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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-12-18 School Committee Minutes ,.ECEIVED CWN CLERK READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE '`'DING, MASS. Reading, Massachusetts 1003 FEB -3 A B 4b Regular Session December 18, 2002 CALL TO ORDER At 7:00 p.m. Vice Chairman Dahl called the meeting to order in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee members Cavicchi, Dahl, McFadden and Russo. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards. EXECUTIVE SESSION Ms. Cavicchi moved to enter into executive session for the purpose of conducting strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with the Teachers' Association and the Nurses and to discuss the possible sale or lease of real estate and to approve executive session minutes. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl,Mr.McFadden and Mr. Russo. CALL BACK TO ORDER At 7:35 p.m. Vice Chair Dahl called the meeting back to order. He advised that Mr. Griset was unable to attend this evening's meeting due to personal reasons and Mr. Twomey was unable because of a family commitment. Vice Chair Dahl advised that the School Committee would not be meeting tomorrow. SUPERINTENDENT'S AWARD Dr. Harmunian presented the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendent's Award for Academic Excellence to Reading Memorial High School seniors Kerrie Brophy and David Mabius. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE Dr. Harutunian welcome Jake Hanin as the new student representative to the School Committee. HIGHLIGHTS Dr. Harmunian thanked the Eaton students and Art Educator Donna Dawson for the artwork in the School Committee room. �y Reeular Session 2 December 18, 2002 GIFTS Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept the $44,440 from the Readine Hieh School Technology Fund as per the memorandum of December 16, 2002. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi,Mr. Dahl,Mr. McFadden and Mr. Russo. Mr.Russo moved to accept the$1.000 donation from Pilot House as per the memorandum of December 16.2002. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl,Mr. McFadden and Mr. Russo. Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept the$500 grant from Readine Exxon/Mobil as per the memorandum of December 16, 2002. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi,Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden and Mr. Russo. Mr. Russo moved to accept the 22 computers donated by GE Panametrics as per the memorandum of December 16,2002. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl,Mr. McFadden and Mr. Russo. f Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept the elft from the Reading Symphony Orchestra as per the memorandum of December 16, 2002. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl,Mr. McFadden and Mr.Russo. Vice Chair Dahl thanked all the individuals and companies for their very generous donations. CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harmunian advised that the Selectmen voted to move forward with the special town meeting on January 13`h and special election on February 25". Dr. Harutunian thanked Carl McFadden for his efforts in meeting with Selectmen and answering questions and concerns regarding the proposed high school project. Mr. McFadden stated that the Selectmen are not, as some in the community feel, against children or schools. He stated that the Selectmen had questions and concerns regarding the process and felt they needed to do due diligence. He stated that the tone between the Selectmen and the School Committee at the December 17" meeting was much improved and that he felt that the School Committee should send a thank you letter to the Board of Selectmen for their open mindedness and due diligence regarding the high school project. Reeular Session 3 December 18, 2002 Ms. Cavicchi and Vice Chairman Dahl also expressed their appreciation to the Board of Selectmen for their open mindedness and willingness to investigate the issue and have their concerns and questions addressed. They also expressed their appreciation to Mr. McFadden for his work. Ms. Cavicchi moved that the School Committee authorize the Superintendent to send a letter of thanks to the Board of Selectmen for their due diheence, research and vote in the affirmative, after careful deliberation, on the school oroiects. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi,Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden and Mr. Russo. Dr. Hamtunian distributed an article regarding the Town of Swampscott passing an override for a new$47 million high school. Dr. Hamtunian informed the Committee that for the first time in 30 years there were no pumpkining incidents. Dr. Hannunian thanked the senior class. Dr. Haratunian advised that Reading's per pupil average has dropped to $974 below the state average. Dr. Harutunian advised that he had met with budget parents to discuss the FY04 budget process. Dr. Hamtunian advised that all nurses have been issued Nextel cellular phones. He stated that the cell phones improve communication during emergencies. Dr. Harutunian advised that Chair Griset would be distributing, in the next few days,the Superintendent's evaluation forms for the Committee to complete. Dr. Hamtunian advised that Mike Gilbert was available to meet with the Committee to review policy revisions on January 7'h or 15". After discussion it was the consensus of the Committee to meet on January 7`h. Vice Chair Dahl discussed the upcoming Finance Committee meeting where they will take action on the warrant articles. Vice Chair Dahl discussed with the Committee the audit committee's recommendation that the Town roll all audits into one request for proposal. Dr. Harutunian advised that he would be presenting his recommended FY04 budget at the January 2"d School Committee meeting. Dr. Harutunian advised that both he and the Town Manager would be putting together budgets that include the minimum increase necessary to move into the next fiscal year. He stated that at after the January 2nd meeting he would provide the Committee with a recommended list of prioritized reductions totaling $2.5 million. Reeular Session 4 December 18,2002 Mr. Russo stated that 46% of the people in Massachusetts wanted to eliminate income tax. He stated that there is a lack of understanding by legislators regarding how much money people are willing to spend on to allow excessive spending by legislators. He stated that the budget situation is unfortunate and that he will do his best to make the best possible decisions for the Town. Vice Chair Dahl agreed with Mr. Russo that people are upset at the excessive spending at the state level but that we have not seen anything like that at the local level. He stated that the last place he wants to see reductions is in classroom positions. Mr. McFadden discussed the elimination of electives such as woodshop rather than core subject teachers. Mr. McFadden also discussed his desire for the Committee to have ample time to discuss recommended reductions and offered that a Saturday meeting may be necessary. Dr. Harutunian requested that item 2 on the agenda,moving forward with the lease for the transfer of land be tabled. Dr. Hamtunian updated the Committee on his meeting with students, staff and parents regarding anti-smoking initiative at RMHS. He stated that after meeting with students and parents he believed that smoking has decreased at the high school and asked the Committee not to take any further action at this time. Student Representative Hanin advised that there is some resentment among students on the proposed plan to lock the bathrooms and have senior citizens monitor the bathrooms. Mr. McFadden asked Mr. Hanin if he felt smoking had decreased at the high school. Mr. Hanin stated that smoking has not been eliminated but there has been a reduction. Mr. Russo commended the principal on his efforts to curb smoking in the school. It was the consensus of the Committee that the Superintendent report back to the Committee on the anti-smoking initiative in June. MINUTES Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept the minutes of September 23,2002. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi,Mr. Dahl,Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo. Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept the minutes of October 17,2002 with changes as 4r noted. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl,Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo. Reeular Session 5 December 18, 2002 Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept the minutes of October 28,2002. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi,Mr. Dahl,Mr. McFadden,Mr. Russo. Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept the minutes of November 4, 2002. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi,Mr. Dahl,Mr. McFadden,Mr. Russo. Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept the minutes of November 12,2002. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl,Mr. McFadden,Mr. Russo. Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept the minutes of November 20,2002 with changes as noted. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl,Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo. ADJOURN At 9:00 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi moved to adjourn. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden and Mr. Russo. Respectfully submitted, CiiL icL-AXA,� Harry K. Harutunian,Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools