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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-10-17 School Committee Minutes nECEIVED READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE I OWN CLERK Reading, Massachusetts -:-""DING, MASS. 1003 JAN -g All: 13 Reeular Session October 17,2002 CALL TO ORDER Chair Griset called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Coolidge Middle School Multi Purpose Room. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Griset, McFadden, Russo and Twomey. Mr. Dahl arrived at 7:10 p.m. Town Counsel John Gannon arrived at 7:10 p.m. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian distributed articles from the Reading Advocate pertaining to school issues. Dr. Harutunian distributed an article from the Salem Evening News regarding the Town of Danvers' debt exclusion override. Dr. Harutunian distributed a copy of the architect's minutes from the October 15ih School Building Committee Outreach Meeting. The Committee agreed on the following dates: November 4'h School Committee Meeting and November 18'h Financial Forum Meeting, TRANSFER OF LAND Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on a meeting held with the Town Manager, Vice Chair Dahl, Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony, School Building Committee Chair Graham and Town Counsel Gannon regarding the transfer of land wound the high school including the field house. Dr. Harutunian advised that he was asking the School Committee to vote on the draft motion submitted by Town Counsel Gannon regarding the transfer of land. Mr. Dahl stated that the School Committee's intention is to control the land surrounding Reading Memorial High School only to maximize state reimbursement for the school construction project. He stated that the School Committee would control the land only until such time as it is determined that certain parcels are not required to be in control of School Committee to maximize reimbursement. Once that it determined land that is not necessary for reimbursement would be returned to the control of the Board of Selectmen. Dr. Harutunian advised that he, Chair Griset and Vice Chair Dahl would attend the Board of Selectmen's meeting on October 22nd to discuss the transfer of land. 4 Reeular Session 2 October 17, 2002 Mr. Twomey stated his concern that the motion contain language that makes it clear that the duration of the lease must be the minimum required by the Department of Education for reimbursement. Mr. Gannon stated the Board of Selectmen are aware that a long-term lease would be required for reimbursement. Mr. Russo questioned whether language needed to be included that once maximum reimbursement is achieved the remaining land will go back to the Town. Mr. Gannon stated that the lease would contain legal language indicating that. Mr. Dahl moved to approve the motion on Article 10 to see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to transfer by lease to the School Committee the care, custody, management and control of such portions of the Plaveround land and buildines located at the Birch Meadow Playground, and place under the care, custody,manaeement and control of the Board of Selectmen, as are needed to achieve the maximum state reimbursement for a school building construction project. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. Mr. Twomey moved to amend the motion to insert the words of at least the minimum duration required by the Department of Education after the phase transfer by lease in the first sentence of the qtr motion. Mr. McFadden seconded the amendment. The vote on the amendment was 6-0 and the vote on the original motion was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl,Mr. Griset. Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. The Committee took a short recess. Chair Griset called the meeting back to order at 7:36 p.m. COMMUNITY FORUM Chair Griset stated that the remainder of the meeting would be an opportunity for the public to raise any questions or concerns. He stated that the community forum was an opportunity to hold a free flowing discussion with members of the public about issues or concerns. He stated that he estimated the meeting would end at 9:00 p.m. but that the Committee would continue the meeting as long as the public brings up new subjects. Chair Griset stated that as the School Committee would discuss the high school project but noted that the project is under the control of the School Building Committee at this time and the public may be better served addressing questions to the School Building Committee at one of the public outreach meetings. He then opened the meeting up to L public comment and questions. Regular Session 3 October 17,2002 Mr. Robert Spadafora thanked the Committee for holding a community forum meeting. He stated that the meetings are very helpful to the community. Mr. Spadafora stated that he would like to know the status of the fifth elementary school to be built at Dividence Road. He stated his concern that the high school project moved forward quicker than the new elementary school project has moved forward. Mr. Twomey discussed the ten-taxpayer lawsuit that was filed, the appeal to the order of conditions filed by an abutter and the bylaw suit. He stated that basically the Town prevailed in the lawsuits. He stated that there are still appeals pending by the plaintiff in connection to the appeal to the order of conditions and the bylaw lawsuit, and our attorneys' state that the likelihood of the plaintiffs winning the appeal or prevailing in an injunction is very, very slim. He stated that the appeals are not prohibiting the Town from moving forward. Mr. Twomey stated that because of the delays the Town does not currently have