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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-03-27 School Committee Minutes~ i i~jr Ll Reading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts ~F Regular Session March 27,2006 Call to Order Chair Spadafora called the regular session to order. Present were Ms. Webb, Mr. McFadden and Mr. Spadafora. Also present were Superintendent Schettini, Assistant Superintendent Doherty, Director of Human Resources, Mary DeLai and Student Representative Lori Pelosi. Mr. Anthony Cerullo stated that epilepsy is a disease that anyone can get at any time. It is caused from damage to the brain. The Benjamin Program is designed to educate students about epilepsy and build a better understanding of living with the disease. He stated that each child had to finish the sentence, "Benjamin is my friend because..." Each child read their statement. All the students were presented with a $50 Savings Bond. Superintendent Schettini thanked Mr. Cerullo for the work he has done and wished him the best. Mr. Spadafora thanked the Barrow's School for hosting the School Committee Meeting. School Committee Recognition Chair Spadafora recognized Reverend Eric Redard; President of the Reading Clergy Association. Reverend Redard reached out to folks in the community during the recent tragedy in Reading. Chair Spadafora thanked him and extended the School Committees thanks to the entire clergy Association. They did a phenomenal job on short notice. Routine Matters Bills and Payrolls Bills and Payrolls were circulated for signature. Citizens' Input There was no Citizens' Input. Retiular Session -3- March 27,2006 New Business The Superintendent stated that the Coolidge Middle School Science Olympiad Team is once again the state champions. The team won the overall competition on Saturday March 18"' at Assumption College to reclaim the title after a one-point loss last year. Individual gold medals were won in 13 out if 23 events. Paul Guidetti stated the team would now be moving on top the National Competition at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Mr. Guidetti thanked everyone involved. Mr. Dahl stated it would be a good experience for the students to stay on a college campus. Mr. Carpenter asked about the chaperones and the transportation. Mr. Guidetti stated they would go to Manchester Airport via a coach bus. They would fly on Northwest Airlines. There would be 12 chaperones for twenty-five students. The rooms are based upon double occupancy. Superintendent Schettini stated all the details are not finalized yet. They need approval to move forward. Ms. Webb stated her son was in the competition. She would be going on her own and she was not a chaperone. Ms. Webb moved to abnrove the overniLyht field trio of the Coolidge Middle _School Science Team to Bloomington, Indiana May 17 to May 21, 2006 for the National Science Olympiad as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated March 23,2006. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0. Ms. Webb, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Dahl and Mr. Carpenter Old Business Superintendent Schettini stated they had spent about seven hours recently with the Finance Committee. He recognized that George Hines and Charles Robinson were present. He stated the issue before us was to look at the Circuit Breaker Offset and look at Understanding Disabilities with in our budget. He recommended that the School Committee increase the offset for Circuit Breaker by $33,000 and move $20,000 from the Special education account to the Understanding Disabilities line in the Regular Education Budget. Regular Session -4- March 27,2006 Ms. Webb moved to increase the offset for Special Education Circuit Breaker in the FY07 School Committee Recommended Budget to $1,133,000 and move $20,000 from Special Education to the Understanding Disabilities line of the FY07 Budget to fund the co-directors positions for the 2006-2007 school year resulting in a $33,000__ reduction and a new bottom line budget number of $33,568,474. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 4-1. Mr. Carpenter, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Dahl and Mr. Spadafora voting for and Ms. Webb voting against. Mr. McFadden stated he applauded the work and efforts of Lesley Haley, Linda Zarrow, Mary Beth McDonald and Barbara Killian. Mrs. Haley thanked the School Committee for their support. She stated that the School Committee is getting to know Understanding Disabilities and Understanding Disabilities is getting to know the School Committee. She stated they teach a unit on epilepsy in grade four. We connect with the bullying program. We are creating a good whole person. Jeanne Cappuccio, PAC President wanted to extend thanks and appreciation to the School Committee for their support. It benefits all the children in the community. Adjourn Mr. Carpenter moved to adiourn. Ms Webb seconded the motion. The vote was 5- 0. Ms. Webb, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Dahl and Mr. Carpenter Respe d, Patrick A. S ettini, Jr. Superintendent of Schools