1983-10-26 School Committee Minutes

Home Browse Search

210 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES , _ OCTOBER 24, 1983 fourth grade child at home for the past three years, requested permission to continue instructing this child and also to instruct a first - grade -age son. He said that the first instruction plan submitted by the Doolittles did not meet the guidelines set forth in School Committee policy. They revised their plan, resubmitted to Pearl Street School Principal Paul Guerrette, and he now recommends it favorably to the School Committee. The Committee reviewed the plan briefly. Mrs. Philbrick then moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted to grant the request of Mr. & Mrs. Robert Doolittle to instruct their daughter, Kate, (Grade 4) and their son, Simon, (Grade 1) at home in accordance with the plan described on document B -3 -b. Middle School District Lines and Transportation Policies Dr. Wells said that it had occurred to him that there has not been sufficient advance notice to parents of children who would be effected for the School Committee to take final action on district lines for the Middle Schools. He suggested that the subject be discussed at this meeting and acted upon at a later date. Dr. Wells said the Administration was recommending a uniform bus policy for grades 6, 7 and 8, which would necessitate a revision of existing school bus policy and would have students living within the two -mile limit walking to school a year earlier (sixth grade instead of seventh). This would make bussing policy uniform for grades 6 -12. He pointed out that the Middle School Advisory Committee had made it very clear that all grades should be treated alike. If the one -mile bussing limit for sixth graders is continued it would defeat this concept. The Committee discussed various alternatives to present policy at length. If a new 12 -mile limit were to be established for grades 6--8 more bus trips would be necessary. A uniform policy of two miles for grades 6 -12 would mean the same amount of busses would be required in 1984 -85 as are currently used; elementary school starting and dismissal times would remain unchanged; and nineteen sixth graders would be eligible for bus transportation. It was brought out that "safety" passes are issued in certain cases where walking conditions are considered unsafe. In a brief exchange regarding State reimbursements, it was noted that the State pays (a varying percentage) only for students who live over a mile and a half from school. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously, that existing policy be revised to reflect that the limit for walking for sixth graders be changed to two miles. As policy changes require two votes, the Committee decided that the second vote on changing the walking limit for sixth graders from one to two miles will be taken at the November 21st School Committee meeting. Redistricting for Middle Schools was discussed in general terms. Dr. Wells said that the Administration will have more specific information at a later date. He added that, with the possible exception of a few students in the Village Street area, the recommendation will be that Eaton and Barrows Schools students will go to Parker, and Killam and Birch Meadow students to Coolidge Junior High School. Chairman Coco said the redistricting will be discussed at the November 21st meeting along with the bussing policy.