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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-02-27 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts REGULAR SESSION 11INUTES FEBRUARY 27 1995 CALL TO ORDER Chair Timothy Twomey called the regular School Committee Meeting to order at 7:30 in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Hunnelly, Assistant Superintendent Dennis Richards, School Committee Student Rep. Christine Cerretani and a reporter from the Chronicle. Mr. Twomey gave an overview of the evening's agenda. Dr. Munnelly noted that he would withdraw the "Awards of Bids" item (C -1) at this time. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for bills was as follows: February 27, 1995 - Bills - $ 279,515.37 The warrant for payroll was as follows: February 24, 1995 - Biweekly - $ 121,502.36 MINUTES Tim Twomey moved to approve the minutes of January 9, 1995. Matt Cummings seconded the motion. All voted 6 - 0. Matt Cummings moved to approve the minutes of January 23, 1995. Robin D'Antona seconded the motion with adjustments. The minutes were voted 5 -0 -1 with Mr. Stohlman abstainina. Matt Cummings moved to approve the minutes of January 30. 1995. Robin D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 -1 with Mrs. Cavicchi abstaining. Sue Cavicchi moved to approve the minutes of February 6, 1995. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0. CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen's input. SUPERINTENDENT'S AND CHAIR'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly announced and congratulated the students of the quarter at Reading Memorial High School. He also applauded all of the Winter athletes. They had a very successful season. Dr. Munnelly explained that he has granted permission to the RMHS Baseball team to play Lexington in Cooperstown, New York on Sunday, April 23, 1995 thus waiving the Sunday event policy. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 FEBRUARY 27 1995 SUPERINTENDENT'S AND CHAIR'S REPORT CONTINUED The Superintendent recognized Ruthann Budrewicz and Bill Cowles. Ms. Budrewicz has been selected to participate in a four -year Math /Science Technology training program for Women and Minority Teachers. Mr. Cowles has been chosen as the Massachusetts Assistant Principal of the year for the 1995 McDonald's /NASSP Assistant Principal Recognition Program. Mr. Twomey stated that the Killam School. has received one or two computers via The Bank of Boston. There will be a photo opportunity on Saturday morning, March 4, 1995 at The Bank of Boston. George Shannon stated that he heard that Mr. O'Connell was in Maine on two Fridays tending to business associated with his old job. Mr. Shannon wished to have clarification at this time. Dr. Munnelly stated that the question was an assassination of character and could not be answered at this time. Mr. Shannon said that citizens were questioning him and the community had a right to know. Mr. Shannon took exception with Dr. Munnelly implying that his inquiry was character assassination. Dr. Munnelly explained that Mr. O'Connell used one vacation day to go to Maine. Dr. Munnelly checked attendance logs to see if Bill was away other days. He was not. Food in the Field House A question was asked if the School Committee Policy about Field House during Wrestling parents were unaware of the Athletic Director to speak to OLD BUSINESS: Wrestling Team Parents went against the bringing or selling food in the Meets. It was determined that the policy. Dr. Munnelly asked the the parents and explain the policy. 1. Appointment of Interim Superintendent Mr. William O'Connell withdrew his letter of interest for Interim Superintendent. The School Committee requested the remaining candidate, Dennis Richards, speak. Mr. Richards made reference to the comments he made when he was interviewed by the School Committee for the position of Assistant Superintendent noting that nothing had changed. His record speaks for itself. He holds himself to high standards. He is always working to make things better. He has put his heart and soul into his job. He was asked what issues were important to him. The issues are as follows: REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 FEBRUARY 27 1995 OLD BUSINESS CONTINUED: The issues are as follows; 1. Education Reform - Time and Learning 2. School Committee's role in Education Reform 3. Budgets - High taxes should yield high quality schools 4. Parker Middle School - great attention has to be paid to the details 5. Contract Negotiation - Issues, changes, Ed Reform have to be reviewed 6. The hiring of a Coolidge Middle School Principal Mr. Shannon asked Mr. Richards how he would handle a replacement for his position while he is Interim Superintendent. Mr. Richards replied that he really had not spent a lot of time thinking about it. He did not know if he would be appointed Interim Superintendent so he did not feel comfortable talking about replacements. He said there were few ways to look at it: 1. Hire someone from within 2. Hire someone outside but with knowledge of the schools 3. A combination of the two Airs. Cavicchi was uneasy about having an Interim Superintendent and an Interim Assistant Superintendent. She does not feel it will go smoothly enough. She is not doubting the capabilities of Dennis. The Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent have separate and distinct responsibilities. The Parker project could be a full time job. Air. Richards agreed that the two jobs are overwhelming. Air. Shannon feels the replacement should work full time in order to avoid burn -out that may occur if the person were doing two jobs. HATT CUMMINGS MOVED TO APPOINT DENNIS RICHARDS INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT OF READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS EFFECTIVE THE DAY AFTER DR. MUNNELLY RETIRES. MR. SHANNON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE VOTE WAS UNANIMOUS. Dr. Munnelly stated that he would be taking vacation time. Mr. Twomey said there would be many transition issues. 2. Selection of Search Consultant Mr. Twomey said he hoped to make a decision this evening. The three firms that were interviewed were Winchester Associates, Harold Webb Associates, Ltd. and Massachusetts Association of School Committees, Inc. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 FEBRUARY 27. 1995 OLD BUSINESS CONTINUED: Air. Cummings stated that a firm with contacts across the country has the potential to offer many candidates. It was asked if Winchester Associates actively sought people. The answer is yes. They also do mailings across the state. Mrs. D'Antona noted that Winchester Associates had a lot of experience. Mr. Shannon added that recruiting could be just sending out letters. He liked Harold Webb Associates. Mr. Twomey liked the fact that Winchester Associates is a local firm. Mr. Stohlman said we all have to feel comfortable with whom we select. He thought Winchester Associates would be easy to deal with. MR. SHANNON 14OVED TO SELECT WINCHESTER ASSOCIATES AS THE SEARCH FIRM. MATT CUMMINGS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE VOTE WAS 6 -0. 3. Citizen Screening Committee The Screening Committee should be made up of eight members: 2 Administrators, 2 Teachers, and 4 People from the community. So far, no Teachers or Administrators have expressed any interest. Dr. Munnelly has spoken to the School Councils. They will submit names for review this week. Mr. Stohlman stated that when the Selectmen appoint people to a Screening Committee, they always interview the candidates. He feels this is a good idea. The chair asked for a consensus. The consensus was yes. The School Committee would interview, for ten minutes each maximum, the candidates on March 20, 1995. Air. Twomey would instruct Mrs. Williamson in Dr. Munnelly's office to write letters to the potential candidates informing them of the meeting. 4. The Budget FY96 -- Review of Status Mr. Twomey noted that there were 30 -40 people present at the FinCom Meeting. He explained that this was unusual. They were all given time to air their views. The School Department Budget had to be prepared and submitted six weeks before the Town Budget. Mr. Stohlman was impressed with the suggestions for budget cuts on the Municipal side and he had frustration with the override issue. MR. STOHLMAN MOVED TO FILE A 2 1/2 MILLION DOLLAR OVERRIDE IN ORDER TO PROPERLY FUND THE BUDGET. MR. SHANNON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE VOTE WAS 4 -2. AIRS. D'ANTONA AND MR. TWOMEY WERE OPPOSED. MR.STOHLMAN, MR. SHANNON, MR. CUMMINGS, MRS. CAVICCHI VOTED FOR. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 FEBRUARY 27 1995 OLD BUSINESS CONTINUED: Mr. Twomey asked Ghat the timetable election. Mr. Cummings responded that Town Meeting. Mr. Twomey said he had override at this point in time than he this is just not an appropriate time. should have been done before. Who woul work? would be for a special it had to be before April more of a problem with an did before. He feels that If it were to be done it d head it up and do all the Mr. Stohlman said the need for revenue is now. He said he would relay the information to the Selectmen. Mr. Shannon told him that the town needs and the school needs are not combined. A special election would be too close to the regular election. Mrs. Cavicchi said we need to set priorities. We need funds and there is no other way. Mrs D'Antona stated that FY97 and FY98 will show greater financial difficulties. We need an override but do it in a context where it will be successful. It is not a matter of what we need this year but the next few years, the future. Mr. Cummings stated that nothing will impact the School Department more than cutting $ 630,000. Spending all Free Cash would be reckless. He added that a massive one time override would be more effective than three smaller ones. Mrs. Cavicchi stated that she voted for the override but she has great concerns about it. B -4. Use of Portable Classrooms - 1995 -96 Dr. Munnelly made reference to the between meeting note # 24 pertaining to the Portable Classroom at Joshua Eaton. There is a need to increase the budget $ 12,000 and add that to the excess $ 24,000 already identified in the budget. The portables could be relocated to Killam helping with population issues there. Dr. Munnelly is recommending for $ 36,000 that this be done. Mr. Twomey asked if we could wait until September 1996. He understood the proposal. Since we are far into the budget process could we wait another year to do this? If the portables were used at Killam it could free up 2 teachers and two classrooms. Pars. Cavicchi said the state has jurisdiction over the portables because state funds are used. There is no construction going on at Killam so they could be used there. They could not be used at Joshua Eaton because there is construction going on. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 FEBRUARY 27 1995 USE OF PORTABLES CONTINUED: Dr. Munnelly said adding portables at Killam in between Kindergarten and the first grade wing would not be a problem. MATT CUMMINGS 11OVED TO ADD $ 12,000 TO THE FY96 BUDGET TO MOVE THE PORTABLE CLASSROOMS TO KILLAM FROM JOSHUA EATON. MR. SHANNON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE VOTE WAS 6 - 0. C. New Business 1. Award of Bids Dr. Munnelly requested that the bid discussion be withdrawn this evening. D. Information and Proposals 1. Focus Group Fleeting at RMHS a. staff center b. lecture hall MR. TWOMEY MOVED TO ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS UNION NEGOCIATIONS. MR. SHANNON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE VOTE WAS 6 - 0. SUSAN CAVICCHI MATTHEW CUMMINGS ROBIN D'ANTONA GEORGE SHANNON THOMAS STOHL11AN TIMOTHY TWOMEY At 11:15 The School Committee resumed Session. There was a budget discussion. A. They moved to reduce the proposed Administration Budget from $ 802,166 to $ 592,166 thus a reduction of $ 210,000. The vote was 5 -1 with Mr. Shannon voting against. B. It was proposed to increase the Custodial Budget $ 12,000 from $ 1,819,030 to $ 1,831,030. The vote was 5 -1 with Mr. Shannon voting against. C. These two changes in the budget of $ 18,206,506 would yield a net result of $ 18,008,506. The School Committee voted 5 -1 in favor. George Shannon voting against. The meeting adjourned at 11:21. The vote was 6 - 0. SUSAN CAVICCHI MATT CUMMINGS ROBIN D'ANTONA R tfully Submitted, GEORGE SHANNON f TH011AS STOLMAN J 4Q-, tirv' c "C TIMOTHY TWOMEY Dennis Richards Interim Superintendent