The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2008-03-10 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee Executive Session Date: March 10, 2008 Time: 10:05 p.m. Place: Superintendent's Office School Committee Members Present Staff Members Present ECEN d .V wv U J3 ~Ass- P1 Lisa Gibbs Patrick A. Schettini, Jr.-Superintendent of Schools Elaine Webb Mary DeLai-Director of Human Resource and Finances Karen Janowski John Doherty, Assistant Superintendent of Schools David Michaud Chris Caruso Chuck Robinson 1. II. Call to Order Chairperson Gibbs called the executive session to order at 10:05 p.m. Litigation Strategies - This matter is a subject of Executive Session III. Negotiation Strategies Superintendent Schettini, Elaine Webb, and Chuck Robinson updated the school committee on teacher negotiations. IV. Approval of Minutes The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the executive session minutes of February 11, 2008. Roll call vote 6-0. IX. Adjournment The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to move to adjourn. Roll call vote 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 10:25 p.m. Approved April 7, 2008 Released w/ redaction May 14, 2008 Reading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts L to i i,J4r j LLCt~~ Regular Meeting of the School Committee f`+ S 1 Open Session LG06 APR A H: 21 Date: March 10, 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 Colleen Dolan, Director of Pupil Services Chris Caruso Mary DeLai, Director of Human Resources & Finance Chuck Robinson David Michaud Visitors: Melissa Russell, Reading Chronicle Reporter Steven Vittorioso, Reporter for the Reading Advocate Scott Dunlap, Ai-3 1. Call to Order School Committee Vice Chair, David Michaud 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 No citizen's input for this evening. IIC. Gifts No gifts were presented this evening IID. Reports: Chairperson and School Committee Members • Mrs. Webb reported on her involvement on the Governor's Committee • Mr. Caruso reported on his recent attendance at two PTO fundraising events, one for Birch Meadow and one for Barrows, and expressed his appreciation for their efforts • Mrs. Webb passed out letters of support that will be going to the State Senators and State Representatives from the Reading School Committee. She also reported on the Suburban Coalition Breakfast on April 7tn • Mr. Robinson reported on the Read Across America day at Barrows, the Finance Committee meeting last week, the Birch Meadow and Barrows auctions, and the sportsmanship of the students at the high school sports events this past week. ' IIE. Reports: Assistant Superintendent • Mr. Doherty discussed the various events in which Reading students participated including: the North Shore / Merrimack Valley District National History Day competition where 10 of 16 entries received recognition; the Jazzfest where the RMHS Jazz and Stage bands received March 10, 2008 • awards; the RMHS Drama Club performance "Playing for Time;" Parker's performance of "Once Upon a Mattress;" and the Boy's Varsity Basketball Team is competing in the Eastern Massachusetts Finals at the TDBankNorth Garden, the Girl's Basketball Team competed in the Division II North Finals, and the Boys Hockey Team will be competing in the Division I tournament. IIF. Calendar Mr. Michaud reviewed the School Committee Calendar. III. Epilepsy Foundation Awards Assistant Superintendent Doherty presented the Epilepsy Foundation Awards to P grade students from our five elementary schools. Each student read their winning entry "Why Benjamin is My Friend" and was presented with a $50.00 savings bond. School Committee recessed at 8:05 p.m. to reconvene at 8:30 p.m. School Committee reconvened at 8:20 p.m. IV. Building Project Update Scott Dunlap from AD gave a building project update. He reported on the following items: • The pipes freezing in various classrooms during cold temperatures in January. • An update of the Conservation Commission walk-through report. • The football stadium light installation which will occur next week. • An update on the track replacement. • Planting and seeding update. • An update on the punch list. • An update on the Veteran's Memorial Wall V. FY09 Budget Superintendent Schettini and Director of Human Resource and Finances Mary DeLai reminded the committee of the Finance Committee Meeting on Wednesday Evening at 7:00 p.m. in the School Committee Conference Room. VI. Facility Rental Fees Superintendent Schettini and Director of Human Resource and Finances Mary DeLai gave a short presentation on a proposal for increasing the facility rental fees. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to support the proposed Facility Rental Rate increases as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated March 5, 2008. Motion carries 6-0. VII. School Lunch Prices Ms. DeLai did a short presentation on the proposal to increase school lunch prices. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to support the proposed School Lunch price increases as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated March 5, 2008. Motion carries 5-0-1. Mr. Caruso abstained. March 10, 2008 VIII. Approval of Administrative Search Process Superintendent Schettini gave an overview of the Parker Principal Screening Process that he is proposing to the committee. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to authorize the Superintendent to conduct a search and select a candidate for the position of Parker Middle School principal for presentation to the School Committee as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated March 5, 2008. Motion carries 6-0. IX. Approval of Minutes The committee voted on a motion by Mrs. Webb, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the open session minutes of February 11, 2008. Motion approved 4-0. The committee voted on a motion by Mrs. Webb, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the open session minutes of February 25, 2008. Motion approved 4-0. IX. Adjournment The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to enter into executive session to discuss Litigation Strategies, Negotiation Strategies and Approval of Minutes not to return to open session. Roll call vote approved 6-0. Meeting ,ajourn 7d at 9:57 p.m. Patrick A. Schettini, Jr., J.D. Superintendent of Schools