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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-03-02 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts RECEIVED TCVY"I CLERK Regular Meeting of the School Con*f_* & to , Open Session Date: March 2, 2009 Time: 7:00 p.m. (Open Session) Place: Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Members Present Lisa Gibbs David Michaud Karen Janowski Chris Caruso Chuck Robinson Elaine Webb Visitors: Steven Hagan, Reading Advocate Christine Lyons, Reading Chronicle Hal Torman, Fincom member Cynda Rohmer, RTEF Deb Boschetti, RTEF Phil Rushworth, RTEF I. Call to Order 7 0 0 1, R`4A Y - I P I. 30 Staff Members Present Patrick A. Schettini, Jr.-Superintendent of Schools John Doherty, Assistant Superintendent Mary DeLai, Director of Human Resource and Finances Colleen Dolan, Director of Pupil Services Chairperson Robinson called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. He welcomed the guests that attended the meeting. He also reviewed the agenda. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) B. Reports 1. Student Jesse Downing spoke of the upcoming drama performance of the Laramie Project and encouraged all to try to attend. 2. Liaison Ms. Webb reported on the information she sent to the DESE 21St Century Skills Task Force about the many examples of 21St century skills in our schools. Mrs. Gibbs reported on the PAC meetings she attended and commented on the collaborative relationship that has developed between Ms. Dolan and the PAC board. Mrs. Janowski reported that the Human Relations Advisory Committee supports the production of the Laramie Project and our students. The HRAC will be writing a letter of support to the paper. March 2, 2009 3. Superintendent's Report Superintendent Schettini reported on the discussions he has had with the Clergy Association regarding the Laramie Project. The Clergy will be attending the Friday evening production to show their support of our students and schools. He also reported on the AASA Conference he attended. Ms. DeLai reported on a meeting she attended last week hosted by Representative Tierney. There was discussion on the State Stabilization Fund and the goal to maintain K -12 funding. There was also discussion regarding infrastructure funding. Our projects still meet the criteria set to receive stimulus money. 4. Sub-Committee C. Continued Business School Entrance Requirements - Policy JEB Superintendent Schettini said that the policy as written does not give consistency regarding the entry age and date for kindergarten and first grade. He pointed out that the original draft he gave to the committee last year addressed these concerns. Mr. Caruso moved to accept revisions to Section J, Policy JEB School Entrance Age of the Reading Public Schools Policy as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated March 2, 2009. Discussion continued regarding the proposed change. Concern was raised regarding the timing of this revision with the kindergarten screening process beginning. Mrs. Janowski offered a friendly amendment to the motion that the decision on this motion be postponed until after the registration process is completed and that the newly revised policy would not be effective until the registration period is completed. The motion was tabled. Superintendent Schettini asked the committee for guidance with the current policy. He asked that the statement "The decision of the principal is final." Be added to the 4th paragraph after the first sentence. Mr. Caruso moved the statement; "The decision of the principal is final." Be added as an amendment to give the administration guidance this school year. Ms. Webb seconded. The vote was 5-1, Mrs. Janowski voting against. The committee requested that the policy be reviewed at the next meeting. 2. FY 10 budget Superintendent Schettini gave an overview of the current status of the town and school budgets. Due to the reduced cost of health insurance for FY10, the school department March 2, 2009 FYI 0 budget can be increased by $125,077 from the Superintendent's Recommended Budget. He recommended that the School Committee budget these additional funds and instruct the administration to only use the funds if absolutely needed: The committee agreed with this recommendation and that this is a judicious approach. Mrs. Janowski asked that the funding of the Understanding Disabilities program be looked at again. Superintendent Schettini stated that no additional money was added to curriculum, professional development and technology. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to approve the FY2010 School Department Budget in the total amount of $35,996,247 and defined by the following cost center amounts: ■ Administration: $839,775 ■ Regular Day: $21,160,894 ■ Special Ed: $9,203,387 ■ Undistributed: $1,142,552 ■ School Facilities: $3,649,639 As outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated March 2, 2009. The vote was 6-0. For the same reason he asked that School Committee increase the Town Facilities FYI 0 Budget by an amount of $28,567 resulting in a Town Facilities FYI 0 Budget of $737,543. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to approve the FY2010 Town Building Maintenance Budget in the total amount of $737,543. the vote was 6-0. D. New Business Reading Technology and Education Fund Presentation Cynda Rohmer, Deb Boschetti and Phil Rushworth gave a brief history of the RTEF. Ms Rohmer stated that their most successful fundraiser has been the Festival of Trees and are hoping to move it to Main Street next year. They also stated that they have developed a partnership with the Honda Gallery,which they hope will be very successful. The RTEF accepts grant applications for our teachers and this year the staff has really thought outside the box.. The total amount requested this year was $26,000. The RTEF was pleased to announce that they were able to partially fund all of the applications this year. They are kicking off a new fundraiser later this month. It is a "Buy a Brick" program. The goal of the RTEF is to do a 50150 split of all funds raised to establish a districtwide technology maintenance fund. The bricks will be displayed along Main Street in the high school. March 2, 2009 2009-2010 School Calendar There was discussion regarding the 2009-2010 school year calendar. Two options discussed: no school on September 4th and a possible last day of school on June 28, 2010 or a half day on September 4th with a possible last day of school on June 25. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to accent the 2009-2010 School Calendar, with first day of school September 2, 2009, a half day of school on September 4, 2009 and the last day of school with 4 snow days built of June 25, 2010, as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated Februarv 25, 2009. The vote was 6-0. E. Routine Matters 1. Bills and Payroll (A) 2. Approval of Minutes 3. Bids and Donations 4. Calendar F. Information III. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mr. Michaud, the School Committee voted to adjourn. The vote was 6-0. IV. Future Business Meeting Oi d,4ff 8:45 p.m. Patrick A. Schettini, Jr., J.D. Superintendent of Schools NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting.