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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-05-01 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES REGULAR SESSION MAY 1, 1995 CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Roberta D'Antona called the regular session of the School Committee to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Reading Memorial High School Lecture Hall. All members were present with the exception of Timothy Twomey. Also present were Interim Superintendent Dennis Richards, interim Assistant Superintendent Patsy Baugh, School Committee Student Representative Christine Cerratani and a reporter from the Chronicle. MINUTES _Ms. Cavicchi moved to approve the minutes of March 13 1995. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion and stated the motion on page 5 should be revised to record the disapproval for the replacement of the stage curtains as 5 -1 -0. The vote was 4 -0 -1. Mr. Spadafora abstained. Ms. Cavicchi moved to approve the minutes of April 3, 1995. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion. Mr. Spadafora stated a paragraph to reevaluate the Decisions course should be added on page 2. The additional information was noted. The vote was unanimous. Mr. Stohlman moved to aip) rove the minutes of April 10, 1995. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. CITIZENS' INPUT There was no citizens' input. REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR AND INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT interim Superintendent Richards acknowledged the Journalism Award for Highest Achievement that the RMHS Literary Magazine Impressions received recently from the New England Scholastic Press Association. He also noted that Leo Kenney and the Vernal Pool Association were chosen as the winner of a 1995 National Wetlands Award in the Education/Outreach Category. This is presented to individuals who exemplify excellence and innovation in wetlands protection, restoration and education from the Environmental Law Institute and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 MAY 1 1995 Mr. Richards stated that Laura Peterson and Joan Clifford have been selected to participate in a summer course, Resources for Teaching about the Americas that will be held at the Latin American Institute, University of New Mexico. PUBLIC HEARING: SCHOOL CHOICE Interim Superintendent Richards stated he spoke recently to the principal of RMHS who advised that because of next year's high school class sizes School Choice would present a problem. Mr. Stohlman noted that the School Committee voted against School Choice last year. He informed the audience that any school that presently has school choice can accept Reading students. He also stated that School Committee will need to make a decision on School Choice yearly. Matthew Cummings moved pursuant to the provisions of G.L.c.76 & 1213(d), the School Committee of Reading, following public hearing, hereby withdraw from its obligation ion to enroll non - resident students in Reading Public Schools during the school year beginning June 1,_1995 for the following reasons: programmatic class sizes and general district enrollment. Robert Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. PUBLIC HEARING: REDISTRICTING Mr. Richards demonstrated slides for the public hearing on redistricting that included the back- ground, process, early findings and a summary. Parker Principal Delaney advised out of five options, Option Four was recommended. He stated the most influential reason for Option Four is that there would be no bussing. Principal Delaney noted that a small number of Killam students would be going to Parker - the current boundary goes through the Killam district that would be enlarged as well as Birch Meadow. Coolidge's Interim Assistant Principal John Doherty advised he would provide the number of students who would be affected over the next four years. In response to safety questions the School Committee members had received, Principal Delaney advised we will need to provide safety. Coolidge's Interim Principal Adreani informed the audience that he has sent a memo to the Town Manager to ask about sidewalks and the areas to be prioritized should be followed up. When asked what would happen if we do not redistrict until 1997, Mr. Delaney replied we are looking at classes now of 28 students, in Coolidge it is a challenge with 450 students and in two years that number will jump to over 505 students - over 30 students in classes. The new Parker will be able to handle 600 students. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 MAY 1 1995 Some of the comments made from the audience were: - Only child from her son's group going to Parker. - Safety - presently a safe walk to Coolidge From a 12/90 survey from the Engineering office Rt. 129 - Grove /Hartshorne 16,420 cars per day, 24 cars per minute No cross walks or guards and several blind spots - Questions regarding METCO students were raised Dr. Delaney explained the sibling situation and how overcrowding is handled in other states - 3 weeks on 3 weeks off. This creates large problems for schools and students. Ms. D'Antona responded to a question about enlarging Coolidge, noting that the School Building Committee, after several years of study, stated that it would not be reasonable to enlarge Coolidge. Dr. Delaney stated Parker's construction next year would be away from the existing building. The auditorium would act as a buffer. He also noted that a child beginning at Coolidge would not be shifted to Parker. Other parent comments were: - Concerns over neighborhood friendships, safety, sidewalks, and distance. Asked if bussing could be a consideration. - Who represented the purple zone on the colored map? Interim Superintendent stated the representative was identified through the School Council and not necessarily from that exact area. Mr. Adream noted that 59 students are presently being bussed to Coolidge. Vice Chair D'Antona said the School Committee would not be taking a vote tonight. She added that she hears five concerns - Safety - Safety - Safety - Relationships - Distance. Ms. D'Antona asked parents to think about 30 students in a classroom and the impact that would have on education. She assured the audience the plan has been thought through and to best attain goals there has to be redistricting. This issue will be brought up again at another Open Hearing on May 8th. School Committee members, as well as both principals and Mr. Doherty volunteered to answer parents questions over the telephone. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 MAY 1 1995 Matthew Cummins moved to have the Public Hearing at the next School Committee meetingon May 8 at 7 :45 p.m. with a request for demographics in two sections of town from which students are bussed to Coolidge. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. When asked about safety, Mr. Cummings, who lives on Main Street, noted it has always been his concern. He stated all issues need to be looked at. PERSONNEL Interim Superintendent Richards reviewed the 95 -3 Personnel Report and advised that the Pupil Personnel Director has submitted his resignation. Mr. Richards informed the School Committee that he would invite the people who participated in the process last year to do so again using the criteria developed at that time. Mr. Cummings reported that all interviews have been done by the Coolidge Principal Screening Committee. He added that the meetings were productive, focused and detail oriented. The Screening Committee will meet with Mr. Richards on Tuesday, May 2, 1995 to present their 6 semi - finalists. He stated there were 16 candidates in October and when it was reopened they received 39 applicants. OLD BUSINESS FY 96 BUDGET Mr. Richards asked School Committee members to suggest guidelines for him so he can identify budget items that will need to be put on hold to cover the shortfall of $33,000 in the revised FY96 budget of $17,97.5,000. Mr. Stohlman noted he would not want teachers or materials cut that items would need to be cut from the maintenance budget. Mr. Cummings asked if there would be more of a turn over because of retirements. Mr. Richards replied that is what he is trying to project. Mr. Cummings also wants additional information on the FY95 budget balances in the revolving account and projections through the year end for each account - surplus or deficit. The Interim Superintendent proposed to return to the Committee to discuss how to respond to the $212,000 shortfall in the capital budget for technology. Mr. Cummings advised computers for Coolidge should be a top priority. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 MAY 1 1995 NATURAL GAS FOR THE NEW PARKER MIDDLE SCHOOL Ms. Cavicchi left this portion of the meeting. Mr. Richards advised that a few members heard a presentation from the gas company regarding the gas line located in close proximity to Parker. The offer the School Committee received fi-om the gas company is that they are willing to provide the connection to Parker at no cost to the town. The only potential charge of up to $10,000 would be for directional boring if the wetlands have to be crossed. Mr. Stohlman moved to approve the installation of natural gas at Parkes- Middle School, Mr. Cummings seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0. INTERIM ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT RECOMMENDATION & COMPEN- SATION The Interim Superintendent expressed how pleased he is with the energy, enthusiasm and ability of the Interim Assistant Superintendent Dr. Patsy Baugh. Mr. Cummings moved to appoint Dr. Patsy Baugh as the Interim Assistant Superintendent effective April 5, 1995, Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. ATHLETIC DIRECTOR'S SALARY AND RESPONSIBILITIES Mr. Richards reviewed the original proposal Dr. Munnelly made to the Committee about the Athletic Director's salary and responsibilities. He passed out a salary comparison sheet of other Middlesex League Athletic Directors. He noted that Reading's AD teaches two classes daily and that lie came in as the AD with a lot of enthusiasm. His salary would include 30% teaching, 70% Athletic Director and to upgrade the position to include the additional duties of a part -time finance person. Ms. D'Antona asked if this is part of the teacher's union and perhaps a valid issue to bring into discussion along with teacher negotiations. Mr. Richards stated there is an inequity here and it may need to be addressed through teacher negotiations. The consensus of members was to check with the teacher negotiations. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 MAY l 1995 NEW BUSINESS MEDICAL CORRESPONDENCE POLICY DISCUSSION Mr. Richards read the proposed Policy on Medical Correspondence, Policy #JHB. Members discussed changes to be made - add "written permission" to second paragraph and delete the remaining sentence. Ms. D'Antona stated reference to the Parental Rights Policy should be added. Mr. Cummings said consideration needs to be given to the statutory limitations that may be placed on medical correspondence. There was no vote taken tonight. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS Interim Superintendent Richards advised that each School Council is working on three plans this year - 1. Preparing its 1995 School Improvement Plan (SIP) for May 1, 1995. 2. Recommended School Council Time and Learning Plans are on the School Committee's agenda for May 8, 1995. 3. School Council Professional Development Plans will be ready on June I, 199.5. Mr. Cummings asked if the councils could give a critique of original goals and this year's goals. Ms. D'Antona advised the School Committee that they need to develop their goals, perhaps on a Saturday. TiME AND LEARNING Interim Superintendent Richards shared information he received from the Massachusetts Department of Education (DOE) regarding Time & Learning. He noted in Phase I each school will review the educational program to ensure that each student is offered the minimum required student learning time - 900 hours for elementary and 990 hours for secondary during the 1995 -96 school year. Mr. Richards advised that lunch, time passing between classes, homeroom and recess will not count toward time requirements and seniors will graduate no sooner than 12 days before the end of the 180th day of school. He stated that time for professional development must be beyond the 900/990 hours required for structured learning time. Mr. Richards continued by outlining the Phase II new time requirements that will be implemented by September 1997 and added all students will receive a full schedule of structured learning time. Mr. Spadafora stated we will be hearing from the Student Advisory Council on May 8th regarding the long block scheduling. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 MAY 1 1995 Mr. Cummings advised the last day of school for students would be June 15 and June 16 for teachers. FUTURE MEETING SCHEDULE Mr. Richards shared the draft of school committee meeting dates. Mr. Cummings added a meeting should be planned in June for orientation of the new school committee member, wrap up, brain storming and goal setting. He also suggested meetings need to be scheduled on the site of schools as soon as possible. ADJOURN At I OAO .m. Mr. Cummings moved to adjourn from regular session and go into executive session for the purpose of discussing negotiations strategy for bargaining with union and non- union personnel. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Sumn Caylcchl Matthew Cummings Roberta D'Antona Robert Spadafora Thomas Stohlman Re pectively submitted: i j Dennis Richards Interim Superintendent