HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-12-01 School Committee Minutes Reading School Committee �a �C',
Reading,Massachusetts ",(; 'G MASS.
1001 JAN —9 A 9: 53
RETREAT December 1, 2001
CALL TO ORDER ..
Chair Twomey called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m. in the Reading Municipal Light
Department Audio/Video Room. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi_
Dahl. Griset Keigley Russo and Twomey. Also present were Superintendent
Harutunian, Associate Superintendent Richards and Facilitator Mike Gilbert.
Dr. Harutunian distributed the agenda for the Board of Selectmen's meeting on "fuesday
evening.
Chair Twomey stated that this is a special meeting of School Committee to address the
following three issues:
• roles and responsibilities of the School Committee and the superintendent
• discussion of the school district's strategic plan and
• how do we take results of what we learn today and apply it.
Chair Twomey introduced the facilitator Mike Gilbert from Massachusetts Association of
School Committees (MASC).
Facilitator Mike Gilbert reviewed the roles and responsibilities of the School Committee
and the roles and responsibilities of the Superintendent.
During Mr. Gilberts discussion on the School Committee's role in negotiations, a
question came up regarding whether the School Committee needed to vote to authorize
the Town Manager to negotiate school employees benefits. The Committee directed Dr.
Harutunian to look into this issue and report back to the Committee.
During Mr. Gilbert's discussion on the School Committee's role in staff evaluations,
Chair Twomey asked that the Superintendent give a presentation to the Committee on
evaluations of staff.
The School Committee discussed Mr. Gilbert s suggestion that the policy book be
updated.
Mr. Gilbert discussed communications between the School Committee and the
Superintendent.
A discussion was held among Committee members about signing bills and payrolls.
iw Chair Twomey directed the Superintendent to schedule a meeting with Mr. Russo to
discuss ways that Mr. Russo would feel comfortable signing bills and payrolls.
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RETREAT 2 December 1, 2001
Mr. Keigley stated that he would like to schedule a meeting to discuss the evaluation of
the superintendent, policy and personality conflicts.
Mr. Gilbert reviewed the self-evaluation forms completed by the Committee.
The Committee discussed with Mr. Gilbert ways they felt the design of the self-
evaluation forms could be improved.
At 9:45 a.m. The Committee took a short recess.
At 9:55 a.m. Chair Twomey called the meeting back to order.
STRATEGIC PLAN
The Committee discussed the Strategic Plan and whether it was time to revisit the plan,
and if so how what process the Committee would use to review the plan and if another
community strategic planning group should be formed.
The Committee agreed that many in the Town might not be aware that the strategic plan
exists. In order to publicize the existence of the plan, the Committee agreed to include
the strategic plan in the FY03 budget, send home a copy of the strategic plan with every
student, make the plan available at the library, senior center and town hall and request
that RCTV present the plan on the local cable channel. The Committee will meet to
discuss possibly updating the strategic plan at a meeting in February or March.
SUPERINTENDENT'S EVALUATION
Chair Twomey thanked the Subcommittee for their work in reviewing and updating the
evaluation tool for the Superintendent.
Dr. Harutunian stated that the reason the evaluation tool was updated was to bring it up to
date with the Education Reform act.
The Committee discussed whether questions regarding the Superintendents integritc
were included in the form. The Committee agreed that four items on the evaluation
touch on character and integrity.
Mr. Dahl moved to accept the evaluation instrument as prepared by the Evaluation
Subcommittee distributed December 1 2001 with revisions dated November 25,
2001 Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl,
Mr. Griset Mr. Keigley Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey.
kMs. Cavicchi stated that she would send each member a copy of the evaluation to
complete.
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RETREAT 3 December 12001
Chair Twomey asked that all completed evaluations he sent to him before the winter
%acation.
The Committee again discussed Mr. Russo signing bills and payrolls.
ADJOURN
At 12:10 p.m. Ms. Caviechi made a motion to adjourn Mr. Kei ley seconded the
motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Caviechi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. KeillIeN, Mr.
Russo and Mr. Twomey.
Respectfullysubar ed,
Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
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