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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-10-15 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session Date: October 15, 2007 Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: School Committee Conference Room School Committee Members Present Lisa Gibbs David Michaud Elaine Webb Carl McFadden Chris Caruso Chuck Robinson RE`E1VD I'OWN CLERK READING, MASS. 2001 NOV 20 A 11: 11 Staff Members Present Patrick A. Schettini, Jr.-Superintendent of Schools Mary DeLai-Director of Human Resource and Finances John Doherty, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Colleen Dolan, Director of Pupil Services RMHS Student Representative Brian Castelluccio Visitors: Steven Vittorioso, Reporter for the Reading Advocate Scott Dunlap, AU Melissa Russell, Reporter for the Reading Chronicle 1. Call to Order School Committee Chair, Ms. Lisa Gibbs called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. and read the mission statement of the Reading Public Schools. Mrs. Gibbs introduced Brian Castelluccio as the new student representative for the school committee. - IIA. Bills and Payroll Signed as required. IIB. Citizen's Input Jeanne Cappuccio, parent and co-chair of the Reading Parent Advisory Council, asked a question about class size at Barrows and Wood End. Linda and Gary Phillips, parents from Reading Memorial High School, expressed some concerns about the literature being assigned in some of the English Language Arts classes. Mr. Phillips asked that the school committee meetings be broadcast live. IIC. Gifts No gifts were presented. III). Reports: Chairperson and School Committee Members Mr. Robinson gave an update of the Finance Committee Meeting he attended on Wednesday, October 10th Mrs. Webb reported on the World Cafe Planning Meeting, which was held on October 1 lth V Mr. Michaud support ed the World Cafe model and gave anecdotal evidence. He also gave an RCASA subcommittee update. Mr. McFadden reported on his meeting that he had with the Reading Boosters. Mrs. Webb reported on her meeting with the State MCAS and Assessment Subcommittee. IIE. Reports: Superintendent Superintendent Schettini announced that Joshua Eaton has gained Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School - status. t He also discussed and distributed an article on 21St Century Skills that he received today. Ms. DeLai reported on her participation at a meeting that she on Citizen's for Climate Protection. She represented and discussed the issue of energy conservation in the schools. III. School Improvement Plans Superintendent Schettini gave a summary of the school improvement plans and how they align with the district improvement plan and the Blue Ribbon Standards. The committee commented on the quality of the plans. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to approve the School Improvement Plans from the eight schools as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated October 10, 2007. Motion approved 6-0. IV. Policy Amendments The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to accept the first reading of the amendment to Policy "BE" of the Reading Public Schools Policy Manual. Motion approved 6-0. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to accept the first readin of the amendment to Policy 11EC" of the Reading Public Schools Policy Manual. Motion approved 6-0. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to accept the first reading of Policy "LBC" of the Reading Public Schools Policy Manual. Motion approved 6-0. V. FY08 Budget Status Ms. DeLai gave an FY08 Budget Status update. She also reported that the school department will be receiving an abatement for $93,193.56 for an error in reporting in the water and sewer bill at the high school. VI. Building Project Update Scott Dunlap from AD gave an update of the building project. The issues discussed included: • The ramp at the main entrance to the building. • The retaining wall near the main entrance to the building. • The adjusted contingency amount • HVAC • The Veteran's Wall • The substantial completion date VII. Information _and Proposals The next school committee meeting is the Financial Forum on October 17th at 7:30 p.m. at the Senior { Center. The November 5th School Committee Meeting will focus on the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The November 14th School Committee will focus on Full Day Kindergarten, Special Education, and Performance Contracting. December 10th and 17th will be the school committee meetings in December. 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 1, 2007. Motion approved 6-0. IX. Executive Session The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussion of collective bargaining, not to return to public session. Roll call vote approved motion 6-0. Regular sus , journed at 9:15 p.m. Patrick A. Schettini, Jr., J.D. Superintendent of Schools