Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-01-03 School Committee Minutes1 U SS. Reading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts S Regular Session January 3, 2006 Call to Order Chair Spadafora called the regular session to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room at Coolidge Middle School. Present were Mrs. Gibbs, Ms. Webb, Mr. Carpenter, Mr. McFadden and Mr. Spadafora. Also present were Superintendent Schettini, Assistant Superintendent Doherty, Director of Human Resources and Finance Mary DeLai and Student Representative Erica Lessard. Chair Spadafora welcomed everyone and wished everyone a Happy New Year. Bills and Payrolls Bills and Payrolls were circulated for signature. Citizen's Input There was none. Gifts Superintendent Schettini stated that the School Department received a donation in the amount of $2,375 from the Bollard Group on behalf of an anonymous donor, to sponsor the Reading Memorial High School Outside the Classroom AlcoholEdu course. He stated the appropriate thank you letter would be sent. Ms. Webb moved to accept the $2,375 donation from the Bollard Groua, on behalf of an anonymous donor, to sponsor the Reading Memorial High School Outside the Classroom AlcoholEdu course for the sophomore class The appropriate thank you letter will be sent. Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion The vote was 5-0 Mrs Gibbs, Ms. Webb, Mr. Carpenter, Mr. McFadden and Mr. Spadafora The Superintendent stated that he received a donation in the amount of $50,000 from First Call Mortgage for the installation of lights on the Stadium Field. He stated the appropriate thank you letter would be sent. Ms. Webb moved to accept the $50,000 donation from First Call Mortgage for the installation of stadium lights. Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion The vote was 4- 0-1. Mrs. Gibbs, Ms. Webb, Mr. Carpenter and Mr. Spadafora Mr. McFadden abstained. V Regular Session -2- January 3, 2006 Superintendent Schettini stated there were many initiatives resulting from the District Improvement Plan. He has met with parent group, curriculum groups and the Reading Teachers Association. He stated he was trying to bring the message forward. He stated there would be a "Spotlight on Education" meeting on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 at the Multi-Purpose Room at Coolidge Middle School to explain to the Community the direction of the Reading Public Schools and several of the initiatives we are currently doing. The School Administrators would be present. Liaison Reports Mrs. Gibbs stated there was an NEASC article regarding the Commission of Secondary Schools. There were five members completing two consecutive three-year terms on the Commision of Secondary Schools. Our Superintendent Pat Schettini was one of them. She stated that he is recognized for his fine work as an educator not just in Reading but outside of the district as well. Ms. Webb stated the Reading Symphony Orchestra was able to raise $2,500 for the P.T.O.s of our five elementary schools. The elementary school administrators and staff attended the event. The event was very enjoyable. Thank you to the Reading Symphony Orchestra. Personnel Superintendent Schettini stated that they have hired a new Director of Facilities. Director of Human Resources and Finance Mary DeLai and Student Representative stated that she was very excited to announce that they have appointed Mr. Joseph Huggins as the new Director of Facilities. Joe was formerly the Director of Facilities for Melrose Public Schools and prior to that, the Assistant Director of Facilities in the Town of Lynnfield. He will be starting January 30, 2006. FY07 Budget Superintendent Schettini gave a presentation overview of the FY07 Budget. He went over the dates for the budget discussion meetings. Tonight, we would be reviewing Administration and Regular Day. January 9, 2006 would be the review and discussion of the Special Education Budget. The Public Hearing for the FY07 budget would be on January 12, 2006. The School Committee is due to vote on the budget on January 23, 2006. He went on to say that Reading is well below the State average. He stated that the pie chart in the budget is statistically identical to the pie chart of other years. The bottom line is $1,957,333 or a 6.2% increase. There are budget drivers of $2,107,304. He explained Regular Session -3- January 3, 2006 those budget drivers are salary increases, Special Education, energy increase, and costs to implement the District Improvement Plan. The total of these costs is $2,107,304. This is offset by reductions resulting in the 6.2% increase. The Superintendent gave a PowerPoint presentation on the budget. The Superintendent gave an overview of what we would have if we spent the state average per pupil. It would mean spending $5 million dollars more. Our list of Improvements totals $4,572,304. Ms. Webb stated she was familiar with the work of Meg Powers at the Killam School. She stated how over burdened the technology assistants were. Superintendent Schettini stated the addition of the Integration Specialists would help out considerably. Mr. Dahl arrived at 8:25 p.m. Mrs. Gibbs stated the budget presentation by the Superintendent was great. She stated she was concerned about all the new technology and training at the high school. The Superintendent told her part of this would be addressed in the budget and part of it is addressed in the Technology Plan. Mr. Dahl stated that we can discuss ways to improve the schools but we still do not know what our revenues will be. He wanted to know if the improvements were in any particular order. He suggested that the Superintendent be prepared to prioritize the items. He stated he applauded the efforts of the Superintendent. Chair Spadafora called a few minute recess. Chair Spadafora called the meeting back to order. Superintendent Schettini thanked the Administrators and the budget parents. They helped identified the components of the budget and helped to build it. Mr. Spadafora asked if the Technology Position was an administrative position. He was told it was in teaching position part of the RTA. Mr. McFadden asked how many students per class in the All Day Kindergarten Program. The Superintendent stated they try to cap it at eighteen students. Mr. Spadafora asked if the sick leave buy back was a typo. Superintendent Schettini stated the smallest number of teachers retired in FY06 compared to other recent years with only two teachers. There are 13 teachers retiring in FY07. Regular Session -4- January 3, 2006 Ms. Webb asked about the comparison of the general supplies from FY05 to FY07. Superintendent Schettini stated that Mary DeLai has worked very hard with the Principals to define all of the supply categories. It is easier to look at trends when principals are charging similar items to the same accounts. Chair Spadafora thanked the administrators. New Business The Superintendent stated there was an initiative for substance abuse. There is a meeting on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. at the Parker Middle School Cafeteria to rally the community. Adjourn Mr. Carpenter moved to adjourn Mr. Dahl seconded the motion The vote was 6-0. Mrs. Gibbs, Ms. Webb, Mr. Dahl, M r Carpenter, Mr. McFadden and Mr. Spadafora The vote was 6-0 Respectful ted, Patrick A. Schettini, Jr. Superintendent of Schools