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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-08-29 School Committee Minutes V RECEIVED TOWN CLERK READING, MASS. Reading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts Regp ar Session August 29 2002 CALL TO ORDER Chair Griset called the meeting to order in the Superintendent's Conference Room at 7:02 p.m. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Dahl, Griset and McFadden. Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey arrived during executive session. Dr. Harmunian and Associate Superintendent Richards were also present. EXECUTIVE SESSION Ms. Cavicchi moved to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with the nurses,to discuss the sale or lease of real estate, to discuss the deployment of security and for approval of executive session minutes and to return to regular session at approximately 7:30 p.m. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset and Mr. McFadden. CALL BACK TO ORDER AT 7:30 Chair Griset called the meeting back to order. All School Committee Members were present. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian, Associate Superintendent Richards and Town Accountant Richard Foley. CITIZENS INPUT There was no citizen input. Dr. Harutunian asked that in order to accommodate Town Accountant Foley the first agenda item be the discussion of the FY02 budget. Dr. Harmunian asked that Mr. Foley review the process for bills and payroll. Mr. Foley explained the decentralized system for bills and payroll. He stated that a centralized purchasing system would create an additional layer and require a purchasing department. Mr. Dahl asked Mr. Foley what he would do if he received a invoice that he did not feel comfortable paying due to lack of back up orjust a questionable purchase. Mr. Foley stated that he would go back to the school to clarify information and if he was not satisfied he would then go to Dr. Harutunian and if then not satisfied he would go to the School Committee. \/ Regular Session 2 August 29 2002 Mr. Dahl thanked Town Accountant Foley for his continued support to the School Department and School Committee. Mr. Russo stated that two months ago he spoke to the Superintendent and set up a process where he goes to Mr. Foley's office to review the warrants and payroll. Dr. Hamtunian stated that he was pleased to inform the Committee that he ended the year with $4,147 to return to the Town. He stated that the School Department received no transfers from Town Meeting this year. He stated that he was asking the Committee to approve the adjustments to the FY02 budget and approve the bottom line. Mr. McFadden asked for clarification on teachers' pay through the summer. Mr. Foley explained that all money is paid in the fiscal year it is eamed. He explained the pay options that are offered to teachers. Mr. Dahl moved to accept the changes in FY02 budget as outlined in the memorandum of August 27, 2002 and presented by Richard Foley, the adjusting amount of$4,147 has been returned to the Town of Reading. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. Mr. Twomey stated his concern about the increasing percentage of the budget that goes to special education. Mr. Dahl agreed with Mr. Twomey's comments regarding the cost of special education and urged the public to contact their legislators about the lack of funding. GIFT Dr. Harmuman and Chair Griset thanked School Committee Member McFadden on behalf of the Committee and the Reading students for his generous donation of$10,000 for the purchase of technology. Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept the donation of$10.000 by Carl McFadden for the purchase of technologv. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi,Mr. Dahl,Mr. Griset, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey, SUPERINTENDENTS' REPORT Dr. Harutunian informed the Committee that the first day of school went very smoothly. He thanked staff and students for the smooth opening. Regular Session 3 August 29, 2002 Dr. Harutunian thanked all the PTOs for the meals they provided for the staff prior to the start of school. Dr. Harutunian informed the Committee that for the most part the buildings were in good shape for opening day. He stated that a generator went out at the high school last week and cost of the repair is $10,000. Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on positions which have not been filled yet. Dr. Harutunian discussed elementary enrollment. Dr. Harutunian discussed the mentor program and the training that took place over the summer. Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that Linda Snow Dockser has taken over School Notes for the Reading Chronicle. Dr. Harutunian distributed information regarding 30 surrounding communities and whether they, in the recent past, have allowed liquor to be served in a school building during a function. Dr. Harutunian advised that none of the communities contacted had allowed liquor. He stated that the Committee would be discussing this issue at the meeting on September 10`h and urged members of the public to attend and give their input on this issue. Mr. Twomey thanked Dr. Harutunian for the time and effort in putting together the survey. He stated that he felt this information was important for the Committee to have. Dr. Hamtunian updated the Committee on the repair needed to the Barrows boiler. He stated that he made need a transfer from Town Meeting to cover the repair of the boiler estimated at$35,000. He stated that given the financial constraints of the Town he would do his best to cover the cost internally but that the Finance Committee should be notified that a transfer may be needed. Mr. McFadden asked about the estimate if more than one contractor had been contacted. Dr. Harutunian advised that even thought we have a contract with Invensys for maintenance and repairs we did make contact with other contractors to confirm the price is reasonable. Mr. Dahl moved to direct the Superintendent to inform the Finance Committee of a potential shortfall of up to $40,000 related to building maintenance as a result of a needed boiler repair at the Barrows School and request the Finance Committee hold in abeyance an amount in the reserve fund or affect some other transfer to help Reeular Session 4 Aueust 29, 2002 make the situation whole and to assure the Finance Committee that we will do our best to manaee our way of the situation eiven the financial constraints of the Town. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi,Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. McFadden,Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. Dr. Harntunian updated that Committee on the Eaton roof repaired and warranty. Mr. Twomey asked if Town Counsel had reviewed the terms of the warranty. Dr. Harutunian advised that Town Counsel had reviewed the warranty documents. Dr. Hannunian updated the Committee on other repairs and maintenance work that was completed over the summer including new flooring in areas of the Killam School, work done by local carpenter Peter Kramer, Parker gym floor and Coolidge hallways. Dr. Harutunian thanked Mr. Kramer for his work. Mr. Russo asked if the issue regarding plugged downspouts at the Killam School was resolved. Dr. Harutunian revised the problem has been resolved. Mr. Russo thanked the Superintendent for working with him on his initiative to find volunteers to repair the RMHS restrooms over the summer. Mr. McFadden stated his concern that the 3 partition doors in the RMHS high school had not been replaced yet. Dr. Harutunian advised that the doors had been ordered in early July and delivery was expected soon. Dr. Harutunian distributed information on the RMHS SAT scores. He stated that RMHS students continue to be above the state and national average. Dr. Harutunian discussed the coaches' manual that was included in the School Committee packet. Dr. Harutunian advised the new teachers would be introduced at the School Committee meeting on September 101h from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. He stated that Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Jeff Ryan would also attend and address the Committee. He stated that at 8:15 p.m. the issue of serving liquor at the fieldhouse would be discussed. 4 Regular Session 5 August 29,2002 Dr. Harmunian advised that at the September 23rd meeting the high school staff would be making a presentation on anti-smoking campaign. Dr. Harutunian advised that the MCAS district result are due out at the end of September or early October. Dr. Harmunian advised that due to early retirement 138 of the 361 teachers in the district have less than four years of service. Ms. Cavicchi updated the Committee on the summer recreation programs. She stated that the summer programs were very successful. Mr. Twomey updated the Committee on the work of the School Building Committee on the high school project. Mr. Dahl updated the Committee on the work of the Audit Committee. He stated that due to the issues at RMLD the Audit Committee is discussing being responsible for all the audits in Town. Dr. Harmunian advised that the personnel Report is included in the School Committee packet. Dr. Harmunian discussed the School Committee policy book proposals from MASC. Mr. Dahl moved to direct the Superintendent to contact the MASC representative and request that he begin the process of updating the School Committee policy manual in a timeframe that would complete the process within two years at a cost of $4,500 per year as per the procedures outlined in the August 27° memorandum. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl,Mr. Griset, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. Mr. Twomey suggested that extra meetings might need to be added to have time to review and discuss policy changes within the time frame. Ms. Cavicchi requested that Dr. Hamtunian check to see if it would be possible for MASC to e-mail updates. Dr. Harmunian advised that he would check with MASC. 4 Regular Session 6 August 29 2002 SCHOOL COMMITTEE CALENDAR Mr. Russo moved to approve the School Committee calendar for the 2002-2003 school year dated August 22" . Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. FY04 BUDGET CALENDAR Ms. Cavicchi moved to approve the FY04 Budget Calendar. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0-1 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. McFadden and Mr. Russo voted yes, Mr. Twomey abstained. Mr. Twomey stated that last year was a special year brought about by the budget crisis and asked stated that he felt the Committee should go back to the budget calendars used prior to FY03. HOME SCHOOLING APPROVAL Mr. Twomey stated his concern about the delay in bringing the home schooling approval to the Committee. He stated that he felt the School Committee should approve home schooling awards prior to the start of the school year. He suggested that for the 2003- 2004 school year that the School Committee require that parents who want to home school their children notify the administrator prior to the start of the school year and have a plan in place before school starts. Dr. Hamtunian advised that he would look into the legality of requiring parents to do this and would check with Mike Gilbert of MASC on how other districts handle home schooling. Mr. Twomey moved that the School Committee direct the administration to set up a program starting for the FY04 school year that home schooling requests be presented to the administration and approved by the School Committee prior to the parent beginning home schooling. Mr. Russo seconded the motion. The vote was 3- 3 Mr. Dahl, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey voted yes, Ms. Cavicchi,Mr. Griset and Mr. McFadden voted no. The motion did not carry. Mr. Griset stated that he would like to hear from MASC on other district's policies before voting on a new procedure. Mr. Dahl moved to approve the home schooling recommendation as outlined in the August 27, 2002 memorandum. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. Regular Session 7 August 29, 2002 MINUTES Ms. Cavicchi moved to approve the minutes of July 24, 2002. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey voted yes. ADJOURN Mr. Dahl moved to adjourn at 10:30 Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. Respectfully submitted, Harry K. Harmunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools 4 4