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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-01-22 School Committee Minutes �rER READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE CLERK _ Reading, Massachusetts MASS. W2 MAA - I P I: 03 Regular Session January 22 2002 CALL TO ORDER Chair Twomey called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Dahl, Griset. Keigley and Twomey. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian, Associate Superintendent Richards, Town Accountant Richard Foley and Finance Committee Members Martin, LeLacheur and student representative"Lim Kaldas. 13ILLS & PAYROLLS Bills & Payroll are as follows: Warrant 60 .January 22, 2002 $182,32443 Payroll59 January 18, 2002 $188,220.23 CITIZENS' INPUT There was no citizen input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian advised Mr. Russo was out of town on business. Dr. Harutunian distributed an article from the Boston Globe regarding education spending. Dr. Harutunian distributed a letter from Commonwealth regarding the Coordinated Program Review Program foar Reading. _. . . Chair Twomey stated that on Monday night January 28"the CPDC is having a meeting with the new owner of the Longwood Farm. He suggested that one or more School Committee Members attend this meeting. After discussion_ it was agreed that Ms. Cavicchi and Chair Twomey would attend the meeting. He also suggested that either Ms. Cavicchi or Mr. Keigley attend each Board of Selectmen's meetings. Mr. Dahl asked the Finance Committee representative to request that Town Hall make available extra copies of handouts at Finance Committee meetings. The Committee commended Coolidge students staff and drama volunteers for the Sleeps Hollow production. 1 Regular Session 3 January 22 2002 Sheila Mulroy stated that the Coolidge PTO discussed the issue but most parents at Coolidge had students in school when the school year went to almost.lune 30`'. She stated that only one person at that meeting felt she would like to start after Labor Day. She stated that the big issue at the Coolidge PTO was not having projects due over the Labor Day weekend. Mr. Grisct stated that he hadjust received the survey, but that when looking over responses most of the no responses related to academic reasons for not wanting to change while many yes answers related to vacation plans. He stated he felt the start date works well academically for the teachers and students and should remain as it is. _ Ms. Cavicchi stated her concern that at the end of June children's interests are fading and Icarnin, is not occurring as it should. She stated that she supports keeping the start date as it is. Mr. Dahl commended the Birch Meadow PTO for their effort in gathering the information. He asked if there is a policy on the start date for students. Dr. Harutunian advised that the start date is part of the teachers' contract language. Mrs. Phillips stated that the Committee should do a district wide survey and listen to the results of the community. "Ilie School Committee thanked the Birch Meadow PTO for their presentation and discussed the matter. It was the consensus of the Committee that, with five of the seven schools showing no interest in changing the start date and no Committee member having received numerous calls on the issue, at this time there was not enough compelling evidence to further investigate this matter. Mr. Dahl moved to have the School Committee reconsider the school start date as a future agenda item. Mr Keigley seconded the motion. The vote was 0-5 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keialey and Mr. Twomey. The motion did not carry. At 9:00 p.m. the Committee took a short recess and called back to order at 9:05 p.m. - FY03 BUDGET Dr. Iiarutunian gave a presentation on his recommended FY03 budget. Fie explained the state budget process and that the Final numbers have not been received from the state. `/ Regular Session 2 January 22 2002 - Mr. Griset stated that he attended the Substance Abuse Advisory Council and stated that the council was pleased with the improvement at the last high school dance. ACCEPTANCE OF PARKER PROJECT Mr. Griset moved to accent the Parker Middle School project for school purposes Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0 Ms. Cavicchi Mr. Dahl Mr. Griset, Mr. Keiglev and Mr. Twomev. Dr. Ilannunian advised that this evening was supposed to be Tim Kaldas- last meeting but he had extended his term to stay through the public hearing on the budget scheduled for January 30"' START OF SCHOOL Chair Twomey stated that Birch Meadow parents approached him back in the fall asking that the School Committee review the pre-Labor Day start of school. He stated that he had delayed the discussion on this issue until mid-year in the hope of getting a more balanced response. Dr. Harutunian stated that he had asked all principals and PTOs to put this item on a PTO agenda and get back to him with feedback on the proposal of the Birch Meadow PTO- He stated that five of the seven schools reported little to no interest and only the Joshua Eaton School and the Birch Meadow School were interested in changing the start date to post-Labor Day. The Co-Presidents of the Birch Meadow PTO, Ms. O'Brien-McClelland and Ms. Baker. presented the Committee with information gathered from a survey of the Birch Meadow families regarding this issue. Mr. Keigley stated that he is interested in seeing the results of a district wide survey on this matter. Chair I womey stated that he did not wish to debate the merits of the pre-Labor Day/ post-Labor start but rather to determine if there was sufficient interest on the part of the community as a whole for the School Committee to investigate whether this matter further. Elaine Webb from Killam asked if Birch Meadow informed parents of the pros and cons - of the pre-Labor Day start. She stated her concern aboutjust sending out a survey without giving people needed information on pros and cons. She stated that Paul Gu0nette had discussed pros and cons with Killam parents. �r Regular Session 4 Januan°22, 2002 Chair Twomey asked when we would know the impact of the federal money. Dr. flat umnian estimated mid-February or March before that information is received. Dr. Ifarutunian discussed the state mandated mentoring program. _ Chair Twomey asked if this program could be trimmed back. Dr. Hannunian stated that it could be, but that this program would help to lessen the impact of not having the instructional specialists and is a program that, if funds had been available, he would have recommended over the last several years. Chair Twomey asked why there is an increase in custodial supplies. 'town Accountant Richard Foley stated that the Interim Director advised that the cost of the supplies have risen and the account will be over budget this year. Chair Twomey asked the Town Accountant to provide him with information on the percentage increase for each area of the budget assuming the reductions and an increase AW of 1.7%. He also asked for the breakdown over percentage increase for each area of the budget over the last seven years. _ - Mr. Dahl asked how many unanticipated special education students were included in this budget. Dr. Harutunian advised that two are filly funded, one private and one public including transportations. Chair Twomey stated that the School Committee would be holding the public hearing on the budget on January 30". Mr. Dahl stated that he would be unable to attend but voiced his support for the policy manual discussed at the School Committee retreat. Dr. I-lannunian thanked Associate Superintendent Richards,Town Accountant Foley and the central office staff for their assistance in putting together the FY03 budget. ADJOURN At 10:20 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion The vote was 5-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keislev and Mr. Twomey. espectftdQlly submitted, "���' tarry .�Iarutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools