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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-02-09 School Committee MinutesReading School Committee - Reading, Massachusetts S5. Regular Session Februarv 9, 2904, CALL TO ORDER Chair Dahl called the meeting to order at 7:36 p.m. Present were School Committee members John Carpenter, Peter Dahl, Carl McFadden, John Russo, Robert Spadafora and Elaine Webb. Also present were Superintendent Schettini, Associate Superintendent Richards, Finance Committee member McDonald and Student Representative Joseph Kwiatek. BILLS & PAYROLLS Bills and Payrolls were circulated for signature. CITIZEN'S INPUT Thomas J. Ryan made reference to a question asked in December of 2003. He asked why there is a 6.25% increase in the FY05 Superintendent's Recommended Budget when the levy limit is 2.5%. Chair Dahl explained to him that the budget was built on priorities set by the School Committee. There are cost increases for services that are mandated by law. Students are required to participate in certain programs to graduate, and there are also uncontrolled expenses every year. Mrs. Phillips asked if we contract with the Landmark School for services for in-house programs. The Superintendent was not aware of any such program but he suggested that parents should call the Director of Special Education with questions pertinent to their child. Mrs. Phillips was interested in the size of the gymnasium at the high school. The Superintendent told her it was on the agenda for February 10,2004 and would be addressed by the Architect at that time. GIFTS There were no gifts. SUPERINTENDENT/CHAIR/LIASION REPORT Superintendent Schettini introduced and welcomed student representative Joseph Kwiatek. He stated many of Joseph's achievements and accomplishments. Regular Session -2- February 9, 2004 Chair Dahl stated that he appreciated the student contribution to the Committee. Superintendent Schettini informed the Committee that he would soon be going out to bid for bus transportation services for Barrows School. Superintendent Schettini stated a gift has been made to establish a Memorial Trust Fund in the name of Joan Clifford, longtime Parker Middle School teacher who passed away last spring. This gift is a proposed article for town meeting. Chair Dahl introduced Mr. Griset, member, Charter Review Ad Hoc Review Committee. Mr. Griset thanked Chair Dahl and the Committee for allowing him to speak. He stated that the Review Committee has met six times since October 30, 2003. They have discussed a number of issues to date but no votes have been taken yet. Mr. Griset gave an overview of the issues. He explained that the purpose of the Ad Hoc Review Committee is not to rewrite the Town Charter but to fine-tune it. There were three issues of importance to the School Committee. The terms of the Charter have to conform to Education Reform Law. The second issue concerns whether or not the Chairperson of the School Committee should take part in the selection of FinCom members. The third issue concerns whether building maintenance should be consolidated _ town wide and be under the Town Manager. There was discussion concerning the three issues. Mr. Griset explained that the existing maintenance agreement is working so why change it. There is new Superintendent and a new Facilities Director. Chair Dahl asked if there were any questions. Chair Dahl suggested that the Ad Hoc Committee is fine tuning the Charter and the moving of building maintenance to the Town side would be a substantive change. Ms. Webb would like to hear what Town Counsel has to say about such a change. Mr. Spadafora thanked Mr. Griset for representing the views of the School Committee. He stated that it was not appropriate for the Ad Hoc Committee to speak on this issue. Superintendent Schettini stated that Town Counsel was reviewing the maintenance issue. He would distribute the opinion to the School Committee when it becomes available. There was discussion regarding the cancellation of the February 23, 2004 School Committee Meeting. Chair Dahl called a two-minute recess at 8:20 Regular Session -3- February 9, 2004 Chair Dahl called the meeting back to order at 8:26. OLD BUSINESS Dennis Richards publicly thanked Thomas J. Ryan for his input on the Editing Checklist. There was discussion to decrease All-Day Kindergarten tuition. Mr. Spadafora moved to reduce the 2003-2004 All-Day Kindergarten tuition from $4,000 per student per year to $3,900 per student. Ms Webb seconded the motion The vote was 4-1-1. Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Spadafora, Ms Webb with Mr. McFadden abstaining and Mr. Russo voting against. Mr. Spadafora moved to set the 2004-2005 All-Day Kindergarten tuition at $4,000 Ms. Webb seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden Mr. Russo Mr. Spadafora Ms Webb RECOMMENDED FY05 BUDGET Superintendent Schettini gave an overview of his recap memo dated February 9, 2004 and of the user fee comparison. Chair Dahl suggested that they could vote the program as presented or have a series of motions for each line. Kathleen Golini, PSST Co-President asked what the final activity fees would be. The Superintendent stated the Committee would vote tonight. Chair Dahl thanked her for all her work. Mr. Joe Harrington asked where the $12,000 in user fees and the $15,000 revenue offset would be going. Chair Dahl stated the funds would go towards the performing arts teacher and department head position, which has a significant cost. They are enhancing an activity by providing leadership to put on equal footing with athletics. Mr. Spadafora moved to accept the modifications to the Superintendent's Recommended FY05 Budget as set forth in the Superintendent's memo dated February 9, 2004. Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion The vote was 5-0-1 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Spadafora, Ms Webb with Mr. Russo abstaining. Regular Session -4- February 9, 2004 Mr. Spadafora moved to approve a School Committee Budget of $31,002,198, which represents an increase of $1,823,659 or 6.25% over FY04. Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion. The vote was 5-1. Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Spadafora, Ms. Webb with Mr. Russo against. Mr. Russo made a motion to amend the above motion to reflect a 3.5% budget increase. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion the vote was 1-5. Mr. Russo voting for with Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Spadafora, Ms. Webb voting against. The motion did not carry. NAMING OF NEW SCHOOL There was discussion concerning the process for naming the new school. March 11, 2004 was set for the Public Hearing. Ms. Webb and Mr. Spadafora volunteered to be the School Committee Representatives for the new school naming committee. Ms. Webb made a motion to accept the revised naming of the new school guidelines as spelled out in the School Committee memo of January 29, 2004. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0. Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora, Ms. Webb. NEW BUSINESS Ms. Webb asked where we were with the redistricting process. Superintendent Schettini responded that no decisions have been made at his time regarding boundary lines. He will present a time line when it becomes available. He went on to say that the Parker Principal search is under way. There was an advertisement in the Sunday Boston Globe. The search committee would include four parents, four teachers, two administrators and one School Committee member. Mr. Russo gave a presentation on the Stanford 9 test scores. Associate Superintendent Richards gave a presentation of Stanford 9 test scores. Mr. McFadden commended Associate Superintendent Richards on his presentation. Chair Dahl made a motion to direct the Superintendent to include assessment tools as part of the annual spring curriculum presentation. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0. Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora, Ms. Webb. Regular Session -5- February 9, 2004 ADJOURN Mr. Spadafora moved to enter into executive session for the purpose to discuss pending litigation not to return to regular session. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The roll call vote was 6-0. Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora, Ms. Webb Superintendent of Schools