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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-10-01 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts R E CE 1 V E 0 TOW CLERK Regular Meeting of the School Committee READING, MASS. l Open Session - 2001 OCT 25 P 12: 10 Date: October 1, 2007 Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: School Committee Conference 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 Chris Caruso Chuck Robinson Visitors: Melissa Russell, Reading Chronicle Reporter Steven Vittorioso, Reporter for the Reading Advocate 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. IIA. Bills and Payroll Signed as required. IIB. Citizen's Input Cathy Driscoll, President of the Reading Boosters requested to speak. The committee asked for more information from the Boosters. Mr. McFadden will compile the information, and make a recommendation to the committee. Karen Janowski requested to speak. She requested that the committee select a student representative and that the agenda is posted on Edline. John Arena, a parent from Reading Memorial High School, would like the sale of food at the field house and in concessions on a future agenda. IIC. Gifts No gifts were presented. IID. Reports: Chairperson and School Committee Members • Mr. Caruso thanked the community for participating in the Birch Meadow complex online survey. He also praised the work of the people who coordinated the Samantha's Harvest Golf Tournament. • Mrs. Webb gave an update on Governor's Readiness Project on MCAS subcommittee that she is a member. She also reported on the Killam Pillars Kickoff event last Friday. rr K,., • Mr. Michaud gave an update of the RCASA Community Meeting that was held last week. IIE. Reports: Superintendent Superintendent Schettini updated the School Committee on several items: • The HVAC conditions at the high school. • A meeting that he attended about a partnership with the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. • How other communities are starting to develop a mission and vision similar what our district developed three years ago. III. Approval of Field Trips Superintendent Schettini presented the information on two field trips: New York City's Chinatown and China. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso to approve the Reading Memorial High School field trip to New York City's Chinatown as part of the Pathways to China program, on October, 13, 2007 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated September 26, 2007. Motion approved 6-0. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Robinson to approve the Reading Memorial High School field trip to China as part of the Pathways to China program, in April, 2008, as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated September 26, 2007 Motion approved 6-0. V. Personnel No items this evening. VI. Approval of FY09-18 Capital Plan Ms. DeLai gave a short presentation on the FY09-18 Capital Plan. There were some minor changes made to the town maintenance capital plan since the last School Committee meeting. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the FY09-18 Capital Plan as presented and revised by Joe Huggins and Marv DeLai Motion carries 6-0. VII. Sub-Committee & Liaison Roles and Responsibilities Chair Gibbs requested that the Meeting Protocols, Public Relations, and Facilities Naming Committee meet by November 1. The subcommittees will report at a subsequent School Committee meeting. VIII. Conflicting space and budget priorities Superintendent Schettini gave a short background of conflicting space and budget priorities, including: Full Day Kindergarten, Class Size, Special Education Programs, Special Education Inclusion, and Dedicated Music and Art Rooms. Opportunities for walking tours of the schools will be provided for the committee upon request. Current enrollments and class sizes will be provided at an upcoming meeting. VII. Information and Proposals 'f The next School Committee meeting is Monday, October 15th at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee th Conference Room. The Financial Forum will be on October 17 VIII. Approval of Minutes The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the open session minutes of September 24, 2007. Motion approved 6-0. 'f IX. Motion to Adjourn The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso to adjourn. Motion Superintendent of Schools