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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-10-22 School Committee Minutes L JEV l 1 CLERK READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE .G. MASS. READING, MASSACHUSETTS MuIkIIJSea,iuA 933 October 22 2001 CALL TO ORDER Chan Fwontey called the meeting to order at 8:22 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Dahl. Griset. Keigley. Russo and 7-wci Also present were Superintendent Hamtunian and Associate Superintendent Richards. Selectmen Matt Cummings was also present as liaison to the School Committee. BILLS & PAYROLL Bill and payroll are as follows: W'anant26 $132.818.66 September 24. 2001 Warant 28 $181.897.18 October 1. 2001 Warrant 30 $350.343.71 October 9. 2001 Warrant 32 $420,987.83 October 15, 2001 Warrant 34 $203,861.63 October 22,2001 �r Pa7roll25 $794,785.65 September 20. 200t Payroll27 $166.596.82 September 28. 2001 Payroll 29 $694,103.70 October 4, 2001 Payroll 31 $156,031.65 October 12. 2001 Payroll 33 5677.589.58 October 18, 2001 CITIZENS' INPUT Mrs. Phillips stated that she received a copy of the special education audit of our school scstent and was wondering when School Committee will be discussing. Mr. Teeomev stated it would be taken under advisement and scheduled. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian advised that Mr. Gilbert fiom MASC would be the facilitator at the Organizational Meeting/Retreat tentatively scheduled ibr December I". Dr. I larutunian discussed the fund-raisers held by various schools for the benefit of the ���/// victims' families of the 9/11 tragedy. Regular Session 2 October 22 2001 4W JOSHUA EATON ROOF REPAIRS Dr. I larutunian discussed the necessary repairs for the Joshua Baton roof. Dr. Harutunian stated that approximately$20,000 worth of repairs would he needed due to the safety hazard created by falling shingles. Mr. Dahl moved to authorize the Superintendent to request un to $20,000 from Town Meeting for the purpose of repairing the roof at Joshua Eaton School Mrs Cavicchi seconded the motion The vote was 6-0 Ms. Caviechi, Mr. Dahl Mr. Griset, Mr. Keiglev, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey voted yes PER PUPIL Dr. Harutunian discussed the per pupil budget allocation from FY96 to FY03. He stated that the building per pupil level was going back to the same level as FY98. ELEVATOR—TOWN HALL Dr. I larutunian advised that the elevator at Town Hall needed to be repaired end the estimate for the repairs is $12.500. 4 Mr. Dahl moved to direct the Superintendent to request from Town Meeting up to S12,500 for the purpose of repairs to the elevator at Town Hall Mr Russo seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl Mr. Griset Mr. Keiglev, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that the release date for MCAS has been nnoced to October 31". Mr. Dahl stated that he spoke to Brad Jones last week to express his displeasure at the length of time it takes for the state to get the MCAS scores to the districts. He stated that the delay in receiving scores does a disservice to those students who need remediation. Dr. I]at utunian advised that the DPW has agreed to do the work to repair the high school track. Dr. Harutunian advised that the Killam boiler will be on line this week. I lc stated that the delay was caused by parts not being available due to the suspension of flights from September I7°i. Mr. Griset updated the Committee on the Substance Abuse Advisory Council meeting_ 4 Regular Session 3 October 22 2001 Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that he had stepped up the police presence at the upcoming I{alloween Dance as a precautionary measure to be sure the dances remain drug and alcohol free. Town Treasurer Beth Klepeis informed the Committee that $186.254.51 was borrowed for the Barrows project that needs to be spent or paid back before December 31" in order to compl} with federal government regulations. She stated that we can pap off the debt using be, cash and we can do work on the Barrows project. Dr. I Iarutunian advised that he would like to bring Sid Bowen and Robert Fierce to the next School Committee meeting to discuss menu items that could be done on the Barrows project that would not be duplicated when we go into the full renovation of Barrows. Atter discussion. it was the consensus of the Committee that the Superintendent have the architects attend the next School Committee meeting to review options on the Barrows project. FY02 BUDGET Dr. HartuUman gave a presentation on the proposed budget reductions. Chair I womey stated that the proposed reductions in the building per pupil allocation would place the FY02 amounts at the same level they were at in FY98/FY99 and that if projections for next year are accurate there probably will have to be further reductions. Mr. Keielev made a motion to reduce the school budget by $618,941, capital and operational. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keielev, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomev. Mr. Dahl made a motion to approve the revised list of$618,941 in reductions as outlined in the memorandum of October 18,2001. Mr. Griset seconded the motion The vote was 5-1-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset Mr. Kei ley and Mr. Twomey voted ves and Mr. Russo voted no. Mr. Russo stated that these are difficult times, and we need creative solutions. He stated that he was voting against the recommendation because 1/3 of the cuts are in curriculum. He stated that the performance of students depends on curriculum and teaching. Chair Twomey stated that he felt eveivone on the Committee feels strongly that curriculum move forward. He stated that the reduction list was made available carp to the Committee to give time to reflect on cuts and give input to the Superintendent. He stated that teachers cannot be eliminated two months into the school year. Regular Session 4 October 22 2001 Mr. Griset stated that any reductions in our educational s)stein are difficult but the people of Reading vote no on the override, and as elected officials it is our job to listen to the people and make the difficult decisions on reductions. I le stated that it is time to move loo w ard. Mr. Keigley stated that the Committee has spent many hours this year debating what would be reduced from the budget. He stated that each Committee member has priorities but that the professionals are in a position to know what reductions will hurt students the least and his concern is what is in the best interest ofthe Students. Ms. Caaicchi stated that none of the Committee members like the cuts. She stated that she would like to add curriculum and teachers to the budget but the reality is there are not funds to do that. She stated that as School Committee members we are elected to make the difficult decisions and still do what is best for the students of Reading. Ms. Paula Perry asked Mr. Russo what type of creative ideas he had in mind to save moneN and keep curriculum. Mr. Russo stated that he is in manufacturing and that is different. I le stated that when crunch time comes we need to look at things more carefully and which expenditures produce the best results. He stated that if he voted yes that means that he approved ecerNthing. He stated that his vote didn't make a difference here. and he wants to keep his flexibility. Ms. Perm stated that she thought we would all like to keep Ilexihility. Chair Twomey stated that Mr. Russo is not as hemmed in as he thinks. If enough members of the School Committee want to talk about an issue, it can be discussed at anv meeting. Mr. Dahl stated as elected officials we need to make decisions on the budget. I le agreed that difficult times call for creative solutions. He stated that Reading has one of the lowest administrative costs per pupil. I le stated that creative measures have been taken including having the ibwn Accountant serve as the School Business Manager. He stated that cuts are distasteful, but as elected officials we need to vote. Mrs. Phillips asked if the Committee remembered that the Director of Maintenance position funded at$65.000 has been vacant for the last six months and that an additional $50.000 in SPED coition has come in that was not budgeted. 4 Regular Session 5 October 22 2001 Dr. Harutuman stated that we have had an interim director of maintenance and an interim assistant director of maintenance at the sante salaries since the director resigned so there is no savings there. Of the$50.000 in additional SPED tuition, $30,000 went to pay for the school nurse. Ms. Mandell stated that in the beginning of the year there were approximately 46 new staff members replacing people who have retired or resigned. She asked if anyone had figured out the salary differential. Dr. Ilarutunian stated that a significant number of the employees who were being replaced were younger women on maternity leaves and the differential was negligible. 1 le stated that also. unfortunately. a high school teacher had been out on a long-term illness and there is no money built in to the budget to cover the long-term illness. The Committee discussed civility among the members. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms. Cavicchi moved to approve the minutes of lune 12 2001 with than res as noted Mr. Keielev seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms Cavicchi Mr. Dahl Mr. Griset, Mr. Russo, Mr. Keielev and Mr. Twomey. �+ Ms. Caviechi moved to approve the minutes of Au ust 28 2001 with changes as noted. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi Mr. Dahl Mr. Griset, Mr. Russo, Mr. Keielev and Mr. Twomey Ms. Cavicchi moved to approve the minutes of September 10 2001 with chan es as noted. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms Caviechi Mr. Dahl Mr. Griset, Mr. Russo, Mr. Keielev and Mr. Twomey Ms. Cavicchi moved to approve the minutes of September 19 2001 with changes as noted. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi Mr. Dahl Mr. Griset, Mr. Russo, Mr. Keielev and Mr. Twomey. Mr. Russo stated that he would like to renew common interest and to maintain civility. At 10:30 p.m. Mr. Griset made a motion to ad iourn Mr. Russo seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset Mr. Kei ley Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomev. �Respectfully submitted, Harry K. Hanmmian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools