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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-02-07 School Committee Minutesel-', (UG Reading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session February 7, 2005 CALL TO ORDER Chair McFadden called the meeting to order at 7:33 P.M. Present were School Committee Members Carpenter, Dahl, Gibbs, Webb and student representative Mike O'Brien. Mr. Spadafora joined the meeting at approximately 9:35. Also present were Superintendent Schettini, Associate Superintendent Richards, and Director of Human Resources and Finance, DeLai. BILLS & PAYROLL Bills and Warrants were circulated for signatures. CITIZENS' INPUT None GIFTS None SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT r-~ None c) SCHOOL COMMITTEE CALENDAR LIAISON REPORT Mr. Dahl commented on the presentation of the METCO program stating that the School Committee has always been supportive of the program. He indicated that this might be a good time to take a look at how the School Committee could work with METCO to move forward to increase student numbers in the program. Ms. Gibbs expressed a show of support by the School Committee and their congratulations to the high school girl's gymnastics team on their recent successes. Mr. Joseph Finigan, Principal Reading Memorial High School, added that the team has now twice scored the highest score ever in gymnastics, in Massachusetts. scnooi uommunrty Service Club and Drama Club, and local merchants who donated food and fashions, all who worked to make it a success. Ms. Gibbs indicated what a wonderful opportunity this was for those students to learn valuable social skills and feel good about (r' Ms. Gibbs praised RISE teacher/ therapist Mary Beth Trapeni who organized and planned a "Snow Ball" for EMARC ,tndPntc Regular Session -2- February 7, 2005 themselves. Ms. Gibbs read from a letter by a parent whose child attended the ball expressing her appreciation of all that was done for the students. Mr. Carpenter informed the Committee of the upcoming Drama Club competition and a performance of their original production of Pinocchio on February 11, 2005 at the High School. Ms. Webb spoke about the new elementary Life Skills training program that is now part of our Health & Wellness program as a result of receiving the PEP grant. School Committee members acknowledged a letter sent to Superintendent Schettini from the New England Association of Schools & Colleges praising his efforts to help their Commission by contributing so much during his six years as a member of the Commission of Public Secondary Schools. The School Committee acknowledged custodial & DPW efforts in a speedy and thorough clean- up after the fifth largest snowstorm in recent record. A thank-you luncheon was held for them. Superintendent Schettini added that the information and support provided by the DPW crews during storms is a great help in making difficult decisions about the closing of schools. Ms. Webb noted that the K-12 April 5th inservice day has been changed to April 8th NEW BUSINESS Mr. Gary d'Entremont, Reading High Social Studies Teacher, gave an overview of an overnight field trip he is planning with students to the FDR Library & Museum in Hyde Park, NY for approval by the School Committee. Superintendent Schettini spoke about the recent high school field trip, organized by Mr. Jeff Ryan, Reading High Social Studies Teacher, stating that it was a big success due to Mr. Ryan's well-organized plans, attention to safety, and consideration of all details of the trip. A motion to approve the overnight field trip to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library and Museum in Hyde Park, New York as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated February 1, 2005 was made by Ms. Gibbs and seconded by Mr. McFadden. The vote was 5-0. OLD BUSINESS Mr. Scott Dunlap made reference to the January 2005 Project Management Report indicating that a detailed schedule for the High School building project is included. He also stated that the report contains a full schedule for the Barrows project and detailed costs for all 3 projects. Mr. Dunalp touched on highlights of the high school project including budget, change orders, the E culvert project, additional costs, time lines, overseeing the project, phase one move management and reports to the Committee. There was a discussion about the move. Mr. Dunlap indicated that TLT and Design Partnership will coordinate professional move management. Regular Session -3- February 7, 2005 Finally Mr. Dunlap pointed out that the cafeteria kitchen did not include a full dishwashing area in the original plan. Design Partnership will make a presentation of a plan to resolve this situation to the Superintendent and School Committee in the next few weeks. He finished by saying that the high school construction is ahead of schedule. Mr. Dahl asked about a plan for Technology. Superintendent Schettini responded that he was working with Design Partnership, Mr. Joseph Finigan, Principal Reading Memorial High School, and Mr. Joseph Cain to make sure they are purchasing wisely so they can lay a foundation for technology to improve instruction that will have a long term effect on the next level of purchasing. Mr. Dunlap indicated there were some problems in getting the first Barrows construction report for the January 2005 report to print. He said they have asked for recovery schedules and have a couple of weeks to repair the document and get back to us. He also stated that they were about 3 weeks behind schedule because of the severe cold and snow. He reported on the readiness of Barrows, the furniture and equipment budget, recycling furniture for reuse, the remaining contingency amount, and playground equipment funding. Mr. Dunlap reported that Judith Nitsch Engineering was hired on the Wood End project to prepare a possible parking lot expansion plan. In addition, Judith Nitsch was asked to extend all permit deadlines. FY06 Budget Approval Superintendent Schettini reported that he had several conversations with the Town Manager and Ms. Beth Klepeis, Treasurer, over the past couple of weeks about the budget, and that we have received new numbers from the state that will allow us to increase our budget approximately 3% over FY05. This increase allows us to add to the 2% budget the following items: • 2 additional teaches (5 total) to address class sizes • the elementary instructional specialist position • '/z computer network manager (resulting in a full time position) • '/a FTE specialist teacher (art, music, PE) • replenishment of some of the reduction in the natural gas allocation • 2 unanticipated special education placements • elimination of the increase in user fees A discussion of the FY 06 budget, Capitol budget items, Food Services (cafeteria) budget, technology decisions, and the elementary instructional specialist position followed. Mr. Dick Matthews spoke regarding a review of technology at the middle and high school levels, citing the Reading Public Schools Strategic Plan, Vision, and Goals, and the importance of better preparing_our_children_for-the -technology--age we have-now-entered: Superintendent Schettini - - responded on the criteria for making those decisions. Mr. Matthews indicated that he would like to provide input into a blueprint plan. A brief discussion followed. Mr. Richards thanked Mr. Matthews for all of his time and hard work. Regular Session 4- February 7, 2005 Mr. Carpenter commented on the budget process. Superintendent Schettini responded that the number recommended tonight will be the one presented to Town Meeting. Mr. McFadden asked about the Kindergarten income. Mr. Schettini responded that we did not budget for the maximum number of students at each Kindergarten in this year's budget and next year we have budgeted for four all-day kindergartens. Mr. LeLacheur, of the Finance Committee, requested the School Committee and Superintendent give a philosophical discussion of the Capitol Plan when they came to the Finance Committee meeting. He also requested any specific plans for the Circuit Breaker money we received this year. Superintendent Schettini responded that when looking at budgeting for the Circuit Breaker offset, no other district is budgeting for the full amount of the offset. Superintendent Schettini indicated that there are various needs that could be addressed for the use of this money and he is in the process of putting together a plan. Mr. Brown was recognized and commented that the Selectmen are using a guide of 2.88% for the Town budget. He also stated that he had been invited to attend the 5t' Grade Town Meetings. Mr. Dahl stated we need to put the emphasis on technology Staff and the basic maintenance of equipment we are going to purchase. Mr. Schettini emphasized the importance of moving forward with a bottom line number to present to Town Meeting, indicating the School Committee would have the opportunity to adjust line items in the budget once more information became available. A motion to approve the FY06 School Committee Budget of $31,727,841, which represents an increase of approximately 3%, was made by Mr. Dahl and seconded by Ms Webb More discussion followed. Mr. Carpenter moved to amend Mr. Dahl's motion, seconded by Ms Webb, by changing the budget number to $31,397,695, which changed the increase number to $620,497, a 2 % increase, and should refer to the budget submitted as the "not recommended" budget, January 2005. The vote was 2 - 3, and 1 abstention The motion did not pass A lengthy discussion followed. A vote was taken on Mr. Dahl's original motion The vote was 5-1, and the motion passed Grandfathering Proposal: A motion was made by Ms. Webb and seconded by Mr, ,r,l 99"U a LUUG116J 2UlU UICIr N11 Superintendent's memo dated February 3, 2005 Regular Session -5- February 7, 2005 Superintendent Schettini stated that he included in the School Committee packet a set of guidelines he was presenting for grandfathering and a discussion of those guidelines followed. Ms. Maggie Carlson was recognized and indicated that the grandfathering proposal was good to develop class sizes but might be more appealing if younger siblings could be moved in the second year. A discussion followed. Ms. Paula Perry asked for clarification of the process for going to another school, if class size allowed, and asked if the vehicle to keep applying on a year to year basis would always be there. Ms. Perry also asked if there would be a priority list for last siblings. A lengthy discussion followed motion, to strike the phrase "anc students in a class from 23 to 24. A discussion of Grandfathering Guidelines followed. Superintendent Schettini stated that he would revise the proposal to reflect the changes identified by the School Committee. Ms. Carlson was recognized and suggested we use Grandfathering as a tool to balance out the class size issues and not a way to get around redistricting. A discussion followed Mr. Dahl withdrew his request to amend the motion. Ms. Webb withdrew her original motion. Mr. Spadafora withdrew his second of Ms. Webb's motion. Ms Webb made a motion, seconded by Mr. Spadafora, to approve allowing Grandfathering in accordance with Superintendent Schettini's memo dated February 3, 2005, to include the first paragraph and three bullets, third bullet of the second paragraph Webb agreed. The Vote on the motion with the friendly amendment was 6-0. ADJOURN Mr. Spadafora moved to adjourn Regular Session at 10:15 PM, seconded by Ms. Gibbs, to enter into Executive Session for the nuruose of a discussion of contract negotiation The vote was 6-0• Mr. McFadden, Mr. Spadafora, Ms. Gibbs, Ms. Webb, Mr. Carpenter and Mr. Dahl. Regular Session -6- February 7, 2005 Pa rick A. Sche ini Jr. Superintendent bf Schools