1982-01-18 School Committee Minutes

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324 SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 18, 1982 The CAC recommends that all involved in grade reorganization - parents, teachers.and all support systems - be provided all available information regarding the Middle School concept. Since the CAC has had the opportunity to study the Middle School, we suggest the formation of a steering committee to study and recommend the im- plementation of this grade reorganization of this grade reorgainization with full input from all concerned parties, as has been done in other communities. The re- cent studies of declining enrollment, space usage, transportation and the financial impact of the school budget would all be included in the findings of the steering committee. The Citizens Advisory Council is supportive of a Middle School reorganization as a positive step in the long term objectives that the Administration and School Committee must address in the coming years, since it supports the philosophy of the Town of Reading in providing the best education to the children of Reading. Many recent -studies indentifying the cognitive development of children show that perhaps the weakest link in the continuum of schooling is at the intermediate level. These studies support what any parent or educator recognizes as the problems of adolescence. The Middle School meets the needs of the students who are rapidly changing in all as- pects of physical, social and academic growth. Since any change involves some confusion, misinformation, fear and apprehension, we feel with ample information availabe for parents, students and educators implementation of grade reorganization in the Reading School System will be accomplished in a positive manner. The CAC therefore encourages all those interested to attend the upcoming public meeting on January 27 as, a first step in this process." Acting Chairman Garroway thanked Mr. Shepheard for the efforts of the CAC. Announcement At this time Mr. Garroway, on a point of personal privilege, announced that he will seek reelection to the School Committee in March. Bids - Microcomputer Hardware and Video Terminal Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted, that the School Committee award the contract for five TRS -80 Model III - 16K microcomputers to Radio Shack, Inc., the low bidder, at $4,09.5.90. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously, to award the contract for two TRS -80 Model III desk top business computers -48K or equal - at $3,798 and two TRS -80 Line Printers, VIII or equal, at $1,198, for a total of $4,996, to Omnitek, the low bidder. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously, to award the contract for one Visual 200 Terminal compatible with DEC PDP 1134, at $895, to Butler Associates, the low bidder. The above votes were based on recommendations of the Administration. All items will be purchased from Title IVB Grant funds. The total Grant was $12,507. Of that amount $1,482 will be used by Austin Preparatory School. After the above items are purchased, there will be a balance of $1,038 available for software programs. Ri r��nri �l .Qt.�t.omantc The following financial statements were noted for the records: