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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-01 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts B-e ular Session r RECEIVED Call to Order Februa CRS Chair Webb called the public hearing to order READING, f~ S S Multipurpose Room. Present were Ms. r at 7.34 P.m. at the Parker Middy 1 If: ' 19 A McFadden, Superintendent Patrick ScheWebb r., Director Ms. Gibbs, of Mr. Caruso, Mr Michaud, Mr. Finances Mary DeLai, Assistant Superintendent John Doherty, Fin Chuck Robinson, Wood End Principal Rich of Human Resource and Daniels, RMHS Pr' Joseph Fi and Davidson, Birch meadow Principal Tom Paul Guerinc p l Parker Principal Linda Coolidge Princ pal Crai ,Kill Principal Tom Principal Stan Quinlan, Finance Director Callan, Finance Director Bob LaLecheur, Town Ac Craig Marten' Killam Chronicle Reporter Doug Barrows Principal Karen Russell. Several budget count Gail LaPointe, RRTA eporter President parents Wood Boyle, and Advocate Reporter Melissa and citizens were also present. Chair Webb read the mission of the Reading Public Schools and acknowledged the members of the Finance Committee, budget parents and buildi present at the meeting. building principals, who were Bills and Payrolls Bills and payrolls were circulated to all members of the committee. Citizens' Input There was no citizens' input. Gifts There were no gifts presented this evening. Reports of Chairman, Liaisons, and Superintendent Superintendent Schettini gave an update on the high school there have been some heating issues and they are being resolved building e Da g project, citing that also talked about the January s'PreK- 12 es and they are and the school district towards excellence. g olved by the contractor. He Schools of Excellence School Improvement P Y and how to move the schools He discussed the use of the Blue Ribbon rocess to achieve that goal. Superintendent Schettini also discussed an award that is being Student Jonathan Schwartz for a contest that he won with the Food Council. given to Joshua Eaton He will be presented this award on Friday at 11:00 a.m. at at Dairy and Joshua Webb echoed Superintendent Schettini's remarks about Eaton. Day and how the da Y was well spent. She thanked the staff for he work hat they di ey di ice presenting yesterday's inservice. d in Field Trip Approval the Future Ci ` ` i eti "pug Lyons discussed the overnight field trip to Washington D.C. for ties Competition which will be held from February discussed the New England Regional Com etitio to 24. that competition. p n of Future Cities 8and whtaMr. Lyons also t the students did at Regular Session 2 February 1 2007 Mrs. Gibbs move to approve the overnight field trip for the Parker Middle School's Future Cities team to compete in the National competition in WashinLyton, D.C. as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated February 1, 2007. Seconded by Mr. Michaud. Motion passes 5-0. Mrs. Gibbs, Ms. Webb, Mr. Caruso, Mr. Michaud, Mr. McFadden. Old Business FY08 Budget Superintendent Schettini and Ms. DeLai made a final presentation on the FY08 budget proposal and described the model that would be proposed to reach a modified baseline budget. The budget as presented to the School Committee result in a balanced total budget (school and town). Ms. DeLai presented the following reductions from the baseline budget to make it a balanced budget: Administration $ 7,383 Regular Day $ 72,014 Special Education $ 114,200 Other School Services $ 1,429 School Building Maintenance $ 85,617 Superintendent Schettini reminded the committee that this budget is well below the level services budget and he explained to the committee that the FY09 budget will most likely be worse than this year's budget, unless additional revenues are generated. The committee had a discussion about the presentation including the out of district placements, the METCO program, and the short and long term impacts of being well below a level service budget. Several members of the committee commented that although they support the motion to reach a balanced budget, they are doing it begrudgedly. Mr. Caruso moved not to increase the number of students in the METCO program until after the FY08 budget is finalized. Seconded by Mrs. Gibbs. Mr. Caruso withdraws his motion and Mrs. Gibbs withdrew her second. Mrs. Gibbs moved to approve the FY2008 School Department Budget in the amount of $34,787,537. Seconded by Mr. Caruso. Motion carries 5-0. Mrs. Gibbs, Ms. Webb, Mr. Caruao, Mr. Michaud, Mr. McFadden. There was a 5 minute recess. Capital Plan Director of Human Resource and Finances Mary DeLai reviewed the FY08 Capital - - Budget with the Committee. The committee had some discussions on the proposed plan. Regular Session 3 February 1, 2007 Mrs. Gibbs moved to approve the Capital Plan as outlined in the Superintendent's memo dated February 1, 2007 and presented at the February 1, 2007 School Committee meeting. Seconded by Mr. Michaud. Motion carries 5-0. Mrs. Gibbs, Ms. Webb, Mr. Caruao, Mr. Michaud, Mr. McFadden. Mrs. Gibbs moved to request that $145,000 be allocated to address_ the school department capital items as outlined in the Superintendent's memo dated February 1, 2007 and presented at the February 1, 2007 School Committee Meeting. Seconded by Mr. Michaud. Motion carries 5-0. Mrs. Gibbs, Ms. Webb, Mr. Caruso, Mr. Michaud, Mr. McFadden. Mrs. Gibbs moved to request that $70,000 be allocated to address municipal department capital items as outlined in the Superintendent's memo dated February 1, 2007 and presented at the February 1, 2007 School Committee meeting. Seconded by Mr. Caruso. Motion carries 5-0. Mrs. Gibbs, Ms. Webb, Mr. Caruso, Mr. Michaud, Mr. McFadden. Mrs. Gibbs moved to approve the FY2008 Town Building Maintenance Budget in the amount of $661,503. Seconded by Mr. Michaud. Motion carries 5-0. Mrs. Gibbs, Ms. Webb, Mr. Caruso, Mr. Michaud, Mr. McFadden. School Calendar Mr. Schettini presented a calendar for the 2007-08 school year. Mrs. Gibbs moved to accept the 2007-08 School Calendar as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated January 29, 2007. Seconded Mr. Caruso. Motion carries 5-0. Mrs. Gibbs, Ms. Webb, Mr. Caruso, Mr. Michaud, Mr. McFadden. Principal Search Mr. Schettini gave a description of the process that will be used to replace Paul Guerrette as Principal of the Killam Elementary School, who will be retiring at the end of the year. Mr. Schettini commended Mr. Guerrette for the positive impact that he has had in the Reading School Community. Mrs. Gibbs moved to accept the process for the selection of the principal of the J.W. Killam School as outlined in the Superintendent's memo dated January 29, 2007. Seconded by Mr. Caruso. Motion carries 5-0. Mrs. Gibbs, Ms. Webb, Mr. Caruao, Mr. Michaud, Mr. McFadden. Personnel No personnel issues were discussed. New Business There is no new business Regular Session 4 February 1 2007 Approval of Minutes Mrs. Gibbs moved to approve minutes dated January 4, 2007. Seconded by Mr. Michaud. Motion passed 5-0. Mrs. Gibbs, Ms. Webb, Mr. Caruso, Mr. Michaud, Mr. McFadden. Mrs. Gibbs moved to approve minutes dated January 8, 2007. Seconded by Mr. Michaud. Motion passed 5-0. Mrs. Gibbs, Ms. Webb, Mr. Caruso, Mr. Michaud, Mr. McFadden. Mrs. Gibbs moved to approve minutes dated January 22, 2007. Seconded by Mr. Michaud. Motion passed 5-0. Mrs. Gibbs, Ms. Webb, Mr. Caruso, Mr. Michaud, Mr. McFadden. Adjourn Mrs. Gibbs moved to adiourn, seconded by Mr. Caruso. Motion passed 5-0. Mrs. Gibbs, Ms. Webb, Mr. Caruso, Mr. Michaud, Mr. McFadden. Meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m. ReAclk.g'Se ed Pat mi, Jr. Superintendent of Schools