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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-09-30 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES REGULAR SESSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 CALL TO ORDER Chair Susan Cavicchi called the regular session to order in the Conference Room at 7:00 p.m. All members were present with the exception of Matthew Cummings who was expected to arrive later. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Harry K. Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Dennis Richards. ADJOURN At 7:01 p.m. Mr. padafora moved to adjourn to executive session to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with union personnel and return back to regular session. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Ms Cavicchi Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey RECONVENE At 7:45 p.m. Chair Cavicchi reconvened the regular session to order in the Conference Room. All members were now present. Marissa Frietas, the Reading Memorial High School Com- Committee was also present. There also was a reporter from the Chronicle. Chair Cavicchi noted there were visitors present that changed the order of the agenda. ROUTINE MATTERS CITIZEN'S INPUT Chair Cavicchi asked if there was any citizen's input. There was none. NEW BUSINESS INDOOR AIR QUALITY SERVICES PRESENTATION Dr. Harutunian noted the recommended indoor air quality service people, Joseph Lstiburek from Building Science Corporation and William Turner and William Johnson from H. L. Turner Group, were present to discuss the type of services they can provide for hygiene and environmental REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 consulting. He noted that Robert Cashins of Cashins and Associates was not present this evening. Building Science Corporation's Mr. Lstiburek noted that they work a full range of buildings. He added that dilution is not the solution to indoor pollution. The problem can be people, pollution, and the understanding of pathways and pressure. He noted the problem with materials and source of material degradation, i.e. water, heat and ultra violet light. Mr. Lstiburek stated they would take a day to do a building assessment and see how the mechanical system works. They would look at air changes in the building and carbon dioxide levels. Their concern would be to see how a building is operated and maintained. It would be important to look at areas that might get wet and how much air moves in the building. They measure carbon dioxide and from the recorded results they could make an assessment. Mr. Cummings asked what percentage of their work was because there is an existing problem? Mr. Lstiburek stated 75 %. He added their service package is $100 to $125 per hour. H. L. Turner Group Mr. Johnson and Mr. Turner came forward to present their type of services. Mr. Turner stated they have evaluated millions of square feet. He commended Reading's pro- active approach. Their fee is $125 per hour and $75 per hour for field staff. Mr. Johnson said air component measurements can be misleading, i.e. on a day that mold might be blossoming. They would go through the building with the mechanical drawings and operational plans. Part of the evaluation is to establish the sources of indoor air pollutants. Mr. Turner stressed durability and maintainability of the products. Mr. Johnson shared the "Tools for Schools' Program ". He added a team atmosphere needs to be created between parents, teachers and students. Mr. Twomey asked about cross contamination in the old building with the new building at Parker. Mr. Turner stated they would split the building with a dust wall to make sure everything stays contained. Dr. Harutunian advised that last week they had dust in the Parker conference room caused by the low pressure in a room that was drawing the dust in. 0 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 SEPTEMBER 30 1996 OLD BUSINESS CHANGE ORDER - PARKER MIDDLE SCHOOL TILE FLOOR UPGRADE Dr. Harutunian informed the School Committee of the $17,976 change order request for ceramic tile at the Parker locker rooms. Mr. Radville noted that colored concrete would tend to wear as opposed to ceramic tile which would be a lot easier to maintain. Ms. D'Antona moved on the recommendation of the Superintendent for Change Order revised RFP3 as outlined on memorandum dated September 18, 1996 for $17,976 for ceramic tile. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. Mr. Radville explained the finish to the colored concrete would be more difficult to keep clean than the proposed ceramic tile. The vote was unanimous. PERSONNEL Dr. Harutunian noted that a School Committee member had asked Susan Cavicchi for the School Committee to reconsider the vote taken relevant to the addition of the educational assistant at Reading Memorial High School. Ms. D'Antona moved to reconsider the vote taken regarding an Educational Assistant at the September 16, 1996 meeting. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 4 in favor and Mr. Cummings and Mr. Spadafora voting against the motion. Dr. Harutunian noted the request is for a 24.5 hour -a -week Educational Assistant to support the secretary and Assistant Principal Quinn's office. Mr. Twomey moved on the Superintendent's recommendation to move $7,000 from the building maintenance account to the educational assistant account. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion. Mr. Twomey noted that RMHS new Principal Orlando has taken on new challenges and he feels that it is important to have this position. In response to a question raised by Mr. Cummings re- garding tardies and absenteeism, Dr. Harutunian advised that RMHS now has closed campus, the Assistant Principals' offices have been moved and staff has been reassigned. He noted that last year there were over 14,000 tardies. Mr. Cummings reminded the School Committee that we are dangerously close on fuel monies. Dr. Harutunian noted that we have gone out to bid on fuel oil and we will be paying $10.50 less a barrel than last year. He stated he feels that we are going to be okay. Mr. Spadafora added that a lot of the tardies were because of the discontinued flex block time. Ms. D'Antona asked about this being a one year proposal. Dr. Harutunian stated he REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 will not be recommending funding for this proposal in FY98. He noted he may be asking School Committee to consider putting some of the secretarial staff on a 12 month schedule. The vote was 4 in favor and Mr. Cummings and Mr. Spadafora voting against the motion. OLD BUSINESS READING MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL AND COOLIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL RENOVATIONS Dr. Harutunian asked Chair of the School Building Committee Russ Graham to answer questions the School Committee might have and Finance Director Beth Klepeis to review the financial needs of the Reading Memorial High School Project and how it will impact the town's finances. Ms. Klepeis explained the four enclosed schedules. SCHEDULE "A" Summary of Debt Services showing two scenarios Note 1: Total debt service for life of project when extended for 25 years (no principal 1st 5 years): $57,900,000 Note 2: Total debt service for life of project when extended for 20 years (principal payments in years 3, 4, 5 and thereafter): $50,620,000 SBAB would pay 2 /3rds of that amount. SCHEDULE "B" Summary of effect on Real Estate Taxes with Debt Exclusion Override when no principal payments are made in the first five years Note: The projections are based on the FY96 valuation of $1,568,286,100 and the FY96 Tax rate of $16.38 per thousand of valuation Ms. Klepeis reported on the Moody's Municipal Credit Report for Reading dated June 27, 1996. She noted that Moody's rating for Reading is an AA. Their credit comment for Reading was that the town is conservatively- managed financial operations, modest debt levels, and a stable residential tax base that supports the town of Reading's high credit rating. She added that conservative budgeting highlights three years of operating surpluses and the accumulation of ample reserves. Ms. Klepeis also noted that Reading has a favorable debt position with a well - planned capital program. SCHEDULE "C" Summary of effect on Real Estate Taxes with Debt Exclusion Override when principal payments are made in years 3, 4, 5 and thereafter SCHEDULE "D" Effect on Capital Plan of $30,000,000 project without an override and with 20 year funding schedule (Debt declines with sixth year and SBAB approval might be expected thereafter) REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 Mr. Stohlman asked if anyone who applied for SBAB had not receive that reimbursement and would like to know what the longest wait was. He asked if there was any evidence that Moodies' would downgrade our rating if our debt increased. He asked for examples. None was available at that time. Dr. Harutunian stated once you are in the loop you remain in the loop, and noone has ever been denied funds once it was approved. Mr. Cummings moved to direct the Superintendent to provide within the context of the 10 year capital plan a comprehensive plan that addresses the capital needs of the district including the high school and its excess capacity and all of the capital needs of the district. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. Dr. Harutunian stated we should have an architect come in to give us a program on how we should spend the money. The Superintendent stated the real issue is will the RMHS renovation be a full renovation or one that we may come back to 10 years from now and second Coolidge Middle School and the role the School Building Committee plays. Mr. Stohlman asked if we could solve the high school at a less rate by not getting SBAB reimbursement. Dr. Harutunian added the closer we can come to real numbers then we can proceed. The vote was unanimous. Ms D'Antona moved that the Superintendent or his designee be the one member from the school administration to be part of the School Building Committee Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Mr. Graham said the needs of the middle school and high school problems need to be addressed. Ms. D'Antona said as an experienced member of the School Building Committee that the buildings have to be looked at as a whole rather than each individual building. Mr. Stohlman added that if this is going to cost money for a feasibility plan for Coolidge in FY97 then all the boards should know the number. NEW BUSINESS HARASSMENT POLICY Dr. Harutunian asked the School Committee to put the Harassment Policy in abeyance and to provide him with their changes by Friday, he will then forward all the changes to all of the REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 School Committee members for their approval by the October 15th meeting. They can take one vote at that time and another by the end of October. ROUTINE MATTERS APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Spadafora moved to approve the March 18 1996 minutes. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Mr. Spadafora moved to approve the April 1 1996 minutes. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion. Mr. Stohlman asked to identify on page 2, 6th paragraph down PRINCIPAL SEARCH POLICY, Mr. Stohlman asked if it was the Superintendent's intention to exclude parents of seniors from the committee. Dr. Harutunian said it was, because he only wanted parents who were going to have a direct interest in the principal the school year following the selection. The vote was 5 -0 with the additional paragraph being added. Mr. Twomey was not present for this vote. Mr. Spadafora moved to approve the May 6 1996 minutes. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Mr. Spadafora moved to approve the May 20, 1996 minutes Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Mr. Spadafora moved to approve the June 18 1996 minutes. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion. Amendments and corrections were acknowledged on page 3, second paragraph Chair Cummings acknowledged the presence of the School Building Representatives, Margaret Cowles, Richard Radville and Russ Graham; also on page 5, fifth paragraph, Laws are but not obligated, same page, eleventh paragraph Williams of which she believed for the misinterpretation of the letter remove for all of this; on page 6, first paragraph should begin Concerned parents the spelling of Mary Keohan name, fifth paragraph should read Cooper many of questions in the letter were created information, also add at the end of that paragraph Mr. Stohlman admonished Ms. Cooper that some of these issues had not been addressed at all, page 7, third paragraph, second sentence carpeting will not be, next paragraph warned about designing areas of both carpet and tile; the fifth paragraph, third sentence concern of his and remove He and in the next sentence or curriculum at Parker; on page 8, fifth paragraph add a new sentence There was a timeframe that concerned citizens agreed to. The vote was unanimous with all of the amendments and corrections. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 Mr. Spadafora moved to approve the minutes of June 24, 1996. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. Page 2 remove the paragraph beginning Mr. Stohlman stated there is and in the next paragraph add There was no opposition and on page 5, last paragraph, last sentence add and we will have on class information. The vote was unanimous. Mr. Spadafora moved to approve the minutes of July 2 1996. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. On page 2, eighth paragraph remove announced and add noted; next paragraph to the collaboration plan; on page 3, sixth paragraph up from the bottom add and a visionary leader, acknowledge on page 6 first motion that Mr. Cummings and Ms. D'Antona voted in favor, on page 7 identify D.R.A. as Drummey Rosane Anderson, Inc. and second sentence that there was a limited plan. The vote was unanimous. Mr. Cummins moved to approve the minutes of September 16, 1996 Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for bills were: Biweekly September 3, 1996 - Bills September 9, 1996 - Bills September 16, 1996 - Bills September 23, 1996 - Bills September 30, 1996 - Bills The warrant for payrolls were: - $190,381.41 - $629,561.99 - $699,970.95 - $999,709.89 - $251,648.51 September 6, 1996 - Biweekly - $109,662.15 September 20, 1996 - Biweekly - $144,831.84 August 29, 1996 - Teachers - $535,534.96 September 12, 1996 - Teachers - $535,794.63 September 26, 1996 - Teachers - $559,784.95 OLD BUSINESS SCHOOL COMMITTEE GOALS Mr. Spadafora suggested holding the School Committee goals until another date. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 8 SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 Mr. Cummings moved to approve the 1996 -97 school year goals as outlined in the September 25, 1996 memorandum. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. Mr. Spadafora noted under Ms. D'Antona's goal Respect and Dignity that he objected to not having Community Service as part of the goal. He asked that other schools' civic responsibilities be investigated. The vote was 5 in favor and Mr. Spadafora voting against the motion. Dr. Harutunian asked Mr. Spadafora to reconsider. Mr. Stohlman added that this does not in anyway prohibit the Superintendent from including Community Service. Ms. D'Antona added that this is a broader framework that gives different alternatives to choose from. Mr. Spadafora noted his strong interest in Community Service. Dr. Harutunian stated he would bring back the goals to the School Committee. Mr. Stohlman moved that based on the concerns of parents last year and the addition of one nursing position this year, the Superintendent prepare a report that evaluates the School Health Services, specifically their effectiveness and investigate how to improve School Health Services, through the Town Health Department, privatization or hiring additional nurses. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Mr. Spadafora reminded the Superintendent that the School Committee would like to have a call in show for the community. ROUTINE MATTERS LIAISON REPORTS Mr. Stohlman discussed the Policy Committee is reviewing procedure on how to have the policies read more clearly. Mr. Cummings added there must be a reason for the way they are now and that needs to be investigated. Dr. Harutunian stated if a policy is identified as for example 3 0 1 A then the Administrative Guide line should be identified as 301B. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 9 SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR AND SUPERINTENDENT The Superintendent advised that the October 8th Three Boards Meeting has been canceled and a new date will be announced. He then identified October 9th as a Grievance Hearing and Reading School Committee meeting. Also on October 15th, the 28th and November 18th and 25th there will be School Committee meetings. The Superintendent identified a Legislative Breakfast sponsored by The Northshore Education Consortium on October 18th at 8:00 a.m. The Superintendent acknowledged the memorandums that identified the number of Special Education Assistants being used in each school, the hours they work, their location and the number of students they work with; the Job Descriptions of the Town Accountant and the Finance Director; a letter to Principal McSheehy from the Town Manager and a copy of the letter sent to Kendra Cooper regarding the Open Meeting Law from Catherine E. Sullivan, Assistant District Attorney. Dr. Harutunian asked that the School Committee waive the rental fee of the Reading Boosters Club for the use of the RMHS Auditorium on September 27, 1996. Mr. Stohlman moved to waive the Reading Boosters Club rental fee for use of the Reading Memorial High School Auditorium on September 27, 1996. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. ADJOURN At 12:01 a.m. Mr. Spadafora moved to adjourn from regular session. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Cummings, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey Respectfully submitted, KoaE��- Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools