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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-0-11 School Committee Minutes READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING GOAL SETTING MEETING MARCH 11, 1996 CALL TO ORDER Chair Matthew Cummings called the Goal Setting Meeting to order at 7:12 p.m. in the Reading Memorial High School Staff Center. All members were present with the exception of Thomas Stohlman who was expected to arrive later. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Harry K. Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Dennis Richards. ADJOURN At 7:14 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi moved to adjourn to executive session to discuss matters regarding potential litigation and noted the School Committee would reconvene to regular session. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Cummings, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Twomey CALL TO ORDER Chair Cummings reconvened the Goal Setting Session back to order at 7:30 p.m. All committee members were present. Also present were the Superintendent and Associate Superintendent. ROUTINE MATTERS REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR AND SUPERINTENDENT The Superintendent Harutunian passed out a memorandum he received from Kendra Cooper. He notified the committee that the Recognition Day Ceremony for the Reading Football Team will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 16, 1996. The Superintendent notified the committee that May 1st will be MASC Day on Beacon Hill. Dr. Harutunian advised that the Parker Highlights has been rescheduled to April 3, 1996, 7:30 p.m. He passed out a draft of the cover letter he will send Town Meeting members regarding the Technology Plan. GOAL SETTING MINUTES 2 MARCH 11, 1996 The Superintendent asked the School Committee members if they are interested in promoting a provision of the Education Reform Law that would allow a check off on the tax bill for donations to the School Department and scholarships. The trip to Cooperstown will be placed on the agenda for the future. Superintendent announced that Coolidge Science Olympiad Team won on Saturday at the State Competition. They will represent Massachusetts in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Harutunian recommended the School Committee consider directing the Administration to contribute an amount to be determined for the Science Olympiad. Mr. Twomey moved that the Administration prepare a draft policy, before the FY98 budget cycle, that considers requests for financial support for students or teams who are successful in competition so we can develop a systematic approach for the School Committee to consider. Ms. D'Antona suggested we develop a clear criteria. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. School Committee members directed the Superintendent through the Chair to send a letter of congratulations to the Coolidge Science Olympiad Team. Mr. Stohlman moved to direct the Administration to recommit an amount of money for a line item for non-athletic extra curricular activities in the FY97 budget with no change in the bottom line of the budget. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. Mr. Spadafora moved to table this motion. There was no second. The vote was unanimous. At 9:25 p.m. there was a five minute break. STRATEGIC PLANNING MATERIALS Dr. Harutunian reviewed the School Committee Goals and the Strategic Planning materials he had prepared. Mr. Stohlman wanted the goals to be more specific. GOAL SETTING MINUTES 3 MARCH 11, 1996 Ms. D'Antona offered a revision of a few goals: School Committee Goal 1995-1996 Student Services That the school administration will include within its scope of subject matter the concept of tolerance of the values and interests of others in connection with all school related activities. (i.e.: academics, athletic, artistic, extra curricular, etc.) That the administration will continue to incorporate conflict management techniques in curricular and school related activities. Proposed School Committee Goal by Superintendent 1995-1996 (1996-1997) Respect and Dignity To promote a district-wide environment which encourages mutual respect, values diver- sity, community service, has intimidation free schools and is supportive of disparate student needs, abilities, attitudes and learning styles. Proposed Amended School Committee Goal 1995-1996 (1996-1997) Student Services-Respect and Dignity Insofar as intimidation free schools is a fundamental right of every student, the school committee will expand its policy on sexual harassment to encompass all forms of harassment. This will be a comprehensive policy which will include statements of accountability, consistent consequences and support for victims. In the domain of Student Services - Respect and Dignity has further goals including: That the administration will integrate within its scope of subject matter the concept of tolerance of the values and interests of others in connection with all school related activities. (i.e.: academics, athletic, artistic, extra curricular, etc.) That the administration will continue to incorporate conflict management techniques in curricular and school related activities and will focus professional development in this area. That the administration will include a plan for supporting students to foster self confidence and to deter retaliation in matters of harassment. Furthermore, the school committee recognizes the school's obligation to encourage social consciousness. Therefore the school committee encourages the administration to explore adopting the concept of community service at the secondary level. GOAL SETTING MINUTES 4 MARCH 11, 1996 Note: Concepts to be included in harassment piece of goals: 1) Policy - comprehensive for all forms of harassment 2) Values training - for all staff to promote a consistent understanding of issues 3) Tools for change - conflict resolution techniques for students 4) Accountability - consequences - consistency 5) Support - victim's rights 6) Assessment- School Committee will assess the effectiveness of this goal - 1997 Mr. Stohlman commented that lobbying for special education reform should be a goal. By being specific we let the Superintendent know what we want. Chair Cummings suggested that he will write a 1996-1997 goal on finances. Mr. Twomey said he will write on strategic planning. Mr. Stohlman said he will expand on Learning of Facilities and Grounds. Mr. Spadafora will write on communications and community service. Ms. Cavicchi will write on special education and Ms. D'Antona will write on respect and dignity. All goals should be sent to the Superintendent by March 18 to be discussed on the March 25th School Committee meeting. ADJOURN Ms. Cavicchi moved to adjourn at 10:40 p.m. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Cummings, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey spectful • ►bmitted, Harry . Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools