Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-06-17 School Committee Minutes N ' READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts REGULAR SESSION lune 17 2002 CALL TO ORDER Chair Twomey called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee members Cavicchi, Griset, McFadden Russo and Twomey. Also present were Superintendent Hamtunian and Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner. Mr. Dahl arrived during executive session. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 7:05 p.m.Ms. Cavicchi moved to enter into executive session for the purpose of conducting strategy sessions in ore aration for ne otiations with Secretaries & Clerks Nurses Custodial Maintenance Workers Cafeteria Employees, Educational Assistants and Administrators Superintendent Associate Superintendent High School Principal, Coolidge Principal, Parker Principal Barrows Principal Birch Meadow Principal Eaton Principal Killam Principal two high school assistant principals. Coolidge and Parker assistant principals Directors of Special Education Food Service Athletics Nurses Facilities Assistant Director of Facilities Secreta to the Superintendent,Administrative Assistant to Finance Administrative [ Assistant to Personnel Administrative Assist to Curriculum and Administrative ` Assistant—Central Office and to discuss pending litigation to return to regular session at approximately 7.30 p.m. Mr. Griset seconded the motion The vote was 5-0 Ms. Cavicchi Mr. Griset, Mr. McFadden Mr. Russo and Mr.Twomey. CALL BACK TO ORDER Chair Twomey called the meeting back to order at 7:35 p.m. All Committee Members, Superintendent Harutunian, Associate Superintendent Richards, Principal Frank Orlando, John Doherty,Jane Fiore and Marc Alterio CITIZENS INPUT Mr. Brown stated that he filed an application with the rental office for the use of the fieldhouse for the Veteran's Dance. He asked the Committee to consider allowing alcohol to be served in the fieldhouse for the dance. Chair Twomey stated that this item would be discussed at the September School Committee meeting. m c DOA m ohm i zzrn 3MM R tri= N� O REGULAR SESSION 2 June 17 2002 4 Dr. Harmunian stated that today was the last day of school and school closing went smoothly. He thanked the staff, students and parents. Mr. Phillips asked the Committee to review the request for information submitted by Mrs. Phillips in March for the list of the PTO membership list. He stated that he believed his wife was maligned by the Committee. Chair Twomey stated that the Committee would review the matter. Mrs. Phillips discussed the School Building Committee's unwillingness to hear her concerns regarding their selection of Flansburgh and Associates as architect for the RMHS Project. She stated many issues she had with Flansburgh. She urged the School Committee to take another look at the recommendation of the School Building Committee. Mr. Russo made a motion that the School Committee recommend that the School Budding Committee make a comparison of the too three architectural firms selected in a side-by-side comparison of all proiect problems they have had in recent oast Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 1.5. Ms. Cavicchi Mr. Dahl Mr. Grlset Mr. McFadden and Mr. 1 Yorney voted no Mr. Russo voted es. The motion did not carry. Mr. McFadden stated that he seconded Mr. Russo's motion in order to give Mr. Russo an opportunity to state his opinion. He stated that he had attended the School Building Committee meetings and the Committee spent a lot of time reviewing. He asked if the goal is to the slow the project down or delay the project. Mr. Russo stated that was not his goal and the high school has needed work for len years and he did not want to rush the project because the town had waited so long. He stated it was due diligence not to rush the project. Dr. Harutunian advised that the School Building Subcommittee did do a side-by-side comparison, and the entire School Building Committee had a lengthy discussion on the selection of the architect and he believed the vote of the School Building Committee was either 8-1 or 7-1 in favor of the selection. Dr. Harutunian advised that Mr. Russo had not, to the best of his knowledge, attended any of the School Building Committee meetings and urged the School Committee to have a conversation with the School Building Committee or the liaison, Chair Twomey and give them an opportunity to address the concern. 4 REGULAR SESSION 3 une 17 2002 Chair Twomey stated that it is the role of the School Building Committee to select the architect. He stated that there is a process followed by the School Building Committee, and the process has been followed and not rushed. He stated that although the selection may not be to the liking of some including Mr. Russo and the Phillips the process was followed and the review was thorough. YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY Dr. Harutunian introduced Jane Fiore and Marc Alterio to the Committee. He stated that they would be reviewing the results of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey with the Committee this evening. Ms. Fiore and Mr. Alterio reviewed the survey results with the Committee. They discussed their concerns about cuts in the state budget, which include reductions to health programs. They discussed the way questions were phrased and how the phrasing could make a difference in the response of students. Mr. McFadden asked Principal