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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-03-25 School Committee Minutesr-r_- ay✓ fir"'s SS. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts z Regular Session March 25, 2004 CALL TO ORDER Chair Dahl called the regular session to order at 7:35 p.m. Present were Pete Dahl, John Carpenter, Lisa Gibbs, Carl McFadden, Robert Spadafora and Elaine Webb. Also present were Superintendent Schettini, Associate Superintendent Richards and Student Representative Joseph Kwiatek. SPECIAL PRESENTATION Mr. Anthony Cerullo, Chairperson of the Epilepsy Chapter of Wakefield presented each third grade class winner of the Benjamin Contest, a fifty dollar savings bond. He showed a short video about the Epilepsy School Alert Program and explained how the contest worked. Each student participated by reading the Benjamin story, coloring a drawing of Benjamin and completing a sentence that begins "Benjamin is my friend because....". Chair Dahl thanked Mr. Cerullo for his efforts. - Chair Dahl called for a five-minute recess at 7:50 p.m. Chair Dahl called the meeting back to order at 7:55 p.m. BILLS AND PAYROLLS Bills and Payrolls were circulated for signature. CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen's input. OLD BUSINESS Mr. Robert Peirce from Flansburgh Associates gave an update on the Barrows Project. Ms. Webb made a motion to approve, based on the Architect's completion of the Construction Documents for the Barrow's Elementary School and the Architect's presentation of the most recent construction cost estimates dated February 3, 2004, the Construction Documents and the release of 100% complete bidding documents on March 26, 2004. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion The vote was 6-0. Mr. DDahl, Mr. Carpenter, Mrs Gibbs, Mr. McFadden Mr. Spadafora, Ms Webb Regular Session -2- March 25, 2004 Mr. Peirce from Flansburgh Associates gave an update on the new school, stating that the building was presently fully enclosed. Stairs would be going in soon and the dry wall process would be started. There are no new change orders and by the end of the month, the project would be 66% completed. Mr. Richards stated that they were pouring the floor on the second story. Mr. Carpenter asked for a grounds and playground update. Mr. Peirce told him they were putting together costs to make the soccer field a competition soccer field. This information would be available at a future meeting. Mr. Peirce stated that the Barrows drawings are complete and have been reviewed. They are proceeding with the bid process. Ms. Webb moved to direct Flansburgh Associates, Inc to incorporate, during the addendum period, all revisions necessary to satisfy the requirements of the Reading Building Department, Reading Fire Department, and any other Town departments who have provided a review of the construction documents Additionally, direct Flansburgh Associates to address, during the addendum period, all review comments provided by the Project Manager. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion The vote was 6-0. Mr. Dahl, Mr. Carpenter, Mrs Gibbs, Mr. McFadden Mr. Spadafora, Ms. Webb Mr. Dunlap stated that they were pleased with the progress of the new school. However, it is important for the progress not to let up even for one day. There was discussion and review of the 2004-2005 school calendar. Mr. Schettini stated that Election Day would be a Teacher Inservice Day. The April 5th Town Election will also be held at Coolidge. There is another Teacher Inservice Day on April 5th. On September 14th, there is a tentative late start at Coolidge and Joshua Eaton if necessary. Mr. Schettini went on to say that the first day of school for students is Tuesday, September 7th. He stated that changes to the school calendar are directly related to the building projects. Mr. Dunlap stated that moving the start date of school back a week gives us just a little more time to accomplish what needs to be done. Ms. Webb moved to accept the 2004-2005 School Calendar as spelled out in the Superintendent's draft dated March 25, 2004 Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion The vote was 6-0. Mr. Dahl, Mr. Carpenter, Mrs Gibbs, Mr. McFadden Mr. Spadafora, Ms. Webb Regular Session -3- March 25, 2004 Mr. Schettini stated that the Parker PTO has donated $10,000 to be used for the Parker Middle School technology fund. Mr. Carpenter made a motion that the School Committee gratefully accents this donation of $10,000 to be used for technology at Parker Middle School. The Superintendent is to send the appropriate thank you letter. Mrs. Gibbs seconded the motion.The vote was 6-0. Mr. Dahl, Mr. Carpenter. Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. McFadden. Mr. Spadafora, Ms. Webb REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR, LIASION & SUPERINTENDENT Mr. Schettini stated that he was pleased to announce, for the I P year in a row, the Coolidge Middle School Science Olympiad Team has won the Massachusetts State Science Olympiad Tournament. They are now eligible to compete in the National Science Olympiad in Pennsylvania from May 19-23. Mr. Schettini stated that School Committee representatives were still needed for the Audit Committee, the Human Relations Committee and the Substance Abuse Advisory Council. Chair Dahl stated that he met with the FinCom and they agreed on the FY05 Budget. Ms. Webb stated that the New School Naming Sub Committee met on March 18, 2004. She read the submitted twenty-seven names. Mr. Spadafora stated that the sub-committee would bring a short list of three to five suggested names to the School Committee. Mr. Spadafora asked if the School Committee wanted the three to five names ranked in any way. Mr. McFadden suggested that the names submitted not be ranked. Mr. Carpenter stated that buildings named with a geographical name tend to be renamed at a later date with a person's name. Chair Dahl stated that there is no reason the rush the naming process. If there are no signs up when school starts it does not matter. Ms. Webb stated there are many scholarships available and many opportunities to honor people. Mr. Carpenter stated Town Counsel is now reviewing the RCTV draft. Mr. Spadafora stated that the Town Counsel Review Committee would interview two firms. Regular Session -4- March 25, 2004 OLD BUSINESS Superintendent Schettini stated that there would be a site visit of the new school for the School Committee and the Selectmen on Saturday April 3, 2004 at noon. The site visit is not a violation of the open meeting law according to a legal opinion from Joan Langsam, Town Counsel. SUPERINTENDENT'S EVALUATION Chair Dahl stated that he emailed the evaluation documents to each School Committee member. He will collect the data back from each member by March 30th and then summarize it. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Spadafora moved to accept the minutes of February 26, 2004 Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was tabled. Ms. Webb moved to accent the minutes of March 1, 2004 with changes as noted Mrs. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Mr. Dahl, Mr. Carpenter, Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. McFadden. Mr. Spadafora, Ms. Webb r Mr. Spadafora moved to accept the minutes of March 8, 2004 Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0. Mr. Dahl, Mr. Carpenter, Mrs Gibbs, Mr. McFadden. Mr. Spadafora, Ms. Webb ADJOURN Mr. Carpenter moved to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing the deployment of security personnel or devices not to return to regular session Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The roll call vote was 6-0 Mr. Dahl, Mr.