies to Town Hall, Chair, Vice Chairs and the Liaisons of the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee. He will be meeting with Beth and Richard on Friday to put this information out to everyone. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 AUGUST 21 1995 Discussion about teacher aide time being reflected in each schools' needs followed. Dr. Harutunian stated Parker Middle School is now eligible for Chapter I. Ms. Cavicchi asked about Medical Services in the Administration Budget. School Committee secretary Carol Angelo explained that was there for personnel physicals. Mr. Stohlman stated a policy vote that asked the Administration to come back to the School Committee with any changes in broad categories. Chair Cummings suggested in addition to receiving this format on a monthly basis, the way we have received it in the past would give a better accountability of each school. Mr. Stohlman also stated where there is a problem with class size and the distribution of teacher aide time - the policy may have to be changed among the four elementary schools. Dr. Farutuman explained as long as the fi-ee balance is accessible we will continue as we have done. We will need to experiment with the School Budget Analysis. He added that will help to answer the following information: 1. Show what he is talking about. 2. Where he is recommending the cuts. 3. Where to ask those questions. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS ROLE OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE WITHIN THE TOWN Dr. Harutunian stated the retreat to be held on September 8 and 9, 1995 will include the Reading School Committee, Finance Committee and the Selectmen. Each group will have a chance to explain their role and what they have control of and how we can better merge some of the school and town departments. Mr. Stohlman suggested rather than have each group give out sections of their charter they should pass out their entire charter. He asked that the public be invited to attend this meeting. When asked by Dr. I larutunian how the School Committee felt about the presentation of roles the consensus was favorable. Ms. Anthony asked about conditions of sidewalks during snow season and the Superintendent advised that he will be talking to all of the departments to see about delayed openings in that situation. Ms. Anthony also wanted to know why the Northeast Vocational School is not addressing some of the Special Needs issues. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 AUGUST 21 1995 ADJOURN At 9:_10 o.m. Ms. Cavicchi moved to adjourn from regular session. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Mr. Cummings, Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Twomey Respectfully submitted Harry K. Harutunian Superintendent