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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-09-24 School Committee Minutes READING SCHOOL COMMITTED. Reading, Massachusetts qq Ag4b Regular Session IMI Atk pfember 4" 2001 CALL TO ORDER Chair]"orney called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Dahl, Griset. Kciglep. Russo and Twomey. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards EXECUTIYF: 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. Twomey. CALL BACK TO ORDER Chair Twomey 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: 917/01 Warrant 24 $315.845.52 904/01 Warrant 20 597.348.92 906/01 Pavroll 21 $700.393.74 8/23/01 Payroll 17 $355848.20 9/14/01 Payroll 23 $163,258.78 8/31/01 Payroll 19 $128,037.71 CITIZENS INPUT Mr. Ryan asked why there is not a full time nurse at each school. I le asked if urine 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 questions and concerns. Rezular Session 2 September 242001 Chair Twomey 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 mise Mr. Ryan's request with the Trustees. Dr. Harutunian stated that the school department has gone to the trustees belbre to see if they would be able to fund 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 800io-901io 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-taxpayer's lawsuit. She asked when the C'ommittec 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 Town $150.000 in atua ncv's fees.and the lawsuit is over. 4 Mr. Griset stated that he was disappointed in the on-going aggressive tone of some of the citizens involved in the lawsuit. lie 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 see 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 RC'TV had put in it new sound system in the conference room and asked people listening at home to let us know if the system was workin,_ better. Dr. Harutunian advised that Mr. Russo had asked for test scores and analysis. 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 4 September 24 2001 Dr. Hal nunian updated the Committee on the actions taken on school security since the incidents of September I1"' - Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on the OPIS substitute service. Dr. I Iarritunian advised that he had spoken to Mike Gilbert from MASC regarding possibly facilitating the School Committee retreat. Ms. C'm iechi stated that the subcommittee formed to review the Superintendents 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. Keiglev for their work on this project. Mr. Griset updated the Committee on the Substance Abuse Ado isory Council meetings. BUDGET CALENDAR Dr. I larutunian presented to the School Committee a revised budget calendar. Ile stated that because there is no FY02 state budget it is difficult if not impossible to move lorward in planning an FY03 budget. Mr. Dahl moved to approve the budget calendar as presented in the memorandum of September 21,2001 outlining the School Committee's budget year. Ms Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keiglec, 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 cwriculum 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. ROS50'S comment and stated that he hopes the Committee can mote forward. Ile stated that the members do not have to agree but that the Committee members must conduct themselves in a wav that benefits the children and schools in Reading. Mr. -I womey 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 turn oft his communication with the public and asked that a businesslike manner be maintained at School Committee meetings. NEW BUSINESS Dr. Harutunian presented home schooling requests Ibr a 2n' grader and a 6"' grader. Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent and approve the two home schooling requests. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The 4 vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keiglev, Mr. Russo and Mr. rwomev. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 8:45 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi moved to reconvene into executive session the purpose of conducting strategv sessions in preparation for negotiations with the Teachers' Association, Secretaries & Clerks, Nurses, Custodial Maintenance Workers, Cafeteria Employees, Educational Assistants and Administrators, to discuss en ndin2 litigation, to discuss the possible sale or lease of real estate and to discuss the deplovment 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. Keiclev, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. LR��ett Respectfully subm I Harry K. I lannunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools