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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-01-26 School Committee MinutesReading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts ReLyular Session January 26, 2004 CALL TO ORDER Chair Dahl called the meeting to order at 7:45 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 Nelson. BILLS & PAYROLLS Bills and Payrolls were circulated for signature. CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen input. GIFTS Superintendent Schettini stated that Debra Kwiatek, a Joshua Eaton Teacher, was designated as a "Literacy Champion" from the Massachusetts Literacy Foundation. She was awarded $2,500 to support the purchase of literary materials for the Joshua Eaton School. Mr. Spadafora moved to accept the $2,500 award from the Massachusetts Literacy Foundation and directed the Superintendent to send the appropriate thank you letter. Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion The vote was 6-0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora, Ms Webb SUPERINTENDENT/CHAIR/LIASION REPORT Superintendent Schettini thanked Student Representative Laura Nelson for her input to the Reading School Committee. Laura Nelson thanked the Committee for allowing her to participate. She stated the process is a lot more complicated than it looks. John Carpenter added that this was basic training for her. She now could serve on other community boards. Superintendent Schettini stated Joseph Kwiatek would be the Student Representative for the second semester. Ms. Webb attended an Ad Hoc Charter Review Committee meeting. She reported that it was interesting to hear concerns of other boards and committees. She had no agenda items but suggested that Mr. Griset come to speak to the School Committee. Regular Session -2- January 26,2004 Mr. McFadden stated that he met with Governor Romney's Chief of Staff. They were in agreement on the Reading Memorial High School Project being place on the SBA list. Chair Dahl encouraged people to call their representatives to support these building projects. Mr. Carpenter stated that RCTV Committee meets again this Thursday. Mr. Spadafora, liaison to the Selectmen, thanked the state legislators for their support of the high school project. All-day kindergarten was not funded for Reading. The Governor is phasing all day kindergarten funding into more urban areas. AWARD LABOR COUNSEL CONTRACT Superintendent Schettini introduced Naomi R. Stonberg, Attorney At Law. She gave an overview of her credentials and a brief work history. Mr. McFadden stated that, since Ms. Stonberg is a sole practitioner, what would happen to us if something happened to her. She responded that she has Mr. Earl Wilson, who is "of counsel" to her firm, and Ms. Nancy Haley, who provides paralegal services. Ms. Webb stated she was impressed with Ms. Stonberg's package and her commitment to be proactive. She asked how Ms. Stonberg would get to know us. Ms. Stonberg stated that she would run workshops and have training sessions with orientation for new School Committee members. She would also speak with Administrative Council. She would conduct an employment audit. She remarked that there are many requirements for No Child Left Behind. Mr. Spadafora moved to authorize the Superintendent to enter into a contract with Naomi R. Stonberg to provide labor counsel services as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum of January 21, 2004 Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 5-1. Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Spadafora, Ms. Webb with Mr. Russo voting against Chair Dahl asked for an updated copy of the Massachusetts General Laws. Chair Dahl called a two-minute recess. Mr. Dahl called the meeting back to order at 8:28 p.m. Associate Superintendent gave an overview of the editing checklist process. Chair Dahl commented that the editing checklists were important and impressive. Regular Session -3- January 26, 2004 Superintendent Schettini asked if there were any questions. Mr. Russo asked to look at the Stanford 9 test results for the past three years. Mr. Dahl asked if Mr. Russo could save his questions for discussion at next week's meeting. There would be an information packet. Associate Superintendent gave an overview of his involvement in the Science and Technology Caucus. He noted that he has been appointed to be the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendent's liaison to the Math, Science and Technology Pipeline Grant Fund. Mr. McFadden congratulated him on his work. RECOMMENDED FY05 BUDGET There was discussion of the Athletic Fee Comparison Schedule. The Superintendent gave a recap of the FY05 Recommended Budget, noting a recommendation for a modest increase to the Athletic User Fees and a modest increase in RISE tuition. He recommended 4 All-Day Kindergartens, resulting in an increased budget offset. He recommended adding an additional 1.5 elementary teachers, one educational assistant and 1/5 high school science teacher. Ms. Webb asked if there was a recommended minimum size for All-Day Kindergarten. Mr. Schettini stated they would like to have 20-22 students per class. It is very difficult to predict enrollment. Chair Dahl asked if there were any budget questions. NAMING OF NEW SCHOOL Superintendent Schettini stated that the May 15, 2000 memo to the School Committee stating the guidelines for the naming of the new elementary school needs to be revised. Language stating the School Committee will vote to accept the name needs to be inserted. Ms. Webb suggested that the fourth item on the list appeared to be open ended. She went on to say that even though we no longer have a School Building Committee, we still need to recognize Mr. Russell Graham. Chair Dahl stated that the Town Moderator could appoint the former School Building Committee Chairperson to the Committee. Mr. Carpenter suggested there should be a representative from the Reading Historical Commission on the Committee. Regular Session 4- January 26, 2004 Chair Dahl wanted to know which two School Committee members were going to serve on the Committee. Mrs. Phillips suggested a public hearing or telephone call-in show designed to get people interested. There could be an advertisement in the paper. People should be able to fax, email, or call in suggested names for the new school. UPDATE ON BUILDING PROJECTS Chair Dahl welcomed Mr. Scott Dunlap from AB. Mr. Dunlap gave an overview of the status of the three building projects. He stated that the School Committee would need to vote on the alternates at the February 9, 2004 School Committee meeting. Chair Dahl stated a vote on the alternates would allow the job to go out to bid as scheduled. Mr. McFadden asked how the market was at this time for general contractors. Mr. Dunlap stated there was not another large project being bid in the area at the same time. The market is good at this time with no major competition. The bid opening date can be adjusted not to coincide with another bid opening date. If things go as planned, February 24, 2004 would be the bid documents release date. Chair Dahl asked how many sets of plans. Mr. Dunlap stated between 170 and 225. Mr. McFadden asked how many general contractors are expected to bid. Mr. Dunlap stated that six contractors would be reasonable. Chair Dahl thanked Mr. Dunlap for his presentation. VOTE TO APPROVE TOWN MEETING WARRANT ARTICLES There was discussion regarding moving ahead the School Committee's Town Meeting warrant articles and back-up information. Mr. Spadafora suggested that the verbiage of the article as is, would require a lot of explaining at Town Meeting. Superintendent Schettini stated that the Town Finance Director, Elizabeth Klepeis, would be on hand to explain. Regular Session -5- Januarv 26. 2004 Mr. Spadafora moved to support warrant article for the purposes of raising by borrowing the necessary funds for the purpose of constructing an addition, remodeling, reconstruction and making extraordinary repair to the Alice M Barrows School on the Spring 2004 Town Meeting Warrant as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum of January 22,2004 with a modification to insert emergency preamble wording by Town Counsel and the Town Finance Director. Ms. Webb seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora, Ms Webb APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Spadafora moved to approve the minutes of December 8, 2003 Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0. Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora, Ms. Webb Mr. Spadafora moved to approve the minutes of December 15, 2003 Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora, Ms Webb Mr. Spadafora moved to approve the minutes of December 22, 2003 Ms Webb seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora, Ms. Webb Mr. Spadafora moved to approve the minutes of January 8, 2004 Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora, Ms. Webb ADJOURN Mr. Spadafora moved to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing the deployment of security ersonnel or devices and to approve executive session minutes 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 Respect I I y a fitted Pa rijk S ettini, Jr. Suped nt of Schools