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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-06-09 School Committee Minutes - School Building CommitteeFt� READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts Joint School Committee Meeting With the School Building Committee JOINT SESSION MINUTES June 9, 1997 CALL TO ORDER Chair Susan Cavicchi called the session to order at 8:15 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present. Also present was Superintendent Dr. Harry K. Harutunian. Mr. Russ Graham called the School Building Committee to order at 8:16 p.m. Members present were Ms. Margaret Cowell, Ms. Robin D'Antona, Superintendent Harry K. Harutunian, Mr. Joe Lupi, and Mr. Roger Sanstad. Dr. Harutunian said there were several building projects that have been and will be going on at the Reading Public Schools. He said due to the fact that both committees will have a lot of responsibility regarding these projects, this meeting is to clarify the roles and responsibilities of each Committee. Chair Susan Cavicchi suggest a time frame be placed on the meeting. The group agreed to end the discussion by 9:45 p.m. Mr. Graham explained that the role of the School Building Committee is to advise Town Meeting. The Committee discussed the Instructional Motion passed at Town Meeting in November 1988. Mr. Richard Radville, School Building Committee, arrived at 8:30 p.m. The Committee discussed what has transpired between the two committees up to date. Dr. Harutunian said when he developed the capital plan the School Committee develops a plan, three members from the School Building Committee, two members from the School Committee and Finance people were involved. The concern is that the School Committee is the only body asking for money for the schools at Town Meeting. He said it is good for the School Committee to have the SBC there to advocate for money. Mr. Twomey said the role of the SBC is more than an advocacy group, it is a group with substantive authority. Mr. Graham said he felt it was the job of the SBC to develop viable school building projects and present them to town meeting for approval. He felt it was the SC's responsibility to administer the project once approved. Mr. Spadafora commented that he felt it was the SC's responsibility to advocate for the need and scope of school building projects based upon educational needs. The Committees discussed the future of Reading Memorial High School. Mr. Graham said the Reading Public Schools has a number of projects on the table to address. He referred to a disaster project in Andover where they attempted to do too much too fast. He discussed the high school options of whether to build or renovate and the political, educational, and financial implications related to that. He discussed --� enrollment for middle schools and the high school. He felt more time should be spent on that issue. Joint Session Page 2 June 09, 1997 Mr. Stohlman said he felt it was the SC's responsibility to determine whether to renovate or build a new high school and what the scope of that project should be. He noted that the consultant that the SC requested in the spring was specifically needed to help the SC decide. Mr. Graham said that was n.: :xplained to him when he 6 a . ned to suppol the hiring of a consultant and noted that it would seem thc. School Building Coma. = °€ tv could now support that request. The Committee discussed wh:h projects should be discussed at Town Meeting this fall. Mr. Graham suggested continuing this summer with the existing issues on the School Committee's plate. In early fall, have a series of meetings on enrollment changes at the middle schools and high school, then report to the Town Meeting in November. He said in the spring have public meetings where parents, students, etc. are involved and then go to the spring Town Meeting with a plan for Reading Memorial High School. Chair Susan Cavicchi asked if any parents had any comments: One parent did not feel any resolution had been made this evening. One parent questioned the issue of busing students from the Birch Meadow School to the Barrows Elementary School. A - ?ent asked if there was land to build another elementary school. Dr. Harutunian said no decision has bey_,­.'. trade on this issue to date. He said a committee will be formed this fall to make the decision. Mr. Radville distributed a form regarding Parker Middle School dedication plaques. He asked that they fax their suggestions back to him. Mr. Sanstad strongly suggested to the School Committee that at the next meeting take a stance for a formal ten year population study by an expert. ADJOURN At 10.02 p.m Mr. Spadafora moved for the School Committee to adjourn to Executive Session. Ms. D' Antona seconded the motion , ""'he 'he vote was unanimous 6 -0. Ms. Cavicchi Ms. D'Antona , Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey Ms. Williams Mr. Lupi motioned for the School Building; Committee to adjourn at 10:03 p.m. Mr. Sanstad seconded the motion. Ms. Cowell Ms. D'Antona Mr. Graham Superintendent Harutunian, Mr. Lupi, Mr. Radville, Mr. Sanstad-