Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-11-27 School Committee Minutes READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE i LLERK READING, MASSACHUSETTS „_ �1,�;„v„ MASS, REGULAR SESSION Uje�erg7,Q09A 53 CALL TO ORDER Chair Twomey called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Dahl, Griset, Keigley. Russo and 't womey. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian. Associate Superintendent Richards and Student Representative Tim Kaldas. NEW STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE Dr. Harutunian introduced the new student representative Tim Kaldas. SUPERINTENDENT'S CERTIFICATES Dr. Harutunian described the Massachusetts Superintendent's Certificate process. Dr. Harutunian presented Superintendent's Certificates to Meredith Mulvanity and Steve Kalmakis. At 7:30 p.m. the Committee took a short recess. At 7:40 p.m. Chair Twomey called the meeting back to order. HIGHLIGHTS Dr. Harutunian thanked the Barrows Elementary School staff and students for providing the artwork for the School Committee conference room. the entire Committee thanked the drama club and stated how pleased they were with the recent performance put on by the drama club. CITIZENS' INPUT Mrs. Phillips stated that the PAC was unaware of the Coordinated Program Review agenda item scheduled for 11:00 p.m. She asked the Committee to delay the agenda item so members of the PAC could attend. Dr. Harutunian stated that the Director of Special Education had met with the PAC regarding this issue and the PAC had input into the plan and will continue to have input into the plan. 4 REGULAR SESSION 2 November 27, 2001 Chair Twomey stated that the Committee will go forward with the agenda item and if the PAC had issues since their meeting with the Director of Special Education the administration would work with the group. GIFTS Dr. Harutunian thanked Leuders Environmental for their generous donation of W. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian advised that with the new substitute service, OPTS, there has been 100% coverage for teachers. He stated that he was pleased with the coverage, however, the school department is 25% over budget because we have never had substitutes for everN teacher. Dr. I larutunian recognized Leo Kenney for being selected as Massachusetts Science Educator of the Year for Middlesex County. Dr. Harutunian distributed and discussed a revised budget calendar. Chair Twomey stated that he and Richard Foley met with the Superintendent to discuss the timing of this year's budget. He stated that the Superintendent will send his list of proposed reductions to the Committee before the winter vacation. Chair TwomeN also stated that he would like to have a statement on those multi-year initiatives that will be impacted by reductions. Mr. Dahl stated that he will go along with this process but wanted to note his concern that a budget is not being presented that sets forth the needs of the students of Reading. Dr. Harutunian stated that he could put togethcr a budget showing the needs of the students but that budget would probably be close to $30 million. He stated that the Town Manager has been directed by the Board of Selectmen to put together a 0% budget. After discussion it was the consensus of the Committee that the revised budget calendar is acceptable. Dr. Harutunian distributed an article from the November I l i, Boston Globe having to do with Lveryday Math. Dr. Harutunian distributed a memorandum from Commissioner Driscoll regarding the circuit breaker law. 4 Di Ilan tunian gave a presentation on the MCAS scores. REGULAR SESSION 3 November 27,2001 Dr. Harutunian distributed a copy of Mr. Russo's questions regarding testing and curriculum and responded to those questions. The Committee decided to move on in the agenda to accommodate guests and return to Mr. Russo's questions later in the meeting. HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTATION Rank in Class Mr. Orlando Ms. Darveau. Mr. Moscariello gave a presentation on lank in class. They distributed their proposal to the Committee and outlined what groups they had met with and received input from during the process. They stated that the change in the rank in class would be begin next year and begin for the freshmen class only. The Committee stated their concern about not changing the rank in class for all students in the fall. Dr. Harutunian advised that the high school committee would revisit this issue. Accreditation Mr. Orlando and Dr. Ryan described the accreditation process and answered questions from Committee Members. Dr. Rean thanked all the members of the Accreditation Committee for their hard work. At 10:02 p.m. Chair Twomey advised the Committee would take a short break. At 10:10 chair Twomey called the meeting back to order. NURSES Dr. Harutunian advised that at a recent School Committee meeting Michelle Carrick requested that the Committee discuss nursing in the schools. Ms. Carrick and Ms. Shelly Van Buren discussed the need for full time nursing. She discussed food allergies and asthma. Dr. Harutunian agreed that full time nursing would improve the Reading Public Schools but that funding at this time is not available. He stated that he would bring the issues raised by Ms. Carrick and Ms. Van Buren back to the staff for discussion. 4 Mr. Dahl suggested forming a pool of volunteer nurses to assist in the schools. REGULAR SESSION 4 November 27,2001 FUEL OIL DID Mr. Keigley moved to accept the bid from Heating Oil Partners d/b/a Alliance Express for no 2 fuel oil for the Killam School. Mr. Russo seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms Cavicchi Mr. Dahl Mr. Griset, Mr. Keielev, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. Di. Harutunian reminded the Committee on the retreat scheduled for Sapoday at 8:00 a.m. at RMI.D. Dr. Harutunian continued answering Mr. Russo's questions regarding testing and curriculum. Mr. Keigley asked Mr. Russo if he had prepared aminformation on the data given to him on testing by the Superintendent several weeks ago. Mr. Russo stated that lie is continuing to work on the data. Mr. Griset moved that the Reading School Committee commend the Central Office Administration principals faculty and students for continuing strong advances and 4 excepliomd work on the MCAS scores and rankings. Mr. Russo seconded the motion The vote was 6-0 Ms Cavicchi Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keigley, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomev. COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW Dr. I larramtian discussed the Coordinated Program Rcview. Mr. Dahl moved to accept the corrective action plan supplied by the Administration in response to the Massachusetts Department of Education Coordinated Revicw. Mr. Griset seconded the motion The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset Mr. Keislev, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 12.10 a m Ms Cavicchi moved to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing the deplovment of security personnel or devices not to return to regular session Mr. Griset seconded the motion The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset Mr. Keigley, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey.. especttLilly sub ed, Harry . Hutunian�. Superintendent of Schools