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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-02-06 School Committee MinutesReading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts Executive Session February 6, 2006 Call to Order Chair Spadafora called the meeting to order at 9:35 p.m. Present were School Committee members Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Spadafora, Ms. Webb, Mr. Carpenter, and Mrs. Gibbs. Also present were Superintendent Schettini, Assistant Superintendent John Doherty and Director of Human Resources and Finance Mary DeLai. Negotiations This matter is a subject of Executive Session. Adjourn Mr. McFadden moved to adiourn at 9:45 p.m. Mrs. Gibbs seconded the motion. The roll call vote was 6-0. Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Spadafora, Ms. Webb, Mr. Carpenter, and Mrs. Gibbs Approved 3/13/06 Released w/redaction 5/3/06 ~r cff>: G C }.yf 1.. 'i ir1S Reading School Committee R Reading, Massachusetts 2L~ Regular Session February 6, 2006 Call to Order Chair Spadafora called the regular session School Committee to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room at Town Hall. Present were Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Spadafora, Ms. Webb, Mr. Carpenter and Mrs. Gibbs. Also present were Superintendent Patrick Schettini, Assistant Superintendent John Doherty and Director of Human Resources and Finance Mary DeLai. Mr. Carpenter requested a moment of silence for Claire Friedman former Occupational Therapist in the Reading Public Schools who passed away over the weekend. Mr. Spadafora reviewed the agenda. Routine Matters Bills and Payrolls Bills and Payrolls were circulated for signature. l Citizen's Input There was none. Gifts There was a donation of $2,500 to the Coolidge Middle School from Comcast Cable, Inc. be used for the purchase of hardware and software for the MIDI Lab. Mr. Carpenter moved to accept this generous gift. Mrs. Gibbs seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0. Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Spadafora, Ms. Webb, Mr. Carpenter and Mrs. Gibbs School Committee Liaison Report Ms. Webb reported on the Human Relations Advisory Committee meeting held recently. She thanked Margaret Soli and Jesenia Castro for the informative presentation on the METCO program. Mr. Carpenter handed out the RCTV report on the goals and direction that will be Regular Session -2- February 6, 2006 Mrs. Gibbs reported on two events held recently. The RISE open house was an overwhelming success. Killam also held the Pillars of Character Assembly on Fairness. It is a well run, parent involved event that she encouraged School Committee members to attend. Mr. Spadafora updated the committee on the Substance Abuse Initiative meeting. There was a presentation by the coordinator of the Town of Winchester program. The committee is hoping to meet weekly and create sub-committees aiming for the March St" date. Superintendent Schettini shared with the board recent accomplishments of Reading students in the New England Jr. District Chorus and Band Competition as well as the Scholastic Arts competition. He stated that the promotion of the arts, fine, performing and practical, is in line with the District Improvement Plan. Personnel Superintendent Schettini informed the committee that Craig Martin and Marie Pink have done a phenomenal job this year and is asking the committee to waive the policy to allow the Superintendent to appoint Craig Martin and Marie Pink to permanent positions. There was discussion regarding the outstanding job the Coolidge Middle School administrative team has done this year. Mr. Martin and Ms. Pink compliment each other and work well together. Mr. Carpenter stated it is a positive to have a special educator on the administrative team. Mrs. Gibbs moved to waive the Reading School Committee Policy regarding Administrative Appointments to allow the Superintendent to appoint Mr. Craig Martin as principal at the Coolidge Middle School effective with the 2006-2007 school year. Mr. Carpenter seconded. The vote was 6-0 Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Spadafora, Ms. Webb, Mr. Carpenter and Mrs Gibbs Mr. Dahl was pleased that we are able to promote from in-house and both are fine people and are doing a great job. Ms. Webb has heard only positive comments coming from the Coolidge community and they are a wonderful team. Regular Session -3- February 6, 2006 Mrs. Gibbs moved to waive the Reading School Committee Policy regarding Administrative Appointments to allow the Superintendent to appoint Ms. Marie Pink as assistant principal at the Coolidge Middle School effective with the 2006- 2007 school year. Mr. Carpenter seconded. The vote was 6-0. Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Spadafora, Ms. Webb, Mr. Carpenter and Mrs. Gibbs New Business (out of order) Superintendent Schettini indicated that the district would like to extend the METCO program to our elementary schools pending requisite additional funding from the state. He stated that at present there is level funding from the state which will not pay the additional needs of transportation and staffing. Reading would like to add 12 additional youngsters. Jesenia Castro, METCO Coordinator joined the meeting to answer questions. Ms. Webb stated that we need to work with our state legislators to fight to increase the METCO program funding. She stated that this program is under funded and transportation has been a long standing issue. She asked about METCO Lobby Day. Ms. Castro stated that it will be March 16, 2006 and she has arranged for a bus to take anyone who is interested in attending. Mrs. Gibbs asked how difficult it is to attract interested families. Ms. Castro stated it is not difficult at this point but it is important to try to make decisions regarding next year's enrollment by the end of March. She explained the process and the final decision is the building principals. There was further discussion on funding options. Ms. Webb moved to extend the METCO Program to the elementary level, pending the requisite additional state funding, starting with the 2006-2007 school year. Mrs Gibbs seconded. Mr. Spadafora requested that the Superintendent bring back to the committee the cost of transportation and the bus monitor needed to expand this program. Mr. Dahl offered a friendly amendment to replace "pending the requisite additional state funding" with "pending identification of a funding mechanism". The friendly amendment was agreed to by Ms. Webb and Mrs. Gibbs. Regular Session -4- February 6, 2006 The vote on the amended motion was 6-0. Mr. Dahl Mr. McFadden Mr. Spadafora, Ms. Webb, Mr. Carpenter and Mrs Gibbs Superintendent Schettini introduced Joseph Huggins, Director of Facilities. Mr. Dahl stated it was important to have him in place especially with the size of our building project. The committee welcomed Mr. Huggins to Reading. Approval of Field Trip Superintendent Schettini introduced Doug Lyons, assistant principal at the Parker Middle School who gave an overview of the proposed field trip to compete in the Future Cities National competition in Washington, D.C. Mr. Lyons attended a recent Rotary luncheon at which the Rotary donated $1,200 to help to help fund the trip for the students. Parker has also received $1,000 from an anonymous donor. Superintendent Schettini is pleased that both middle schools have science programs in place. It is quite the accomplishment for a first year program to win a regional competition and move to the nationals. Mrs. Gibbs moved to approve the overnight field trip for the Parker Middle School's Future Cities team to compete in the National competition in Washington, D.C. as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated February 2, 2006 Mr. Carpenter seconded. The vote was 6-0. Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Spadafora, Ms. Webb, Mr. Carpenter and Mrs. Gibbs School Calendar Superintendent Schettini gave an overview of the 2006-2007 school calendars. The calendar for Grades K - 8 will be basically the same as the 2005-2006 calendar. The high school and RISE preschool calendar is designed to allow for the move into the renovated "C" building over an extended winter break. This will allow for punch list items to be finished as well as providing time to test the mechanical systems before the students return. Superintendent Schettini has included no school days for the Jewish holidays and asked the committee to support this. Regular Session -5- February 6, 2006 Mrs. Gibbs moved to accept the 2006-2007 School Calendar for grade K thru Stn and 2006-2007 School Calendar A for the high school and the RISE Pre-school as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated February 2, 2006 Mr. McFadden seconded. The vote was 6-0. Mr. Dahl Mr. McFadden Mr. S adafora Ms. Webb, Mr. Carpenter and Mrs Gibbs Old Business (out of order) Building Project Update Dave Capaldo, Design Partnership of Cambridge, Jim Jordan, Ai-3 and Phil Callahan, Project Manager were present to answer question regarding the high school building project. Mr. Capaldo gave an update on the status of the locker room areas, Main Street and the old Library. The interior framing is progressing as well as mechanical/electrical rough-ins. Mr. McFadden asked why with warmer weather in January that construction hasn't moved ahead. Mr. Jordan explained that there was ground thaw sooner than expected causing muddy conditions but the January schedule was on track. Mr. Carpenter asked about the Board of Health issues. Mr. Capaldo stated that all the punch list items are completed and the kitchen has been signed off on. Mr. McFadden asked about the field house flooring material and requested a site visit to a school that has installed the proposed floor. Mr. Capaldo has contacted the representative. Mr. Spadafora asked for clarification on the contingency fund. Requested that Superintendent Schettini would review the contingency fund with Mr. Dunlap and that he come to the next meeting to review and answer questions. Mr. Dahl asked about the treatment of the cement supports on the "C" Building. Mr. Capaldo will look into it for him. Capital Plan Ms. DeLai presented the FY2007-2011 School and Facilities Capital Improvement Plan. She stated that she has worked with Facilities Director Joe Huggins to refine this plan. She reviewed the needs of all the school and town buildings. There was discussion on methods to fund some of these projects. ' Regular Session -6- February 6, 2006 Superintendent Schettini stated this plan needs to be funded and that we are taking a proactive stance by getting this plan to the Finance Committee prior to the Financial Forum. This is a plan for all town buildings. The committee requested that Ms. DeLai present information of the status of appropriations report for the next meeting. Mr. Dahl moved to accept the School and Facilities Capital Improvement Plan for 2007-2011 as presented at the Reading School Committee meeting on February 6, 2006 with the addition of additional funds to replace furniture and equipment at various schools and funds to remove the portable classrooms at the Birch Meadow School upon completion of the RMHS project Ms Webb seconded The vote was 6-0. Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Spadafora, Ms Webb, Mr. Carpenter and Mrs Gibbs Approval of Minutes Mrs. Gibbs moved to accept the minutes of September 12, 2005 Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0-1. Mr. Dahl Mr. McFadden Mr. Spadafora, Ms. Webb and Mr. Carpenter. Mrs Gibbs abstained Ms. Webb shared with the committee information on two upcoming Wellness Wednesday programs. Adjourn Ms. Webb moved to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of discussing negotiations with employee union not to return to regular session Mrs Gibbs seconded the motion. The roll call vote was 6-0. Mr. Dahl Mr. McFadden Mr. Spadafora, Ms. Webb, Mr. Carpenter, and Mrs Gibbs r Respect f tted, Patrick A. chettini, Jr. Superintendent of Schools