HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-07-12 School Committee Minutes[,L IV L U
-tADING. MASS.
Reading School Committee 1004 OCT 21 p 12: 3q
Reading, Massachusetts
Regular Session July 12, 2004
CALL TO ORDER
Chair McFadden called the regular session to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Superintendent's
Conference Room. Present were Carl McFadden, Lisa Gibbs, Pete Dahl, John Carpenter
and Robert Spadafora. Also present were Superintendent Schettini and Associate
Superintendent Richards.
BILLS AND PAYROLLS
Bills and Payrolls were circulated for signature.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. William Griset gave an update on the progress of the Ad Hoc Charter Review
Committee. He explained that the objective of the Committee is to bring the Charter into
compliance with laws and current practice.
Mr. Scott Dunlap from AD updated the Committee on each school project. He
introduced Phillip Callahan as the Clerk of the Works at Barrows. Mr. Dunlap gave an
overview of the progress at the Wood End Elementary School. He stated the gymnasium
would be completed on July 12th instead of July 15tH
There was discussion regarding Change Order #8 at the Wood End Elementary School.
There is a revised dumpster pad in the amount of $11,099, a clearing and re-grade for a
play area at $15,803.00, a change of copper fascia and gutters. This is a long-term
solution to guarantee a better installation.
Mr. Spadafora made a motion to accent Change Order #8 for $38,376 Mrs Gibbs
seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0. Mr.-McFadden., Mr. Dahl Mr. S adafora
Mr. Carpenter and Mrs Gibbs
Mr. David Capaldo from The Design Partnership of Cambridge gave an update on the
High School Project. He stated that TLT would be pouring concrete tomorrow. The new
gas line and electrical services would be started. The oil tank has been removed.
There was discussion about School Committee Policy JECC, Attendance Areas.
Mr. Dahl made a motion to acce t olic JECC Attendance Areas as stated in the
Superintendent's memorandum dated July 12, 2004 This policv is to take effect
July 13, 2004. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion The vote was 5-0. Mr.
McFadden Mr. Dahl __Mr. S adafora Mr. Car enter-and Mrs. Gibbs.
Regular Session -2 July 12, 2004
Mr. Carpenter made a motion to amend policy JECC, Attendance Areas, with a
provision to allow parents of students in the most populated classes to apply to move
their child to the school with the least o ulated class at the same rade level sub'ect
to the approval of the sending and receiving principals and the Superintendent of
Schools with no-trans ortation provided Mr. Dahl seconded the motion The vote
was 5-0. Mr. McFadden Mr. Dahl Mr. S adafora Mr. Car enter and Mrs. Gibbs.
Mr. Carpenter made a motion to accept policy JECC as stated in the
Superintendent's memorandum dated July 12, 2004 with amendments This policy
is to take effect July 13, 2004. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion The vote was 5-0. Mr.
McFadden, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Carpenter and Mrs Gibbs
NEW BUSINESS
There was discussion regarding school improvement plans.
Mr. Dahl made a motion to approve the school im roveme it plans for seven schools
as presented and outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated July 8, 2004
Mrs. Gibbs seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0. Mr. McFadden Mr. Dahl Mr.
Spadafora, Mr. Carpenter and Mrs Gibbs
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
Superintendent Schettini updated the Committee on the GIS software, which will be used
to help with the redistricting. There is no redistricting plan yet. They are still gathering
information.
GIFTS
There were no gifts to report.
CITIZEN'S INPUT
Valerie Ross, Lawrence Road, stated the fourth grade classes at Killam for next year has
26, student, 26 students, 27 students and 27 students in each of the four fourth grade
classes. She asked if any other options had been considered other than the possibility of
students transferring to the Birch Meadow School.
Mr. McFadden told her that many options were reviewed and still are being reviewed but
transferring to Birch Meadow is the only option at this time.
Mrs. Gail O'Donnell stated that on the Department of Education web site, Killam had the
highest teacher student ratio. Killam has the highest percentage of ESL students and a
high percentage of English proficiency, students and special needs students.
Regular Session -3-
July 12, 2004
Mr. Schettini stated that the number of teachers on the Department of Education web site
includes the Art, Music, Physical Education teachers and any certified specialists in the
building. They are not just the classroom teachers.
Mrs. Varno stated at Barrows there are three teachers for 73 students and at Birch
Meadow there are four teachers for 78 students. There are four teachers at Killam for
106 students. How does this happen? Why can't you move a teacher from Birch
Meadow? There are also space issues at Killam. The last Superintendent would have
bussed the kindergarten.
Sarah Forbes asked about the four fourth grade student decrease at Birch Meadow. She
wanted to know where they went. Mr. McFadden stated they did not have that
information.
Mr. Spadafora stated the Killam is not the only school with an enrollment issue.
Mr. Connery, Beaver Road, stated that Killam was the second highest priority.
Mr. Schettini stated there was no priority list.
Mrs. Valerie Ross stated that Killam has high class size since her child was in
kindergarten. All she wants is one-year relief.
Mrs. Catherine McKie, Autumn Lane, asked why can't the resource room be used as a
classroom? This would alleviate any bussing.
Mr. McFadden stated the room would stay the resource room. The students in the room
need that room.
There was discussion about the FY04 School Budget.
Mrs. Gibbs moved that the sum of $100,000 be transferred from the School
Department Regular Day budget to the Reading Memorial High School
Construction and Renovation Proiect Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion The
vote was 5-0. Mr. McFadden, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Carpenter and Mrs
Gibbs.
ADJOURN
Mr. Dahl made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of
collective bargaining. Mrs Gibbs seconded the motion The roll call vote was 5-0
John Carpenter. Pete Dahl, Lisa Gibbs, Carl McFadden and Robert Spadafora
2004
Patr4ck A[- iWh7l, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools