1982-04-27 School Committee Minutes

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�f SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 27, 1982 Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Garroway, that the School Committee give first vote to Policy KG - "Use of School Facilities for Other Than Regular School Purposes," as described on document B -2 -a, dated April 27, 1982, to become effective on July 1, 1982. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, to amend the motion by deleting from Section "B -1" the words "with the exception of Reading Memorial High School. Varsity Football Field. Mr. Allen pointed out that #13 under "Regulations Concerning School Grounds" prohibits the use of the fields when they are wet, adding that he felt this was a built in protection for any field or facility. He stated that most of the Middlesex League Towns allowed the Pop Warner Youth Football Teams to use the high school football field. Mr. Coco said he was sympathetic to certain orgainizations which want to play on the field but added thht if the field is opened up to one it could end up being in poor condition in a couple of years. Chairman Landers said he hoped that the Committee would vote in the best in- terests of whatever resources it has, adding that it is possible to destroy any facility through over -use. Mrs. Philbrick noted that the Subcommittee was sympathetic with the other groups wanting to use the field but this fall will be the first time the re- furbished field is used so it should be observed to see how much traffic it will bear. She added that at a later date it might be proper to expand the use of the field. Mr. Frank Baggs of the CAC said that the refurbishing of the field was being paid for by taxpayer money and the School Committee is restricting its use. Both he and Mr. Allen were of the opinion that a belief that use would be allowed by outside groups was a definite influencing factor in the Town Meeting vote to expend funds to refurbish the field. Mr. Garroway countered that excluding outside use was an attempt to protect what the taxpayers have paid for. The motion to amend failed to carry, the vote being 5 -1, with Mr. Allen casting the affirmative vote. The main motion carried by a unanimous vote. Mr. Winslow was asked when bids for refurbishing the football field were due and he said May 6th, adding that he hoped to bring his recommendation before the School Committee on May 10th. RTA Contract At this time the Chairman turned the meeting over to Mr. Garroway, as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Bargaining and Negotiations, who announced that the School Committee and the RTA had reached an agreement, ratified by the teachers the day before, for a two -year contract giving a cost of living increase of 7.3% for the first year and 6% for the second, plus steps, covering the period from July 1, 1982 through June 30, 1984. Mr. Garroway added that he thinks it is a good package, that it meets the Finance Committee guidelines, and that it was achieved through cost efficiencies in the program and reducing the staff by four teachers. He lso said that the package is comparable to other Communities and made no change in working conditions.