HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-03-24 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools
Reading, Massachusetts
Regular Meeting of the School Committee ' `1 N
c 41 Cl
Open Session r, rt, n MASS.
Date: March 24, 2008 f P 1Zi 00
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
Mary DeLai, Director of HR & Finance
Colleen Dolan, Director of Pupil Services
Visitors: Melissa Russell, Reading Chronicle Reporter
Steven Vittorioso, Reporter for the Reading Advocate
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. She also reviewed the agenda for the evening.
IIA. Bills and Payroll
Bills and payrolls were signed this evening.
IIB. Citizen's Input
No citizen's input for this evening.
IIC. Gifts
No gifts were presented this evening
IID. Reports: Chairperson and School Committee Members
Mr. Robinson reported on the following:
• The Finance Committee meeting that he attended last week.
• The success of the high school sports teams
• Carl McFadden and Nelson Burbank's efforts for making the light installation possible.
• The success of the Killam, Barrows, and Birch Meadow auctions.
Mrs. Webb reported on the following:
• The Coolidge Science Olympiad Team winning the Massachusetts State Science Olympiad
Competition.
• The success of the elementary school auctions.
• The Coolidge Family Math and Science Night
' • The Timeline for the Annual Superintendent Evaluation Process
• The METCO fundraiser on April 10th at the RMHS Field House
March 24, 2008
Mr. Caruso reported on the following:
• The success of the High School sports teams
• An update on the Public Relations subcommittee
Mr. Michaud reported on the following:
• The Coolidge Family Math and Science Night
Mrs. Janowski reported on the following
• The success of the High School sports teams and the involvement of the parents
• The High School Science Olympiad Team which competed at Framingham State last week
Mrs. Gibbs reported on the following
• The Parker Middle School Artwork which is displayed throughout the School Committee
Conference Room
Mr. Castelluccio reported on the following
• The success of all of the High School Events
• April 4th Blood Drive at RMHS Field House
IIE. Reports: Superintendent
Superintendent Schettini reported on the following:
• The success of the Mock Trial Team
• The sportsmanship exhibited by the High School teams and the fans at the games. He
congratulated the Athletic Director, High School Administration, and the Coaches for their
hard work.
• The High School Jazz Ensemble competing at the UNH Jazz Festival.
• An invitation to the RCASA conversation on substance abuse on April 2'd at Parker.
• The unfortunate vandalism that occurred at Joshua Eaton and Birch Meadow over the
weekend.
IIF. Calendar
Mrs. Gibbs reviewed the calendar
• The FINCOM meetings on March 26 and 27. These will be posted meetings.
III. Personnel
• No personnel issues this evening.
IV. Policy BEDB/BEDB-E Review
Mr. Caruso updated committee on a proposed change to the school committee agenda.
The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to move the first
reading of the changes to Policies BEDB and BEDWE as edited and attached. Motion carries
6-0.
March 24, 2008
V. Award of Maintenance Contract
Ms. DeLai reported on a recommendation for an award of a Maintenance Contract.
The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to authorize the
Superintendent to enter into agreement with Melrose Glass Company of Melrose, MA to
provide Glass Replacement and Glazing Services and as outlined in the Superintendent's
memorandum dated March 20, 2008. Motion carries 6-0.
VI. Field Trip Approval
Superintendent Schettini reported on two proposed field trips by Mr. Jeffrey Ryan, a high school
social studies teacher.
The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to approve the
Reading Memorial High School field trip to Europe in the summer of 2009 as outlined in the
Superintendent's memorandum dated March 20, 2008. Motion carries 6-0.
The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to approve the
Reading Memorial High School field trip to the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in
December 2008 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated March 20, 2008.
Motion carries 6-0.
IX. Approval of Minutes
The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the
- open session minutes of January 30, 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
Financial Forum Finance Committee minutes of 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 March 10, 2008. Motion approved 6-0.
IX. Adjournment
The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to adjourn.
Motion carries 6-0.
Meeting e , a - :26 p.m.
j~
Patrick A. Schettini, Jr., J.D.
Superintendent of Schools