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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-07 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee O S 1) r- N CLERK R t Dll'C, MAOcS. pen essaon 2000 JUL 25 P 12, J 5 Date: April 7, 2008 Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: School Committee Conference Room School Committee Members Present Lisa Gibbs Elaine Webb Karen Janowski Chris Caruso Chuck Robinson David Michaud Brian Castelluccio, Student Representative Staff Members Present Patrick A. Schettini, Jr.-Superintendent of Schools John Doherty, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Colleen Dolan, Director of Pupil Services Visitors: Melissa Russell, Reading Chronicle Reporter Steven Vittorioso, Reporter for the Reading.Advocate Craig Martin, Principal, Coolidge Middle School Scott Dunlap, Principal Architect, AI3 David Capaldo, Architect, Design Partnerships 1. Call to Order School Committee Chair, Lisa Gibbs called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. and read the mission statement of the Reading Public Schools. He also reviewed the agenda for the evening. IIA. Bills and Payroll Bills and payrolls were signed this evening. IIB. Citizen's Input • Barry Berman, a parent, discussed a school vandalism issue at the Barrows Elementary School. Superintendent Schettini explained what is being done to address the issues at the different schools. IIC. Gifts No gifts were presented this evening IID. Reports: Chairperson and School Committee Members Brian Castelluccio, the student representative talked about the following: • The success of the High School Jazz Band who will be playing at the Hatch Shell in Boston in May. • The April 2nd RCASA meeting. Mrs. Webb and Superintendent Schettini also gave feedback on the success of the evening. • The MIAA Sportsmanship Award which was presented to the RMHS Girls Gymnastic Team. • Congratulating Dominique Lozzi and Michael Lozzi for being selected the 2008 Boston Bruins Ice Hockey Sportsmanship Awards • Recognizing the students who were involved in the State National History Day Competition. • Recognizing the Model UN Team which competed at UMass Lowell in early April April 7, 2008 Mrs. Webb discussed the following: • Her visit to UMass Lowell to hear Jonathan Kozol speak about NCLB. • Her meeting at the Massachusetts State House on the Suburban Coalition. Mrs. Janowski discussed the following: • Her attendance at the Conference for Exceptional Children Mr. Robinson discussed the following: • His participation on the Parker Middle School Principal Search Mrs. Gibbs discussed the following: • Recognition of students and adults who mentored and coached student Brad Trapeni during the track seasons. IIE. Reports: Superintendent Mr. Doherty discussed the following: • The Reading Enrichment Academy Program Offerings • Dr. Tim Tyson Presentation on Internet Safety on April 17th • April 17th and 18th Technology Workshops with Dr. Tyson • Distribution of the NCLB Report Card • The receipt of the Elementary STEM Pipeline Grant Mrs. Dolan discussed the following: • The PQA (Program Quality Assurance) Audit that has been occurring over the last few months and will conclude in May. Ms. DeLai discussed the following: • That we received a grant from MIAA for roofing inspections. IIF. Calendar Chairperson Gibbs reviewed the current School Committee Calendar and a draft of the 2008- 2009 School Committee Calendar. III. Personnel • No personnel issues this evening. IV. Building Project Update Scott Dunlap from AI3 and David Capaldo from Design Partnerships gave an update on the RMHS building project: • The bid results on the track replacement • The site work that is occurring around the campus • The status of the Memorial Wall • The status of the Stadium Lights April 7, 2008 The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to award the bid for the re-installation of the outdoor track to Sunshine Paving of Chelmsford, MA and to authorize the Superintendent to approve the change order for the work specified in the bid documents. Motion carries 6-0. V. Policy BEDBBEDB-E Review The committee did a second reading on this policy regarding meeting agendas. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to waive the reading of the policy. Motion passed 6-0. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to accept the second reading of Policy BEDBBEDB-E revisions of the Reading Public Schools Policy Manual and move to approve Policy BEDBBEDB-E revisions of the Reading Public Schools Policy Manual. Motion passed 6-0. V. Field Trip Approval Mr. Craig Martin, Principal of Coolidge Middle School, and Superintendent Schettini presented the National Science Olympiad Field Trip to Washington D.C. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso to approve the Coolidge Middle School field trip to the National Science Olympiad in Washington, D.C. in May as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated April 2, 2008. Motion passed 6- 0. VI. Approve the last day of school The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to accept the Superintendent's recommendation to set June 18, 2008 as the official last day of school. Motion carries 6-0. VII. FY09 Budget Superintendent Schettini and Director of Human Resources and Finances Mary DeLai gave a brief history of this year's budget process and the current proposed FY09 School Committee budget. Chairperson Gibbs thanked the administration, Mr. Robinson, and Mrs. Webb for their hard work in this process. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to revote and approve the FY09 School Committee budget, based on the Finance Committee meeting of March 26, 2008, in the amount of $35,871,170. Motion passes 6-0. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to revote and approve the FY09 Town Building Maintenance budget, based on the Finance Committee meeting of March 26, 2008, in the amount of $708,156. Motion passes 6-0. April 7, 2008 VIII. Town Meeting Preparation IX. Policy Review-Kindergarten Cutoff Superintendent Schettini presented to the committee information and data surrounding the School Entrance Age for the Reading Public Schools. The committee had a discussion about the current policy. Superintendent Schettini passed out a draft of suggested edits. Mr. Michaud suggested that the last sentence in the first paragraph state, "Under no circumstances will children who do not meet this eligibility requirement be admitted." The committee voted on a motion by Mrs. Webb, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to make the following changes for the first reading of Section J, Policy JEB revisions School Entrance Age of the Reading Public Schools Policy Manual: 1) Eliminate in the first paragraph the phrase, "to enter kindergarten or must have reached the age of six on or before August 31 of the entering year to enter grade one." 2) State the last sentence in the first paragraph to be, "under no circumstances will.children who do not meet this eligibility requirement be admitted." 3) Delete the sentence in the sixth paragraph, "on or before August 31 of the entering year into grade one." Motion passes 5-1. A short recess was taken at 10:05 p.m. Meeting was called to order again at 10:10 p.m. X. METCO Transportation Contract The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to authorize the chair to sign the information verification form and town agreement for the METCO Transportation contract. Motion passes 6-0. IX. Approval of Minutes These minutes were approved prior to the second reading of BEDBBEDB-E. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the open session minutes of March 24, 2008. Motion approved 6-0. IX. Information Proposal Mrs. Webb indicated that the Public Relations subcommittee should educate the community about email and public records request. Mr. Michaud emphasized that anything that the public sends via email to a school committee member is public record. Mr. Caruso indicated that the committee should bring in MASC to inform the committee about the procedures. X. Adjournment The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to to enter into Executive Session to discuss litigation strategies and approval of minutes, not return to regular session. Roll call vote 6-0.