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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-11-01 School Committee MinutesReading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session November 1, 2006 Call to Order Chair Webb called the regular session to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Library Conference Room at the Coolidge Middle School. Present were Ms. Webb, Mr. Caruso, Mr. Michaud, and Mrs. Gibbs. Also present were Superintendent Patrick Schettini, Jr., Assistant Superintendent John Doherty, Director of Human Resources and Finance Mary DeLai, Scott Dunlap, AD, Bob LeLacheur, Peter Hechenbleikner Members of the Finance Committee were also present. Bills and Payrolls Bills and Payroll were circulated. M M c7 Gifts :IrTIM There were none. ran w Reports of Chairman, Liaisons & Superintendent Mrs. Webb announced that she had received an invitation for the entire School Committee to attend the Veteran's Day celebration on Town Common. Members were instructed to RSVP through Mrs. Engelson. Calendar November 8th meeting has been cancelled due to several conflicts with other events. School Committee will meet prior to Town Meeting on November 13th at 6:00 p.m. in the new guidance suite conference room. The School Committee is posted for every town meeting at 6:00 p.m. The Chair will speak with the Committee and decide which will be required and an appropriate start time. Superintendent Schettini requested that School Committee members be available to greet Town Meeting members prior to the first Town Meeting session on the 13th. Regular Session -2- November 1, 2006 New Business Field Trips RMHS Field Trip Superintendent Schettini reviewed the details of a field trip planned for the RMHS Boy's basketball team by Coach Morrissey on December 9th and 10th. Mrs. Gibbs moved to approve the Reading Memorial High School annual Boys' Basketball Team field trip to Cape Cod as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated October 31, 2006 The motion was seconded by Mr. Michaud The vote was 4-0. Mr. Dahl and Mr. McFadden arrived at 6:35 p.m. Award three Contracts - Electrical and Network Cabling Installation, Repair and Maintenance and Standpipe & Water Sprinkler, Fire Pump Testing, Inspection, Maintenance and Repair Mrs. Gibbs moved to authorize the Superintendent to enter into an agreement with Ultraguard Protective Systems, Inc to provide Fire Alarm Testing, Inspection, Maintenance and Repair services as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated October 31, 2006. Mr. Michaud seconded The vote was 6-0 Mrs. Gibbs moved to authorize the Superintendent to enter into an agreement with Rustic Fire Protection, Inc. to provide Standpipe & Water Sprinkler, Fire Pump Testing, Inspection, Maintenance and Repair as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated October 31, 2006. Mr. Michaud seconded The vote was 6-0 Mrs. Gibbs moved to authorize the Superintendent to enter into an agreement with Mirabella Electric Corporation to provide Electrical and Networking Cabling Installation, Repair and Maintenance as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated October 31, 2006. Mr. Michaud seconded. The vote was 6-0. Old Business Town Meeting Preparation Mrs. Webb noted that no action was required for Article 7. Finance Committee called to order at 6:40 p.m. Regular Session -3- November 1, 2006 Mrs. Webb noted that the application for additional borrowing in the amount of $1.532 million under the current debt exclusion has been approved by DOR. Up to that amount is available for additional debt exclusion. Mr. Hechenbleikner added that the Town Accountant verified that more than one town meeting vote could be taken to authorize partial amounts up to the total of $1.532 million. Mr. Dunlap discussed what was included in the proposed contingency of $1.3 million including items believed to be necessary to close out project such as FFE & Tech replenishment, change orders, air quality control & monitoring, anticipated asbestos abatement. He noted that non-construction items (move management, air quality testing, extended project management, construction testing, and architectural services) total $350,000. Mr. Dunlap addressed the possibility of additional risk factors such as unknown asbestos which may require contingency funds beyond the $1.3 million. He also stated that if something significant is encountered, the contractor under Massachusetts General Law can ask for additional time on site which could result in additional costs beyond the proposed contingency. He stated that the $1.3 million contingency figure is conservative. Mr. Dunlap addressed the adequacy of the FFE and Technology budgets and reviewed the amounts by which they were reduced from original estimates at bid and post-bid. Mrs. Webb noted that the technology budget is good, although not great. Mr. Dahl asked for a recommendation from the Superintendent as to whether the proposed contingency should be increased from the $1.3 million to the $1.532 million in the DOR application. Superintendent Schettini stated that he felt the $1.3 million is a risky number. He advises the School Committee have a conversation about that number and the level of risk they are willing to take. Mr. Dahl reiterated his desire for a recommendation from the Superintendent. Superintendent Schettini stated that he would recommend $1.532 million. Mr. Dahl asked for Mr. Dunlap's recommendation as well. Mr. Dunlap recommended $1.532 million. Mr. Dahl stated that Mr. Dunlap's numbers were conservative and that the School Committee take a close look at the number. He stated that he is inclined to go with the $1.532 number to prevent the need to go back to Town Meeting at a later date. Mr. Michaud asked about timing and when the remaining risk items might be known. Mr. Dunlap noted it would probably be known in March or April. Mrs. Webb noted that it would not be in time for the Special Town Meeting in February but perhaps in time for May town meeting. Mr. Dunlap stated we might not know full magnitude of problem until later than April or May and that the additional $182,000 might not even cover that. Regular Session -4- November 1, 2006 Mr. Michaud asked if it made sense to use the higher figure to allow for additional flexibility should more funds be required. Mr. McFadden asked how the contract is written in terms of quantifying and paying for the removal of any additional asbestos. He asked who would be responsible for verifying the cost of asbestos abatement. Mr. Dunlap stated that United Engineering would be responsible for verifying quantities of asbestos. Mr. Hechenbleikner was asked about the Emergency Preamble process. He stated that the preamble would be offered as part of the motion and would declare the vote as an emergency vote which would preclude the vote being subject to referendum. Superintendent Schettini excused himself at 7:05 p.m. to prepare for the Spotlight on Education presentation. Mrs. Webb requested that a vote needs to be taken so that School Committee can attend the Spotlight presentation. Mrs. Gibbs moved to support Warrant Article 10 with the Emergencv Preamble for the purposes of requesting additional funding for the RMHS project on the Fall 2006 Town Meeting Warrant in the amount of $1,532,000 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum of November 1, 2006 The motion was seconded by Mr. Caruso. Mr. Dahl suggested a separate vote and discussion of dollar amount versus emergency preamble language. Mr. Dahl offered an amendment to remove the Emergency Preamble Language from the original motion and vote dollar amount separately. Mrs. Gibbs offered the revised motion to support Warrant Article 10 for the purposes of requesting additional funding for the RNVIHS project on the Fall 2006 Town Meeting Warrant in the amount of $1,532,000 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum of November 1, 2006 The motion was seconded by Mr. Caruso. The vote was 6-0. Mrs. Webb excused herself from the meeting at 7:20 to attend the Spotlight on Education presentation, turning the meeting over to Mrs. Gibbs. Mrs. Gibbs moved to add the Emergency Preamble to Warrant Article 10 for the November 13 Town Meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Caruso Regular Session -5- November 1, 2006 Mr. Michaud asked the cost to the town of referendum vote. Mr. Hechenbleikner stated it is about $15,000. Mr. Dahl asked for input from Finance Committee on amount and Emergency Preamble language. Mr. Robinson stated that the Finance Committee already voted in support of the application for $1.532. Mr. Robinson stated he has a problem with Emergency Preamble language because he believes all residents should have an opportunity to weigh in if they disagree with the vote of Town Meeting. Mr. Dahl pointed out that there is a greater risk that we will spend the higher amount than not spend the higher amount. Mrs. Williams (Finance Committee members) stated that she felt the Emergency Preamble language would be a big turnoff for Town Meeting members. Mr. Caruso stated that he thought it would look awkward to include the Emergency Preamble language on the Town Meeting Floor. Mr. Michaud also stated that he is leaning against it. Mr. Dahl noted that without the Emergency Preamble, 500 signatures could result in a referendum and the overturning of vote of town meeting. Mr. Greenfield (Finance Committee) asked what the cost of a delay would be. Mr, Dunlap noted that we would spend money out of other areas in the budget with the assumption that it would be replenished. The vote was taken. Motion defeated 0-5. Mr. Caruso moved to adiourn. Mr. Michaud seconded the motion. The vote was 5- 0. Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Caruso, Mr. Michaud and Mr. McFadden. Meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Respec mitted, Patrick A. Schettini, Jr. Superintendent of Schools