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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-03-26 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES March 26,1996 CALL TO ORDER Chair Cummings called the regular school committee meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Reading Memorial High School Lecture Hall. All members were present. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and a reporter from the Chronicle. Michael S. Thompson, Reading Memorial High School Representative was present as well. Superintendent Harutunian thanked the School Committee for inviting the Coolidge Middle School Science Olympiad Students to the meeting. He recognized the hard work of the Coolidge Students. The students will be going to Atlanta, Georgia in May to compete nationally. The Superintendent introduced Mr. Adreani, Assistant Principal, Mr. Doherty, Principal, Mr. McCarthy, science teacher and Kate McLaren, science teacher. Dr. Harutunian stated how proud he was of everyone. He expressed his thanks to the parents. Mr. Doherty gave a brief history of the Science Olympiad. The twenty seven students who are present tonight are not the only students who compete. All of the students compete. John Doherty thanked various parents who were a tremendous help behind the scenes. The students compete in twenty -four events. Each group of students explained their event. ROUTINE MATTERS MINUTES There were no Minutes to approve. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for bills were as follows: February 20, 1996 - Bills - $ 123,258.40 February 26, 1996 - Bills - $ 19,377.48 March 11, 1996 -Bills - $ 163,325.77 March 18, 1996 -Bills - $ 97,642.84 March 25, 1996 -Bills - $ 109,209.21 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 MARCH 26, 1996 The warrant for payrolls were as follows: March 14, 1996 - Payroll - $ 491,211.01 March 25, 1996 - Payroll - $ 122,870.92 LIAISON REPORTS Mr. Spadafora stated that Ruth Clay has suggested that he become involved in a task force which focuses on health issues in the community. They are to have several meetings. Some of the issues have already been addressed, some have not. A sample of the issues to be discussed are: Alcohol and Children, Elderly issues, Domestic Violence and Water treatment etc. There will be a meeting at the Reading Municipal Light Department for concerned persons to give input, should the School Committee wish to get involved. Mr. Spadafora went on to say that Winchester Hospital is issuing grants in the amount of $500.00 each. Michael S. Thompson stated that the Peer Leaders at the high school have already applied for one of the grants. Mr. Spadafora asked if the School Committee minded if he and Mrs. D'Antona attend. They all agreed. GIFTS The Superintendent publicly thanked the Sweeney Family for a Hewlett Packard Printer and the Slezak Family for a Stylewriter Printer CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen's input. REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR AND SUPERINTENDENT The Superintendent commended Kevin Connor, an eighth grade student at Coolidge Middle School, who recently won the Grand Prize in the United States Postal Service Sports Essay Contest. The Postal Service, as part of the prize, gave $ 1,000.00 to Coolidge. Dr. Harutunian went over the School Committee Meeting Schedule. Mrs. D'Antona asked that the Kevin Connor essay be brought up again. She wanted to ensure that the child received proper recognition for his essay on heroes. The Superintendent went over the policy for Pupil Participation Activities Scheduled on Sundays. It was determined that permission for these events is up to the discretion of the Superintendent. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 MARCH 26, 1996 PERSONNEL Dr. Harutunian gave an overview of Dr. Valerie Ardi's resume. Dr. Ardi is Reading's Director of Special Education. NEW BUSINESS FIELD TRIPS The Superintendent asked the Committee for clarification on policy for overnight field trips. The policy was handed out. It was decided that these decisions were up to the discretion of the Superintendent. HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SEARCH Mr. Spadafora stated that it was the Superintendent's duty to appoint the high school principal, not the School Committee's. Dr. Harutunian explained that there was a fifteen member screening committee. He appoints two of the screening committee members, the School Committee members appoint the rest. Eight focus groups have been set up to decide what kind of principal the community wants. The process is as open as possible. Mr. Stohlman made a motion to approve a on policy CBB. Mrs. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0. Mr. Stohlman stated that the policy book, in general, was vague. Mr. Cummings said that they were not substantially changing anything. They gave final approval on policy CBB. The vote stands at 6 -0. Mr. Stohlman stated that parents of ninth grade students are not represented in the High School Principal Search. Parents of tenth and eleventh grade students are well represented. Dr. Harutunian responded that most High School Parents have children in Middle School and Elementary Schools. These parents are well represented in the other categories. Mr. Stohlman went on to say that parents who now have children that are seniors and no other children left in the Reading Public School System are excluded from the process. Mr. Stohlman did not feel that this was right. Dr. Harutunian agreed with Mr. Stohlman. The search committee would not have any twelfth grade students or any twelfth grade parents. Mr. Spadafora said that Dr. Harutunian chose ninth, tenth and eleventh grade parents to be incorporated into the policy. Twelfth grade parents will not be around for category four. Mr. Twomey asked if Mr. Stohlman is looking for modification of the policy. Mr. Stohlman responded that we have already voted on it. What would be the point? Since the vote, issues REGULAR SESSION MINUTE S 4 MARCH 26, 1996 have arisen. Mr. Stohlman stated that he does not want a re -vote, he just wants Mr. Cummings to listen. Mr. Cummings went on to say that the committee was given a copy of the Committee's goals. Were there any suggestions or comments? There was discussion about Technology, Communication, Learning and Long Blocks. Mr. Cummings is more interested in the number of programs rather than the number of students per computer. Mrs. D'Antona thought there should be more discussion on what it means to have students "fully engaged ". Dr. Harutunian stated there would be no long blocks in the 1996 - 1997 school year. There was discussion regarding facilities and buildings. Dr. Harutunian explained that the architects involved in the high school feasibility study will list many options and address many issues. Mrs. D'Antona moved to table discussion regarding _ goals. Mrs. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The Vote was 6 -0. ADJOURN Mr. Spadafora moved to adjourn. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The Vote was 6 - 0. The time was 10:00 p.m. Mr. Cummings Mrs. D'Antona Mr. S adp afora Mrs. Cavicchi Mr. Twomey Mr. Stohlman Respectfully submitted Harry K. Harutunian Superintendent of Schools