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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-01-30 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session Date: January 30, 2008 Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: School Committee Conference Room School Committee Members Present Lisa Gibbs Elaine Webb Carl McFadden David Michaud Chris Caruso Chuck Robinson i _ I OW11 CLERK a,Ci G;, M SS. 2008 APR I I A fi: 21 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 Cathy Giles, Killam Principal Karen Callan, Barrows, Principal Craig Martin, Coolidge Principal Linda Darisse, Parker Principal Richard Davidson, Wood End Principal Budget Parents Finance Committee Member Hal Torman Scott Dunlap, AI3 Dave Capaldo, Design Partnerships 1. Call to Order School Committee Chair, Ms. Lisa Gibbs called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m. and read the mission statement of the Reading Public Schools. Chairperson Gibbs reviewed the agenda. State Representative Natale gave an overview of the FY2009 Local Aid Estimates. IIA. Bills and Payroll No bills and payrolls this evening. IIB. Citizen's Input No citizen's input. IIC. Gifts Superintendent Schettini reported that Leuders Environment has given a gift to the school department. , The committee voted on _a motion by Mr. Michaud. seconded bv. Mr. Caruso. to accent donation of $50 from Lueders Environmental to the Reading Public Schools as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated January 25, 2008. Motion carries 6-0. IID. Reports: Chairperson and School Committee Members Ms. Webb reported that Paula Graham, a physical education teacher at Coolidge Middle School, has received the MAHPERD Teacher of the Year. January 30, 2008 Mrs. Gibbs read a prepared statement. She also gave comments about the presentations that have occurred over the last several meetings. Mrs. Webb thanked RMHS for their support at Future Freshman night. She also thanked Principal Patty deGaravilla for the packet that she distributed to the committee. IIE. Reports: Superintendent There were no reports from the Superintendent. IIF. Calendar There are school committee meetings on February 11th and February 25tH III. Building Project Update Superintendent Schettini reported that TLT has filed a lawsuit and the school department has filed a countersuit against TLT. Scott Dunlap, project manager from AI3, gave the following updates: • Site work around the campus. • The Memorial Wall Panels • Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning • Field Lighting Installation • Track Repair Bid Package • Financial Summary • Standing water under the bridge The committee asked several questions about the above items. V. Personnel No items this evening. VI. FY09 Budget Superintendent Schettini and Director of Human Resource and Finances Mary DeLai gave an overview of the FY09 budget and some of the questions that were asked by the committee. They discussed the following: What a 1% increase would look like to the current budget proposal. An update of the School Revolving Accounts and what the proposed increases in the offset would look like, as well as, what the additional funding would go towards in the I% budget. The committee and the public asked several questions. The committee voted on a motion by Mrs. Webb, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to approve the FY2009 School Department Budget in the amount of $36,074,675. Motion carries 6-0. VII. Administrative Search Process Superintendent Schettini communicated that Mr. Thomas Daniels will be resigning at the end of the school year as Principal of the Birch Meadow Elementary School. A search process will begin shortly. January 30, 2008 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 Birch Meadow principal for presentation to the School Committee as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated January 25, 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 10, 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 January 17, 2008. Motion approved 6-0. IX. Adjournment The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to adjourn. Motion approved 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 10:02 p.m. f. Patrick A. Schettini, Jr., J.D. Superintendent of Schools