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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-12-16 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES DECEMBER 16, 1996 CALL TO ORDER Chair Susan Cavicchi called the regular session to order at 7:10 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present with the exception of Matthew Cummings and Robert Spadafora who were expected to arrive later. Superintendent Dr. Harry K. Harutunian and RMHS School Committee representative Marissa Freitas were also present. LIAISON REPORTS (out of order) • Dr. Harutunian stated that he has met with Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and Recreation Committee director Joe Connolly. They discussed having a Community School that would open up one Saturday a month from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. He hopes to involve several organizations and get this running a year from now. • Dr. Harutunian announced that RMES Supervisor of the Custodians, William Stamatis, is planning to retire at the end of February. • The Superintendent added the FY97 position for a carpenter has not been filled yet as he was waiting for the new Building and Grounds person's input. He said he would defer the position of carpenter and for FY98 request a Heating and Cooling person. • He noted that he met with NEASC Janet Allison regarding a RMHS Science Classroom. She informed him that NEASC are very pleased about the Capital moneys we have in the FY98 budget of $40,000 for that purpose. • Dr. Harutuman stated he met with the parent representatives and the principals from each of our schools for budget discussion on Wednesday. This group will REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 DECEMBER 16, 1996 attend each of the budget meetings. • John Sibler announced today that there would not be a GED test this year for high school students. • Dr. Harutunian reviewed the time line calendars on the Harassment Policy. One calendar is the process we would use in receiving input to finalize the Harassment Policy, and the other calendar is for after the policy has been approved in its final form as an implementation calendar. The Superintendent informed the School Committee that Loel Greene from Brown University will volunteer to train staff for preventing harassment in our school district. • Dr. Harutunian said over 80 applicants applied in the search for a Director of Buildings. He advised that any of the three finalists could have stepped into that position. The Superintendent narrowed it down to John Bandini, who has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He also noted the cost savings projects Mr. Bandini has been involved in. He then introduced John Bandini to the audience. Mr. Bandini spoke about what he has seen as he went through all of our buildings. Dr. Harutunian added one of Mr. Bandini's suggestions is to change to individual room thermostats at RMHS. • Dr. Harutunian congratulated Hal Croft for being designated as the National Teacher /Coach of the Year by the Walt Disney Foundation and McDonald's at their American Teacher Awards. He added that there were over 1500 applicants. The Superintendent recommended that we recognize Mr. Croft at a School Committee meeting after the first of the year. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 DECEMBER 16, 1996 CITIZEN'S INPUT Chair Cavicchi stated this was the time for citizen's input. Lorraine Home, a Killam and Coolidge parent asked that School Committee to make RMHS a priority in its budget before 10 years. Kendra Cooper asked who the Screening Committee was for the Director of Buildings. The Superintendent gave her the names and stated David Alesse, our inhouse electrician, represented the maintenance department. Mike Flammia, a parent asked about Federal/State grant money for RMHS. Dr. Harutunian explained that 50% of the buildings were built in 1968. Now after 30 -35 years they need maintenance. Reading is entitled to 66% after we meet certain criteria. He noted that the state receives 80 -90 project requests each year. About 24 are accepted. He added that our land fill could be sold for $7 -10 million and that would help us pay some of our bills. Questions will be answered in the next 6 -18 months regarding the high school. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (out of order) Mr. Twomey moved to approve the minutes of September 19, 1996. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous, 4 -0. Mr. Spadafora arrived. Ms. D'Antona moved to approve the minutes of November 18, 1996. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. After School Committee changes, the minutes were approved unanimously, 5 -0, . Mr. Twomey moved to approve the minutes of December 2, 1996. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. After School Committee changes, the minutes were approved unanimously, 5 -0, REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 DECEMBER 16, 1996 NEW BUSINESS CHANGING OF THE KINDERGARTEN CUT -OFF DATE (DECEMBER 31) Dr. Harutunian stated after many months of discussion with the 9 kindergarten teachers and elementary principals, it appears that a recommendation to change the registration cut -off date for kindergarten students is necessary. He noted that all of the surrounding towns have an August cut -off date for children who are at least five years old. Therefore he recommended that in the fall of 1998 the cut -off date be moved from December 31 to August 31. He added that this would reduce age discrepancies in the classroom and provide continuity with the surrounding towns. Principal McSheehy came forward to answer the audience's questions. He noted that state law states a full day program must be offered to a 6 year old child. Parent Michael Flammia asked for more research on how a cut -off date is more beneficial to a child than a parent deciding on entrance age. Other parents agreed and noted that a child of five may not necessarily be ready for preschool and a child of four may be ready. Another parent Yvonne Gonsalo, who also wrote a letter to the committee, added that she did not want an arbitrary ruling to alter the course of her daughter's development. Mr. Stohlman agreed, stating it has nothing to do with whether the children are developmentally ready. If we say a child is too young, why can't we say a child is too old? He expressed interest in how to evaluate children more fully about their developmental stage and how we could deal with these children. Principal McSheehy said he would look into this. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 DECEMBER 16, 1996 Dr. Harutunian asked to table the issue and have elementary teachers and prin- cipals present their views to parents at a public hearing. Mr. Cummings arrived. PRESENTATION FROM WINCHESTER HOSPITAL ON PROVIDING MEDICAL SERVICES The Superintendent stated the School Committee directed him 3 months ago to look at our health services in an effort to determine if there was a better way to provide health services to the children in the Reading Public Schools. He added that next month the School Committee will have to make a decision on how we will provide health services. He expressed concern on the many children who are medicated. He said Reading's nurses do a great job. Dr. Harutunian stated Kathleen Beyerman R.N.C., Ed.D., Director of Community Health Institute will present the plan Winchester Hospital is offering. Ms. Beyerman began the Community Health Institute, Winchester Hospital proposal to the Town of Reading with overheads. The first overhead outlined Winchester Hospital's Mission Statement as follows: To ensure the highest quality health care continues to be delivered through the coordination of available resources for the purpose of improving the health of the communities we serve. She continued with Reading's New School Health Program: A Mutual Goal! -To improve the health status of the Reading student population A Unique Solution! - Leverage Hospital expertise to school health Great Results! - Instant compliance with regulatory requirements REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 DECEMBER 16, 1996 - Improve school health services by redesigning services to augment the program Ms. Beyerman noted for the $199,788 fee Reading Schools would then be provided with 5 nurses, 2 school health assistants, staff benefits, and $6,000 in enhancement programs and program management. She noted the Partnership for Growth and Potential: In addition to providing comprehensive school health services, the Winchester Hospital School Health Program will also explore, with the superintendent and school committee, the opportunity for: • health fairs • stress reduction efforts • tobacco cessation support • school site safety surveillance (quarterly reviews) • nutrition improvement initiatives • automation of school health records • liaison with school system physician (Dr. Green) • school and community health assessment • faculty & staff health improvement opportunities • access to primary care for lower income students • home visits - children with targeted health problems • childhood diabetes and asthma management programs • quality assurance programs and evaluation of services • classroom teaching in collaboration with health education Ms. Beyerman stated we could look at what enhanced services we would like to focus on. Alternative Contract Fee for $176,500 • 5 nurses • Staff benefits • Program management REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 DECEMBER 16. 1996 Dr. Harutunian asked Ms. Beyerman about a 5 year Contract Cost. She replied the annual increase would be based on the Consumer Price Index. Why Contract with Winchester Hospital and Winchester Hospital's Pediatric Expertise ... On Call • 24 hour in -house pediatric coverage with Children Hospital staff physicians • 35 pediatricians on staff and 6 family practice physicians • Specialist affiliation with Floating Hospital: cardiology, endocrinology, gas- troenterology, neurology, surgery, and urology • Newly renovated state of the art pediatric unit • Innovative clinical programs: ■ Casefinders, ■ Pediatric asthma, ■ Education with proven outcomes - An American Diabetes Association certified program including a board certified diabetologist and a certified diabetes nurse educator. Community Health Institute Mission Statement It is the mission of the Community Health Institute to support people in taking responsibilities for their health and improving their health through education and available resources. Reading: Advocate for Youth Partnering with Winchester Hospital will bring enormous expertise to bear on the health of Reading's youth. This opportunity will position the town of Reading as the regions' foremost advocate for youth - a distinction that will make Reading residents proud. When asked about time outside of the school year, i.e. physicals of athletes, Ms. Beyerman replied that salaried nurses will include everything that needs to be handled. Mr. Twomey asked how the school nurses would be selected? Ms. Beyerman stated they would be respondents to ads and then would be interviewed. They would be people who want to work in the schools. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 8 DECEMBER 16 1996 Ms. Beyerman added that she would be managing the program. The School Com- mittee has to have confidence in herself. She stated one nurse would be accountable for two of the elementary schools with an assistant. Mr. Cummings asked how staff would be replaced when someone is on vacation, personal day, etc. Ms. Beyerman suggested having a Plan A and a Plan B. Reading citizen Kendra Cooper asked how Ms. Beyerman was planning to share one nurse between schools. Ms. Beyerman stated to provide for a greater number of staff the health aide may be in one school and a nurse in another. Both are highly trained. Ms. Cooper then asked about clerical staff. Ms. Beyerman said it would continue as it is now. Parent Ms. Carrick asked if training was in existence now and if the nurse felt it was too much would we then need to hire another nurse? Ms. Beyerman stated students have the basic requirements. She also added a reply to another parent's question about how services will be offered to people who are not involved with Winchester Hospital. She replied that would not be an issue. Mr. Spadafora asked if Winchester Hospital has a certified assistant program. Ms. Beyerman stated training is more for seniors. The "stars" can usually make a transition from long /term care to clinical. Responding to Ms. Cooper's question regarding a solution for time of day students will receive their medication, Ms. Beyerman said the staff will be trained in the delegation of medication. She added that she is aware of the many issues the nurses are now dealing with and they would need to seriously look at the students' medical conditions. Dr. Harutunian and School Committee members thanked Ms. Beyerman for her proposal. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 9 DECEMBER 16, 1996 INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS Dr. Harutunian asked School Committee members to adjust their dates to address the FY98 budget. January 2 Presentation by the Superintendent of the entire budget January 7 School Committee meeting to discuss the FY98 budget for Administration January 9 School Committee meeting to discuss the FY98 budget for Regular Day January 13 School Committee meeting to discuss the FY98 budget for Special Education January 16 School Committee meeting to discuss the FY98 budget for Maintenance, Health, Athletics, Food Service January 21 Public Hearing on the FY98 budget January 27 School Committee meeting with Coolidge Highlight It was suggested if the budget discussion was not completed on January 16 the School Committee could meet on Friday night, January 17. Dr. Harutunian stated he would like to have the completed budget to the Town Manager on February 3. ADJOURN At 10:10 p.m. Mr. Spadafora moved to adjourn. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Cummings, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman and Mr. Twomey Respectfullly mitted, Harry t. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools