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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-09-24 School Committee Minutes - Executive Session T READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE ,i_EK Reading, Massachusetts Executive Session Se temb 01u P 12 11 CALL TO ORDER Chair Twomey called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee members Cavicchi,Dahl, Griset, Keigley, Russo and Twomey. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian, Associate Superintendent Richards and Police Chief Silva. SECURITY 4 This matter is a subject of Executive Session Executive Session 2 September 24 2001 4 At 7:30 p m Ms Cavicchi made a motion to recess from executive session to enter regular session and to return to executive session following t session Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi Mr, Dahl Mr, Griset Mr. Keielev Mr. Russo and Mr Twomev EASEMENT Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept the recommendation of the Su erintendent and approve the Verizon easement referred to in the Superintendents September 24. 2001 memorandum with the $10,000 being paid to the school department building and grounds revolving fund. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi Mr.Dahl Mr. Griset Mr. Aelgley,Mr. Russo and Mr. Tivompl,. DEP LITIGATION This matter is a subject of Executive Session TEACHERS' NEGOTIATIONS 4 Dr. Hamtunian distributed a copy of the School Committee's response to the RTA's written statement of September 12ih. He stated that he had not received a response from the RTA SECURITY This matter is a subject of Executive Session ADJOURN At 9.30 P.m.Ms. Cavicchi moved to adjourn Mr. Griset seconded the motion The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi Mr. Dahl Mr. Griset Mr. Kei2ley, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. I 1 tL) � READING SCHOOL COMMITTED,. Reading, Massachusetts ',01 t,�� qq � Regular Session �n01 AJy1emAber 244b 2001 CALL TO ORDER Chair Twomey called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Dahl, Griset, Keigley, Russo and Twomey. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards EXECUTIVE SESSION Ms. Cavicchi moved to enter into executive session for the purpose of conducting strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with the Teachers' Association, Secretaries & Clerks, Nurses, Custodial Maintenance Workers, Cafeteria Employees, Educational Assistants and Administrators, to discuss pending litigation, to discuss the possible sale or lease of real estate and to discuss the deployment of security personnel or devices to return to regular session at approximately 7:30 p.m. Mr. Keiglev seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keiglev, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomev. CALL BACK TO ORDER Chair"I womey called the meeting back to order at 7:35 p.m. Present were all School Committee Members. Superintendent Harutunian, Associate Superintendent Richards and Board of Selectmen Liaison Matt Cummings. BILLS & PAYROLL Bills and Payroll are as follows: 9, 17/01 Warrant 24 $315.845.52 9/04/01 Warrant 20 $97-348.92 9;06/01 Payroll21 $700.393.74 923/01 Payroll 17 $355,84820 9/14/01 Payroll 23 $163258.78 8/31/01 Payroll 19 $128037.71 CITIZENS INPUT Mr. Ryan asked why there is not a full time nurse at each school. He asked if using the Hospital Trust Fund had been looked at to supplement the cost of the nurses. He stated that he would be writing a letter to the School Committee outlining his questrons and concerns. Reeular Session 2 September 24 2001 Chair I vornev stated that the School Department would provide the information for him. Selectmen Cummings stated that the Board of Selectmen would be getting a response from the Hospital Board of Trustees at their meeting tomorrow evening and that he would raise Mr. Ryan's request with the Trustees. Dr. Harrnunian stated that the school department has gone to the trustees before to see it they would be able to fond some portion of the school nurses. He was informed that that did not fall in to the guidelines left for the trust. He stated we have 80%-90% coverage at the schools. Critical care is given the highest priority, medications the second, and the third priority is walk in. Ms. Phillips read a statement regarding the ten-taxpayers lawsuit. She asked when the Committee was going to meet with the plaintiffs to discuss the merits of the lawsuit. Ms. Cavicchi stated that she disagreed with Ms. Phillips statement regarding the ten- taxpayer's lawsuit She stated that the lawsuit has cost the Down$150.000 in attorne_c's fees, and the lawsuit is over. Mr. Griset stated that he was disappointed in the on-going aggressive tone of some of the citizens involved in the lawsuit. I le stated that he asked Dr. Mandell to have coffee and to talk and that Dr. Mandell's response was to send him a registered letter with three reading assignments. He stated that he would like to sec a more cooperative approach. Mr. Russo stated that there was a commitment by the School Committee to answer questions regarding the lawsuit and that in order to move forward the meeting should be held. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian advised that RCTV had put in a new sound system in the conference room and asked people listening at home to let us know if the system was working better. Dr. Hal utunian advised that Mr. Russo had asked for test scores and analvsis. He distributed the information to Mr. Russo, all other School Committee members, the reporter from the Chronicle and the reporter from the Advocate. He stated that if anyone else wanted a copy of the information they should contact the central office. Regular Session 3 September 24 2001 Dr. I larutunian updated the Committee on the actions taken on school seCLIH M since the incidents of September I I" Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on the OPIS substitute service. Dr. I larutunian advised that he had spoken to Mike Gilbert from MASC regarding possibly facilitating the School Committee retreat. Ms. Cavicchi stated that the subcommittee Formed to review the Superintendent's evaluation instrument had completed their work. A copy was given to each School Committee Member and Ms. Cavicchi asked for comments to be returned to her by October 3". Chair Twomcy thanked Mr. Griset. Ms. Cavicchi and Mr. Kcigley for their work on this project. Mr. Griset updated the Committee on the Substance Abuse Advisory Council meetings_ L BUDGET CALENDAR Dr. Harutunian presented to the School Committee a revised budget calendar. He stated that because there is no FY02 state budget it is difficult if not impossible to mote forward in planning an FY03 budget. Mr. Dahl moved to approve the budeet calendar as presented in the memorandum of September 21, 2001 outlinine the School Committee's bud et year. Ms Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl Mr. Griset Mr. Keigley, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey Mr. Russo stated that at the last School Committee meeting he made a motion which was defeated 4-1 to have the Superintendent provide test score data and data regarding curriculum changes. He stated that his dealings to that point with the School Committee members had been pleasant and businesslike. He stated that he took exception to comments made that evening. Regular Session 4 September 24 2001 Mr. Griset responded to Mr. Russo's comment and stated that he hopes the Committee can move forward. He stated that the members do not have to agree but that the Committee members must conduct themselves in a way that benefits the children and schools in Reading. Mr. rwomey stated that he does not object to Mr. Russo making any statement but that he objects to Mr. Russo saying one thing and doing another. Mr. Russo disagreed with that statement. Mr. Russo stated that he felt this was an attempt to tum off his communication with the public and asked that a businesslike manner be maintained at School Committee meetings. NEW BUSINESS Dr. Harutunian presented ]ionic schooling requests for a 2"" grader and a 6°i grader Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent and approve the two home schooling requests. Mr. Griset seconded the motion The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keigley, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomev. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 5:45 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi moved to reconvene into executive cession the purPoSe of conducting strateev sessions in preparation for negotiations with the Teachers' Association. Secretaries & Clerks, Nurses, Custodial Maintenance Workers Cafeteria Employees, Educational Assistants and Administrators, to discuss pending litigation, to discuss the possible sale or lease of real estate and to discuss the deployment of security personnel or devices not to return to regular session Mr. Keigley seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl Mr Griset, Mr. Keiglev, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. l_R��ets�ptec�tfully submitted, Harry K. Haruttmian. Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools L