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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-04-11 School Committee MinutesCLt MASS. Reading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts'' 5' Regular Session April 11, 2005 Call to Order Chair McFadden called the School Committee to order at 7:20 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were Mr. Dahl, Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Carpenter and Ms. Webb. Also present were Superintendent Schettini, Director of Human Resources and Finance Mary DeLai and Student Representative, Michael O'Brien. Bills and Payrolls Bills and Payrolls were circulated for signature. Citizen's Input Mr. Bill Brown stated that he attended the fifth grade Town Meeting and it was tremendous. Gifts There were no gifts. The Superintendent introduced Anthony Cerullo. Mr. Cerullo gave an overview of "Color Benjamin and Essay Contest". He introduced each winner. Chair McFadden called a few minute recess. Chair McFadden called the meeting back to order. Superintendent Schettini introduced, Scott Farris, Reading memorial High School baseball coach. Coach Farris gave an over view of the proposed annual field trip to Cooperstown, NY to play a Middlesex League game versus Lexington as well as visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Mr. Dahl asked about insurance and safety. Mrs. Web asked how the absence was treated. She was told that the student has to see all of their teachers before hand to make up all work and tests missed due to the field trip. Mr. Dahl moved to approve the overnight field trip to Cooperstown, New York as seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0. Mr Carpenter and Ms. Webb. Regular Session -2- April 11, 2005 Mr. Spadafora arrived at 7:50 p.m. He apologized for being late. Mr. Dahl made a motion to reconsider the installation of stadium lighting for the new Reading Memorial High School stadium considered and passed at the Reading School Committee meetin of March 28, 2005 Ms Webb seconded the motion. The vote was 3-3 Mr. Carpenter, Ms Webb and Mrs. Dahl voting for an Mr. McFadden, Mr. Spadafora and Mrs Webb voting against. The motion does not carry. Mr. Dahl stated he was disappointed with the process. He stated there should be more public input. Mr. Carpenter stated that he is not opposed to further hearings. Ms. Webb stated she had more than a dozen phone calls about the lights. She is concerned with the process also. Superintendent's Report Mr. Dunlap gave an overview of the Reading Memorial High School contingency. Mr. Carpenter asked what it would take to leave the upper parking lot alone, with no landscaping, until the second gym issue is resolved. What would the cost savings impact be? Mr. Dunlap stated that he would have to take a look at it. Mr. Dunlap gave an update on the culvert. Superintendent Schettini asked the price of the culvert to date. Mr. Dunlap stated he was still collecting time and materials. Superintendent Schettini acknowledged the Parker artwork. He stated that the Reading Memorial High School Junior Prom at the Westin Hotel was a success. The Management at the hotel remarked at the relationships between the students and the teachers. Superintendent Schettini stated there would be a mock accident at the high school on April 27tnat 9:30 a.m. The mock accident is for juniors and seniors as they enter prom season, to help them understand the consequences of drinking and driving. A letter will be sent to the abutters. The "Yellow Dress" play, which depicts dating violence, will be presented to sophomores on April 14, 2005. Superintendent Schettini stated the fifth grade Town Meeting was excellent. He is very proud of the students and the preparation given to the students by the teachers. Regular Session -3- April 11, 2005 Superintendent Schettini reviewed the list of colleges which Reading students were accepted. Ms. Webb thanked Mr. Hechenbleikner and Mr. Brown for their helping the students understand Town Meeting. Superintendent Schettini stated Town Meeting started on April 25, 2005. There would be a School Committee Meeting before Town Meeting starting at 6:00 p.m. and they were posted before Town Meeting on April 28th. The School Committee meets on May 9th. There would be a curriculum meeting on May 23ra There was discussion concerning Warrant Article 12. Superintendent Schettini stated that the culvert was never part of the high school project. It is just happened to need a major repair at this time. Mr. Dahl moved to support Warrant Article 12 at the springy subsequent Town Meeting. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0. Mr. Dahl, Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb. Superintendent Schettini stated that we are currently in the process of putting together bid packages for mandated bus transportation, athletic events and field trips, as well as, Substitute Teacher Services. Superintendent Schettini stated the School Department opened sealed bids for the installation of an Underground Sprinkler System at the Wood End School. Mrs. Gibbs moved to authorize the Superintendent to enter into an agreement with Terrain Irrigation, Inc. for the Automatic Underground Sprinkler System as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated April 6, 2005. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0. Mr. Dahl, Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb. Adjourn Mr. Spadafora move to enter into executive session for the purpose of conducting strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations not to return to regular session. W A. Sche~ , Jr. tendent of Schools