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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-03-11 School Committee Minutes RECEIVED READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE TOWN CLERK Reading, Massachusetts READING. MASS. 1002 JUL -2 P 2: 33 REGULAR SESSION March 11 2002 CALL TO ORDER Chair Twomey called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Dahl, Keigley, Russo and Twomey. Also present was Superintendent Hamtunian and Associate Superintendent Richards. Mr. Griset arrived during executive session. EXECUTIVE SESSION Ms. Cavicchi moved to enter into executive session for the purpose of conductin strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with the Teachers'Association Secretaries & Clerks.Nurses, Custodial Maintenance Workers Cafeteria Employees,Educational Assistants and to approve executive session minutes to return to regular session at approximately 7.30 p.m. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion The vote was 5-0 Ms Cavlcchi Mr. Dahl Mr. KeipJev.Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. 4 CALL BACK TO ORDER At 7:32 Chair Twomey called the meeting back to order. All School Committee members and student representative Mike Hollis were present. Chair Twomey reviewed the agenda and advised that the NESDEC presentation would be taken out of order to accommodate Dr. Kennedy. Chair Twomey recognized the outstanding performance of the Drama Club and the Jazz Band over the weekend. BILLS & PAYROLL Bills and payroll are as follows: Warrant 74 March 11, 2002 $141,379.56 Payroll 73 March 7, 2002 $714,407.98 REGULAR SESSION 2 March 11 2002 SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian welcomed Boy Scouts Brad Miller and Mike McDonald who were attending this evening's meeting as part of the requirement for the Citizen Merit Badge. NESDEC PRESENTATION Dr. Hammnian introduced Dr. Kennedy, a Demographic Specialist for NESDEC. Dr. Kennedy explained the cohort survival method. He discussed how migration, retention, changes in school programs, dropout rates,birth rates and housing growth are used in projections. He discussed the fact that the type of homes being built, condominiums, townhouses or single-family homes,would impact the number of students expected from a new development. He discussed the error rate of projections and stated that within five yews, it is hoped that projections would not be more than 5% off and as projections go further out than five years they get less reliable because of birth rate projections, new housing, etc. He discussed the impact the economy may have on projections, including the possibility of fewer students attending private schools. Dr. Kennedy noted that Reading has an unusually small number of students who leave for private school. Mr. Russo discussed birth averages for the last 5 years. Dr. Hamtunian noted that within two and one-half months of the NESDEC Projections MISER also did projections that were very similar to NESDEC. He asked if the method used for both companies was similar. Dr. Kennedy stated that the method is not exact but is very close, and they tend to get numbers that are very close. Dr. Mandell thanked Dr. Kennedy for his presentation. Dr. Mandell stated that the birth data has been released from the state and asked if Dr. Kennedy was planning to update the numbers. He discussed the DRA projections and MISER projections. He asked if Dr. Kennedy had spoken to MISER about the life cycle. Dr. Kennedy stated that everyone's projections change as they receive new data. He stated that in comparing any method with any other you need to use similar years of data. Mr. Russo stated that he would like to put up three slides so that as a School Committee they can judge how much confidence we should have with the vendor. REGULAR SESSION 3 March 11 2002 4 Chair Twomey stated that he did not want, at this time, a presentation on member's views. He stated that if Mr. Russo would be using NESDEC numbers he could do the presentation. Mr. Russo stated that the presentation was not on his personal view, and he would use NESDEC data to determine a confidence level in the vendor. Mr. Russo then discussed NESDEC numbers and the DRA numbers and the reliability of NESDEC projections. Ms. Webb discussed the new development and the number of students that may be added to the system. Mrs. Phillips discussed removing the portables at the Barrows School, the additional art and music rooms and the SBA regulation on retrofitting schools with art and music rooms. At 9:30 p.m. Chair Twomey advised that the Committee would take a five minute break. At 9:35 p.m. Chair Twomey called the meeting back to order. CITIZENS' INPUT Mrs. Phillips stated that there were two items she would like to discuss at a future meeting. First, the increase in METCO students and second the statement the Superintendent made about tearing down the Barrows School if more than six classrooms were added. Dr. Harutunian stated that the METCO numbers are down. He stated that he hopes to add three new students at Coolidge, three at Parker, four at the high school and perhaps one or two at Killam and Birch Meadow. Dr. Hamtunian discussed the architect's statement about the core facilities at Barrows. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian discussed the MASS newsletter regarding the state budget. Dr. Harutunian informed the Committee that the RMHS baseball team would be playing at Dodd Stadium in Norwich Connecticut over April vacation. Dr. Hamtunian discussed articles from the Salem Evening New regarding Danvers' new high school. 4 REGULAR SESSION 4 March 11 2002 4 Dr. Harutunian discussed the total cost of the ten taxpayers' lawsuit. Mr. Russo stated that this evening his colleagues pointed out weaknesses in his presentation. He stated that he wanted the public to know his colleagues' error cost the town over $100,000. Ms. Cavicchi updated the Committee on the Recreation Meeting and the discussion on using parks and playgrounds on Sunday mornings before noon. Mr. Dahl updated the Committee on the Finance Committee meeting and the discussion on town finances. Mr. Griset updated the Committee on the RCTV Board Meeting and the discussion about camera set up time. Chair Twomey updated the Committee on the School Building Committee's public sessions to inform people about the high school project. Dr. Harutunian thanked the students of the Parker Middle School for the artwork in the Committee room. CAPITAL PLAN Mr. Cavicchi moved to accept the recommendation of the administration on the Capital Improvement Program dated March 6 2002 Mr. Keiglev seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms Cavicchi Mr.Dahl Mr. Griset. Mr.Keigley. Mr. Russo and Mr.Twomev Mr. Russo discussed the process for the Superintendent's evaluation and a ruling in 1997 that the process was in violation of the open meeting law. Dr. Harutunian stated that when Mr. Russo brought his concerns about the process to the Chair and requested the item be put on the agenda, the Chair directed him to have Town Counsel review the process and give an opinion. Dr. Harutunian distributed Town Counsel's opinion and a copy of the 1999 ruling from the Middlesex District Attorney's office that the process, modified since 1997, was in compliance with the Open Meeting Law. Mr. Russo stated his displeasure that he was required to give the Chair five days notice on his request to add an agenda item but was not given the information from Town Counsel until this evening. He stated that the Committee is not following their own courtesy rule. REGULAR SESSION 5 March 11 2002 4 Chair Twomey stated that as soon as Mr. Russo delivered the information to the Superintendent's Office on the issue of the process of the evaluation on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. the Superintendent forwarded it to Town Counsel and requested an opinion. Chair Twomey stated that Town Counsel's opinion is dated today, he received it just before the meeting and Mr. Russo received it as soon as he did. Chair Twomey reviewed Town Counsel's opinion on the four items brought up for discussion at the last meeting. Town Counsel's memorandum stated that no executive session minutes can be released until the reason that the executive session was entered into was no longer valid; with the exception of executive session items, School Committee packets are public records as soon as a School Committee member receives the packet; Town Counsel included the definition of an emergency under the Open Meeting Law and stated that the rules for adding an agenda item are appropriate. Mr. Russo reviewed the new School Committee procedures for the benefit of the public. He stated his objection is that one person can be denied the opportunity to add an agenda item and that is not the meaning of democracy. He stated he would be appealing the rules to the District Attorney. Mr. Griset stated that he was offended by Mr. Russo's comment about democracy. 4 MINUTES Ms. Cavicchi moved to approve the minutes of January 30,2002. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. After discussion, the motion was tabled for further review of whether Chair Twomey stopped Mr. Russo's presentation. Ms. Cavicchi moved to approve the minutes of February 5,2002. Mr.Keigley seconded the motion. After discussion,the motion was tabled for further review of Mr. Russo's question on the Barrows School. Ms.Cavicchi moved to approve the minutes of February 11 2002 Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms Cavicchi Mr. Dahl Mr. Griset.Mr. Keieley, Mr.Russo and Mr. Twomey. At 10:10 P.M. Ms. Cavicchi moved to adjourn Mr. Keieley seconded the motion The vote was 4-0.2 Ms. Cavicchi Mr. Dahl Mr. Keiglev and Mr. Twomey voted Yes., Mr. Russo and Mr. Griset did not vote. Respectful�stted, Y HarryK. Hamtunian, Ph.D. ( Superintendent of Schools