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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-11-05 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts EECEIVED TOW CLERK Regular Meeting of the School Committee ADI , ''9ASS. RD Open Session Date: November 5, 2007 20ul ROV 20 A 11* Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: Town Hall, Board of Selectmen's Meeting Room School Committee Members Present Staff Members Present Lisa Gibbs Patrick A. Schettini, Jr.-Superintendent of Schools David Michaud Mary DeLai-Director of Human Resource and Finances Elaine Webb John Doherty, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Carl McFadden Colleen Dolan, Director of Pupil Services Chris Caruso RMHS Student Representative Chuck Robinson Brian Castelluccio Visitors: Melissa Russell, Reading Chronicle Reporter Steven Vittorioso, Reporter for the Reading Advocate Jim Ryan, Northeast Center for Healthy Communities Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager Members of RCASA 1. Call to Order School Committee Chair, Ms. Lisa Gibbs called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and read the mission - statement of the Reading Public Schools. Mrs. Gibbs recognized the student representative, Brian Castelluccio. IIA. Bills and Payroll Signed as required. IIB. Citizen's Input Linda Phillips and Gary Phillips discussed the summer reading selections for Grade 9 and the Junior Great Books Program. IIC. Gifts Superintendent Schettini presented three gifts to the School Committee for approval. One was for $500 for the Joshua Eaton Science and Engineering Team, $15,000 from Reading Cooperative Bank for RMHS stadium lighting, and $90,000 donation from an anonymous donor for RMHS stadium lighting. Mrs. Webb thanked the donors. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to accept a donation of $500 from Teradyne, Inc. as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated October 31, 2007. Motion carries 6-0. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to accept a donation of $90,000 from an anonymous donor as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated October 31, 2007. Motion carries 6-0. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to accept a donation of $15,000 from the Reading Cooperative Bank as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated October 31, 2007. Motion carries 6-0. IID. Reports: Chairperson and School Committee Members • At the opening of the meeting Superintendent Schettini addressed the concerns of some parents regarding a summer reading book. He stated that the district would conform to the School Committee policy and procedure that addresses this concern. • Mrs. Webb reported on a meeting that she and Mr. Schettini attended today where they received an update on FY09 METCO funding and the Supreme Court update. • Mr. McFadden updated the board on a meeting that he and Mr. Robinson attended with the Boosters. He also updated the Board on the Facilities Naming Committee. • Mrs. Webb updated the board on the Meeting Protocol Committee. Minutes were distributed for that meeting. • Mrs. Gibbs reported that the four School Committees of Reading, Melrose, Wakefield, and Stoneham will be meeting on November 28tH • Mrs. Gibbs reported on the Spooky Fun Fair, Monster Mash and Halloween Howl. She also reported that the Joshua Eaton Veteran's Day Assembly, Wood End Veteran's Day Assembly, and Killam Pillar's of Character Assembly are this week. • Mr. Robinson and Mrs. Gibbs will be attending the pre-Town meeting on Thursday. IIE. Reports: Superintendent Superintendent Schettini updated the School Committee on several items: • The School Committee policy on request to review curriculum materials. This is in response to a citizen's input request at the October 15th School Committee Meeting. • Superintendent Schettini reported on the NESBA (New England School Band Association) Competition that was held at RMHS on November 4th. He thanked the teachers, students and parents who supported this endeavor. • Mr. Schettini reported that future School Committee meetings at the School Committee Conference Room will be recorded live on RCTV III. Approval of Field Trips Superintendent Schettini presented the information on two field trips: RMHS Drama Club Field Trip to New York City and the Coolidge Middle School Field Trip to Prindle Pond. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the Reading Memorial High School Drama Club field trip to New York City in May 2008 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated October 31, 2007. Motion carries 6-0. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. McFadden, to approve the Coolidge Middle School's Prindle Pond field trip in April 2008 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated October 31, 2007. Motion carries 6-0. V. Personnel No items this evening. - - VI. Second reading and Approvalof Reading Public Schools Policy "BE", "EC" and LBC - Amendments Mr. Schettini gave a brief overview of the three policies that were going through a second reading. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mrs. Webb to accept the second reading and approval of amendments to Policy "BE", "EC" and "LBC of th:e Reading Public Schools Policy Manual. Motion carries 6-0. VII. Stadium Lighting Superintendent Schettini gave a recommendation to take the remaining amount of funding necessary to install the stadium lights. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Robinson to approve the use of up to $100,000 out of the athletic revolving account to install the stadium lights at Reading Memorial High School. Motion carries 5-0-1. Mr. McFadden abstained. Mr. Caruso requested an update on athletic user fees during the budget process. VIII. Youth Risk Behavior Survey Superintendent Schettini introduced Mr. Jim Ryan, who gave the presentation of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey to the committee. Peg Sallade, a consultant who is working with the Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse (RCASA), gave a few comments as well. VII. Information and Proposals The next School Committee meeting is Wednesday, November 14th at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Conference Room. VIII. Approval of Minutes The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the open session minutes of October 15, 2007. Motion approved 6-0. IX. Motion to Adjourn The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Robinson to adjourn. Motion approved Cab. r, r Patrick A. Schettini, Jr., J.D. Superintendent of Schools