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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-05-07 School Committee Minutes READING SCHOOL COMMITTEES-� =.1 VE'D Reading, Massachusetts GV�N CLERK 7 READING, MASS. Regular Session May 7, 2001001 MAY 29 A 11: 20 CALL TO ORDER Chair Cavicchi called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the RMHS lecture hall. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Dahl, Griset, Keigley, Russo Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards. EXECUTIVE SESSION Mr. Griset 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 and to discuss the possible sale or lease of real estate and to approve executive session minutes and to return to regular session at approximately 7:30 p.m. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl,Mr. Griset, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Russo. At 7:35 p.m. Chair Cavicchi called the meeting back to order in the RMHS Lecture Hall. Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Russo were present. Also present were Superintendent Hangunian and Associate Superintendent Richards. Ms. Cavicchi congratulated Mr. Dahl on his re-election and Mr. Russo on his election. BILLS & PAYROLL Bills and payroll are as follows: Payroll 79 March 30, 2001 $171.383.72 Payroll 81 April 05, 2001 $691,828.88 Payroll 83 April 13, 2001 $857,060.23 Payroll 87 April 27, 2001 $159,349.91 Warrant 80 April 02, 2001 $174,946.08 Warrant 82 April 09, 2001 $165,320.28 Warrant 84 April 17,2001 $213,257.96 Warrant 86 April 23. 2001 $51.539.01 Warrant 88 April 30,2001 $171,938.76 Regular Session 2 May 7,2001 CITIZENS' INPUT There was no citizen input. GIFTS Mr. Dahl moved to accept the$1,000 anonvmous gift to the Killam Elementary School. Mr. Russo seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0 Ms. Caviechi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keiglev and Mr. Russo. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian advised that the Barrows School raised $25,000 from their auction for technology. He thanked all who participated in the auction. Mr. John Doherty updated the Committee on the Pilot Program to Achieve Scholastic Success (PASS) Program being offered at the Coolidge Middle School. He stated that this was one of the initiatives the district is working on to help students achieve. Program is for students who receive C- or lower in major subject area. Currently there are 30 students and seven staff members participating in the PASS program. Through the PASS program classes are offered after school and on Saturdays for students to work with teachers in a small group setting to assist them to grasp material that they are having a problem with. He stated that next year the PASS Program will be funded by a $17,000 grant. Mr. Dahl asked how a student's progress is measured and if he has received parental support. Mr. Doherty stated that feedback is received from the teachers and the classroom work of the student is reviewed. He stated that feedback from parents has been very positive. Dr. Harutunian advised that he had received the Superseding Order of Conditions which approved moving forward with the Dividence Road project. He stated that Mr. Mola has until Friday at 5:00 p.m. to file an appeal. Dr. Harutunian advised that he approved a Sunday practice for the baseball and softball teams on April 29`s because of the conflict with the prom. Dr. Harutunian advised that, due to the change in leadership at RCTV.the School Committee calendar was resubmitted to RCTV to confirm that School Committee meetings would be covered. f` Regular Session 3 May 7, 2001 Dr. Harutunian advised that he appointed Anne Saurman as the new assistant principal at the Parker Middle School. EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARDS Excellence in Education Awards were distributed to students mid staff who participate in the following activities, Drama, Youth and Government, Athletics, Band,National Latin Exam, National History Day Finalists, National Board for Professional 'reaching Standards, National Merit Scholarship, Model United Nations and the Coolidge Science Olympiad. At 8:40 p.m. Chair Cavicchi stated that the Committee would take a brief recess. At 8:45 Chair Cavicchi called the meeting back to order. Mr. Russo asked for and was granted a point of personal privilege. Mr. Russo injected personal humor and presented a glass and t-shirt to Mr. Dahl, SCHOOL LUNCHES Dr_ Harutunian advised that he was requesting that the Committee approve a $.25 increase for the 2001-2002 school year in the cost of school lunches to generate enough revenue to cover $40,000 of the $80,000 in health care benefits for the cafeteria workers. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Keiglev moved to increase school lunches by $.25. Mr. Russo seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keielev and Mr. Russo. Mr. Russo asked if the Superintendent had considered trying to raise prices enough to cover the entire $80,000 cost. Dr. Harutunian advised that because of the increase in fuel costs he may be recommending another$25 increase for consumable and normal repairs. Dr. Harutunian advised that he was requesting that the School Committee approve the RISE tuition increase as outlined in the memorandum the Committee received. Mr. Russo moved to increase the RISE tuition 54.00 for two day program, 58.00 for the four day morning program and $2.00 for the four day afternoon program. Mr. Keiglev seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, f Mr. Keielev and Mr. Russo. Regular Session 4 May 7, 2001 Mr. Dahl moved to approve June 21,2001 as the last day of school. Mr. Keiglev seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0 Ms. Cavicchi,Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keiglev and Mr.Twomey. Dr. Harumnian discussed the tiling of the grant application for a school resource officer recommended by the Town Manager. He stated that the Town Manager agreed to cover any cost difference between the grant and the officer's salary. He stated that he had met with the Reading Police and had come to an agreement about the officer being in the school in plain cloths with his or her weapon concealed and a schedule of three days at the high school and one day at each of the middle schools. Mr. Orlando stated his opinion that the proposed school resource officer could have a positive impact at RMHS as it has at other districts. Mr. Orlando advised that the RMHS school council's reaction to the proposal was positive. Dr. Harutunian advised that the Board of Selectmen would be voting on the grant application tomorrow evening and the grant deadline is May 1 I`h. Mr. Dahl moved to accept the Superintendent's recommendation and approve the grant application for the funding of a school resource officer. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset,Mr. Keiglev and Mr. Russo. Dr. Harutunian distributed an updated elementary class size chart for the 2001-2002 school year. He stated that this year we have 90 elementary teachers and we are cutting six. He stated his recommendation that 2.5 teachers be added to the elementary schools. One teacher to be funded by a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reduce class size, and the other 1.5 to be funded by bringing in to the district out of district special education students. He stated that he expects to have between six and ten out of district students which is over the estimate used for the FY02 budget. Mr. Griset stated that he was pleased with the concept oftuitioning special education students. He asked if there would be any costs involved with bringing students in to the district. Dc Harutunian advised that all costs are passed on to the sending district and the sending district will pay a tuition fee to Reading. Mr. Russo asked if students' particular needs are reviewed before they are accepted into the Reading program and asked what would happen if the class size became to large because of an increase in Reading students. Dr. Harutunian advised that students' needs are reviewed and approval for students to be Etuitioned in is on a year-by-year basis. Regular Session 5 May 7,2001 Mr. Keigley asked Dr. Harutunian to confirm that adding the elementary teachers would in no way take funding from curriculum. Mr. Keigley stated his belief that Reading should be pursuing college campuses to come to Reading. Dr. Harutunian advised that curriculum would be fully funded, tic also stated that he has had discussions with the Town Manager about the possibility of Camp Curtis being used for a college extension site. Chair Caviechi stated that this was a creative plan to raise finds but stated her concern about state aid not being finalized yet. Dr. Harutunian advised that he would be scheduling a meeting in the near future with the state representatives and senators to discuss the budget. Mr. Dahl stated his concern that the decision to hire teachers must be made soon in order to meet the start of school and the timeline for the state budget is not clear. Chair Cavicchi asked Dr. Harutunian to describe how the Administrative Council decides where they believe additional teachers should be placed. Dr. Hamtunian advised that the decision is made on the composition of students, the ability of level of students and the needs of students. Mr. Dahl asked for the cost of funding 1.5 teachers. Dr. Harutunian advised that the cost would be approximately $56,000. Mr. Russo stated that there is a large range in class size for 4" grade from Barrows to Killam and asked if anything could be done to moderate the difference. Dr. Harutunian advised that parents have the option, of providing transportation for their children to attend another elementary school with lower class sizes. Mr. Dahl stated that he understands that Dr. Harutunian was coming to the Committee with this proposal because he was asked to by members of the Committee. He asked if Dr. Harutunian believed that this recommendation is educationally and financially the best thing for the district. Dr. Harutunian stated that with the increase in the grant and the tuitioning in of students he felt that the cost of the teachers would be covered. 4 Regular Session 6 May 7,2001 Mr. Keigley stated that he would support the Superintendent's recommendation based on the fact that funding is available and curriculum will not be under funded. Chair Cavicchi stated that she did not support the additional elementary teachers last year because we did not have the money. She stated that she feels this year, with the creative funding, that there is a way to overcome the shortfall. Mr. Russo stated that he did not want to get in a situation of hiring people and not having the funds to pay for the positions. He stated that he would be abstaining because of the complexity of the issue and the short amount of time he has had as a newly elected member to review the issue. Mr. Griset advised that this creative approach to provide adequate staffing was new to all Committee members and asked that Mr. Russo ask any questions he felt necessary to allow him to vote his conscious. Mr. Dahl stated that we know that class size is one of the greatest predictors of success and he would be supporting the Superintendent's recommendation. Mr. Dahl moved to accept Superintendent's recommendation to add 2.5 additional teachers for FY02 as outlined in his memorandum of May 4 2001, one teacher to be funded by a grant and 1.5 teachers to be funded through the existing budget. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Russo. MINUTES Mr. Griset moved to approved the minutes of March 12, 2001. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0-1 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset and Mr. Keigley voted ves, Mr. Russo abstained. Mr. Griset moved to approved the minutes of March 26, 2001. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0-1 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset and Mr. Keiglev voted ves, Mr. Russo abstained. Mr. Griset moved to approved the minutes of March 28,2001. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0-1 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset and Mr. Keiglev voted ves. Mr. Russo abstained. Mr. Griset moved to approved the minutes of April 2,2001. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0-1 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset and Mr. Keiglev voted yes,Mr. Russo abstained. Regular Session 7 May 7, 2001 Mr. Griset moved to approved the minutes of April 23, 2001. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset and Mr. Keielev and Mr. Russo. ADJOURN At 10:18 p.m. Mr. Dahl made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Keielev seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keielev and Mr. Russo. Respectfully submitted, z(, Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools