1982-02-01 School Committee Minutes

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SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES Call to Order (• r^ r FEBRUARY 1, 1982 The regular meeting of the Reading School Committee was called to order by Chairman Landers at 7:x+0 p.m., February 1, 1982, in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present, as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. There were approximately 22 visitors present, including Dr. John Delaney, Principal of Parker Junior High School, and representatives of the Finance Committee, Citizens Advisory Council and the Daily Chronicle. Approval of the Minutes of January 25, 1982 Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was unanimously voted to accept the minutes of the meeting of January 25, 1982 as amended. Approval of Bills and Payroll Warrants for bills and payroll were authorized as follows: Bills February 5, 1982 - General Expense - Total - $55,286.28 Payroll February 5, 1982 — Weekly - Total - $22,235.40 Citizen Input There was no citizen input. School Closing - Grade Reorganization Mr. Garroway moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and the Committee unanimously voted that in light of an anticipated future decline in the student enrollment and in light of a desire to maintain a quality education in the Reading System that the Administration be directed to reorgainize the grades to reflect a K -5, 6 -8, 9 -12 grade system and that the Administration plan to close the Pearl Street School no earlier than the Fall of 198+ but concurrent with the implementation of a reorganization plan. During the discussion of the above motion Mr. Allen spoke of the concerns he heard expressed at the public meeting held January 27, 1982 which he felt should be ad- dressed, i.e., redistricting, bus routes, social problems of combining grade six with grades seven and eight, curriculum development, citizen involvement, the High School not being fully utilized, potential overcrowding of the Junior High Schools. He added that the curriculum development is the responsibility of the Administration and that there should be feedback from them to the School Commmittee. Dr. Wells said he shared these concerns and that the Administration can promise more than is being asked of them. He assured the Committee that the Administration wants citizen involvement and thanked the Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) for their support at the public meeting. He added that in late February or early March the Administration will be ready to come in with a plan. Also, he will get input from people whose children will be affected before doing anything.