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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-01-29 School Committee Minutes READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE TOWNCLERK Reading,Massachusetts READING, MASS. Regular Session Jad011r7iQBiP1. a: UI CALL TO ORDER Chair Cavicchi called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Dahl, Keigley and Twomey. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian,Associate Superintendent Richards and Town Manager Hechenbleikner. Ms. D'Antona and Mr. Griset arrived during executive session. EXECUTIVE SESSION Mr. Dahl made a motion to enter in executive session for the purpose of conducting strategy sessions in preoaration for negotiations with teachers, secretaries and clerks, educational assistants,nurses, custodians,cafeteria employees and administrators, to discuss pending litigation and the possible sale or lease of real estate and approval of executive session minutes. To return to regular session at approximately 7:30 p.m. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi,Mr. Dahl, Mr. Keiglev and Mr. Twomey. After a delay due to RCTV technical difficulties, Chair Cavicchi called the meeting back to order at 7:45 p.m. Chair Cavicchi and Dr. Harutunian welcomed new student representative Daniel Suchy. CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen input. BILLS & PAYROLL There were no bills and payroll. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian advised that at last week's Board of Selectmen's meeting Mr. Cummings asked if Reading was meeting the DOE requirement for spending on maintenance. Dr. Harutunian advised that Mr. Foley checked into the matter and that Reading spends $360,000 above the DOE required spending amount. Mr. Dahl asked if the figure included the cost of labor. Mr. Foley advised that labor is not included in the figure. Regular Session 2 January 29,2001 Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that Ken Feit was selected as Northeast Regional Girl's Track Coach of the Yen. Dr. Harmunian and the Committee congratulated Mr. Feit on his accomplishments. Dr. Harutunian advised that the town had received disappointing news regarding state aid. He stated that the Governor's package did not include the level of funding that the town had anticipated. Dr. Harutunian advised that the three major reasons were that the enrollment in grades 1-5 was slightly lower than last year mostly due to the kindergarten entrance date change,the $424,000 we received last year was not included in the base and the Governor has changed the formula. Ms. D'Antona stated that we had received considerable assurance from our representatives last year that the$424,000 would be included in the base. Mr. Dahl stated that it should be noted that the end budget rarely reflects house one in regard to education funding and he anticipates our representatives to be working to secure additional funding. FY02 BUDGET Dr. Harmunian advised that the budget distributed to the School Committee contained the changes discussed at earlier meetings including reducing two elementary teachers, adding 1.2 middle school teachers, .8 high school teacher and reducing$150,000 from the special education budget. He stated that the FTE's for regular day teachers will go up by three. He advised that he had spoken to the Chair of the Finance Committee, and the School Committee will have the reduction split prior to the meeting on February 12th. Ms. D'Antona stated that it is important that the Finance Committee review the School Committee's recommended budget and not just a figure submitted by Town Hall. Dr. Harutunian advised that the Finance Committee would be reviewing the School Committee budget as well as the Town Manager's recommendation. Dr. Haru[unian suggested that the Board review the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting for accuracy. Mr. Twomey stated his support for the budget presented but stated that at a more appropriate time he would like to revisit the issue of elementary teachers, particularly if there are empty classrooms available. Regular Session 3 January 29,2001 �r Mr.Dahl moved to approve a budget for FY02 in the amount of$28,481,306. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona Mr. Grisct,Mr. Keiglev and Mr. Twomev. Mr. Dahl moved to approve the maintenance budget for town's buildings for FY02 in the amount of$482,400. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms Cavicchi Mr.Dahl Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr.Keiglev and Mr. Twomey. Mr. Dahl thanked Town Accountant Richard Foley for his assistance with the budget. Dr. Harutunian thanked the parents for participating in the budget process and Mr. Richards, Mr. Foley, Ms. Klepeis,the administrators and the central office staff for their work on the budget. Chair Cavicchi thanked Dr. Harmunian for his work on the budget and for keeping the budget process as such an open process. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms D'Antona moved to accept the minutes of December 20 2000. The minutes to include a copy of the letter as noted. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi Mr. Dahl,Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset,Mr.Keiglev and Mr. Twomey. Ms D'Antona moved to accept the minutes of January 8, 2001 with changes as noted Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi,Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona Mr. Griset,Mr. Keiglev and Mr. Twomey. Ms D'Antona moved to accept the minutes of January 4,2001 with changes as noted Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona,Mr. Griset,Mr. Keiglev and Mr. Twomey. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 825 p.m. Mr. Griset made a motion to return to executive session for the reasons noted previously. Not to return to regular session.. Mr.Twomey seconded the motion The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl,Ms.D'Antona,Mr. Griset,Mr. Keiglev and Mr. Twomev. Respectfully submitted, Harry K. Harutuni Superintendent of Schools