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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-10-28 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES REGULAR SESSION MINUTES OCTOBER 28, 1996 CALL TO ORDER Chair Susan Cavicchi called the regular session to order in the Conference Room at 7:35 p.m. All members were present. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Harry K. Harutunian, Associate Superintendent Dennis Richards and Reading Memorial High School School Committee Representative Marissa Freitas. ROUTINE MATTERS MINUTES Mr. Spadafora moved to accept the minutes of September 30 1996. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion. Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey made corrections that were acknowledged. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for bills was as follows: October 7, 1996 - Bills - $117,670.99 October 15, 1996 - Bills - $ 67,176.71 October 21, 1996 - Bills - $ 87,603.48 October 28, 1996 - Bills - $462,375.33 The warrant for payrolls was as follows: October 4, 1996 - Biweekly - $120,949.54 October 18, 1996 - Biweekly - $152,516.68 October 10, 1996 - Teachers - $534,782.20 LIAISON REPORTS MEETING WITH THE FINANCE COMMITTEE - THOMAS STOHLMAN Mr. Stohlman stated the Finance Committee met recently with Dr. Harutunian and himself to review the quarterly reports on expenditures. It was noted everything is going as planned. Dr. Harutunian advised that Special Education is a concern. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 OCTOBER 28,199 Mr. Stohlman said the Finance Committee voted on all of the warrant articles coming up for Town Meeting. He added we are carrying the air handling and ventilation systems in Town buildings and the public library for a net amount of $85,000 when certain credits are considered on the town side. A true cost was $125,600 more than what was budgetted in April. Next time they were asked to give us a total price rather than a net amount. Dr. Harutunian spoke with Mr. Stohlman before hand and stated any School Committee member, including himself, can attend a Finance Committee meeting to discuss any issues that they might have. It has been one year since 1991 that School Committee transferred money out of the maintenance account. Town Accountant Richard Foley had informed the Superintendent that in 1992 and 1993 money was added to the maintenance account. Dr. Harutunian said he will present the State of the Schools for $500,000. Chair Susan Cavicchi reported on the Three Boards Meeting. They addressed the surplus in School Committee Option 1 and decided to continue to allow free cash to build until Spring 1997 and spend $85,000 to address the air quality at the Town Library. CALL IN The first call in was from Frank Gorgone regarding the FY97 budget that identified $10,000 for books and $100,000 for Professional Development. He stated the figures should be reverse. Dr. Harutunian replied that there was no increase at the FY97 school level for Professional Development only new technology training money and $40,000 for new text books. He added the increase of $10 per student books will be a recommended amount for FY98. The $10 now is only to replace worn out books. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT • Dr. Harutunian advised the information in the Chronicle about him being at the Meadowbrook Country Club was incorrect. • The Superintendent shared a letter from Mr. Struble addressed to Chair Cavicchi regarding his proposal for RMHS renovations. • He announced that the graduating class of 1997 at RMHS has three National Merit Semi - Finalists, Gregory Stratton, Jill Rickershauser, and Michael Micciche. Also, the memo indicated eleven members of the Class of 1997 who have also been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program as commended students. They are Amanda Atkinson - Lewis, Neeta Barisal, Kevin Barry, Anne Baumgartner, Colin Blanchard, Thomas Capasso, Carolyn Clark, Sandra Dipillo, Brendan O'Connell, Paget Perkins, and Brian Stempek. The Superintendent congratulated all of the students. • Parker Principal Dr. Delaney sent a memo to Dr. Harutunian to note appreciation of the wonderful gift from Richard DiCenzo, husband of Cathy Cook. The clock was made by REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 _ OCTOBER 28 1996 using shelving from the old building. The clock is now in the Parker Middle School lobby. • The Superintendent advised that Harold Croft, a teacher /coach at RMHS was chosen by the educational selection committee that selected thirty six teachers to be honored in "The Walt Disney Company and McDonald's Present The American Teacher Awards." • Dr. Harutunian recognized the instructors in the Fall 1996 Barrows After School Program. He noted this should be an enriching and fun experience for our students. • The Superintendent stated we have received from the Young Women's League of Reading a request for a waiver of the rental and custodial fees for the use of the RMHS auditorium and cafeteria for one of their major fundraising projects. Some discussion followed. Mr. Twomey moved to waive the rental fees for the Young Women's League of Reading annual Adult Spelling Bee to be held on Friday March 21, 1997 Mr. Spada - fora seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Mr. Twomey moved to oppose the request for a custodian waiver for the Young Women's League of Reading at that same event on Friday March 21 1997 Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. • Dr. Harutunian shared a memorandum he received from RMHS Principal Orlando that recognized a RMHS student, Thomas Capasso, who has been named a winner in the University of MA Amherst's Chancellor's Talent Award Program competition for 1997. The Superintendent congratulated Thomas Capasso and also the teachers and administration at RMHS. • Superintendent Harutunian acknowledged a memo from the Commonwealth of Massachu- setts Charles Baker, Secretary, Executive Office for Administration and Finance and Robert V. Antonucci, Commissioner, Department of Education regarding Education Technology Bond Spending. He noted that Cindi Conti continues to monitor the movement of the state on the educational technology money. Mr. Spadafora said he is proud that Reading is ahead of other towns. Mr. Cummings asked if this money goes to the Towns or Schools and how do we keep track of that? Dr. Harutunian stated he would come back to the School Committee to ask how it should be spent. With the FY98 money or with money from the state we should be able to get technology at Coolidge Middle School back up to speed as well as keeping Parker Middle School in step. • The Superintendent stated he has given the girls' field hockey team permission to play on Sunday, October 27, 1996. The reason he granted this is because of the weather conditions the past seven days. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 OCTOBER 2, 1996 Dr. Harutunian stated we will have to come back to School Committee with another date for the "Highlights" at RMHS. All of the other school based meetings were in agreement with the School Committee. The Superintendent advised the School Committee that the NEASC has not resolved the number of science laboratories available for instructional purposes at Reading Memorial High School three years following the decennial accreditation visit to RMHS. Given the fact that the town has commissioned a $40,000 feasibility study, and that the School Committee is considering work at the high school, and that Mr. Orlando and he feels that this is the kind of information that the Association needs to know. The Superintendent congratulated Pamela Chomsky- Higgins, a teacher at the Killam Elementary School, who was honored as one of seven finalists for the 33rd annual Massachusetts Teacher of the Year award. PERSONNEL The Superintendent stated there is a 504 student at the Birch Meadow Elementary School who we are working closely with her family and doctors and will continue to provide an educational assistant through the eight week diagnostic program. This will cost approximately $2,000. NEW BUSINESS MASSACHUSETTS EDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT PROGRAM Associate Superintendent Dennis Richards began discussion about the 1996 Massachusetts Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) test results. He stated the tests are given to Grade 4, 8 and 10 students. The multiple choice questions for math, science, social studies and reading are about 15 -20 per subject. There are also open -ended questions requiring essays. On an overhead Mr. Richards presented the MEAP Test Format & Results: Format Results • Multiple Choice • Open -Ended Questions • Scaled Scores • Proficiency Levels Multiple Choice Questions 70% of Scaled Scores REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 OCTOBER 28, 1996 • Exception - Scientific Inquiry Subskill = 50% of Scaled Score (20% other Subskills) 15 -20 Questions Per Subject Topics Tested Per Subject • 6- 15 at Elementary School Level • 8- 19 at Middle School Level • 8- 21 at High School Level Open -Ended Questions 30% of Scaled Score One per Subject Proficiency Levels Levels III & IV - Application Levels I & II - Knowledge > Level 1 - Insufficient information to evaluate Mr. Stohlman asked if all students take the proficiency test and observed that there are some who are below the proficiency Level 1. He asked for information about the State MEAP testing scores. Mr. Richards said he would provide that information. Scaled Scores Used for Comparison • Groups of Students on Different Tests • Different Groups on the same Test • One Year to Another 1300 = Statewide Average in 1994 Comparison Score Band • Scaled Score Range - Demographic and Nonschool- related Weighted Factors Background Factors All Grades • Free/Reduced Price Lunch • Family Language Grade 4 • Pre - School Grade 8 & 10 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 OCTOBER 28, 1996 • Parent Education Evaluating Results Performance Relative to: • 1 - Statewide Average • 2 - Similar Schools & Districts • 3 -Other Content Areas • 4 -Prior Years -Grade 10 in 1996 -Grade 8 in 1994 -Grade 4 in 1990 Mr. Cummings asked for scores by school and other years. Mr. Richards said he would provide that information. The Associate Superintendent added that our SAT students compare well with the rest of the state. He stated scores were low in Grade 4, higher in Grade 8 and low again in Grade 10. Mr. Cummings requested earlier scores for the 1996 10th Grade. Mr. Spadafora expressed his concern that Grade 10 students are hovering over the state average. He noted that we are dealing with the same students, Grade 4, 8 and 10. Dr. Harutunian stated Curriculum Frameworks will come out with what the expectations are and their guidelines. Mr. Richards related that math and science are the only two frameworks approved at this point. The new state test will be taken as one requirement for graduation in the year 2000 or 2001. The Superintendent expressed concern about Grade 10 when the middle schools are off the chart. Mr. Twomey asked to see if teaching methodology changed between middle school and high school and how do MEAPs relate to the PSATs and SATs. Mr. Stohlman there is a trend to improve in middle school. At the high school level our students are not being trained to take the MEAP test and added that he would like to know what the MEAP is testing. The Associate Superintendent stated that the Department of Education (DOE) has hired Advanced Testing to do the MEAP test since 1988 and Advanced Systems were hired to develop the new state test. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 OCTOBER 28, 1996 Mr. Stohlman said the DOE needs to explain what they are testing for. Has anyone in the DOE done this and asked if anyone has evaluated the evaluators? Dr. Harutunian said, "If the test was so good, why are they doing away with it ?" Mr. Stohlman added that we should call Grade 10 schools that did well to find out information regarding their programs. Chair Cavicchi said when you teach to the test students do not become excited life long learners. The Superintendent made a chart that outlined scores VERBAL SAT's Class of 1996 RMHS MA US 525 507 505 MATH 529 504 508 Ms. D'Antona added that this should not be the only way we measure our students. We should show how we fare with SATs and college acceptances. OLD BUSINESS STRATEGIC PLANNING PROPOSAL Mr. Cummings said we should center around Mr. Stohlman's suggestion not to hire a Strategic Planning Consultant this year. Ms. D'Antona stated she sees value in the strategic plan with community support. We should discuss why and what we want to do. She added that it needs to be done by someone outside of the school system. The financial piece is something within our budget. Mr. Stohlman outlined Dr. Baugh's four outcomes: • Figure out what type of education is in demand • Get data and opinion from a broad range of people • Create a unity of purpose in the school system • Gain a plan of action To this Mr. Stohlman added: • To be forward looking - what type of education would be in demand • A subcommittee twice removed from School Committee that would sit down over the REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 8 OCTOBER 28 1996 course of 2 years with meetings and votes to arrive at a plan School Committee could vote on. He suggested renewing ourselves on a yearly basis as oppossed to a 2 -2 1/2 year basis. Looking at Town Meeting or a broader range of citizens to be involved. Mr. Spadafora advised that the Strategic Plan is in the School Committee Goals. He added that we need an outsider looking in as it would be less controversial. He does not see the financial issues the same as Mr. Cummings and suggested we may need a couple of other presentations. Mr. Cummings stated that Dr. Baugh would come in and facilitate. Mr. Spadafora noted that once it is complete it would be his or her agenda and that we need to see more than one plan. The Superintendent stated he picked Dr. Baugh as a consultant because she has the attitude to work with the community and the School Committee. She was able to bring in the lower cost because she's familiar with Reading. Mr. Twomey agreed that we need someone from outside to do this successfully. As Ms. D'Antona said it needs to be done on a neutral basis. Concern about the specific proposal brought before the School Committee. Important that it reaches the broad sections of the community and have them help shape the structure of the school system. Chair Cavicchi liked using Dr. Baugh - agreed that we need an outside facilitator. Mr. Twomey moved that the School Committee financially ppropriate for the Strategic Planning in hiring an outside consultant. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion The vote was unanimous Ms. D'Antona directed the Superintendent to attempt to find two additional consultants for strategic planning_ purposes and bring them to the School Committee and not to exceed $9,500. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. Mr. Spadafora asked if we could avoid the RFP if we did it in two fiscal years. Mr. Cummings added that he was going to vote against this as we are not debating this expenditure in the FY97 budget. He added strategic planning is an important process and should be put in the FY98 budget. Dr. Harutunian advised that this is very comprehensive and needs the full School Committee support. A community member stated that financial services may not necessarily be a procurement law. Dr. Harutunian noted that School Committee wants to know about billing, financial, recom- mendation on where the money will come from in the FY97 budget and bring forward two more companies. He said he would provide the School Committee with this information at their next meeting. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 9 OCTOBER 28 1996 Ms. D'Antona suggested limiting their presentation to 10 minutes and 5 minutes of questions. Ms. D'Antona and Mr. Twomey withdrew the motion MASSACHUSETTS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEES (MASC) PROPOSAL ON POLICY BOOK Mr. Stohlman stated it would take $9,000 and 18 months to update the policy book, section by section, supply a computer disk and update future disks. The other option of $12,050 consists of computer disk with yearly update reference manuals. This would take an undetermined amount of time. Mr. Twomey pointed out that the $9,000 would cover about 600 hours of clerical time. Dr. Harutunian added that in 1993 the legislature did a massive overhaul of the law. His concern, as Mr. Twomey pointed out is the clerical time. The manual has inaccuracies in it now. Asked about considering finding two $4,500 to fund the MASC. Mr. Spadafora added that we need to update contracts and we should have the same regard for our policy book. Do it with MASC behind us. Mr.Cummines moved to direct the Superintendent to include as one of the line items in the FY98 budget with MASC to update the policy book. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion Mr. Twomey asked that the Superintendent look at the FY97 budget. Mr. Cummings stated if it is a priority then it needs to be debated with the other school priorities for FY98. Mr. Stohlman said we are in the middle year of labor negotiations. Ms. D'Antona asked if we need to align the contracts with Education Reform? Mr. Twomey said that would not be necessary. Dr. Harutunian said that a School Committee goal should be when we negotiate contracts the policy manual should be developed. The vote was 5 in favor to 1. Mr. Twomey abstained POLICY ON HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION - THIRD AND FINAL READING Mr. Spadafora moved to approve the Reading School Committee Policy on Harassment and Discrimination.. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. Dr. Harutunian advised that we need to have this policy by November 6. Teachers and administrators have worked on this policy, it was sent to Attorney Cohen and it was then modified. Tonight would make it a third vote for a bare minimum policy. In December a calendar will be provided on how we can make changes. Ms. D'Antona will look to the Superintendent for the timeline he has eluded to. She suggested it be folded into the policy knowing we will revisit this and has other input from other areas. The vote was unanimous. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 10 OCTOBER 28, 1996 INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS 1. The Superintendent shared a letter from Design Partnership of Cambridge, dated October 16, 1996, to Joe Bondi requesting that renovations and additions to the Parker Middle School, TDPCProject No. 9301 for the additional costs to revise layout of the Family and Consumer Science Room 206: PR: 51. 2. Dr. Harutunian outlined the School Committee meetings for October 1996 to February 1997. 3. Revisit a policy requiring 3 or 2 votes on policies or give to the Subcommittee, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Spadafora, at the next meeting. Mr. Spadafora asked about needing a public hearing. He was told it was not necessary. ADJOURN At 10:35 p.m. Mr. Stohlman moved to executive session for the purpose of union and non -union discussion relevant to negotiations and litigation. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Cummings, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey Respectfully submitted, Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools