Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-03-27 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS READING, MASSACHUSETTS REGULAR SESSION MINUTES MARCH 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. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Dennis Richards, Student Council Student Representative Christine Cerretani and a reporter from the Chronicle. Mr. Twomey welcomed Robert Spadafora and presented him with a name plate for his seat on the Reading School Committee. Mr. Twomey went on to publicly thank Mr. George Shannon for all his help and efforts. MTM[TfPI!-q . Mr. Cummings moved to approve the minutes of January 23. 1995. Mrs. D'Antona seconded the motion with adjustments. The vote was 5 -0 -1 with Mr. Spadafora abstaining. Mr. Cummings moved to approve the minutes of February 27, 1995. Mrs. Cavicchi seconded the motion. Mr. Stohlman had an adiustment. The vote was 5 -0 -1 with Mr. Spadafora abstainin Citizen's Input Mr. Twomey asked if there was any Citizen's Input. SUPERINTENDENT'S AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR'S REPORT: Dr. Munnelly asked Mr. Spadafora to introduce his parents who were at the meeting. He went on to congratulate the High School Drama Group which has reached the State Finals with their presentation of The Scarlet Letter. He also recognized the success of the Jazz Group. The Coolidge parents will be conducting several fund raising initiatives to support the travel fund for the National Science Olympiad Finals in Indiana. He applauded the students and their parents for their work and accomplishments. Dr. Munnelly then mention that there were visitors. The purpose of the round table meeting is to educate the members of the School Committee and the public about special education. In the process we would like to hear the views of the parents, administrators and the public. Several changes in the Massachusetts Special Education law have been prepared by Governor Weld. Representative Brad Jones, Tom Shea from Senator Tisei's Office were in attendance. Mr. Casey was in Melrose and would be late. P.A.C.766 was represented by Robin Hamilton, Belinda Barbas, Karen REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 MARCH 27 1995 ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION CONTINUED: Ghirardi, Mrs. Coco and Mrs. Sykes. Mr. Twomey wants everyone to have an opportunity to speak. There was discussion about changes in the law. Mr. Cummings feels that Special Education is a difficult issue. He wished it known that none of the School Committee Members were against Special Education. He feels that students benefit from Inclusion but that there are issues associated with Inclusion. Strengthening the role of the Building Principal is a good idea. There was much discussion about the law. Mr. Cummings feels that the schools should not be responsible for Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Sensory Therapy and Nurses. The cost of these services increase faster than 2 1/2% per year. These costs are non direct educational costs which zap funds from the education budget. We should receive some relief for these costs at a state level. Mr. Twomey noted that the Town's ability to predict and plan costs of Special Education is quite difficult. Mrs. D'Antona echoes the comments of her colleagues. In addition to Special Education needs there are also behavior and emotional problems that cost money. Mrs. Hamilton acknowledged that Nursing and Transportation are concerns of the parents too. Insurance Companies will not pay for Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy etc. If a student cannot hold a pencil how will they be able to do their work? Social services will not pay, the state will not pay. What does one do? Mrs. Mirkin noted that Chapter 766 is sometimes used to keep students in school. If a child has a behavioral problem, a parent could ask to have the child evaluated. If the school identifies a special need the town has to provide a long term plan. If the school finds no special need, an outside evaluation may be necessary thus keeping the child in school. Mrs. Hamilton stated that redefining disabilities and definitions is not the answer. Many disabilities are not picked up until age eight. Mr. Twomey welcomed Paul Casey. Mrs. Cavicchi said she philosophically supports Special Education. Inclusion is good but it has had its rough spots. She feels that the Legislators should help out with the ancillary costs. Mr. Twomey said the Town must meet all the needs of all the students. We are not in the Transportation or Medical business. He would like to focus on education not all the other costs. Mr. Cummings feels 766 needs a full assessment. Reading has been a good example of Inclusion. Early Intervention is very important. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 MARCH 27.1995 ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION CONTINUED: Mrs Cavicchi identified herself as the liaison between the School Committee and Chapter 766. She said she admired the tenacity of the Special Needs Parents. She wanted to know how Governor Weld came up with his plan. Brad Jones explained that the information came from the Department of Education, Mass. School Committees and local Superintendents. (No parents) Massachusetts has the highest Special Needs rate in the country. Paul Casey stated that legislation pits towns against cities. The state categorically stigmatizes towns that have done their jobs. Dr. Munnelly discussed Massachusetts law concerning "maximum feasible" and "free and appropriate education ". He would like to be able to appropriate on a case by case basis and review. Mr. Stohlman noted that "maximum feasible" is not bad or odd. Mrs. Barbas does not want people to think that Special Education parents are abusing the system. She feels that the number of outside placements in Reading is low. Robin Hamilton complimented the School Committee and Dr. Munnelly on all their efforts. Mr. Twomey thanked everyone for coming. B. PERSONNEL: Dennis Richards reviewed the Personnel Report. C. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Budget FY96 There is a $ 108,000 discrepancy in the budget. Mr. Stohlman stated that they could still go for an override. He felt that we need to prioritize cuts so that the public will know what we will have to go without. Mr. Twomey feels a prioritized list will set us up for defeat. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 MARCH 27 1995 There was discussion about the oil tank at Joshua Eaton. Dr. Munnelly explained that the cost to remove the oil tank is not a lot. The cost to replace an oil tank with an oil tank is expensive. New tanks now have to be encapsulated. A Boston Gas Representative will be at the April 3rd School Committee Meeting to discuss Gas at Parker Middle School. Mr. Cummings wished to know why you had to remove an oil tank if you were changing to gas. Dr. Munnelly explained that there was a mandate coming that would require us to encapsulate all oil tanks. Mr. Cummings noted that there is a full oil tank at the high school. Dr. Munnelly explained that the tank holds oil to keep the tank from caving in. Dr. Munnelly explained that we burn #4 oil. It has to be heated before it is burned. The 30,000 gallons in that tank probably has a residue in it from sitting there so long and could be hazardous. We should take it out before it splits and is more costly. The regulations are not clear. Mr. Twomey thought maybe the tank could be filled with sand and sanitized some way. The consensus of the School Committee was to remove the tanks. There was more budget discussion on whether there should be a list of cuts or not and what order the list should be in. MR. CUMMINGS MOVED TO CREATE A LIST TOTALLING $ 108,000. WORTH OF ITEMS THAT WOULD NOT BE IN THE BUDGET. MR. STOHLMAN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE VOTE WAS 3 -3 -0. MRS. D'ANTONA MRS. CAVICCHI AND MR. TWOMEY VOTED AGAINST AND MR. CUMMINGS. MR. STOHLMAN. AND MR. SPADAFORA VOTED FOR. There was discussion about Technology. Mr. Twomey said Technology is at the top of the list for all School Councils. MR. STOHLMAN MOVED TO ASK THE FINCOM FOR A SESSION BEFORE TOWN MEETING TO DISCUSS THAT $ 20,000 FOR A SCHEMATIC DESIGN AT READING MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL IS NOT ENOUGH. MRS. D'ANTONA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE VOTE WAS 6 -0. E. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS: 1. Mrs. Eileen Litterio has won first prize in a poetry competition for the Barrows School. The award was an all day visit to the school by a well -known nationally acclaimed poet, Jack Prelutsky. Dr. Munnelly gave Mrs. Litterio the highest praise. 2. Special Education Review: The Department of Education conducts a procedure review of the Special Education Department periodically. Our name was drawn out of a hat to be audited in the current school year. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 MARCH 27 1995 MR. CUMMINGS MOVED TO ADJOURN MR. STOHLMAN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE VOTE WAS 6 -0. SUSAN CAVICCHI MATTHEW CUMMINGS ROBIN W ANTONA ROBERT SPADAFORA THOMAS STOHLMAN TIMOTHY TWOMEY REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 MARCH 27, 1995 MR. CUMMINGS MOVED TO ADJOURN MR. STOHLMAN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE VOTE WAS 6 -0. SUSAN CAVICCHI MATTHEW CUMMINGS ROBIN D'ANTONA ROBERT SPADAFORA THOMAS STOHLMAN TIMOTHY TWOMEY R pectfull Submitt gd, Dennis Ric ards Interim Superintendent