HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-11-29 School Committee Minutes'LIVED
r J CLERK
i tJG. MASS.
Reading School Committee
Reading, Massachusetts
2005 JAN 12 P 12: 29
Regular Session November 29, 2004
Call To Order
Mr. McFadden called the regular session to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Mr.
McFadden, Mr. Dahl, Ms Webb, Mr. Spadafora and Mr. Carpenter. Mrs. Gibbs arrived
later. Also present were Superintendent Schettini, Associate Superintendent Richards
and Human Resources and Finance Director Mary DeLai and Student Representative
Bridget McMillan.
Bills and Payrolls
Bills and payrolls were circulated for signature.
Citizen's Input
There was no citizen's input.
Gifts
Superintendent Schettini asked the board to accept five Technology Fund Grants awarded
to various schools in an amount totaling $14,000.
Ms. Webb moved to accent the award of the five Technology Fund Grants. Mr.
Carpenter seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0. Mr. McFadden, Mr. Dahl, Ms
Webb, Mr. Spadafora and Mr. Carpenter.
The Superintendent stated there would be a festival of trees at Parker Middle School on
December 4th and 5th. He encouraged all to attend.
Ms. Webb announced that on December 5th the Reading Symphony, Reading music
teachers, the Superintendent and the elementary school principals would participate in a
Holiday Show.
Ms. Webb stated that there was a misprint in the Reading newspapers. She stated as a
point of clarification that she and Lisa Gibbs are not sisters and that she is Peter
Smargon's daughter.
She went on to say that she attended a great presentation of how elementary students
learn to read. Ms. Newton, the Title I Teacher at Joshua Eaton and Killam gave the
presentation.
Regular Session -2- November 29, 2004
Superintendent Schettini stated there would be information sessions at the elementary
schools regarding redistricting. On December 8"', the Barrows meeting will be held at
Parker Middle School. On December 14th, the meeting will be at the Joshua Eaton
School. On December 15th, the meeting will be at Killam and on December 16th, the
meeting will be at Killam. All re-districting meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m. On January
6, 2005 there will be a public hearing. On January 27th, there will be a vote of the School
Committee.
Mrs. Gibbs arrived at 7:55 p.m.
Mr. Bunten gave an overview of the band field trip and band schedule to Disney World in
Florida from April 16 - 21, 2005. There will be 118 students, 8 staff and 12 chaperones
attending.
Mr. Dahl asked if there would be any middle school students attending. Mr. Bunten
stated there would be a few some of which are siblings of older students.
Mr. Spadafora commended Mr. Bunten for taking 118 students to Florida. He asked
about what would happen if a student had a financial issue. Mr. Bunten stated that the
Band Parents Association helped to defray costs. The students would be selling
Christmas Trees to raise money.
Ms. Webb asked if there would be a lifeguard at the pool. Mr. Bunten stated he would
verify this. He stated that students would not be in the pool anyway with out a
chaperone.
Mr. Spadafora moved to accept the proposed band field trio to Disnev World to
perform from April 16-21, 2005 as spelled out in the Superintendent's
Memorandum dated November 24, 2005. Ms. Webb seconded the motion the vote
was 6-0. Mr. McFadden,_ Mr. Dahl, Ms. Webb, Mr. Spadafora. Mrs. Gibbs and Mr.
Carpenter
Dr. Jeffrey Ryan, Social Studies teacher at Reading Memorial High School, gave an
overview of his proposed field trip to the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in
February. He also mentioned a proposed trip to Europe in June and July of 2005.
Mr. Spadafora asked how many chaperones would be attending. Dr. Ryan stated that it
comes out to be about 8-9 students per chaperone. There would be approximately 113
tickets purchased for the opera.
Mr. Spadafora moved to accept the proposed annual field trip to the Metropolitan
Opera in New York City in February 2005 as spelled out in the Superintendent's
Memorandum dated November 24,, 2005. Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion the
vote was 6-0. Mr. McFadden Mr. Dahl Ms. Webb, Mr. Spadafora, Mrs. Gibbs and
Mr. Carpenter
Regular Session -3- November 29, 2004
Superintendent Schettini turned the meeting over to Associate Superintendent Richards.
Associate Superintendent Richards gave an overview of Instructional Initiatives,
Curriculum Committee updates and additional initiatives. He introduced John Doherty,
Paul Guerrette, Patty deGaravilla, Richard Davidson, Karen Callan and Liz Geraghty.
There was discussion regarding overcoming obstacles to achievement.
Superintendent Schettini stated that Instructional Initiatives is not just one course, it is a
process of instituting practices that improve instruction district wide.
Chair McFadden thanked Associate Superintendent for his presentation. Mr. Richards
stated that there is redistricting information on the www.readin dashboard.or There is an on-
line slide presentation.
Karen Callan gave an overview of the elementary Social Studies Initiative. She stated
they were trying to align the Social Studies Program with the Massachusetts Department
of Education Social Studies Framework.
Mr. Thomas Darren, Social Studies Teacher at Reading Memorial High School, gave an
over view of high school Social Studies.
Mr. McFadden suggested that we have the Guidance Department come to our Curriculum
night.
At 10:00 p.m. the School Committee Meeting moved to Room C-112 at Reading
Memorial High School for a Smart Board Capabilities Presentation given by Charles
Strout, Math Teacher. Chair McFadden suggested that Mr. Strout attend the next School
Committee Meeting in the Superintendent's Conference Room so that all the viewers
could see his outstanding presentation.
At 10:25 p.m. the School Committee members returned to the Superintendent's
Conference Room. There was discussion regarding strategies to improve instruction.
Mr. Gary Nihan gave an overview of the PEP Grant.
Pa rick A. Schettini, Jr.
At 11:10 Mr. Spadafora move to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of
conducting strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with the Teachers'
Association not to return to regular session. Mrs. Gibbs seconded the motion The