HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-05-20 School Committee Minutes READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Reading, Massachusetts
Reeular Session May 20 2002
CALL TO ORDER
At 7:00 p.m. Chair Twomey called the meeting to order in the Superintendent's
Conference Room. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Griset,
McFadden, Russo and Twomey. Mr. Dahl arrived during executive session. Also present
were Superintendent Hamtunian and Associate Superintendent Richards.
At 7:05 P.m.Ms. Cavicchi moved to enter executive session for the purpose of
conducting strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with the Teachers'
Association Secretaries & Clerks Nurses Custodial Maintenance Workers
Cafeteria Employees Educational Assistants and Administrators to return to
re ular session at approximately 7:30 g.m. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The
vote was 5-0 Ms. Cavicchi Mr. Griset. Mr. McFadden Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey
voted yes. "
CALL BACK TO ORDER
At 7:45 p.m. Chair Twomey called the meeting back to order. All School Committee
members were present. Also present were Student Representative Wetzler,
Superintendent Hamtunian,Associate Superintendent Richards and the curriculum
leadership. N m0
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CITIZENS INPUT `c' EDfm
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT uNi�
Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on the proposed House Ways and Means budget.
CURRICULUM PRESENTATIONS
Dr. Hamtunian thanked all the members of the curriculum leadership for attending the
meeting this evening. He asked Associate Superintendent Richards to introduce the
curriculum leadership.
Mr. Richards stated that it was a pleasure to work with this group of curriculum leaders
and thanked the Committee for the opportunity to make the presentation to them this
evening.
Regular Session 2 May 20 2002
Science
The Science Curriculum Leadership of Richard Davidson, Ann Harney, John Doherty,
Carol Galvin, Cheryl O'Brien, Karen Rickershauser group updated the Committee on
science curriculum.
Superintendent Hamtunian,Associate Superintendent Richards and the entire science
curriculum group thanked Ann Harney for her dedication and hard work.
Mr. McFadden asked Mr. Doherty to expand on his comment regarding technology.
Mr. Doherty stated that from the state's perspective technology applies more to
engineering application process rather than instructional technology. Mr. Doherty and
Ms. Galvin discussed the science MCAS questions and how they applied to technology.
Mr. Russo volunteered to speak to classes regarding water recycling.
Ms. Cavicchi stated her concern about the Department of Education's frameworks
continuing to be a moving target for districts.
Chair Twomey and Mr. Dahl both congratulated the Coolidge Science Olympiad team on
their outstanding record. Chair Twomey commented on the importance of the 9t6 grade
science fair.
Foreign Lannage
Mr. Richards stated that Mr. DiSanzo was ill and unable to attend this evening. Mr.
Richards and Ms. O'Brien updated the Committee on foreign language curriculum.
The Committee discussed the fact that foreign language had been cut back in the middle
school grades because of budget reductions.
Student Representative Wetzler asked if it would be possible to fundmise in order to
restore foreign language to the lower grades.
Dr. Harutunian discussed the difficulty in fundraising for staff positions.
Social Studies
Karen Callan,Amy Shine Jones, Anne Samman and Tom Darrin updated the Committee
on the social studies curriculum.
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Reaular Session 3 May 20 2002
The Committee discussed with the curriculum leadership the changing frameworks from
the state.
Math
Mr. Richards advised that Paul Guerrette was unable to attend this evening's meeting due
to a family illness. Joe Finigan, Frank Orlando, Pete Moscariello, Chris Redford and
Karen Rickershauser updated the Committee on the math curriculum.
The Committee discussed the transition process from Chicago Math at the middle school.
Mr. Russo discussed the computational skills of students in the middle schools taking the
Stanford 9's.
Mr. McFadden discussed level 3 courses and asked if any courses were being eliminated.
Mr. Moscariello stated that courses were being revamped.
Chair Twomey discussed the success of our students on the MCAS tests.
English Language Arts 6-12
4 Ellen Howland, Ron Howland, Mike Scarpitto and Gary Hart updated the Committee on
the English language Arts curriculum 6-12.
The Committee discussed the John Collins writing program with the curriculum
leadership.
English Language Arts K-5
Lisa Cormier, Patty deGaravilla and Debbie Kwiatek updated the Committee on the
English Language Arts Curriculum K-5.
Chair Twomey stated that he was impressed with the comprehensiveness of the program.
The Committee discussed the technology that could be added to the English Language
Arts Curriculum K-5.
The Committee thanked the curriculum leadership for the presentations made this
evening.
Regular Session 4 May 20 2002
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Dr. Hamtunian distributed an article from MASC regarding special education.
Dr. Hamtunian discussed the new NESDEC enrollment projections.
Dr. Hamtunian updated the Committee on state aid.
ADJOURN
At 11:05 P.m. Ms Cavicchi moved to adjourn Mr. Griset seconded the motion
The vote was 6.0 Ms. Cavicchi Mr. Dahl Mr. Griset, Mr.McFadden Mr.Russo
and Mr.Twomey.
Respectfully submitted,
Qp—
Harry K. Hamtunian, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
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