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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-10-21 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES CALL TO ORDER OCTOBER 21, 1996 Chair Susan Cavicchi called the regular session to order at 7:12 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present with the exception of Ms. D'Antona and Mr. Cummings who were expected to arrive later. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Harry K. Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Dennis Richards. HARASSMENT POLICY Dr. Harutunian advised the School Committee that by November 6 the school department is required to have a new harassment policy in place. He noted that the draft the School Committee has includes revisions recommended by Town Council, Attorney Cohen. Mr. Twomey and Ms. D'Antona have also provided comments that have not been discussed by the school committee. Mr. Twomey moved to approve the Reading School Committee Policy on Harassment prepared by Attorney Cohen and attached to the Superintendent's memorandum dated October 18, 1996. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. Mr. Spadafora wanted to clarify that we will come back to discuss the policy at a later date. He also asked how will the administration get the policy out to the employees and students. The Superintendent stated this version is the bare minimum. He added the law is very specific as to distribution of the policy to students and all employees. Dr. Harutunian added that he will sit with the presidents of all the bargaining groups and that there will be training involved. Mr. Twomey noted that the law requires each employee to have a copy and does not regulate how to present to students. Superintendent Harutunian advised this information will be discussed with students through the Great Body Shop, DARE, and presented to the School Councils. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 OCTOBER 21, 1996 Chair Cavicchi stated that after the third vote on the policy Ms. D'Antona had indicated that she wants a time certain to discuss other member comments on the policy draft. Dr. Harutunian said that by the first School Committee meeting in December, he would come back to the School Committee with a calendar on the process for revising the policy. He added he would also provide the committee with a calendar for implementation. Ms. D'Antona arrived at 7:20 p.m. Ms. D'Antona stated she was approving the draft policy with the assumption that the School Committee would revisit it later at a time certain. Mr. Cummings arrived at 7: 22 p.m. He asked that consideration be given to identifying a male and female for reporting harassment or discrimination complaints. Mr. Twomey suggested that we consider providing for anonymous reporting. Dr. Harutunian advised he would check with Town Council. He said he would send a note reminding School Committee members to give him any feedback by on the harassment and discrimination policy by November 1. The motion was unanimously approved 6 -0. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE POLICY MANUAL Mr. James Hardy, Massachusetts Association of School Committees Field Representative, presented what the Massachusetts Association of School Committees could provide the Reading School Committee to create a well- organized and up -to -date manual of School Committee policies. Mr. Twomey wanted to know the time commitment for the School Committee. Mr. Hardy stated eighteen months from start to finish, meetings to deal with difficult policies along the way, and 3 weeks to read the final draft and then final vote on the entire manual. Mr. Stohlman noted the cost of the policy manual, disk, and alerts would be $1250 or $9000 for the policy manual, disk, alerts, and specific advice. Mr. Hardy indicated that the $9000 cost could be split up over 2 fiscal years. THREE BOARDS MEETING AGENDA DISCUSSION The Superintendent advised that the energy management system and the ceiling tiles came in less than he and the Town Manager expected. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 OCTOBER 21, 1996 He added that we had $24,000 in FY96 and in FY97 we had $46,000 for a total of $70,000 to do Coolidge Middle School ceiling tiles. He noted that it actually cost $46,900 to do the tiles in half of Coolidge. The Superintendent stated we cannot use FY96 money and he felt there was consensus on the School Committee for an architect to look at Coolidge Middle School. Mr. Twomey asked if any of the $23,100 in FY97 ceiling tile money was left. Dr. Harutunian replied yes. Mr. Cummings stated he was under the impression that the first item on the agenda for the Three Boards Meeting would be building maintenance. By November 1995 the working group wanted a draft proposal for consolidating building maintenance. He added after getting the mailing this weekend he did not understand why the issue was not on the agenda. Dr. Harutunian replied we received a draft of the agenda. Selectmen Camille Anthony stated that she did not remember if the Three Boards agreed to discuss building maintenance. Finance Committee member James Keigley stated that he thought we were also going to discuss town technology and the library consolidation. Superintendent Harutunian stated he just put place holders in for a truck, ceiling tiles and an architect so the School Committee could have a chance to discuss it. Ms. D'Antona added that when these boards meet, we need to make clear statements for the future about the process for setting the agenda and communicating information. Mr. Cummings wanted to know how the School Committee could be sure they were having an impact on the priorities for the Three Boards. Selectman Camille Anthony mentioned that the town did not receive the maintenance grant. Dr. Harutunian noted that he did not know the town did not get the building maintenance grant. Mr. Spadafora commented that the School Committee members would like to move forward with the building maintenance and that it seemed like the town is not interested in moving forward. Ms. Anthony added that she was not aware that the town did not want to move forward with this project. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 OCTOBER 21, 1996 Mr. Twomey suggested changing the agenda to include building maintenance on the agenda. The Superintendent suggested that the Superintendent, Town Manager and representatives from each of the Three Boards need to meet within a week of the Three Boards meeting to set the agenda for their next meeting along with who will speak on each agenda item. Dr. Harutunian recommended that the Chair or Mr. Cummings present to the Three Boards a summary of what was discussed this evening. He recommended a meeting after the Three Boards meeting to set an agenda and who will speak. Beth Klepeis, Town Treasurer arrived. Mr. Cummings stated if the FinCom is going to take a vote on issues affecting the School Department, does not the School Committee have to vote on those issues first? He added that he needed more information on the issues. Mr. Twomey advised that an architect may recommend doing something with a section of Coolidge where we are planning to install ceiling tiles. Mr. Cummings agreed to summarize the evening's discussion for the Three Boards meeting. DR. PATSY J. BAUGH - STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION Dr. Patsy Baugh presented an overview of what strategic planning is and how it works. Strategic planning can help us to answer the question, What is the education that is in demand? The cost will be $9,500 for items 1 - 12. The Committee thanked Dr. Baugh for her presentation and decided to discuss strategic planning at its next meeting. NEXT MEETING'S AGENDA At the next meeting there will be a call in time from 7:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Agenda item Strategic Planning Agenda item Policy Proposal from MASC. There will be no personnel issues or names of teachers or students used for the call in session of the meeting. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 OCTOBER 21. 1996 THREE BOARDS MEETING AGENDA DISCUSSION - CONTINUED Dr. Harutunian created a chart for the School Committee to illustrate his comments. $25,000 FY97 for Barrows Portable 7,700 FY96 for Energy Management Systems 23,100 FY97 for Coolidge Ceiling Tiles $25,000 Architect /Coolidge $24,000 FY96 for Coolidge Ceiling Tiles $46,000 FY97 for Coolidge Ceiling Tiles $70,000 $43,900 Bid Half of School for Ceiling Tiles $23,100 FY97 Money Mr. Cummings asked if we could use the $23,100 from ceiling tiles to hire an architect for Coolidge? Town Treasurer Beth Klepeis acknowledged that there are people who want to reduce the tax rate. Mr. Cummings stated that there seems to be a pre- determination on the options for spending the $240,000. Mr. Stohlman moved to increase by $7,700 line K27 in the capital Plan. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The motion was approved by a 5 -1 vote, Mr. Cummings voted against the motion. Mr. Twomey moved to use $23 100 from FY97 money for the purpose of hiring an architect. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. INFORMATION Dr. Harutunian noted that the problem at Parker Middle School is they can't fire the burners and the side of the cafeteria is covered with 4x8 gypsum which is soaking up rain water. Eaton Elementary School's problem is with the front tower. It needs glass facing to prevent it from leaking. There is also a leak in the gymnasium. At the Coolidge Middle School a vent blew off. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 OCTOBER 21, 1996 At Killam Elementary School a cover was removed form the oil tank and water went into the oil tank. ADJOURN At 11:30 p.m. Mr. Spadafora moved to adjourn. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion The vote was unanimous. Susan Cavicchi Matthew Cummings Roberta D'Antona Robert Spadafora Thomas Stohlman Timothy Twomey Respectful ._.submitted, Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools