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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-08-01 School Committee Minutes READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE 4WReading, Massachusetts 's CLERK U;: G. MASS. REGULAR SESSION UU W 4S CALL TO ORDER Chair Twomey called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Present were School Committee Members Dahl, Cavicchi, Griset, Keigley, Russo and Twomey. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian, Associate Superintendent Richards,Town Accountant Richard Foley and Finance Committee Chair Dick McDonald, Chair Twomey stated the agenda items would be taken out of order this evening to accommodate the Town Accountant and Finance Committee Chair. CITIZEN INPUT There was no citizen input. Dr. Harutunian advised that Owen McDonald would be leaving the Reading Chronicle. Both Dr. Flarutuman and Chair Twomey thanked Owen for his dedication and his fair and accurate reporting. FYUI BUDGET TRANSFERS Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to return $16,969 of school funds and $441 of maintenance funds to the Town's general fund and accept the account balances as presented. Mr. Keialev seconded the motion The vote was 6-0. Ms Cavicchi Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keiglev Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomev. Dr. Harutunian advised that in addition to the return of$16,969 to the Town he was pleased to report that he school department was able to absorb the cost of the Killam boiler in the FY01 finds. STRATEGIC PLANNING/THREE YEAR BUDGET PLAN Dr. Harutunian discussed a proposed three-year budget plan as requested by Mr. Twomey. Due to the multi-year nature of the School Committee's goals for the students of Reading, it was the consensus of the Committee that the three-year budget not be used as a financial tool but as a planning tool. The budget would contain a narrative laying out long-range plans of the school department and the School Committee and the Form A's. Mr. Foley stated that we need to be clear that this document would be a plan only because the actual budget would be greatly impacted by revenues. REGULAR SESSION 2 Au ust 1 2001 4 Dr. Harutunian and the Committee discussed going out to the community and re- validating the School Committee's strategic plan to be sure that the goals from the strategic plan still match the community's expectation of the School Committee and the school department. It was the consensus of the Committee that the strategic plan and the three-year budget be agenda items for the School Committee's fall retreat. BUS TRANSPORTATION GRADES 6-8 Dr. Harutunian reviewed the state law stating that all students K-6 living two miles or more from the school are entitled to bus transportation. He stated that as part of the budget reductions in the spring the Committee voted to eliminate transportation for students in grades 7 and 8. Dr. Harutunian advised that this would affect approximately 38 middle school students. Dr. Harutunian advised that because there are available seats on the Parker Middle School bus he would be able to offer paid transportation to the two Parker students who are impacted by this reduction. He stated that at Coolidge there are 36 students affected and the number of available seats on the bus is 25. He stated that he developed the following criteria to offer pay as you go transportation to 7"i and 8" grade students. First, the student must be in the 7"i or 8"' grade at the Coolidge Middle School and must live 2 miles or more from Coolidge. He stated that priority would be given to students who have siblings in the 6" grade receiving transportation and then the criteria would be the student living farthest from the school would be given the option of first 4 refusal The cost for transportation for the year would be $250 per student. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Committee that Dr. Harutunian move forward with the criteria outlined. SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER Dr. Harutunian stated that the DLC classroom at Barrows had reached 14 students and that if the class reached 15 he would be required, under special education laws, to split the class. He recommended to the Committee that he move forward and hire a teacher to split the class now in order to avoid any possible rejected IEP's. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Committee that Dr. Harutunian move forward and hire a special education teacher with the funds to be taken from the special education tuition out account. [ REGULAR SESSION 3 August 1 2001 BUDGET REDUCTIONS Dr. Harutunian briefly reviewed his July 30" recommended cut list. He stated that items 1-19 would be cut if the reduction came in at$400,000. He stated that items 1-30 would be reduced if the reduction came in at$600,000. Dr. Harutunian stated that he may have to fill the nurse position which is listed in cuts 19-30. He stated that if he fills the position he would advise the Committee and return to the Committee with a list of reductions to replace the elimination of the nurse reduction. Dr. Harutunian advised that his July reduction list is different than the February list because of the timing. He stated that he cannot reduce personnel this close to the start of school as classes have already been assigned. Chair Twomey stated his concern about hiring a nurse in light of curriculum and other issues not yet knowing the amount of the final reductions. Dr. Harutunian advised that he had surveyed the surrounding towns and Reading's nurse staffing is on the low end. He also stated that he had been notified by the state that based on our FY01 staffing level, they have concerns regarding the transfer of medication responsibilities. After discussion, the Committee agreed to revisit the reductions in September and that Dr. Harutunian would begin the process for hiring a nurse and would keep the Committee informed on the status of the position. BOILER BID Mr. Griset moved that the School Committee award the bid for the Killam boiler oroiect to G.T. Wilkerson for $84,898 subject to further reference checks. 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 a community member approached him about using the Birch Meadow burners and that he had discussed the issue with Dr. Harutunian and other people and had determined that this was the best decision. Dr. Harutunian advised that in the winter Rick Barrett brought forward a proposal that he would serve as general contractor and subcontract out work for Killam boilers using the Birch Meadow burners. Dr. Harutunian stated that Ms. Hanifan gave her opinion that splitting the bid this way would be in violation of the procurement laws. 4 �+ REGULAR SESSION 4 August 1, 2001 Mr. Dahl stated that because of the administration's hard work at cost savings, the foods to pay for the Killam boiler were from FY01 funds. Dr. Hamtunian noted that the administration had signed a new gas contract for two years beginning in January 2002 through December 2003 with ALLENERGY at a rate approximately 5.20 below what the Town is currently paying per therm. SUBSTITUTE TEACHER BID Mr. Dahl moved to accept the bid from OPTS for$143,000 to provide substitute teachers for the school year 2001-2002. Mr. Kei2lev seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0. Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dabl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Kei2lev, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomev voted yes. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 7:30 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss pending litigation not to return to regular session. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. C, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keigley, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. Respectfully submitted, Harr K.. HarutuniG Superintendent of Schools 4