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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-10-28 School Committee Minutes READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading,Massachusetts Regular Session October 28, 2002 CALL TO ORDER At 7:00 p.m. Chair Griset called the meeting to order in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee members Cavicchi, Griset, Russo and Twomey were present. Also present were Superintendent Har itunian and Associate Superintendent Richards. Mr. McFadden arrived during executive session. EXECUTIVE SESSION Ms. Cavicchi moved to enter into executive session for the purpose of conducting strategy session in preparation for negotiations with the Nurses,to discuss the pending sale or lease of real estate to discuss the deployment of security personnel or devices and for the approval of executive session minutes. Mr. Russo seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi,Mr. Griset, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. o T i CALL BACK TO ORDER > ' z o� , zz� At 7:35 p.m. Chair Griset called the meeting back to order. All School Committeecpm members were present. D Srrnm D=o NS. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT •`" w Dr. Harutunian introduced four young alumni of Reading Memorial High School. The students were in attendance to give the Committee feedback on how well Reading Memorial High School staff and curriculum prepared them for college. The students in attendance were Kate Delaney,Harvard University, Katie Dupont,Tufts University, Mike Hollis, Boston College and Lori Leland, Bentley College. The students discussed their college experience and stated that overall they felt they were well prepared for college by the RMHS staff and curriculum. All students stated that RMHS had prepared them with the necessary study skills and stated that RMHS teachers were available after school for extra help and that has proven beneficial to them in approaching professors for extra help when needed. Mr. McFadden asked the student what areas that did not feel well prepared in. All the students noted that more preparation in writing would have been beneficial. Mike Hollis noted that he was penalized on his first college paper because of a lack of grammar 4r skills. Lori Leland stated that the difference in her scores on math and English Reeular Session 2 October 28, 2002 placement tests was significant. Katie Dupont agreed that more grammar was needed. Kate Delaney stated that she had not taken an English course at college yet so she could not speak to the writing issue. She did note that she felt well prepared in the areas of math and science. Ms. Cavicchi noted that articles she has read indicate that the writing and grammar issues are issues throughout the country. Mr. Russo asked what surprised the students the most in going from high school to college. The students agreed that it was their new found independence and the increased amount of reading. Mr. Twomey asked if the students were enjoying their college experiences. All agreed that they were enjoying their time at college. Mr. Griset thanked the students for taking time from their schedules to attend the meeting and give feedback to the Committee on how RMHS is preparing students for college. The Committee took a short recess. Dr. Harmunian reminded the viewers of the dates that the RMHS drama club would be performing Hello Dolly. CURRICULUM PRESENTATIONS Dr. Harutunian noted that this year all curriculum initiatives except K-5 English Language Arts were on hold due to budget cuts. He noted that the K-5 English Language Arts group would be making a presentation to the Committee this evening and the remainder of the curriculum leaders had submitted written reports which were included in the School Committee packet. Mr. Richards introduced the K-5 English Language Arts group: Lisa Cormier, Debra Kwiatek, Michelle Kurchian and Patty deGaravilla. Lisa Cormier thanked the Committee for the opportunity to address them this evening. She thanked the other members of the curriculum team for their hard work and dedication. She stated that the teachers have done an excellent job implementing the curriculum. 4 Reeular Session 3 October 28,2002 Ms. Cormier outlined this evening's presentation for the Committee and introduced Instructional Specialist Patty deGaravilla. Ms. DeGaravilla thanked Dr. Harmunian, Associate Superintendent Richards, Lisa Cormier, Deb Kwiatek and Michelle Kurchian for their support in moving forward the English language arts curriculum. Ms. DeGaravilla then outlined where the Reading Public Schools stand with the English Language arts curriculum K-5. She stated that she is confident that this curriculum will prepare our students to be proficient writers. Mr. McFadden asked what the cost is to outfit a classroom with the curriculum material. Ms. deGaravilla stated that it costs between $8,000 and $10,000 per classroom including technology software. She stated that the goal is to have extra supplies for one classroom per grade level for the district. Ms. Kwiatek thanked Lisa Cormier and the members of the English language arts team for their support. Ms. Kwiatek then presented information on the English language arts curriculum. 4 Ms. Michelle Kurchian gave a presentation on how the English language arts curriculum is used in her classroom. Mr. Twomey thanked the group for their hard work and dedication to the Reading Public Schools. Mr. McFadden asked how much money would be needed to do everything the group wanted to do with the curriculum. Ms. Cormier stated that she could not give a dollar figure but could list the components needed. She stated her concern that other curriculum areas also need support. Dr. Harutunian thanked the K-5 English Language Arts curriculum committee and Dennis Richards for his work. The Committee took a short recess Mr. Russo commended Chair Griset for brining young RMHS alumni to the Committee for feedback. 4 Reeular Session 4 October 28, 2002 HIGHLIGHTS Dr. Harutunian thanked the art teachers and students of RMHS for the artwork displayed in the Committee room. CITIZENS' INPUT There was no citizen input. SUPERINTENDENTS' REPORT Chair Grist updated the Committee on he and Vice Chair Dahl's tours of the schools. Chair Grist discussed the community meeting held on October 17`h. He stated that the intent of the community meetings is to have an open agenda and allow the public to set the agenda. Mr. Russo stated that one community member brought up the subject of nutrition in the schools and that he would request that item be placed as an agenda item at the next regularly scheduled School Committee meeting. Dr. Harmunian suggested that before nutrition is made an agenda item that he be allowed to resubmit to the Committee the DOE compliance review on nutrition and a report form Director of Food Services Cathie Cook. Dr. Harmunian asked the Committee to confine the School Committee meeting tentatively scheduled for November 4"to discuss moving forward on the elementary projects. Dr. Harutunian stated that the Board of Selectmen would like to meet with the School Committee to discuss the lack of funding for grants such as DARE and Safe House. After discussion it was agreed that the School Committee would discuss these items and have presentations at the December 9th meeting prior to meeting with the Board of Selectmen. Dr. Harmunian advised that he and Associate Superintendent Richards continue to work on the School Committee policy manual and will forward the first revisions to the Committee at least one week prior to the next regular School Committee meeting. Dr. Hamtunian discussed the RMHS initiatives including the RMHS achievement sign in the square, the spirit flag and the goods news report. 4 LV Regular Session 5 October 28, 2002 Dr. Harutunian discussed the correspondence form Town Counsel regarding principals signing contracts that do not involve school funds and the Superintendent signing contracts that are not competitively bid. Mr. Russo moved to authorize the Superintendent to allow principals to sign contracts that do not involve school department money as per the memorandum dated October 24,2002. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Grist,Mr. McFadden,Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. Mr. Twomey move to authorize the Superintendent to enter into and execute non- bid contracts as permitted by Massachusetts Procurement Laws for the purpose of efficient management. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0 Ms. Cavicchi,Mr. GriseL Mr. McFadden,Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. Mr. Russo stated his concern that at the last School Building Committee meeting one resident commented about flooding issues on the football field and his concern about the proposed material to be used for the field. Dr. Harutunian advised that there is no drainage issue on the football field. MINUTES Ms. Cavicchi moved to approve the minutes of September 10,2002. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0 Ms. Cavicchi,Mr. Griset, Mr. Russo, Mr. McFadden and Mr. Twomey. ADJOURN At 10:35 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi moved to adjourn. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0 Ms. Cavicchi,Mr. Griset,Mr. McFadden,Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. Respectfully submitted, qatl Harry K. Haratunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools