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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-08-22 School Committee MinutesI E n t_iR F1 S S. Reading School Committee Lu65 Uo I - f. Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session August 22, 2005 Call to Order Chair Spadafora called the regular session School Committee to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Coolidge Middle School Multi-Purpose Room. Present were Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. Spadafora, Ms. Webb and Mr. Carpenter. Also present were Superintendent Schettini, Assistant Superintendent Doherty and Director of Human Resources and Finance Mary DeLai. Bills and Payrolls Bills and Payrolls were circulated for signature. Citizen's Input Bill Brown commented on the land across the street from Reading Memorial High School. Gifts Superintendent Schettini stated that there was a donation from the Young Women's League of Reading. The gift was $500 to be used toward the purchase of a digital camera at Parker Middle School. Mrs. Gibbs moved to accept the $500 donation from the Young Women's League of Reading. Ms. Webb seconded the motion The vote was 6-0. Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Spadafora, Ms Webb, Mr. McFadden and Mrs Gibbs Superintendent Schettini stated that the proper thank you letters would be sent. Report of the Superintendent Superintendent Schettini stated that he would like to introduce the new Administrators. He introduced Mr. Craig Martin the Interim Principal at Coolidge Middle School who served as Assistant Principal this past year. The Superintendent introduced Thomas Daniels the new Birch Meadow Principal. The Superintendent introduced Marie Pink, the new Assistant Principal at Coolidge Middle School and Jesenia Castro, the new METCO Director who replaced Wilma Fraser who recently retire. The Superintendent introduced Christine Redford as Elementary Instructional Specialist and John Doherty as Assistant-Superintendent. The Superintendent welcomed everyone wished them well and thanked them for coming. Regular Session -2- August 22, 2005 Chair Spadafora called a few minute recess at 7:40 p.m. Chair Spadafora called the meeting back to order at 7:50 p.m. Superintendent Schettini thanked Jordan's Furniture for allowing us to have a meeting there today and tomorrow. Liaison Reports Mr. McFadden stated that the Insurance Advisor Task Force has been an interesting procedure to say the least. He is trying to understand processes and procedure. Ms. Webb stated she went to a two-day Health and Wellness Seminar. She stated all the appropriate people were there and it was most informative. Mr. Carpenter stated that RCTV put together a five year Capital Plan. He stated that RCTV is proceeding forward in a positive manner. Mr. Dahl reported that the Audit Committee met last week. There were recent charter changes. The audit focus this year is areas where cash is handled such as student activities, stickers at the Police Station and the cafeteria. They decided to keep the same auditing firm for one more year. Superintendent Schettini stated that Mr. Richard Foley balanced the FY05 budget. Mrs. Gibbs moved to accept the changes in the FY05 budget as outlined by the Town Accountant, Richard Foley and to close out the fiscal year returning $31,358 to the Town's General Fund and returning to the Town's General Fund $14,656 from the Town Building Maintenance budget Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion The vote was 4-2. Mr. Carpenter, Ms. Webb, Mr. Spadafora, Mrs Gibbs voting for and Mr. Dahl and Mr. McFadden voting against. There was discussion concerning the parking lot at the Wood End School. Mr. Dahl stated that it was probably the last time we will speak to Richard Foley in this forum before his retirement. He thanked Mr. Foley for all his diligence and hard work. Superintendent Schettini stated that John Thiffault would be retiring October 17, 2005. Building Project Update - Mr. Scott Dunlap from AD stated there has been enormous activity over the summer. The Wood End parking lot, the Barrows Project and the High School Project. Regular Session -3- August 22, 2005 Mr. Dunlap gave an overview of the High School Project. He stated the lobby at the Field House is under construction. There was discussion regarding parking logistics. Mr. Finigan stated there would be assemblies for students the first week of school to explain everything. There was discussion regarding asbestos and demolition of exterior walls. There was discussion regarding the culvert. Mr. Dahl left the room. Mrs. Gibbs moved to approve Reading Memorial High School Building Project Change Order 024 in the amount of $52,416.36 for additional Culvert work and authorized the Superintendent to sign the Change Order on behalf of the School Committee. Ms. Webb seconded the motion. The vote was 4-l.Ms. Webb, Mr. Spadafora, Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. McFadden voting for and Mr. Carpenter voting against. Mr. Dahl returned. Mr. Dunlap gave an overview of Change Order 028. Mrs. Gibbs moved to approve Reading Memorial High School Building Proiect Change Order 028 in the amount of $36,944.70 for revised sanitary piping and authorize the Superintendent to sign the change order on behalf of the School Committee. The vote was 6-0. Ms. Webb, Mr. Spadafora, Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. McFadden Mr. Dahl and Mr. Carpenter. Mr. Dunlap stated that the Wood End School has had 95% of the funds expended. There was discussion regarding the catch basins, other site work and the parking lot. Mr. Dunlap stated the Barrows Project was going very well. There was discussion regarding the technology at the elementary schools. Superintendent Schettini stated that the technology would be inventoried at each school so that things are equitable. Chair Spadafora thanked the people from AD. Regular Session 4- August 22, 2005 There was discussion regarding a Teacher In-service Day scheduled for October 7, 2005 to March 28, 2006 for grades 6-8 and April 13, 2006 for grades K-5/9-12. It was determined that a motion was not needed and that there was discussion for informational purposes. There was discussion regarding the Facilities Rental Fee Schedule. Ms. Webb moved to accept the Facilities Rental Fee Schedule as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated August 17,2005 and to authorize the Superintendent to waive or discount such fees for Reading youth organizations and to direct the Superintendent to develop a two tiered fee structure for facilities rentals to out of Town organizations. Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion The vote was 6-0. Ms. Webb, Mr. Spadafora, Mrs Gibbs, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Dahl and Mr. Carpenter There was discussion to review the fee structure on an annual basis. There was discussion regarding School Bus Fees. Mrs. Gibbs moved to accept the School Bus Transportation Fee Schedule as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated August 17, 2005 Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms Webb, Mr. Spadafora, Mrs Gibbs, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Dahl and Mr. Carpenter Ms. Webb moved to send a letter of support to Lt. Governor Kerry Healy regarding Assessing Regulatory and Administrative Burdens upon School Districts Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms Webb, Mr. Spadafora, Mrs Gibbs, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Dahl and Mr. Carpenter Adjourn Mrs. Gibbs moved to enter into executive session for the purpose of contract negotiations and discussions regarding pending litigation not to return to regular session. Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion. The roll call vote was 6-0 Mrs Lisa Gibbs, Mr. Carl McFadden, Mr. Pete Dahl, Mr. John Carpenter, Ms. Webb and Mr. Robert Snadafora Jr.