Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-05-22 School Committee MinutesReading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session May 22, 2006 Call to Order Chair Webb called the regular session to order at 7:36 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room. Present were Ms. Webb, Mr. Dahl, Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. Caruso and Mr. Michaud. Also present were Superintendent Patrick Schettini, Assistant Superintendent John Doherty, Director of Human Resources and Finance Mary DeLai and student representative Lori Pelosi. Bills and Payrolls Bills and Payrolls were circulated for signature. PUBLIC HEARING SCHOOL CHOICE Ms. Webb called the Public Hearing for School Choice to order at 7:45 p.m. Superintendent Schettini gave an overview of school choice. He stated he does not recommend school choice. He asked if there were any questions. There were none. Ms. Webb closed the public hearing. Mr. Michaud moved. pursuant to the provisions of G.L.c. 76 & 12B, that the School Committee of Reading, following a public hearing, hereby withdraw from its obligation to enroll non-resident students in Reading Public Schools during the 2006-2007 school year for the following reason: General District Enrollment. Mrs. Gibbs seconded. The vote was 5-0. Mr. Michaud. Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. Caruso, Ms. Webb and Mr. Dahl. Citizen's Input There was none. Regular Session -2- May 22, 2006 Gifts MrA Mrs. David LeConti presented a donation to the RISE Preschool Program. Their son Bryce is a student in the RISE Preschool Program and they are appreciative of the tremendous job the program has done in Bryce's development. The Team Bryce network is in the second year of fundraising. Vickie Griffin graciously accepted the donation on behalf of the RISE Preschool Program. Mr. Michaud moved to accept the donation from The Bryce LeConti Fund to the RISE Preschool as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated May 18, 2006. Mrs. Gibbs seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0. Mr. Michaud, Mrs. Webb, Mr. Caruso, Mr. Dahl and Mrs. Gibbs The Young Women's League of Reading made its annual donation to the elementary science programs. This year the funds will be used to purchase literature for two units for each of the elementary schools. Mr. Michaud moved to accept the donation from The Young Women's League of Reading to the elementary science program as part of the B.E.A.K.E.R. Program as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated May 18, 2006. Mr. Caruso seconded. The vote was 5-0. Mr. Michaud. Mrs. Webb, Mr. Caruso, Mr. Dahl, and t, Mrs. Gibbs. Stonehill College donated 12 Pentium 4 computers. Mr. Caruso was helpful in facilitating this donation. Mr. Michaud moved to accept the donation from Stonehill College to the Reading Public Schools as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated May 18, 2006. Mrs. Gibbs seconded. The vote was 5-0. Mr. Michaud, Mrs. Webb, Mr. Caruso, Mr. Dahl, and Mrs. Gibbs. Report of the Liaisons Superintendent Schettini reported on two outstanding events over the past few days. The RMHS Jazz Ensemble played at the Hatch Shell on Saturday as part of the Earth Day program. Superintendent Schettini attended and stated that the performance was outstanding. The Coolidge Science Olympiad Team competed and finished 9th at the National Competition in Indiana. There were 60 teams from across the country. He congratulated the team for the outstanding accomplishment. Regular Session -3- May 22, 2006 Ms. Webb said the whole event was fabulous. The kids are extremely excited about science. Mr. Dahl was impressed by the number of participants and parents at a science event. You would expect to see those numbers at sporting events. Superintendent Schettini stated that the seniors had a wonderful ending to their year. In place of the car parade on the last day of school, seniors met in the field house for breakfast and activites. Mr. Vaccaro is planning a substance abuse assembly for all students grade 8 and up planning on going out for a team on June 18tH New Business (Out of Order) Superintendent Schettini introduced Kim Penney, RMHS Girls Basketball coach to give an overview of the field trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida in December. The team will have an opportunity to play on upscale courts and have the use of beautiful facilities. There are also participating in tow Youth Education Series programs - including Disney Physics and Business Leadership Mr. Michaud moved to approve the Reading Memorial High School Girls Basketball field trip to Orlando, Florida as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated May 18, 2006. Mr. Caruso seconded. The vote was 5-0. Mr. Michaud, Mrs Webb, Mr. Caruso, Mr. Dahl, and Mrs. Gibbs. Mrs. Gibbs asked about the decision to go during season. Coach Penney explained that they usually play in a non-league tournament in February but like to do something different every few years. There will be 104 teams competing and she will be able to choose her competition. She has 9 returning varsity players. Mr. Dahl stated the seminars appear to be very good. He also asked about fundraising. Ms. Penney stated that nothing was in place yet. She wanted to wait until the trip was approved. The program runs basketball camps and the money earned from that would go toward the trip. Old Business Scott Dunlap from AD and Dave Capaldo, TDPC were present to give a construction update on the school building projects. Mr. Dunlap handed out a phasing map for the high school project. Regular Session 4- May 22, 2006 Mr. Dunlap gave a general review and update of the high school project. He said the field house lobby is close to completion. Structural steel is in place in the Main Street and Administration areas. The new auditorium is starting to take shape. Some completion dates need to be adjusted. TLT will be asked to submit a revised schedule. Mr. Dunlap updated the committee on the Barrows project. Ai-3 has begun the project close out and analysis of invoices. Mr. Dahl asked about plans for graduation. There will be 3 egresses and the temporary fence will be taken down and concrete poured to clean up the area. The committee thanked Mr. Dunlap, Mr. Capaldo and Mr. Callahan for the information they provided this evening FY06 Budget Ms. DeLai reviewed the FY06 budget impacts. She acknowledged and thanked the Facilities Department for the prompt and efficient manner they handled the recent flooding in our buildings. A decision was made in concert with the Superintendent and MIIA to contract Servicemaster to come in and remove the water. The approximate cost is expected to be $120,000. There is a deductible of $25,000 with the possibility of additional funds from MEMA or FEMA. There was discussion regarding the FY06 budget. There was a programming error in the billing system from Metro Media which could result in additional charges of up to $50,000. Ms. DeLai followed up on a previous presentation about energy conservation by Energy Education. It is a program the district needs to invest in. Reading has a reputation of doing more with less and everyone needs to be involved in energy conservation. Ms. DeLai will follow-up at a meeting during the summer with additional information on a town/school energy conservation initiative. Superintendent Schettini commended Ms. DeLai for her work on energy conservation.. The committee thanked Ms. DeLai for exploring all the options. Regular Session -5- May 22, 2006 Ms. Webb reviewed the calendar. There was a brief discussion on liaison positions. All positions are available. John Carpenter will continue to be the School Committee representative to RCTV. Approval of Minutes Ms. Gibbs moved to approve the minutes of March 27, 2006. Mr. Michaud seconded the motion. The vote 4-0-1. Ms. Webb, Mr. Caruso, Mr. Dahl, and Mr. Michaud. Mrs. Gibbs abstained. Ms. Gibbs moved to approve the minutes of April 24, 2006. Mr. Michaud seconded the motion. The vote 4-0-1. Ms. Webb, Mr. Caruso, Mrs. Gibbs, and Mr. Michaud. Mr. Dahl abstained. Ms. Gibbs moved to approve the minutes of May 1, 2006. Mr. Michaud seconded the motion. The vote 4-0-1. Ms. Webb, , Mr. Dahl, Mrs. Gibbs and Mr. Michaud. Mr. Caruso abstained. Adjourn Mrs. Gibbs moved to adiourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m. Mr. Caruso seconded the motion. The roll call vote was 5-0. Mr. Pete Dahl, Mr. Chris Caruso, Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. David Michaud and Ms. Elaine Webb. RespM't ed, Prick A. Schettini, Jr. Superintendent of Schools