Orlando and Principal Doherty if they have seen an increase in smoking among students. Mr. Orlando stated that he has seen an increase in the number of students smoking. Mr. Doherty stated that he does not see smoking at the middle school but could not speak for outside of the school. Mrs. Phillips asked if the bullying prevention program could be an after school activity with a fee charged to participate. She stated that as a parent she has a concern about the amount of school time spent on social issues. Dr. Hannunian stated that we need 100% participation in order to the program to work. Mr. Dahl stated that he agrees some academic time is taken away so these types of programs can be run but that raises the issue of how much academic time is disrupted by a bullying disruptive child. i Mr. McFadden asked about the use of Ecstasy among high school students. Ms. Fiore stated that they are addressing the issue of the use of Ecstasy. They held a parent forum at the library recently that included a video regarding Ecstasy. Mr. Griset stated that he is on the Substance Abuse Advisory Council, and he sees first hand the hard work of Ms. Fiore and Mr. Alterio. 4 REGULAR SESSION 4 Tune 17 2002 Chair Twomey stated his concern and confusion over the numbers reported on students that have considered suicide and attempted suicide. He asked if Ms. Fiore is aware of the number of suicide attempts by Reading youth. Ms. Fiore advised that she was not as concerned about the number that appears on the report but that she believes a significant number of Reading youth have suicidal thoughts. Chair Twomey thanked Mr.Alterio and Ms. Fiore for their work on the survey and their work with the students of Reading. Dr. Hamtunian thanked Mr. A]terio for his dedication to the students of Reading and wished him well in his retirement. CHANGE IN GRADUATION REOUIREMENTS Dr. Harutunian discussed the need to change the physical education requirements due to the reduction of the physical education teacher at the high school. Mr. Russo recommended that the School Committee reduce the number of credits in education for graduation requirement from 6 to 4 startine in the fall of 2002. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 6.0 Ms. Cavicchi Mr.Dahl Mr. Griset.Mr. McFadden Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. (W EATON ROOF Dr. Harutunian discussed the bids and warranty on the repair of the Eaton roof. Mr.Dahl moved to approve the award of the contract for partial roof replacemen at the Eaton School to Atlantic Construction and Restoration Inc for an amount not to exceed $20,000, $19,000 of which is for the basic services and the balance for an extended warranty and to authorize the Superintendent to executive the contract Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi Mr. Dahl Mr. Grlset, Mr. McFadden,Mr. Russo and Mr.Twomey. SCHOOLIMPROVEMENTPLANS Ms. Cavicchi moved to approve the School Improvement Plans for the seven schools in Readine as submitted by the Superintendent and outlined in the memorandum of June 12.2002. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion The vote was 6-0 Ms Cavicchi Mr. Dahl Mr. Gnset Mr. McFadden Mr. Russo and Mr.Twomey. 4 REGULAR SESSION 5 ung 17 2002 The Committee discussed the strategic planning goals and decided to review the goals in the fall. GIFTS Ms. Cavicchi moved to acce t the donation of 1 500 from the Youn Women's League of Reading to the B E.A K E R. Program Mr McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavtccm Mr. Dahl Mr. Griset Mr. McFadden Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. Ms. Cavicchi moved to accent the anonymous donation of a digital Piano to the Barrows Elementar School.Mr. Russo seconded the motion. The vote was 6.0 Ms. Cavicchi Jr. Dahl Mr. Griset Mr. McFadden Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey, SUPERERINTEDENTS REPORT Dr. Harutunian discussed the bond anticipation notes. Dr. Hamtunian discussed the math programs used by the top ten MCAS scoring districts. 4 Dr. Harmunian thanked the crossing guards for their hard work this year. Dr. Harutunian advised that summer hours we going into effect next week. Mr. Russo moved that he serve as the coordinator to work throw h the Superintendent to solicit people in the community to assist the Facilities solicit people in the community to assist the Facilities Department maintenance and custodial stall- Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 5-1 Ms. Cavicchi Mr. Dahl Mr. Grise Mr.Russo and Mr.Twome voted es Mr. McFadden voted no Mr. McFadden advised that he was voting against the motion because he believed that this work is the responsibility of the custodial maintenance staff to correct. Mr. Russo discussed his desire to review the budget line by line. Chair Twomey explained that this year's process was different and normally the budget is �. reviewed line by line. MINUTES Ms. Cavicchi moved to a rove the A ril 25 2002 minutes. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi Mr. Dahl Mr. Griset, Mr. McFadden Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. REGULAR SESSION 6 June 17 2002 ADJOURN At 10:30 p.m. Mr. Dahl moved to reenter executive session for the reasons previously stated. Mr. Griset seconded the motion The vote was 6-0 Ms Cavicchi Mr.Dahl,Mr. GnseL Mr.McFadden Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey Respectfully submitted, Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools 4