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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-04-10 School Committee MinutesReading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session April 10, 2006 Call to Order Vice-Chair Webb called the regular session to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Wood End School Cafeteria. Present were Ms. Webb, Mr. Dahl, Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. Caruso, Mr. David Michaud and Mr. McFadden. Also present were Superintendent Patrick Schettini, Assistant Superintendent John Doherty and Director of Human Resources and Finance Mary DeLai. Bills and Payrolls Bills and Payrolls were circulated for signature. The School Committee welcomed two new members, David Michaud and Chris Caruso. Vice-Chair Webb then turned the gavel over to Superintendent Schettini. Mr. Dahl stated there are two things to consider for reorganization is to do it at the end of the fiscal year or after an election. He would like the nomination to be for a one year term as chair. Mr. Dahl moved to reorganize the board after the annual town election. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 5-1. Mr. Dahl, Ms. Webb, Mr. Michaud, Mr. Caruso and Mr. McFadden. Mrs. Gibbs voted against. Mrs. Gibbs was intrigued by the motion. She feels the committee should reorganize at the end of the school year. Mr. Dahl stated that he was chair for 16 months which he felt was too long. The term should be one year whether they win or lose. Mrs. Gibbs wants to be sure the chair has enough time to prepare for town meeting. Mr. Dahl said any committee member could present the budget. He welcomed the new members to the board. Mr. Dahl made a motion to nominate Ms. Webb for School Committee Chair. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. She is dedicated to the task and will allow the meetings to flow in a natural progression. 1- 6~ ~ v Regular Session -2- April 10, 2006 Superintendent Schettini asked for other nominations or discussion. The vote was 6-0. Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Caruso, Mr. Michaud, Ms Webb and Mr. Dahl. Superintendent Schettini returned the gavel to Ms. Webb. Mr. Dahl moved to nominate Mrs. Gibbs for School Committee Vice-Chair if she is willing to serve. Mr. Mcfadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0. Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Caruso, Mr. Michaud, Ms. Webb and Mr. Dahl. Chair Webb took a moment to say it was an honor and pleasure to serve as Vice-Chair with Rob Spadafora. Rob loves Reading Schools more than anyone she knows and hopes she can meet the same standards that Rob Spadafora attained.. Ms. Webb called a brief recess. Ms. Webb called the meeting back to order. Mrs. Gibbs left the meeting. Chair Webb gave an enthusiastic welcome to the two new members to the board. Citizen's Input John Carpenter wished his successors well and told them to enjoy the time on the committee. Rob Spadafora congratulated the new members, vice-chair and chair and has confidence that the district will continue to move forward with the top notch administration. He wished the committee good luck. Gifts There were no gifts. Report of the Liaisons Superintendent Schettini announced Expansion Management Magazine named the Reading Public School District a Gold Medal Winner. The magazine rates school districts as a way of providing its readers with a basis for comparing the type of work force they are likely to encounter. We did not apply for this award. Regular Session -3- April 10, 2006 Congressman John Tierney will be holding a community meeting on education and NCLB at the Beebe Library in Wakefield on April 29, 2006. MASC Day on the Hill is being held on April 26, 2006 at the State House. It is an opportunity to lobby the State Representatives for education. The annual Reading Scholastic Awards night is May 3, 2006. Mr. McFadden received Chapter 70 information from Representative Brad Jones. The House has reduced Chapter 70 aid by 72 million. Superintendent Schettini will speak to Town Hall tomorrow about the House reduction in Chapter 70 aid and how it will affect us. Superintendent Schettini informed the committee of his plan to invite all Town Meeting members to tour the new Math/Science wing prior to the first session of Town Meeting. John Carpenter submitted the RCTV Annual report. RCTV offers classes at RMHS. They are proud of what they are doing. New Business (out of order) Superintendent Schettini introduced Doug Lyons, Parker Middle School Assistant Principal who gave an overview of the proposed overnight field trip to Prindle Pond and Nature's Classroom June 5-7, 2006. Ms. Webb asked how many students will be going. Mr. Lyons said approximately 100. Mr. Caruso asked about chaperones. There is a nurse on site 24 hours and a Reading Police Officer comes out at 10:30 p.m. for the night. Mr. Dahl stated it was an excellent program. Mr. Dahl moved to approve the overnight field trip to Prindle Pond and Nature's Classroom as outlined in the Supeintendent's memorandum dated April 7, 2006. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0. Mr. McFadden, Ms. Webb, Mr. Michaud, Mr. Caruso and Mr. Dahl. Energy Education Regular Session 4- April 10, 2006 Ms. DeLai gave a brief overview of the proposal from Energy Education, Inc. They offer unique approaches to energy savings. She then introduced Mr. Chuck Fasnacht of Energy Education to give his presentation. Mr. Fasnacht said they were working with 736 school districts nationwide. There would be no capital outlay or need for new budgeted funds. He stated that there would be no sacrifices in comfort levels and estimates a 2.1 million dollar savings over the next seven years. He gave some examples of methods use. It would be a four year contract with perpetual savings. Mr. McFadden asked about the guarantee in Part 2 of the proposal. He also asked about on-site training and energy accounting software. Superintendent Schettini asked if this program could also be used with the town buildings. Mr. Dahl asked how the energy saving were calculated. Mr. Fasnacht said that a feasibility study has been done and the savings estimates were based on the average cost per student. Mr. Dahl was also concerned about the weather we may encounter next winter. Mr. Fasnacht said the software takes the weather into account. Mr. Caruso asked if there would be one energy manager per school. Mr. Fasnacht said there is only one per district and they do most of their work either before or after school. Mr. McFadden would like to have RMLD included and asked that they review the Energy Education proposal. The committee thanked Mr. Fasnacht for his presentation. Old Business Scott Dunlap from AD gave a construction update on the school building projects. He also reviewed the Barrows construction budget. Mr. Dunlap gave an overview of the high school progress stating that the track would be the next visible piece of outdoor work. TLT has been asked to commit to a schedule to begin work on the track. The weather has been an issue with the installation schedule. Mr. Dunlap gave a brief description of the track surface product and the installation process. There was a question regarding upgrades to original track plan. Mr. Schettini indicated that there has been $14,000 in upgrades through already approved change orders. Regular Session -5- April 10, 2006 The floor was opened for questions from the audience. Hal Croft asked about the warranty of the track and all products. Superintendent Schettini said we are working to get the track installed as quickly as possible and under the best conditions. Mr. Dahl asked about the manufacturer's specifications. He does not want to delay this project and feels if the specifications are met, the weather cooperates and the warranty stands we should proceed. Mr. Caruso asked what our options were. Mr. Vaccaro wanted to publicly thank the coaching staff for their cooperation and willingness to mobilize at a moments notice. He has made arrangements to shift home meets to other locations. There are three other tracks out of commission in the league. The committee applauds the efforts of Mr. Vaccaro and the track personnel. There was further discussion on the warranty and types of surface. The committee thanked Mr. Dunlap, Mr. Capaldo and Mr. Callahan for the information they provided this evening Approval of Minutes Mr. Dahl moved to approve the minutes of January 23, 2006. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote 5-0. Ms. Webb, Mr. Caruso, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Michaud and Mr. McFadden. Adjourn Mr. Dahl moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 p.m. Mr. Caruso seconded the motion. The roll call vote was 5-0. Mr. Pete Dahl, Mr. Chris Caruso, Mr. Carl Superintendent of Schools