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Home My WebLink About2007-12-19 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts RUE I V ED TOWN CLERK Regular Meeting of the School Committee 'R E I" I; p G, MA SS Open Session 2008 FES 2b P Q: 09 Date: December 19, 2007 Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: RMHS, Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Members Present Staff Members Present Lisa Gibbs Patrick A. Schettini, Jr.-Superintendent of Schools Elaine Webb Mary DeLai-Director of Human Resource and Finances Carl McFadden John Doherty, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Chris Caruso Chuck Robinson School Committee Members Absent David Michaud Visitors: Melissa Russell, Reading Chronicle Reporter Steven Vittorioso, Reporter for the Reading Advocate Brian Castelluccio, Student Liaison for School Committee Joe Finigan, RMHS Principal Gary Hart, RMHS Assistant Principal Mike Scarpitto, RMHS Assistant Principal Kara Gleason, TAH Program Director Jane Darveau, RMHS Guidance Director Joanne Alvarez, RMHS Foreign Language Department Head Tom Zaya, RMHS Health/Wellness Department Head Sharon Burke, RMHS Library/Media Center Director Mary Anne Lynn, RMHS Science Teacher Mark Linehan, RMHS Science Teacher Jessica Meehan, RMHS Special Education Teacher Shelley Lynch, RMHS Business Teacher 1. Call to Order School Committee Chair, Ms. Lisa Gibbs called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. and read the mission statement of the Reading Public Schools. IIA. Bills and Payroll Signed as required. IIB. Citizen's Input There was no citizen's input. IIC. Gifts The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Caruso seconded by Mrs. Webb, to accept "a donation " of $5,000 from an anonymous donor to be used for a track timing system as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated December 10, 2007. Motion carries 5-0. IID. Reports: Chairperson and School Committee Members • Mrs. Webb updated the Committee on the MASS Conference attended by Mrs. Webb, Mr. Robinson and Superintendent Schettini. • Mr. Caruso reported that he attended the Festival of Trees sponsored by the Reading Technology Fund. • Mrs. Gibbs reported on the award by the French Consulate in Boston to Coolidge Student Morgan Bruzzese for her illustration and essay entry to the Consulate's contest upon the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City. Mrs. Gibbs extended the School Committee's thanks to Mrs. Klein and Mrs. Cuscuna for their work with the students who submitted entries. IIE. Reports: Superintendent Superintendent Schettini updated the school committee on several items: Reading has received a second $30,000 DOE gifted and talented challenge grant that will be used to expand the Middle School mathematics program RCASA was awarded a grant for $72,000 from the state Attorney General's office for substance abuse programming There are a number of winter concerts currently occurring throughout the district III. Building Project Update David Capaldo from Design Partnerships gave an update on the building project. He highlighted a few items: • The status of the current punch list. • An update on the status of the Memorial Wall and the retaining wall. • An update on the stadium lighting. • An update on the backcharge and retainage summary. The committee voted on a motion by Mrs Gibbs, seconded by Mr Caruso to direct Design Partnership to instruct TLT Construction, Inc to cover the existing portions of the Memorial Wall in a respectful manner or to complete the memorial wall within seven days Motion approved 5-0. V. Personnel No items this evening. VI. Policy KEC Review Superintendent Schettini updated the committee on the citizen's request of the review of the book, Where the Heart Is. Superintendent Schettini read the recommendation by Mr. Mike McSweeney, RMHS English Department Head and the review team. The review team recommended to suspend the book from the Gr. 9 summer reading list and to potentially move the book to the Grade 11 summer reading list for 2010. Mrs. Gibbs read a letter from Mr. Michaud, who was unable to attend the meeting. His letter expressed support for the recommendation of the review team. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mrs Webb, to accept and support the recommendation of the teachers and the Superintendent regarding the book, Where the Heart Is. Motion carries 5-0. Superintendent Schettini reported that there has been a citizen's request for review from Mr. and Mrs. Gary Phillips for seven more pieces of literary work. VII. FY07 End-of-Year Report Director of Human Resource and Finance Mary DeLai gave an overview of the FY07 End of Year Report and an FY08 Budget Update. VIII. Steering Committee for School Improvement Presentation The Reading Memorial High School Steering Committee for School Improvement made a presentation to the School Committee regarding its efforts since the Spring of 2007 including surveys and data collection on current practices at RMHS, examination of research-based best practices including 21St Century Skills, goals and focus of the Committee, and possible funding sources including the U.S. DOE Small Learning Communities Grant, and some near term changes that the Committee is looking to make including changing the High School schedule and implementation of Advisories in January of 2008. The Steering Committee entertained a number of questions from School Committee members. IX. Meeting Protocol Subcommittee Report This agenda item was tabled until a future meeting. VII. Information and Proposals VIII. Approval of Minutes The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to approve the open session minutes of November 14, 2007. Motion approved 5-0. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to approve the open session minutes of November 29, 2007. Motion approved 5-0. IX. Motion to Adjourn to Executive Session The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Caruso. seconded by Mrs. Webb to adiourn to executive session for the purposes of discussion of litigation strategies and to approve minutes, not to return to regular session. Roll call vote 5-0. Patrick A. Schettini, Jr., J.D. Superintendent of Schools