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Home My WebLink About2008-05-19 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools R E E I VE D 1 Reading, Massachusetts TOWN CLERK RE ~'~DING. MASS. Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session 2008 J UL 25 P 123 Date: May 19, 2008 Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: School Committee Conference Room School Committee Members Present Staff Members Present Lisa Gibbs Patrick A. Schettini, Jr.-Superintendent of Schools Elaine Webb John Doherty, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Karen Janowski Mary DeLai, Director of Human Resources and Finance Chris Caruso Chuck Robinson David Michaud Brian Castelluccio, Student Representative Jesse Downing, Student Representative-Elect Visitors: Melissa Russell, Reading Chronicle Reporter Steven Vittorioso, Reporter for the Reading Advocate Doug Lyons, Assistant Principal, Parker Middle School Eric Sprung, Principal-Elect, Birch Meadow Elementary School 1. Call to Order Chairperson Gibbs called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and read the mission of the Reading Public Schools. She then reviewed the agenda for the evening. There was no citizen's input this evening. -1 Recommended Procedure A. Public Input Public Hearing on School Choice Superintendent Schettini gave a brief overview of the statute on School Choice. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mrs. Webb. Dursuant to the provisions of G.L.c. 76 & 1213, that the School Committee of Reading, following a public hearing, hereby withdraw from its obligation to enroll non-resident students in Reading Public Schools during the 2008-2009 _school year for the following reason: General District Enrollment. Motion carries 6-0. B. Reports 1. Student Brian Castelluccio, the current student representative, introduced next year's student representative, Jesse Downing. He also made a few comments to summarize his experience in the Reading Public Schools. The committee praised Brian for his dedication and participation over the last year. 2. Liaison • Mr. Robinson gave a report on the Pillars of Character presentation at Killam and the RMIEIS Spring Awards Breakfast. May 19, 2008 • Mrs. Janowski gave a report on the Senior Project Presentation, the Tim Tyson presentations in April, and the Massachusetts School Committee Day on the Hill. • Mrs. Webb gave a report on the MCAS subcommittee, the National Honor Society Ceremony, Mike McSweeney's speech at that ceremony, and Coolidge Middle School's participation in the Walk for Hunger. • Mr. Caruso talked about the Super 8 celebration at Burbank Arena. • Mr. Michaud gave a report about the RMHS Drama presentation, Little Women. • Mrs. Gibbs gave a report about recognition received by Kristin Morello, the Reading Public Schools Food Service Director. Mrs. Gibbs also recognized Director of Human and Resource and Finances, Mary DeLai who received the John Conway Award. 3. Superintendent's Report • Superintendent Schettini reported on the Killam, Eaton and RISE Artwork which was posted throughout the Conference Room and the Jazz Band who played at the Hatch Shell. • Senior Projects Superintendent Schettini talked about the three students who gave Senior Project presentations today. The three students were Jesse Downing, Tom Nelson, and Nick Russo. • Pathways to China Superintendent Schettini introduced Sharon Burke and the students who were a part of the Pathways to China program. Ms. Burke and the students gave an overview of the program and the trip that they took to China. After the presentation, the committee asked several questions. • Superintendent for the Day o Superintendent Schettini talked about the 5 students who were Superintendent for the Day last week. • Introduction of New Administrators Superintendent Schettini introduced the two new principals for the 2008-09 school year, Eric Sprung, the new principal for the Birch Meadow Elementary School and Doug Lyons, the new principal for the Parker Middle School. Both Mr. Sprung and Mr. Lyons gave some comments to the committee. C. Continued Business 1. Second Reading and Approval of Policy JEB (School Entrance Requirements) The committee had a discussion about Policy JEB. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mrs. Webb to waive the reading of the policy. Motion carries 6-0. Mrs. Webb made a friendly amendment to include the statement "is currently enrolled in or" which is to be inserted in the last paragraph, first sentence of the policy after the word, "who." The friendly amendment was defeated 6-0. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to accept the second readingand approval of amendments to Section J, Policy JEB School Entrance Age of the Reading Public Schools Policy Manual. The motion carries 5-1. May 19, 2008 2. FY08 Budget Status Update Ms. DeLai gave an update of the FY08 budget. D. New Business 1. Approval of Field Trips Parker - Canobie Lake Coolidge - French Trip to Canada (Fall 08) Superintendent Schettini presented to the committee two field trips for approval. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso to approve the Coolidge Middle School field trip to Quebec in the fall of 2008 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated May 14, 2008. Motion carries 6-0. The Committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mrs. Webb to approve the Parker Middle School field trip to the Canobie Lake Park in June 2008 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated May 14, 2008. Motion carries 6-0. E. Routine Matters 1. Bills and Payroll Bills and Payroll were circulated. 2. Minutes The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the open session minutes of the Financial Forum, January 23, 2008 Motion approved 5-0-1. Mrs. Janowski abstained. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the open session minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting, March 12, 2008. Motion approved 6-0. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the open session minutes of the Finance Committee of March 26, 2008. Motion approved 6-0. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the open session minutes of March 26, 2008. Motion approved 6-0. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the open session minutes of April 7, 2008. Motion approved 6-0. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the open session minutes of April 28, 2008. Motion approved 6-0. 3. Calendar Mrs. Gibbs reviewed the calendar. 4. Bids and Donations Accept Donation - Young Women's Club Superintendent Schettini introduced Mrs. Abruzesse, who presented a donation to the school department. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to accept donation of $1,650 from the Young Women's League of Reading to be used to pilot the Museum of Science "Engineering is Elementary" program as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated May 14, 2008. Motion carries 6-0. May 19, 2008 Award of Maintenance Contracts Ms. Delai gave an overview of the three contracts that were being recommended for approval. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso to authorize the Superintendent to enter into agreement with Murphy Specialty, Inc. to provide Source Capture Emergency Vehicle Exhaust Removal System Modifications (a, Main Street Fire Station and the West Side Fire Station as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated May 14, 2008. Motion carries 6-0. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to authorize the Superintendent to enter into agreement with Roger A. Tremblay Construction to provide Masonry Services as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated May 14, 2008. Motion carries 6-0. Award of Transportation Services Contract The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso to authorize the Superintendent to enter into agreement with North Suburban Transportation, Inc. to provide Student Transportation Services as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated May 14, 2008. Motion carries 6-0. F. Information 1. Sub-Committee Updates Mr. Caruso gave an update of the Public Relations Subcommittee Meeting which occurred on May 8t'. Some of the items discussed were the use of email, meeting with citizens before school committee meetings, recognizing individuals who do extraordinary work with students, and posting the mission statement during meetings. III. Future Business IV. Adjournment The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to to enter into Executive Superintendent of Schools