HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-07-14 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools
Reading, Massachusetts
Regular Meeting of the School Committee
Open Session
Date: July 14, 2008
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: School Committee Conference Room
School Committee Members Present
Chuck Robinson
Chris Caruso
Lisa Gibbs
Elaine Webb
Karen Janowski
David Michaud
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Staff Members Present
Patrick A. Schettini, Jr.-Superintendent of Schools
Mary DeLai, Director of Human Resource and Finances
Visitors: Melissa Russell, Reading Chronicle Reporter
Steven Vittorioso, Reporter for the Reading Advocate
Doug Lyons, Principal, Parker Middle School
Adam Kingry, Assistant Principal, Parker Middle School
I. Call to Order
Chairperson Robinson called the open session meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
II Recommended Procedure
A. Public Input
Mr. John Russo inquired as to the status of the book, "Where the Heart Is" as a summer reading
list item and the availability of the book at the High School Library. He also asked if a listing of
books included in the curricula was available and Mr. Schettini responded that it was and could
be accessed through the High School website. He also inquired about the criteria for book
selection. Mr. Schettini provided a brief description of the process.
B. Reports
1. Student
There was no Student Report this evening.
2. Liaison
Mr. Michaud reported on his attendance at the Governor's recent town hall meeting in the
City of Salem, the inquiry made of the Governor at that meeting, the response received,
and the connections made with the Governor's staff. He asked for the Committee's
support in establishing a goal of becoming more active with state education issues.
Ms. Webb provided an update on the state's Readiness Project work.
Mrs. Gibbs reported on the National Downs Syndrome Congress that she attended the
weekend of July 12-13th and the involvement of RMHS Samantha's Harvest club as
volunteers at the event.
July 14, 2008
3. Superintendent's Report
Superintendent Schettini reported on a number of professional development and
enrichment activities that have taken and are taking place over the summer. He also
reported on his attendance at a conference last week hosted by the Asia Society in
Washington, DC.
4. Sub-Committee
There were no Sub-Committee Reports this evening.
C. Continued Business
D. New Business
1. Approval of Field Trips
Mr. Finigan and Mrs. Alvarez presented the details of a proposed trip to Spain in April of 2009.
The Committee voted on a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to approve
the proposed Reading Memorial High School field trip to Spain as in April 2009 outlined in
the Superintendent's memorandum dated July 9, 2008. Motion carries 6-0-0.
Ms. Kerry Gallagher, Parker social studies teacher, discussed the proposed trip to Washington,
D.C. in June 2009 and, in particular, the curriculum linkages to history, civics/government,
social studies, science, math, and English/literature.
The Committee voted on a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mrs. Janowski , to approve
the proposed Parker Middle School field trip to Washington, D.C. in June 2009 outlined in
the Superintendent's memorandum dated July 9, 2008. Motion carries 6-0-0.
Mr. Lyons discussed the proposed trip to Nature's Classroom in Becket, Massachusetts.
The Committee voted on a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to approve the
proposed Parker Middle School field trip to Nature's Classroom in November 2008
outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated July 9, 2008. Motion carries 6-0-0.
At 8:15 p.m., the Committee voted on a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to
enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining agreements,
non - union salary scales and approval of minutes to return to open session in
approximately 45 minutes. Motion carries 6-0-0.
School Committee reconvened in open session at 9:50 p.m.
2. Appointment of Liaisons to Recreation, Audit and RCTV Committees
The committed voted on a motion by Mrs. Webb, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to appoint
Beth Claroni as the Reading School Committee representative to the Recreation
Committee. Motion carries 6-0-0.
July 14, 2008
The Committee voted on a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mrs Gibbs, to appoint
Mr. Robinson as the Reading School Committee representative to the Audit Committee
Motion carries 6-0-0.
The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mrs Webb to appoint Mr.
Caruso as the Reading School Committee representative to RCASA. Motion carries 6-0-0
The Committee voted on a motion by Mrs Lisa Gibbs, seconded by Ms Janowski, to
appoint Mr. Caruso as the Reading School Committee representative to the RCTV
Advisory Committee. Motion carries 6-0-0.
3. Non-Union Salaries
The Committee voted on a motion by Mrs Webb, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the
FY09 salary scales for the non-union employees as delineated in the Stone Consulting
Report commissioned by the Town of Reading dated July 2, 2008. Motion carries 6-0-0.
Superintendent's Salary
The Committee voted on a motion by Mrs. Webb, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to authorize a
salary increase for Superintendent Patrick A Schettini, Jr of 2.25% effective July 1, 2008
and 2.25% effective January 1, 2009. The committee authorizes the chair to execute this
agreement. All other terms and conditions in the employment contract remain unchanged
for the 2008-09 school year. Motion carries 6-0-0.
E. Routine Matters
Bills and Payroll
Bills and Payroll were circulated.
2. Minutes
The committee voted on a motion by Mrs. Webb, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to
approve the regular session minutes of the June 16, 2008 meeting.
Bids and Donations
Mr. Schettini outlined the donations before the board for acceptance
The Committee voted on a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to
accept the donation of $2,020 from the Wood End PTO to support the purchase
instructional technology as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated
July 9, 2008. Motion carries 6-0-0.
The Committee voted on a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to
accept the donation of $1,848 from the Joshua Eaton PTO to support the purchase
instructional technology as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated
July 9, 2008. Motion carries 6-0-0.
The Committee voted on a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to
accept the donation of $3,000 from the Parker PTO to support the purchase
instructional technology as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated
July 9, 2008. Motion carries 6-0-0.
4. Calendar
Mr. Robinson noted that an additional meeting has been added on July 23, 2008 at 8:00 a.m. in
the Superintendent's office to discuss the FY08 Budget
III. Adjournment
The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to adjourn
Motion carries 6-0-0.
Meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
Patrick A. Schettini, Jr., J.D.
Superintendent of Schools