Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-07-02 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts REGULAR SESSION MINUTES JULY 2, 1996 CALL TO ORDER Chair Cavicchi called the regular session to order in the conference room. All members were present. Superintendent Harry K. Harutunian was also present. Associate Superintendent Dennis Richards was expected to arrive later. Mr. Spadafora moved to adjourn from regular session to executive session at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Chair Susan Cavicchi reconvened the regular session of School Committee to order at 8:37 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. ROUTINE MATTERS MINUTES There were no minutes for approval this evening. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for bills was as follows: June 30, 1996 - Bills - $1,182,725.53 LIAISON REPORTS There were no liaison reports this evening. CITIZEN'S INPUT There were no citizens' input this evening. REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR AND SUPERINTENDENT *Dr. Harutunian announced that the Administrative Council recently had a two day retreat at Endicott College. They discussed principals', teachers', and administrators' evaluations and curriculum. Also present at this retreat were the new principals; RMHS Principal Frank Orlando, Eaton Principal Bill McSheedy and Pupil Personnel Services Director Valerie Ardi. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 JULY 2, 1996 *He added that there is a healthy amount of money to be returned to the Town at the end of FY96. Mr. Spadafora asked if there was an estimate of that figure? The Superintendent stated bills are still coming in and he would prefer to give the School Committee a more accurate figure. *He announced no one showed up on either of the dates identified, June 28 or July 1, to review the agreed upon documents that were prepared for the 11 concerned parents. *He shared the Special Progress Report response sent on June 19, 1996 to the New England Association of Schools and Colleges Accreditation Report for RMHS. •Dr. Harutunian advised that Killam's secretary, Priscilla Osterlind, would be available to the elementary principals during the summer for the purpose of opening mail, paying bills, and greeting prospective teacher candidates. *Dr. Harutunian provided the summer schedule for Central Office. He announced the Central Office employees would be taking July 5 as a vacation day. PERSONNEL *The Superintendent advised that he met with the Town Manager and they discussed collaboration with the Town on maintenance of all Town buildings. Mr. Cummings urged the Superintendent to explore this possibly as soon as possible. Mr. Stohlman noted that it was voted to enter into discussion about this 6 months ago at a Building Council Meeting. Dr. Harutunian stated that adjustments needed to be made to the collaboration plan. Chair Cavicchi stated the consensus of the School Committee members to the Superintendent is to move forward. *The Superintendent asked the members to consider requests from RMHS teacher Dave Bunten, Coolidge teacher Ken Lundberg, and himself to allow their child to attend Reading schools. He asked for this as a professional courtesy, on a 1 year pilot, and as space would be available. Ms. D'Antona moved, on the recommendation of the Superintendent, to accept the afore mentioned students as a pilot project that will be evaluated in the Spring. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion. Mr. Twomey said any new requests would have to come to School Committee through the Superintendent with consideration for space available and the recommendation of the principal. Mr. Stohlman asked how will employees be informed? Dr. Harutunian stated these requests were unsolicited and asked if they want all employees surveyed. Mr. Stohlman stated as REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 JULY 2, 1996 a pilot program and as a professional courtesy it should be extended to all employees. Dr. Harutunian said he would canvas employees in the Spring. The vote was unanimous. Mr. Twomey moved to have the Superintendent develop a policy for the pilot program for students to attend Reading Public Schools. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Ms D'Antona moved to amend the motion to direct School Committee to develop a policy for the pilot protect as a professional courtesy to Reading employees after space available has been determined and with appropriate approvals Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. SUPERINTENDENT'S CONTRACT Chair Cavicchi asked the School Committee members to discuss the accolades of the Superintendent's first year. Mr. Twomey stated he is pleased with the Superintendent's performance. He has accomplished all we have asked him to do. He has an authoritative position in the schools. Mr. Stohlman said when we were negotiating this in executive session the Superintendent's salary reflected someone with no years as a superintendent. The new salary reflects mid range accurately for an excellent Superintendent. Mr. Spadafora echoed what Mr. Twomey said and mentioned how the Superintendent is visible, and a visionary leader. He stated he was happy to be here with Harry. Ms. D'Antona expressed that the Superintendent surpassed her expectations. She held him in high regard for the budget process. Mr. Cummings added that he has worked closely with Dr. Harutunian as Chair this past year. He noted that the Superintendent has been at the committees and community's beck and call. His job has been a 7 day a week job with a variety of situations that he has handled well. Mr. Twomey mentioned it has been nice to be informed in advance and appreciates the amount of time it takes. Chair Cavicchi stated parents, as well as School Committee, appreciate being heard. Dr. Harutunian thanked the School Committee members for trusting him and his people. He thanked the incredible teaching staff, custodians, secretaries, principals, assistant principals, Finance Committee, Selectmen and the Town Manager who have extended themselves to the school department. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 JULY 2, 1996 FinCom member Mr. White stated that he was used to wondering before and now it's all out on the table. LETTER OF AGREEMENT WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT The terms of Dr. Harutunian's contract were as follows: In effect from July 1, 1996 through June 30, 1999. Salary for the period from July 1, 1996 through June 30, 1997 shall be $90,000. For subsequent years salary shall be agreed to by both parties in advance. Vacation time was agreed on as identified in the Letter of Agreement. The Superintendent may use up to three days vacation time for consulting purposes with notification to the Chair. He will be entitled to fifteen sick leave days per year, accumulating to a total of one hundred eighty days. The work of the Superintendent shall be evaluated by the Reading School Committee during the period covered by this Agreement according to School Committee policy CBA and its accompanying guidelines. Reading School Committee will reimburse the Superintendent for the use of his private vehicle at the rate of $2,500 per year. He will receive an annual amount of $1,500 a year for miscellaneous expenses related to his role as Superintendent. Mr. Twomey moved to approve the Superintendent's Letter of Agreement as outlined. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. REORGANIZATION The Superintendent began discussion about the reorganization of the staff in Central Office. He asked that facilities use be transferred to Darlene Porter in Maintenance and have her become a full time secretary in the Maintenance Office. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 JULY 2, 1996 The 50% facilities that was included in the receptionist position would then become the new Technology Coordinator's secretary. Therefore that replacement would be 50% receptionist for the Central Office and 50% secretary for the Technology Coordinator. 2. He added that he would like to elevate Maureeen Hanifan's position from a general secretary to an Administrative Assistant for Finance. She would then have major responsibility in putting together the School Department Budget, maintaining accounts, being a liaison to Richard Foley and the Town Hall. She would work directly with the principals in the development of their budget and handle all RFP's, bids, building project payments and other financial matters. 3. He suggested changing Carol Angelo's position from a confidential secretary to an Administrative Assistant for Curriculum. 4. He asked to create a new position of Administrative Assistant for Personnel and have this person be a liaison to Beth Klepeis's office. 5. He noted that he would like to change Diane Williamson, Secretary to the Superintendent to an Executive Secretary, with the addition of more responsibilities and elevated in monetary compensation. 6. The last position that he addressed is the secretary to the Athletic Director and Director of Health Services. Given that her responsibility of maintaining the medical records of all students and the confidential issues of her responsibilities he recommended that she be elevated from Grade 4 to Grade 5. Mr. Spadafora asked if just one position, the Administrative Assistant to Finance, could cover his request that the Superintendent get away from the calculator. The Superintendent stated we need someone at the local level who can handle the RFP's, portable classrooms, and other financial issues who would work hand in hand with Mr. Foley and Ms. Klepeis. Mr. Spadafora moved to accept the reorganization plan dated May 3, 1996 and the salaries as identified on page 3. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. Mr. Twomey questioned the dollar impact on the budget. Mr. Cummings suggested the amounts would be coming out of the revolving account. Dr. Harutunian stated the positions would now be more independent adding that he is trying to put his time into more constructive measures. Mr. Cummings stated the Administrative Assistant to Finance adds a balance to work load. The Administrative Assistant for Personnel will provide more communication with the Town Treasurer and the Administrative Assistant for Curriculum is needed. He asked that the $2,524.64 for Ms. Pelley's position come out of the athletic revolving account and that Ms. Porter's position should be made full time. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 JULY 2, 1996 Mr. Cummings asked to reduce the impact of the budget by $2,524.64 out of the Athletic Revolving Account. Mr. Stohlman asked how much is Athletic/Nurse. He stated half should come out of the Athletic Revolving Account. Ms. D'Antona stated they could look at the Athletic Revolving Account in the next budget year. Mr. Cummings stated there is always a balance of $5,000 in that account. Dr. Harutunian stated Ms. D'Antona's and Mr. Cummings's point is well taken. We could defer until Fall when we have FY98 figures and every penny is being accounted for. Mr. Cummings moved that to amend the motion to have the $2,524.64 be taken out of the Athletic Revolving Account. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 2 in favor, Mr. Cummings and Ms. D'Antona and 4 opposed. Discussion continued about the actual salaries being proposed. Dr. Harutunian advised that this was as accurate as he could make the figures. The numbers are close to contractual agreement. Mr. Stohlman suggested one secretarial position and two Administrative Assistants. The Superintendent explained the Administrative Assistants can make decisions without much direction. Mr. Stohlman felt he could do this for less. The Superintendent advised that a lot of this is being mandated by State Reform. He stated he would come back to this next year if they wanted. Mr. Spadafora moved to approve the reorganization and salary amounts. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -1 -1 Mr. Stohlman was opposed, and Mr. Twomey abstained. NEW BUSINESS SUBSTITUTES Dr. Harutunian outlined his memo of June 28, 1996 to increase the pay of school substitutes. He noted that a request from Associate Superintendent Richards to increase the substitute teacher pay from $50 to $55 a day and also for substitutes beginning on the 25th day to receive $60 per day. The estimated total cost of implementing this program would be $4,750 if we use the same number of substitutes and individuals during the 1996 -1997 school year. Given the fact that we have an account that has $44,000 increase he recommended that we move forward with this request. Mr. Cummings requested a breakdown by account and the month end reports of expenditures to the budget. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 JULY 2, 1996 Mr. Twomey moved on the recommendation of the Superintendent to approve the money for the substitute request. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. RMHS WORLD LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT REQUEST The Superintendent recommended that they move forward on the request from the Reading Memorial High School World Language Department on this exchange program. He asked the School Committee to endorse this for next year. The Committee's consensus was to move forward with this request. LIAISONS Mr. Spadafora provided an update of the liaisons. Mr. Spadafora moved to appoint Mr. Stohlman as the audit liaison. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Ms. D'Antona updated the information regarding the D.R.A. (Drummey Rosane Anderson, Inc.) firm for Reading Memorial High School. She stated that there was a limited plan only a traffic plan. She stated the report was very disappointing. Adding that this means a tight time line to be prepared for Town Meeting - there is no way a comprehensive report could be ready. The Superintendent advised that he had asked them to move forward several months ago. He wanted to know what the school would look like and the cost. He noted that they did not look at the programmatic needs. Their lack of response will not bring us to the Town Meeting line. Dr. Harutunian stated we have made 3 payments of $5,000 each. Mr. Cummings asked where we are and what we are doing about this. We need to ask for this money back. OTHER Dr. Harutunian stated he is looking at $80,000 4100,000 to return to the Town. He added this would not be enough to buy all the principals, the Superintendent and the Associate Superintendent computers. There was just enough in FY96 for the Superintendent and the Associated Superintendent. He asked if the School Committee wanted him to take the $12,000 for the Noble Project out of the FY96 or FY97 budget. Mr. Cummings suggested the Grant. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 8 JULY 2, 1996 ADJOURN At 1055 p.m. Mr. Twomey moved to adjourn. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Mr. Cavicchi Mr. Cummings Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey 4lHar r ctfull fitted, y Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools