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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-03-28 School Committee Minutes .'.~kU fC;LIE S4f t MASS. Reading School Committee `i' 25 Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session March 28, 2005 Call to Order Chair McFadden called the School Committee to order at 7:40 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were Mr. Dahl, Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb. Also present were Superintendent Schettini, Associate Superintendent Richards, 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 Mrs. Phillips mentioned Town Council's revision on the redistricting motion. Mr. Dahl told her that at Town Meeting a one-word change would make it an instructional motion. Gifts There were no gifts. Superintendent's Report Superintendent Schettini stated he attended the fifth grade Town Meeting at Reading Memorial High School. Mr. Brown and Mr. Foulds participated. There were two topics on the agenda, school uniforms and an extended school day with no homework. Mr. Schettini stated it went very well. Ms. Webb asked for clarification from Scott Dunlap concerning the air quality report at the Wood End School. Mr. Dunlap gave a brief history of the air quality report. He stated that in October, the roofing subcontractor, without the required notice to the project team, or the school department, proceeded to complete roof repairs on the roof during the school day when faculty and students occupied the building. The fumes from the roofing activities were drawn into an adjacent intake louver and the classrooms in the immediate area experienced odors from the fumes. The roofing activities were stopped immediately and the building was temporarily evacuated. He went on to say the School Department and the School Committee then employed the services of an air quality consultant, Universal Environmental Consultants, for purposes of insuring that the air quality in the school building was safe. Universal Environmental tested carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) levels. They reported that all levels were within acceptable levels with the exception of one stairwell. The School Department immediately began exhausting and supplying fresh air to this stairwell, as per the recommendations of Universal Environmental. The School Department also limited access to this stairwell, such that students and staff were not using the stairwell. Subsequent to the School Department exercising fresh air procedures in the stairwell, Universal Environmental was asked to return to the site to confirm that the air quality in the stairwell was safe. During the month of November, the Massachusetts Department of Health (MDH) received an anonymous complaint regarding air quality at the Wood End School. The MDH visited the school and test carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) levels. The MDH reported that all levels were safe and that the air quality was good. The MDH did suggest several "housekeeping items" for purposes of reducing dust and airborne particles. Such items included regular cleaning of whiteboards, removing plants from windowsills so that the sills are more easily cleaned, and removing tennis balls from classroom chair legs. Regular Session -2- March 28, 2005 Mr. Scott Dunlap gave an overview of the Reading Memorial High School Building Project. He stated that the high school project is on schedule for the first phase. The classrooms are being finished complete with ceiling and floor tiles. There is a high level of completion of Phase I. The culvert is 95% complete. There are two sections due to arrive any day. TLT is now pricing out the kitchen area. Mr. Dunlap stated that he walked the site with Mr. Shaughnessy. He asked when the steel would arrive for the bridge. He was told during April vacation. Mr. Capaldo gave an overview of the football field lighting. He stated the lighting would be state of the art lighting at a reasonable cost. Superintendent Schettini stated the field lights would enhance the field and would extend the use of the field. He stated that we must be mindful of the surroundings. If we are to proceed with the lights, the lights should be done properly. The Superintendent recommended moving ahead with the lights and doing it properly. Superintendent read a letter from the Police Chief in support of lights on the field. Mr. Dahl asked if they had spoken to Fran Fink. Mr. Capaldo stated the process would be presented to her. Superintendent Schettini stated it is important for us to procure the right type of lighting for the field. The lighting should just light the field not the surrounding areas. He explained that the lighting at Jordan's Furniture is designed to be seen for miles. That is not what we are trying to do. Once the project is funded, `it is necessary for the Administration and the School Committee to work with the stadium abutters to hear their concerns and work to develop a set of guidelines for night usage of the stadium. Ms. Webb stated she has significant concerns about doing this right and doing it at the proper time with the proper funding. Superintendent Schettini clarified that they are not using funds from the building project or operating budget for the lights. Once the project is funded, it is necessary for the administration and school committee to work with the stadium abutters to hear their concerns and work to develop a set of guidelines for night usage of the stadium. The Superintendent made it clear that there would be rules governing the times the lights would go on and be turned off. Mr. Carpenter arrived at 9:00 p.m. Mrs. Gibbs move to authorize the installation of stadium lighting for the new Reading Memorial High School Stadium of the type and quality of lighting expressed in the Superintendent's memorandum dated March 23, 2005. Further move that such installation shall be solely funded by private donations and not from the School Department operating budget or the Reading Memorial High School Building Proiect. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. Mr. Dahl moved to amend the motion on the table to further move that the project cannot commence with out a report of maintenance costs and the neighborhood workforce group selected by the Superintendent. Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion The vote was 5-1 Mr. Dahl, Mrs Gibbs, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Carpenter voting for and Ms Webb voting against Chair McFadden called a few minute recess at 9:25. Chair McFadden called the meeting back to order at 9:40 p.m. Regular Session -3- March 28, 2005 Mr. Spadafora left. Mr. Dunlap gave an overview of the Barrows Project. He stated that all of the scheduled items are achievable. Mr. Dunlap stated that Superintendent Schettini has executed a contract with Judith Nitsche to do the engineering plans for a parking lot at Wood End. He went on to say that the furniture procurement is ongoing. Adjourn Ms. Webb moved to adiourn. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0. Mr. Dahl, Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Carpenter and Ms. Webb. Superintendent of Schools