adequate funds to move forward due to the cost increase caused by inflation. Mr. Twomey stated that the Committee received an estimate of$1 to $1.5 million in cost increases. He stated that at some point the Committee would have to discuss moving forward and seeking Town Meeting approval for the additional funds. Mr. Spadafora stated that there is distorted information being discussed regarding the renovation of the Barrows School. He asked the Committee to clarify the status of the [ Barrows project. �r Mr. Twomey explained that the state agreed to reimbursement Reading for a project that solved the entire elementary enrollment issue. He outlined the logistical problems of renovating Barrows without the fifth elementary school being open and operating. Mr. Dahl discussed the process used by the School Size and Enrollment Committee that determined the solution to the elementary enrollment process. Mr. Dahl explained that changing the plan now and making Barrows a large elementary school with a very large student population would cause the Town to lose its place on the reimbursement list. He stated that he believes the current solution is still the best solution. Dr. Hamtunian stated that at the School Committee meeting on November 4th he would be making a presentation to the Committee on moving the elementary school forward. Mr. Russo stated that at no time was there any court injunction preventing the school department from proceeding with the project. Chair Griset stated that in fairness the ten-taxpayer lawsuit did seek an injunction and sought other things that the court chose not to grant. 4 Le Reeular Session 4 October 17,2002 Mr. Pasquale Carpinito discussed building projects in other communities and asked why the Town is having difficulty moving the school projects forward. He stated that the Town has lost $2 million in delays due to the lawsuits. He asked when these lawsuits could be considered nuisance suits. Chair Griset stated that the litigation of a small group of people with the goal of stopping the elementary project has cost the Town money in legal fees and time. He stated that if it is the will of Town Meeting and the citizens of Reading the high school project will move forward and the additional funds will be appropriated for the fifth elementary school. Mr. Dahl stated that there have been times when the project could have moved forward but the risk that the litigation would be successful prevented the Town from moving forward for fear of losing money. Mr. Twomey stated that we can now move forward with the fifth elementary school but it would be irresponsible to move forward knowing that we do not have adequate funds. He stated that before we ask Town Meeting for additional money for the project that the Committee needs to reevaluate and confirm the costs. Mr. McFadden noted that in the past 10 years the Town has renovated two elementary schools,two middle schools and the police and fire stations. He stated that litigation has slowed projects over the last four years. Mr. Dahl stated that Reading is a fine example of a Town that has successful renovated buildings without going to the citizens for overrides. He stated that he is proud of the success Reading has had. Mr. Russo stated that he prefers to put the Town's money into curriculum rather than buildings. Ms. Cavicchi reminded Mr. Carpinito of the November 4" date the Committee has set to discuss moving the elementary project forward. Mr. Lee Sullivan asked what the shortfall on the elementary project is and if there was a contingency. Mr. Twomey stated that it is estimated at$1.5 to $2 million but further review is needed before a figure is brought to Town Meeting for approval. Mr. Twomey explained that the contingency was chewed up during the litigation. Reeular Session 5 October 17,2002 Ms. Mary Ellen O'Neil stated her concern about the lack of an English composition course at RMHS. She requested that a semester course in English composition be added. Dr. Har itunian reviewed budget cuts that have occurred over the last few years including teacher layoffs. He discussed the curriculum changes taking place at the elementary level and noted that changes have stopped at the elementary level because of budget cuts. Ms. O'Neill stated her dissatisfaction that if a student is not in honors foreign language they cannot take four years of language. She also noted that Latin should be introduced in the middle school. Dr. Harutunian outlined his plan for foreign language. He noted that several years ago the Committee moved foreign language to the 7`h grade and that due to budget constraints that program was eliminated. Ms. O'Neil stated that it is time for the district to look at nutrition. Mr. Dahl stated that nutrition was an interesting point and should be discussed. He noted that some towns in California have eliminated soda machines in schools. 4W Ms. Gael Phillips Spence thanked the Committee for holding a public forum. Ms. Spence stated that she is very pleased with curriculum week where parents are able to come in to the Superintendent' and view proposed curriculum. She stated her concern about the tack of a gifted and talented program for students. Dr. Har itunian and the School Committee discussed the differentiated learning program. Chair Griset and Vice Chair Dahl updated the Committee on their recent visits to the schools. They discussed the leaming that they saw occurring and stated that they were pleased with the maintenance of the buildings. ADJOURN At 8:50 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi moved to adjourn. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. McFadden,Mr. Russo and Mr.Twomey. R,eesp-,eec"�tfullllllyy s ' ted, Harry K. Hamtunian, Ph.D! Superintendent of Schools