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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-09-10 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts H CE#VED TC'VV C! ERR READING, M Ass. 7001 OCT 25 P 12. 10, Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session Date: September 10, 2007 Time: 7:00 p.m. Place: RMHS Distance Learning Lab School Committee Members Present Lisa Gibbs David Michaud Elaine Webb Carl McFadden Chris Caruso Chuck Robinson Staff Members Present Patrick A. Schettini, Jr.-Superintendent of Schools Mary DeLai-Director of Human Resource and Finances Colleen Dolan-Director of Pupil Services John Doherty-Assistant Superintendent of Schools Joe Finigan-RMHS Principal Craig Martin-Coolidge Principal Karen Callan-Barrows Principal Linda Darisse-Parker Principal Cathy Giles-Killam Principal Tom Daniels-Birch Meadow Principal Richard Davidson-Wood End Principal Patty deGaravilla-Joshua Eaton Principal Visitors: Steven Vittorioso, Reporter for the Reading Advocate Tom Kostinden, TLT Construction Company Scott Dunlap, AI3 1. Call to Order School Committee Chair, Ms. Lisa Gibbs called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. and read the mission statement of the Reading Public Schools II. Introduction of New Teachers Mrs. Gibbs gave a brief introduction. Mr. Schettini then introduced the principals who introduced each new teacher. CL(, • Michael Guarino • John Harrison • Paul Mahoney • Andrea Merkowitz • John Nolan • Fiona Schuette • Henry Skehan • Laurie Ann Smith • Richard Trakimas • Audra Williams Linda Darisse introduced the new staff from Parker Middle School. • Lisa Baranowski • Brian Cormier • Kerry Gallagher • Eric Hiltz • Tanya McDonald • Laura Nichols • Maureen Ryan Craig Martin introduced the new staff member from Coolidge Middle School • Ursula Abad - ' Richard Davidson introduced the new staff from Wood End Elementary School. • Jamie Latham • Victoria Lydon-Ruelos Cathy Giles introduced the new staff from Killam Elementary School. • Jessica McKenzie • Denise Sadler • Stacey Sherpe Patty deGaravilla introduced the new staff from the Joshua Eaton School. • Nichole May-Gilchrist • Kristin Roberts Tom Daniels introduced the new staff from the Birch Meadow School. • Jolene Barry • Cheryl Davie • Melissa Fleishman • Courtney Quinlan _ • Elizabeth Slater Svea Van Langenhoven Karen Callan introduced the new staff from the Barrows Elementary School. • Jacob Eberly • Tricia Harbour • Ashley LaBella • Christine Rose • Jenette Tempesta Colleen Dolan introduced the new district SPED staff member. • Gioia Butler John Doherty introduced the new district curriculum specialist. • Debra Kwiatek A recess was taken at 8:00 p.m. for an RMHS building inspection. The meeting was called back to order at 8:40 p.m. IIA. Bills and Payroll Signed as required IIB. Citizen's Input No citizen's input was given. IIC. Gifts No gifts were presented. IID. Reports: Chairperson and School Committee Members Mrs. Gibbs discussed the appointment of a delegate and an alternate delegate for the MASC conference in November. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to appoint Elaine Webb as the delegate and Mr. Robinson as the alternate delegate at the MASC conference on November 14th. Motion passed 6-0. Mr. Michaud gave a brief report of the RCASA meeting. Mrs. Webb gave a report on the MASCD regional meeting that was held at Reading Memorial High School on September 6th Mr. McFadden gave a report that Imagination Station may be converted into a whiffle ball park. He also reported that the University of Virginia visited RMHS today and was very impressed with the facility. IIE. Reports: Superintendent Superintendent Schettini reported that the opening of school was very smooth. III. Building Project Update After a building inspection with the school committee, Mr. Tom Kostinden, co-owner of TLT, answered some questions from the committee. Topics for discussion included: • The completion of the front wall • Additional lighting in the front parking lot • Removal of the trailers • Installation of the outdoor basketball court • The status of the main exterior stairs • An HVAC update • The Memorial Wall • The design of the security system • The fall plantings and seeding A recommendation was made by the committee to have a representative from Design Partnership at future building project updates sessions of school committee meetings. IV. RCASA Update Superintendent Schettini gave an update of the Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse (RCASA) initiative. He thanked Mr. Michaud for designing the logo. The committee discussed several items. These included: • The Youth Risk Behavior Survey • The management of the grant • The development of assessment tools to measure success V. FY08 Additional Capital Request Director of Human Resource and Finances Mary DeLai presented a request from the Facilities Department for additional capital items that would be addressed at the Fall Town Meeting. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the request for additional capital funding for FY08 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated September 4, 2007. Motion passed 6-0. VI. FY08 Budget Process Review Superintendent Schettini indicated that the Finance Committee is looking for ways to strengthen the budget process. The school committee gave the following comments: ~w Areas of Strength • Each department was using the same vocabulary and looking through the same lens. • Management of financial planning by both town and school were productive. • The process was an improvement over the previous year's process. • Finance Committee's approach to capital. • Keep the reserve policy and capital policy. Areas to Strengthen • Identifying a common definition for level service and baseline. • Transparency in budgeting process. • Determining what type of budget will be used as a starting point (level service or baseline). • Modifying definition of accommodating cost. • Defining community priorities • Use different formulas for state aid and other variables. Ms. DeLai gave information on the Group Insurance Coalition (GIC) which is a health insurance coalition for public employees. Superintendent Schettini recommended that this should be placed on a future Financial Forum Agenda. f Mrs. Gibbs indicated that Mr. Robinson, Mrs. Webb, and possibly, Mr. McFadden will be attending the Finance Committee meeting on Wednesday, September 12th VII. Fall 07 Town Meeting Warrant Superintendent Schettini discussed the Fall Town Meeting Warrant. Mr. McFadden requested that Vocational School budget should be placed on a future agenda item. VIII. Information and Proposals IX. Approval of Minutes The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Michaud, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the open session minutes of August 27th . Motion passes 6-0. X. Motion to Adjourn The committee voteA on a motion by Elaine Webb, seconded Patrick A. Scthettini, Jr., J.D. Superintendent of Schools