Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-03-29 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts F; c~VE CLERK Regular Meeting of the School Committeep, i l M C Open Session P 12- 413 Date: March 29, 2010 Time: 7:02 p.m. (Open Session) Place: Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Members Present Chuck Robinson Elaine Webb David Michaud Chris Caruso Karen Janowski Lisa Gibbs Patrick O'Sullivan Student Representative Visitors: Christine Downey, Eaton & Parker parent Michele Catalano, Killam parent Steve Hagan, Reading Advocate Christine Lyons, Reading Chronicle I. Call to Order Staff Members Present John Doherty, Superintendent Mary DeLai, Director of Finance and Operations Chairperson Robinson called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. and reviewed the agenda. II. Recommended Procedure. A. Public Input (1) Cheryl Love, Eaton parent, expressed concerns over next year's grade 2 class size at Joshua Eaton. She asked the Committee to make class size a high priority. Katie Wheeler, Eaton parent, echoed Mrs. Love's concerns. Mrs. Angelou, Eaton parent, inquired if the flexible math grouping that is in place at Joshua Eaton would be continued. She also echoed the concern over class sizes. Dr. Doherty stated that there is no flexible math grouping at any of our elementary schools. He went on to clarify that the district added tutor positions, funded by a grant, to support small group instruction in language arts at the elementary level. Mr. Robinson thanked them for their input. B. Reports There were no reports. March 29, 2010 C. D Continued Business FYI 0 Budget Update & Transfers Ms. DeLai updated the School Committee on the status of the FYI 0 budget. She asked the School Committee to approve two cost center transfers. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to transfer within the FY10 Budget $40,000 from the Administration Cost Center to the Undistributed/Other Cost Center as outlined in the Director of Finance and Operations' memorandum dated March 25, 2010. The motion carried 6-0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to transfer within the FY10 Budget $47,000 from the Regular Day Cost Center to the Undistributed Cost Center as outlined in the Director of Finance and Operations' memorandum dated March 25, 2010. The motion carried 6-0. Mrs. Janowski asked why the total athletic offset wasn't shown. Ms. DeLai indicated that this was done to provide wiggle room in that line. Parker Field Trip Dr. Doherty gave an overview of the Parker Field Trip to the Mark Twain House and Museum. He stated that this trip falls in line with the curriculum and is worthwhile. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to approve the annual Parker Middle School field trip to the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, CT. in April 2010 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated March 25, 2010. The motion carried 6-0. New Business Assistant Superintendent Interviews Dr. Doherty reviewed the search process which started two months ago. There were 47 applicants, 10 of which were moved to the interview stage by the screening committee. He stated that he attended the interviews of the 10 candidates from which the screening committee recommended 4 pre-finalists. Dr. Doherty interviewed 4 pre-finalists and is moving 2 candidates forward. Mr. Robinson shared that each School Committee member submitted questions to be asked. The first finalist was introduced. Kim Oliveira currently is the Director of Special Education for the Tyngsborough Public Schools. She gave a brief opening statement. The School Committee asked Ms. Oliveira a series of questions ranging from professional challenges, thoughts on learning styles, accomplishments and curriculum. Ms. Oliveira gave a brief closing statement and thanked the School Committee for this opportunity. Mr. Robinson called a brief recess at 8:05 p.m. The meeting was called back to order at 8:12 p.m. The next finalist was introduced. March 29, 20 10 Patricia deGaravilla is currently the principal at the Joshua Eaton School in Reading. She gave a brief opening statement. The School Committee asked the same series of questions to this candidate. Mrs. de Garavilla gave a brief closing statement and thanked the School Committee for this opportunity. III. Routine Matters • Bills and Payroll (A) • Approval of Minutes • ' Bids and Donations Dr. Doherty explained that this donation would be used to compensate the coaching assistants for the CMS Science Team. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to accept a donation in the amount of $2,900 from the Coolidge School Science Olympiad Support Team to be used to compensate the coaching assistants as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated March 25 2010. The motion carried 6-0. Calendar IV. Information V. Adjournment Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to adjourn. The motion carried 6-0. VI. Future Business Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. J hn F. Doherty, ED. Serintendent of Schools NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting.