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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-10-17 School Committee Minutes4 V F 0 Reading School Committee CL E R K Reading, Massachusetts M;i S S. Regular Session '~October"k 66-) P% W D2 Call to Order Chair Spadafora called the regular session to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Coolidge Middle School Multi-Purpose Room. Present were Ms. Webb, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. McFadden, Mrs. Gibbs and Mr. Carpenter. Also present were Superintendent Schettini, Assistant Superintendent Doherty and Student Representative Erica Lessard. Mr. Dahl arrived later. Bills and Payrolls Bills and Payrolls were circulated for signature. Citizen's Input There was none. Reports of Chairman, Liaisons & Superintendent Mrs. Gibbs stated that Carrie Bergeron spoke to Reading Memorial High School students about Down Syndrome. Mrs. Gibbs stated she was proud that Samantha's Harvest could sponsor such and inspirational and uplifting event. As a result of Ms. Bergeron sharing about obstacles she has encountered and overcome as a result of having Down Syndrome, many Reading High School students offered to volunteer for Samantha's Harvest. Ms. Webb stated the Fitness Five had a meeting. They are developing goals and guidelines. They are developing actions under each goal. Each Local Education Agency must establish a wellness policy. They are working toward that end. Citizen's Input A citizen from Parkman Road asked if the Girl's Hockey Team was definitely going merge with the Lynnfield team. The Superintendent asked that the gentleman make an appointment with him to discuss the issue and any concerns he may have. Old Business Police Chief Cormier gave an overview of the role of the School Resource Officer. He then showed a video which explained the job of.a.School-Resource--Officerwhat it-is ar what it is not. Regular Session -2- October 17, 2005 Superintendent Schettini stated that the School Resource Officer is in the District Improvement Plan. The District applied for a federal grant to fund the School Resource Officer position two years in a row and both times were denied. Chief Cormier stated that the School Resource Officer is not a security guard. He/she would become part of the fabric of the school. Ms. Webb asked about the selection process. Chief Cormier told her there would be a committee made up of the Superintendent, the High School Principal, and a School Committee member. The position would be posted at the station. There would be an interview process. There would be an evaluation after the interview process and they would then hire someone with the appropriate skills. They would all have to be in agreement. They may ask a School Resource Officer from another community to sit in on the process. Mr. Carpenter stated that when he taught in California in 1974 the school system had a School Resource Officer. He stated that the School Resource Officer did an amazing job. He diffused situations. He was trained in first aid and crisis intervention. He endorses this position. Mrs. Gibbs stated this would move us forward in finding ways to help students. Ms. Webb moved to support the Town Managers request of Town Meeting at the November 2005 Fall Town Meeting to use $35,000 from Free Cash to fund six months salarv for a School Resource Officer during this fiscal year in order for the Reading Police Department to appoint a School Resource Officer for the 2006-2007 school year. Further move that the interview and selection process for the School Resource Officer include a representatives from Reading Public Schools appointed by the Superintendent-Mrs. Gibbs seconded the motion The vote was 6-0. Mr. McFadden asked Chief Cormier if he was getting feed back from the Police Department. He said he was and that the feed back was positive and that qualified people were interested. Mr. Carpenter stated that school was not in session all year. The School Resource Officer could work at the Police Department during the summer. Chief Cormier stated the School Resource Officer is one officer but that the School Resource Officer brings thirty-eight officers with him if they are needed. Chair Spadafora stated this is a great leap for the community and will address substance _,_-_abuse. .at.Beadin-2.Memor_ia _TTacrh grhnnl Regular Session -3- October 17, 2005 The conversation shifted to lighting of the football stadium. Superintendent Schettini stated that the School Committee made a motion back in March to move forward with stadium lighting as long as it was funded privately. Brian E. McCarty from Musco Lighting gave a presentation explaining the lighting. The lighting will consist of four poles one in each corner of the field. There will be thirteen fixtures per pole with 52 fixtures in total. He stated that the poles were aesthetically pleasing and that the lighting is very controlled. Superintendent Schettini stated that the procurement process goes through the contractor. Mr. McFadden thanked the Reading Municipal Light Department for their role in the process. Mr. McCarty stated that there was a wireless diagnostic tool feature with the new lights. The lights can be turned off and on using a cell phone. Chair Spadafora thanked Mr. McCarty for his presentation. Chair Spadafora stated that we need to have a public hearing on the lighting and to discuss the guidelines before the lights are used.. Scott Dunlap gave a mid month update on the Reading Memorial High School Building Project. He stated AD would be publishing a full report at the end of the month. The current contingency after processing all current change orders is $939,751.76. He stated there could be a possible future asbestos expenditure of $200,000. He stated the high school project is 3-4 weeks behind schedule. Mr. Dahl stated the drainage after the last rainfall was not as good as hoped at the loading dock and the access road. Mr. Dunlap told him that the current drainage is all temporary and not tied into anything permanent. Mr. Dahl asked if the contingency fund included certain ledge removal in the upper parking lot and if the contingency fund was enough. Mr. Dunlap stated they found ledge where they did not think there was ledge and found none where it was suppose to be. He stated that you never really know about ledge or asbestos until you get into it. Scott Dunlap stated the Barrows Project punch list is ongoing. Mr. McFadden asked how much money was left over at Barrows. He was told $150,000. He requested a breakdown of Technology.at_ each_.scho_ol. He_stated-he- did-not-want any- - - Regular Session -4- October 17, 2005 money spent on Technology until this report was completed. The Superintendent stated he would submit it to the School Committee Chair Spadafora thanked Mr. Dunlap, Mr. Capaldo and Mr. Shaughnessy. Mr. McFadden asked what are colleges saying about us. Mr. Doherty told him we would have a full survey completed by December. Mr. Dahl stated that he wanted the technology level across all schools. He understood that the technology is all different ages and that the PTO's fund the schools differently. Mr. Carpenter stated that as we do the Tech Plan, we need to account separately for equipment purchased by fund raisers etc vs. Equipment purchased by tax dollars. Ms. Webb stated she agreed with Mr. Carpenter. We need to balance that somehow. Chair Spadafora stated that Mr. Carpenter raises an interesting point. Gifts There were no gifts. Calendar Mr. McFadden and Mr. Carpenter stated they could not attend the November 7, 2005 meeting. Chair Spadafora stated they need to meet before Town Meeting. Superintendent Schettini asked if the members could email their calendars to Linda for that week. Adjourn Mrs. Gibbs_ moved to adjourn. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion The vote was 6-0. Ms. Webb, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. McFadden, Mrs Gibbs and Mr. Carpenter