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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-03-18 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING SPECIAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MARCH 18, 1996 CALL TO ORDER Chair Matthew Cummings called the Special School Committee Meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present. Also present were Superin- tendent Dr. Harry K. Harutunian, Student Representative Mike Thompson and a Chronicle reporter. DISCUSSION FOR THE READING MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALSHIP SCREENING PROCESS Dr. Harutunian requested School Committee members to review the new CBB Policy, Selection of Principals and Screening Committee for Administrative Positions. Questions were discussed and the policy was amended. The first paragraph to include teachers, students and community. The second paragraph to change citizens to community. Mr. Twomey moved on a first vote that the School Committee members adopt the amended version of the CBB Policy, Selection of Principals and Screening Committee for Administrative Positions dated March 18, 1996. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Dr. Harutunian explained that the high school principalship is one of the most important hirings that the superintendent can make. He would like to have the Screening Committee for the principal of Reading Memorial High School (RMHS) to include: • five parents of high school students presently in grades 9, 10, or 11 selected by the P.T.O.; • five (RMHS) teachers selected by the Reading Memorial High School Faculty; • two administrators, one principal and one district -wide administrator; • two non - parents community members, (who do not have students at RMHS) selected by the Reading Memorial High School Council; f • one student in present grades nine, ten or eleven who would be selected by the Student Council. SPECIAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING 2 MARCH 18, 1996 The Superintendent stated non - parents community members could direct their interest to RMHS School Council member Rachel Baumgartner. This would create a Screening Committee of fifteen members. The Chairman would be Dennis Richards who would serve as a facilitator and non - voting member of the screening process. After the selection of the fifteen member committee a cross section of this committee would meet with focus groups. Dr. Harutunian advised that any five members of the Screening Committee would meet with the Focus Groups: • the Reading School Committee; • the Reading Memorial High School faculty; • the Reading Memorial High School students; • the Reading Memorial High School, School Council; • the Reading Memorial High School P.T.O.; • the Reading Public Schools principals. He noted that an evening would also be scheduled where the community -at -large would be invited to speak directly to the Screening Committee about the qualities they desire for the future princi- pal. The Screening Committee would then screen the applicants and select between twelve and fifteen candidates to interview. The fifteen member Screening Committee would be split into two groups chaired by an administrator. Each of the potential candidates would be given two back -to- back half hour interviews with each Screening Committee group. One group would focus on the running of the high school and the mechanics of being a high school principal and the other group would focus more on how the high school will articulate with the other six schools and the Reading community -at- large. The Superintendent stated upon the completion of the interview process, both committees individually would rank the candidates and meet collectively to agree on a pool of four to six can- didates to recommend to him. Then public interviews would be held as well as a meeting with the Reading school principals. After these meetings, the Superintendent said, he would establish two groups, "A" and "B ", of 2 -3 finalists. He added he .would then conduct an on -site interview with each of the "A" group candidates, he would then follow with an extensive and lengthy interview. Dr. Harutunian stated if he felt he had a successful candidate in group "A" he would then appoint. If he is uncertain about the group "A" candidates he would then move forward with two to three principals in "B" group. He continued by pointing out his list of candidates would be in alphabetical order. SPECIAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING 3 MARCH 18, 1996 Mr. Twomey moved to approve the process dated March 15, 1996, contingent upon final approval of the draft CBB Policy. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Dr. Harutunian announced the salary range would be $70,000 - $75,000. Chair Cummings asked the School Committee members for a consensus vote on that salary range. It was agreed to post the position in that salary range. ADJOURN Mr. Twomey moved to adjourn at 8:35 p.m. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Ms Cavicchi Mr. Cummings, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Twomey espectfu ly submitted, H rry K. Harutunian, .D. Superintendent of Schools