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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-08-23 School Committee MinutesReading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts NN CLERK ~ 2004 r-~,DHNG, MASS. 10v` OCT C 2`i P 12 39 Regular Session August 23, 2004 CALL TO ORDER Chair McFadden called the regular session to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were John Carpenter, Pete Dahl, Lisa Gibbs, Carl McFadden and Robert Spadafora. Also present were Superintendent Schettini, Associate Superintendent Richards and Mary DeLai, Director of Human Resource and Finance. BILLS AND PAYROLLS Bills and Payrolls were circulated for signature. CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen's input. GIFTS Superintendent Schettini stated the Director of Facilities, John Thiffault, donated a trailer to the School Department. Mr. Spadafora made a motion to accept the trailer donation from Mr. Thiffault and to have the Superintendent sent the appropriate thank you letter. Mrs. Gibbs seconded the motion the vote was 5-0. Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. McFadden and Mr. Spadafora. REPORT OF THE CHAIR, LIAISIONS Superintendent Schettini introduced Mary DeLai, the new Director of Human Resource and Finance. He welcomed Mary to Reading. Superintendent Schettini stated that on September 18, 2004 there would be a School Committee Retreat from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. at Coolidge Middle School followed by a 2:00 p.m. ribbon cutting ceremony at the Wood End School. There was discussion about each School Committee member being assigned to a school in our district to act as a liaison. Chair McFadden stated that members of the School Committee would serve as school liaisons. Ms. Webb would be assigned to Coolidge and Birch Meadow, Mr. Carpenter Killam, Mr. Spadafora, Joshua Eaton, Mrs. Gibbs, Wood End, Mr. Dahl, Parker and Mr. McFadden to Reading Memorial High School. Regular Session 2- August 23, 2004 There was discussion concerning the School Committee calendar. There was discussion regarding GIS software. OLD BUSINESS Town Accountant Richard Foley explained his analysis/handout of the Reading Public Schools FY04 budget. He stated he had $33,712 to return to the Town's General Fund and that they were over budget in regular day by $126,773. Mr. Spadafora made a motion to transfer amounts as outlined by Town Accountant Richard Foley's spreadsheet attached to the Superintendent's memorandum dated August 19, 2004. Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0. Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. McFadden and Mr. Spadafora. Mr. Spadafora made a motion to close out the fiscal year FY04 by returning $33,712 to the Town's General Fund. Mrs. Gibbs seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0. Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. McFadden and Mr. Spadafora. There was discussion about School Building Assistance. The Superintendent stated Mary DeLai, Richard Foley and Beth Klepeis are researching all SBA regulations. Robert Peirce from Flansburgh Associates, David Capaldo from the Design Partnership of Cambridge, James Jordan from AD, Phillip Callahan, clerk of works at Barrows and Stephen Shaughnessy, the clerk of the works at the High School Project were also present. Scott Dunlap, Project Manger from AD, gave an update on the School Building Projects. He stated the Barrows Project is well underway. Asbestos and hazardous materials have been removed successfully. There has been selective interior demolition and exterior site work. There has been excavation for the new gym. Formwork has started. Mr. Dunlap went on to say that the academic wing at the Wood End School was substantially complete by August 12, 2004. The library and cafeteria were substantially complete by August 18a'. All remaining areas will be substantially complete by September 7t'. The final completion of the punch-list activities will be December 31, 2004. Mr. William Brown stated he was concerned with the gutters at the Wood End Elementary School. AD to look into the matter and report back to the School Committee. Mr. Brown stated the new school building was beautiful. Mr. Peirce stated they were meeting on Wednesday night with the Conservation Commission. Regular Session -3- August 23, 2004 Mr. Dahl asked if there would be any occupancy issues. Mr. Dunlap stated that the Fire Department and the Building Inspector have been on site repeatedly and there is nothing to delay occupancy. There was discussion regarding the plumbing and the sprinkler system on the soccer field at the Wood End School. Mr. Richards gave an overview as to why the plumbing from the building to the field is necessary. Mr. Spadafora moved to approve the change order in the amount of $11,058 to install the tap meter and back flow, as well as, other miscellaneous items necessary to connect to an irrigation system at the Wood End School soccer field. Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0. Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. McFadden and Mr. Spadafora. There was discussion about the Reading Memorial High School Building Project. Mr. Finigan addressed the on campus and off campus parking situation. There could possibly be additional parking in the courtyard. Mr. McFadden stated the Reading Memorial High School Band did an outstanding job at the Home Depot grand opening. Mr. Dunlap gave an overview of the building construction schedule. Mr. Schettini explained the Barrows bussing situation. There was discussion concerning the addition of a pay category to the Cafeteria Union contract pay schedule. Mrs. Gibbs moved to add an additional pay category for Cafeteria Driver onto the cafeteria pay schedule as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated August 23, 2004. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0. Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. McFadden and Mr. Spadafora. There was discussion regarding the FY06 Budget calendar. Mr. Spadafora moved to approve the Reading Public Schools' FY06 Budget calendar as state in the Superintendent's memorandum dated August 18,2004. Mrs. Gibbs seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0. Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. McFadden and Mr. Spadafora. Mr. Spadafora suggested the October FY06 Budget Public Hearing needs to be highly publicized because by the January Public Hearing, the budget is complete. Regular Session -4- August 23, 2004 ADJOURN Mr. Spadafora made a motion to adiourn to Executive Session for the purposes of contract negotiations not to return to Regular Session. Mrs. Gibbs seconded the motion. The roll call vote was John Carpenter, Pete Dahl, Lisa Gibbs, Carl McFadden and Robert Spadafora Superintendent of Schools