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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-01-03 School Committee Minutes READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts "r! CLERK :G. MASS. Regular Session J�rnuary 4 2002 CALL TO ORDER ZGBZ Chair Twomey called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Dahl, Griset, Keigley, Russo and Twomey. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian, Associate Superintendent Richards, Finance Committee Members Martin, LeLacheur and Robinson and Student Representative Kaldas. BILLS & PAYROLL Bills and payroll are as follows: Warrant 48 12/10/01 $204,249.15 Payro1147 12/07/01 $178,19624 Warrant 50 12/17/01 $276,615.30 Payro1149 12/13/01 $786,949.06 Warrant 52 12/26/01 $176,503.03 Payroll 51 12/21/01 $867,973.19 Warrant 54 12/31/01 $28,085.59 CITIZENS INPUT Mrs. Phillips asked why the Barrows renovation project has not begun yet. Mr. Twomey stated that the Barrows project is tied into the new school project. He stated that we cannot move forward with the Barrows renovation without the new school because the renovation will not solve the enrollment problem. Dr. Harutunian advised that the Barrows plan calls for 80 less students to be housed at the school. and if the Barrows project is completed, and we have not broken ground yet on the new school. the Barrows project will not be reimbursable by the state. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian thanked the RMHS art teachers and students for the artwork displayed in the School Committee room. Dr. Harutunian advised that strategic planning information was distributed as requested by the Committee. Ile stated that it will be sent home each year with students at rite beginning of the school year. Dr. Harutunian advised that he received a request from the Birch Meadow PTO to change the start date of school until after Labor Day. He stated that he has asked PTO's and principals to give him their input by January I8"'. He stated that the School Committee will discuss a possible change to the calendar at their meeting on .January 22"d. Chair I w'omcy stated that the purpose of the discussion on ,January 22"a will be to see if there is enough interest in the community to have the Committee look into changing the start date until after Labor Day. Regular Session 2 January 3 2002 Dr. Hai utrtnlan informed the Committee that he would be continuing the practice of paying long-term substitutes$5 more per day beginning on the 261' day. Dr. I Iarutunian updated the Committee on the status of the new school. Mr. Russo stated that the issue Mrs. Phillips brought up about Christine Lynch of the DOE stating that the Barrows project is not tied in to the new elementary school should be resolved. Dr. Harutunian stated the DOE wants a long-term solution to the enrollment problem. He stated that the DOE will never tell a town they cannot build a school but if we move loaward with Barrows without the new elementary school the DOE will not reimburse the town. Dr. Harutunian asked the Committee if there is a consensus that the School Committee and Board of Selectmen should hold ajoint meeting. After discussion, Chair Twomey stated that the Superintendent, he and Bill Griset will meet with the Town Manager and representatives of the Boatel of Selectmen to discuss an agenda for the retreat. Ms. Cavicchi announced her candidacy for reelection to the Reading School Committee Mr. Keigley announced his candidacy for reelection to the Reading School Committee. Dr. Harutunian advised that there is no pothole money this year. FY03BUDGET REDUCTIONS Chair Twomey advised that Selectmen Cummings was unable to attend this meeting due to a prior commitment. Chair Twomey and Superintendent Harutunian welcomed Finance Committee Members Martin, LeLachettt and Robinson. Dr. Harutunian outlined the process to be used for this year's budget. He stated that he has 60-70 budget parents following the budget process. Dr. Harutunian asked that this evening the Committee listen to his presentation on the budget reductions and ask questions but not react to the reductions until Monday evening. Dr. Harutunian outlined how the total reduction figure was arrived at and the process used by the administration to come up with the list of prioritized reductions. Dr. Harutunian distributed a draft elementary class size and enrollment projection for next year showing the reduction in teaching staff. 4 Regular Session 3 Jinuary 3 2002 Mr. Griset asked if items 2. 3 and 4 are savings net of the cost. Dr. Har utrmian advised that they were the savings after hiring the staff necessary to opeiate the programs. Mr. Russo asked if there is equity in all class sizes K-12. Dr. f larutunian advised that there was not equity and the reasons included AP courses at the high school. Mr. LeLacheur asked about enrollment versus projections. Dr. Harutunian advised that the enrollment has not grown as quickly as we had anticipated. He stated that over the next 8-10 years he expects another 250-300 children, but he is concerned about the number of students leaving the high school. Mr. Russo stated that he is quite certain enrollment in the elementary schools is dropping. Dr. Harutunian stated that the numbers are down only 6 or 7 students. Jeanne Duran asked which grade the 2.5 middle school teachers being transferred from Parket to Coolidge would be from. Dr_ Harutunian stated that he would not. at this time, get into which grade and identifying staff. Ms. Elaine Webb asked for clarification on the draft enrollment chart. Mr_ Emerson Tucker stated that salary increases may need to be 0% and asked what other communities are giving teachers for raises. Dr_ Hannunian stated that the average increases are 3% to 4%. Student Representative Tim Kaldas stated that Reading is giving low raises, and we are losing teachers to other communities. Mrs. Burke asked if the .5 teacher on the enrollment chart is item number 25 on the reduction list. Mr. David Lantman stated that the proposed reductions represent the dismantling of the entire school system. He stated that the School Committee should not just accept the fact that there is no more money and should go for forward with an oveni le vote. 4 Regular Session 4 January 3, 2002 Mr- Doug McGlathery asked for clarification on the teachers' salaries listed in the reductions- Dr. Harmnnlaa stated that the district has a standard salary they use which is usually average of I" and 2" years teachers salary. Mrs. Linda Phillips asked why the administration is not looking into the reduction of professional development. Dr. I-larutunian stated that Reading Public Schools is so close to the minimum spending requirements fm DOE that to lower professional development would risk losing state funding. At 9:50 Chair Twomey advised that the Committee would take a short break. At 9:55 Chair Twomey called the meeting back to order. 4 PERSONNEL REPORT Dr. Harmunian stated that the personnel report was in the School Committee packet. HVAC AWARD Dr. Hal utuniam advised that only one bid was received for the HVAC maintenance contract. He stated that Invensys ENE, Inc. was the sole proprieter. Dr. Harutmtian advised that the staff had called to confirm that Invensys's hourly rate was comparable to others and he stated that he was satisfied with the service provided in the past by Invensys. Mr. Keieley moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent outlined in his memorandum of January 2, 2002 to award the HVAC maintenance contract for the next 2.5 years to Invensys. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keieley, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomev. ELEVATOR AWARD Mr. Dahl moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent and accept the bid of$7,340 from Eaele Elevator for the purpose of upgrading the elevator at Town Hall. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset Mr. Keialev, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. Regular Session 5 January 3 2002 SPECIAL EDUCTION TEACHER Mr. Dahl moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent as outline in his memorandum of January 2,2002 to hire an additional special education teacher. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keieley, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomev. MINUTES Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept the minutes of September 24, 2001 with chanties as noted. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl Mr. Griset, Mr. Keielev, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept the minutes of October 11, 2001. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl,Mr. Griset, Mr. Keielev Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomev. Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept the minutes of October 22,2001 with chanties as �r noted. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keielev, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept the minutes of October 29, 2001. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keielev, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept the minutes of November 1, 2001. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset,Mr. - Keielev, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept the minutes of November 15, 2001. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keid Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept the minutes of November 27, 2001 with chances as noted. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keielev, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept the minutes of December 1, 2001 with changes as noted. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keigley, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. Rreudar Session 6 January 3, 2002 Mr. Russo stated that he world like to receive copies of the final minutes. After discussion Mr. Russo agreed he did not need to receive copies. ADJOURN At 10,35 p.m. Mr. Dahl made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote wis 6-0 Ms Cavicchi Mr. Dahl Mr. Griset, Mr. Keisley, Mr. Russo and - Mr. Twomey. Respectfully submitted, Harry K�Harutunian. Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools IL