Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-01-06 School Committee Minutesv Reading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session January 6, 2005 Call to Order Chair McFadden called the regular session to order in the Reading Memorial High School Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Present were Mr. Dahl, Mrs. Gibbs, Ms. Webb, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Carpenter and Mr. Spadafora. Also present were Superintendent Schettini and Associate Superintendent .Richards. Bills and Payrolls Bills and Payrolls were circulated for signature. Citizen's Input There was none. ~Gifts CD There were no gifts to report. Report of the Chair Chair McFadden gave an overview of the ground rules for the meeting. This is a School Committee meeting where the Superintendent will give a recommendation regarding redistricting. All questions submitted to the Superintendent will be made public. Superintendent Schettini introduced the Elementary School Principals and the Director of Special Education, as well as, Associate Superintendent Richards. He gave a recap of the redistricting time line and process. Superintendent Schettini gave a presentation of the elementary redistricting plan. He stated that the school-based meetings were well attended. The School Committee would vote on the plan on January 27,2005. Chair McFadden thanked the Superintendent for his presentation. He stated that Mrs. Greenfield dropped off a letter that would be entered into the record. He also received a petition. He was now going to open the meeting for comments. Mr. David Stelluto from Shackford Road thought he would hear recommendations not a presentation Regular Session -2- January 6, 2005 Mr. William Downing from Avon Street signed a petition and asked Mr. McFadden if he had received his petition. Mr. McFadden stated all petitions, emails, letters etc. were logged in organized and reviewed by the Administration. Laura Baker from 10 Shackford Road thought the purpose of the meeting was to filter all materials and make recommendations based upon the materials. Superintendent Schettini stated that at this time it is his recommendation to leave the map alone. Mrs. Baker asked if that meant no change. Superintendent Schettini stated no change at this time. Mr. William Downing from Avon Street asked for confirmation of sources for projected population. He was told the census, surveys and NESDEC were used. Mr. McFadden stated they looked at as many sources as possible. Kathy Vaccaro, 57 Woburn Street, stated that sending Barrows students to Birch Meadow did not make sense. She stated that drawing a line down Grand Street did not make sense either. It should be drawn down a busier street. She hopes the School Committee takes these meetings seriously. She felt the parent advisory group, of which she is a member, had no weight. She thought the meetings could have been publicized better. Sandra McLaughlin, Ash Street, thought that no elementary child would be bussed to school. Now her child is 2.3 miles from school and will be bussed. She thought all the construction would result in no bussing. Superintendent Schettini said he never stated at any time that Reading would eliminate bussing. There will always be some bussing no matter where the lines are drawn. Jody Avtges from the Eaton district, Prescott Street stated that her children walk to school and she would like them to continue to walk to school. She asked if she could still submit information in writing. She was told that she could up until January 26, 2005. Mr. Norman Blanchard, 276 Ash Street, stated that after four meetings the map has not changed and he finds it disheartening. Lynn O'Brien, 34 Washington Street, her children would be going from Joshua Eaton to Barrows. She feels that it was safe or her children to walk to Joshua Eaton but not safe to walk to Barrows. Walking to Barrows her children would have to cross three major streets. This troubles her. Regular Session -3- January 6, 2005 Mr. Salter stated this did not effect his children. He thought the new school was to eliminate bussing. Redistricting will be difficult trying to divide neighborhoods. It is not right to bus students that have walked to school their whole life. Tom White, 46 Grand Street, stated that the people of Grand Street are happy to stay at Barrows. Mr. William Downing from Avon Street stated there would be two groups of students who will be bussed, the Eaton East Group and the Rustic Lane Group. He stated he was disturbed about the realtors and the empty nest neighborhoods that were given more weight. Ruth Clogston, Covey Hill Road, her children are at Birch Meadow and will be redistricted to Wood End. She stated that Franklin Street is extremely dangerous. Her children will not be able to walk to school. She would love it if they could stay at Birch Meadow. Joe Westerman, Avon Street thought the Committee would have some revisions tonight. He has not seen any revisions. Kathy Greenfield, 192 Woburn Street, stated her children would be going from Eaton to Barrows. She has attended all the meetings Her problem is not geographical but she has an issue with grandfathering. She would like her fourth to stay at Eaton. Mr. Ralph Spano, Rustic Lane, stated he is .6 7 tenths of a mile from Killam. He will now be two plus miles to Wood End. This does not make sense. He has concerns with crossing Route 28 and the parking situation. Mary Ellen Ferolito, 17 Harriman Avenue suggested that the School Committee go out to the problem areas. She is asking for students to be grandfathered in at Barrows. Paula Paccito, Carriage Lane, stated she came to Reading for the schools. She thought it would be nice for her fourth grader to stay at Killam. It is two miles to Wood End Laura Baker stated she was shocked at the recommendations. She wants the School Committee to understand that it is not just one issue. She asked Mr. Schettini to put side number six back up on the screen. Christine Derst, Covey Hill Road, stated she would like the Committee to tweak as many situations as possible. She would like the Committee to walk around to observe the patterns of kids. Regular Session -4- January 6, 2005 Mr. Norman Blanchard, Ash Street, He would like the Committee to consider safety factors. He stated that Ash Street, Main Street and the railroad tracks are all very dangerous. He wanted to know how the safety factors considered. Superintendent Schettini stated a number of youngsters would have to be bussed to Killam. A parent from High and Washington Street stated his child just started at Joshua Eaton and now has to go to Birch Meadow. Mr. Larry Hurley suggested that folks ride from Ash Street to Killam in the morning and see how dangerous it is. Mr. David Talbot, 75 Linden Street, stated his children will have gone to three schools in three years and he has not even moved. It might look good on paper but he feels it would better to move large groups of students. How can you cross Lowell Street with no traffic lights? Mr. McFadden stated they would be meeting with the Selectmen on January 18, 2005 to discuss crossing guards and sidewalks. Superintendent Schettini reviewed the redistricting process, the responsibilities and the roles of the Administration and the School Committee. He stated that it is the role of the Administration to collect input and data, to develop an initial recommendation, to allow input on the recommendation, collect input from a variety of sources, meetings, emails, telephone calls, letters etc and to share with the School Committee. The School Committee has the final authority to make any changes to the Administration's recommendation as they see fit. The School Committee makes the final decision. The Administration provides any information the School Committee needs in order to make an informed decision. Adjourn Mr. Saadafora moved to adiourn to executive session for the Purpose of conducting strategies for negotiations with the Teachers Association not to return to regular session. Mrs. Gibbs seconded the motion. The roll call vote was 6-0. Mr. Pete Dahl Mrs. Lisa Gibbs, Ms. Elaine Webb, Mr. Carl McFadden, Mr. John Carpenter and Mr. Robert Spadafora. Respect 11 ub , ' trick A. ~cCettini, Jr. Superintendent of Schools