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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-02-11 School Committee Minutesv Reading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts t : I V E D i 0V111H CLERK R iJ4ilG, I IASS. Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session Date: February 11, 2008 Time: 7:30 p.m. Place. School Committee Conference Room School Committee Members Present Lisa Gibbs Elaine Webb Karen Janowski David Michaud Chris Caruso Chuck Robinson Brian Castelluccio (Student Representative) 2333 H 2b P 12: 3b Staff Members Present Patrick A. Schettini, Jr.-Superintendent of Schools Mary DeLai-Director of Human Resource and Finances 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 Jean Cappuccio, PAC President 1. Call to Order School Committee Chair, Mrs. Lisa Gibbs called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. and read the mission statement of the Reading Public Schools. Chairperson Gibbs reviewed the agenda and welcomed the newest School Committee Member, Karen Janowski, to the board. She also thanked 4. Mr. Carl McFadden for his six years of service on the Reading School Committee. IIA. Bills and Payroll Bills and payrolls were signed this evening. IIB. Citizen's Input No citizen's input. IIC. Gifts No gifts this evening. IID. Reports: Chairperson and School Committee Members , Mr. Robinson gave a report of the Financial Audit Committee. Mrs. Janowski reported on the RMHS talent show and commended the talent of the students, particularly the Master of Ceremonies, Brian Castelluccio. Ms. Webb reported on the RMHS Future Freshman Evening, the RCASA meeting on Drug Awareness, and the Killam Learning Fair. T. ((,4 Mr. Caruso reported on the RCASA meeting that he attended on Drug Awareness. He also reported on the School Committee Public Relations subcommittee and the use of email. All school committee members now have reading.kl2.ma.us email addresses. There is also a new email February 11, 2008 address called schoolcommittee(acr,reading.kl2.ma us. He also asked that Mrs. Janowski be appointed the public relations subcommittee. Mrs. Gibbs reported on the play, The Grey Zone, which was performed by the RMHS drama club students last week. She complimented the job that the drama club and Mr. Endslow did to put on this production. She also read a press release announcing the World Cafe which will be held on February 27th and RCTV programs which will be promoting the World Cafe over the next few weeks. IIE. Reports: Superintendent Superintendent Schettini reported on several items: • The RMHS drama club production of The Grey Zone and how powerful and moving the production was to the audience. He also announced that Playing for Time will be shown at the end of the month. • The RMHS, Coolidge Middle School and Parker Middle School students who won the Boston Globe. Scholastic Art/Photography awards. • The Parker Middle School student who won the Massachusetts Municipal Association Essay Contest. • The RMHS students who won the MIAA Sportsmanship Essay Contest. • He complimented all the students who participated in these contests. • The Culture Fest Event that was held at RMHS on Sunday, February 10th • The second taping of Spotlight on Education, which featured Dr. Whiteside being interviewed by the Superintendent. - Director of Pupil Services Colleen Dolan reported on some professional development workshops that will be offered by RCASA on substance abuse and mental health. She also reported on activities involving Careers for Life. IIF. Calendar Mrs. Gibbs reported that there will be School Committee meetings on February 25th and March 10th. There will be Finance Committee Meetings on February 13th and March 12th III. FY09 Budget Update Superintendent Schettini and Director of Human Resources and Finances Mary DeLai gave an overview of the requested increase in substitute teacher pay. The committee voted on a motion by Mrs Webb, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to increase the substitute pay rate to a bifurcated rate of $65 for non-certified teachers and $75 for certified teachers. Motion is approved 6-0. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mrs Webb, to approve the Town Building Maintenance Budget in the amount of $708,976 Motion is approved 6-0 A request was made by the school committee to align the changes to the baseline budget with the district improvement plan goals and narrative. V. Personnel No items this evening. February 11, 2008 VI. 2008-09 School Calendar Superintendent Schettini presented two options for the 2008-09 school year, a pre-labor day start and a post labor day start. The committee voted on a motion by Mr Michaud, seconded by Ms Webb, to approve the 2008-2009 pre-Labor Day start school year calendar as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated Februarv 6, 2008 Motion approved 6-0 VII. Sliding Scale for Full-Day Kindergarten The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to table the Kindergarten Fee Sliding Scale to a future meeting Motion approved 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 28, 2008 Motion approved 5-0-1 Mrs Janowski abstained 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 adjourned at 8:57 p.m. Patrick A. Schettini, Jr., J.D. Superintendent of Schools