Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-05-08 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES REGULAR SESSION MINUTES MAY 8, 1995 CALL TO ORDER Chair Timothy Twomey called the regular session of the School Committee to order in the RMIIS Staff Center. All members were present with the exception of Roberta D'Antona. Also present were the Interim Superintendent Dennis Richards and a Chronicle reporter. MINUTES There were no minutes reported. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrants for bills were- May 1, 1995 - Bills - $ 64,802.26 May 8, 1995 - Bills - $106,887.63 The warrants for payrolls were: April 28, 1995 - Teachers - $460,565.77 May 5, 1995 - Biweekly - $124,888.83 CITIZENS' INPUT There were no citizens' input. REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR AND INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT The Interim Superintendent announced that the Coolidge Principal Search Committee has suc- cessfully concluded their work with the selection of six semi - finalists. 1. Jeffrey ('cyan - Assistant Principal, Mansfield Middle School, Storrs, CT 2. John Doherty - Coolidge Middle School Interim Assistant Principal 3. Joseph Finigan - Coolidge Middle School Mathematics Department Chair 4. Richard Kieran - Assistant Principal, Ipswich High School, Ipswich, MA 5. Robert Quinn - Assistant Principal, Reading Memorial High School 6. Lou Reste - former Principal, Mountview Middle School, Holden, MA REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 MAY 8, 1995 Mr. Richards informed the School Committee that Reading Public Schools have been selected by SchoolMatch as a 1995 Award- Winning School System. He added that only ten percent of the nation's 15,619 school systems are designated for the 1995 special honor. Their database con- firms that our school system is among a select group fitting the model of "WHAT PARENTS WANT ". Interim Superintendent Richards congratulated and passed recognition to students of the quarter for their achievements and contributions to RMHS. The students selected by faculty for recog- nition in the third quarter are: Kathleen Lynch English Award Nicole Dupont English Award Jessica Surette Social Studies Award Mary Von Euw Mathematics Award Richard Finnegan Science Award Megan Lavoie Foreign Language Award Kerryn Barrett Business Award Erin Smith Business Award Andria Resca Technology Education Award Jaime Gilbert Visual Arts Award Ian Nelson Music Award Marybeth Maggiore Service Award Marybeth Kennealy Service Award Lauren Erelli Leadership Award Kristina Zerfas Physical Education Award Andrea Comeau Athletic Award Gretchen Currera SEEM Award Gregory Nissen Principal's Award PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED: REDISTRICTING Chair Twomey advised the audience tonight is a continuance of deliberations on the redistricting issue and that a decision would be made at the May 22nd School Committee meeting. Mr. Richards stated he met with Principal Delaney, Interim Principal Adreani and Interim Assis- tant Principal Doherty to discuss issues that were raised at the May I public hearing. They identified some of the scenarios and their impact. He noted that safety is the highest priority. Mr. Richards introduced Safety Officer Joe Veno, who was invited to the meeting to listen to the audience's concerns. The Interim Superintendent pointed out some of the important issues to be discussed - education, crossing guards and sidewalks especially along the Lowell and Middle REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 MAY 8, 1995 Street area. Parker Principal Delaney discussed some of the scenarios he had researched. He outlined the numbers for students from 1996 to the year 2000 and the problems that would occur 16r each of the middle schools. He discussed Suggestion 91 to redistrict all bus students to Parker. Suggestion 42 would be to redistrict the yellow, blue, red zones, and the upper Charles Street near Killam and lower Haverhill Street triangle. Suggestion #3 included redistricting all students in the yellow, blue and red zones. Suggestion #4 included redistricting all students in the area east of Pearl Street, west of Haverhill Street, north of Charles Street and south of Franklin Street. Mr. Richards answered a question posed by Mr. Stohlman regarding the State requirements for bussing - over 2 miles for grades K -6. Coolidge Interim Principal Adream explained the bus route to Coolidge. Officer Veno responded to questions about crossing guards, noting that there are 18 across town and that each guard costs $4,000. Their work day consists of 1 hour in the morning and i hour in the afternoon. 11' incoming students are phased in, Principal Delaney stated, students would not have to shift fi-om Coolidge to Parker. With Option 4 volunteers would be solicited first, 5 -6 students with siblings affected by the recommended boundary changes for Parker could start next year at Parker then when boundaries are fully implemented Coolidge's 6th grade could be scheduled for Parker. Parents noted the cost of a bus and stated the addition of 4 crossing guards would be comparable. In response to parents' concerns about sidewalks on Rt. 129, Mr. Richards stated grant moneys will be used to respond to this need. Chair Twomey stated the most important consideration is class sizes (25 -1) for the best structure of education for students. Also safety, financial concerns, the breaking up of families are all very important considerations being discussed. Mr. Twomey continued by asking parents to remember staffing implications begin as soon as we implement new boundaries. Besides the addition of teachers to a sixth grade team, we will need to think about increasing the staffing in support subjects. He added a further complication will be the new time and learning regulations coming from the state. Chair Twomey advised that the School Building Committee presented their recommendations to increase the capacity in the elementary schools and then began to address the needs at the middle school level. The state provides 66% of the funding but the state would not fund a renovation - thus the conclusion to build a new Parker to guarantee funding. He added that we will investigate an upgrade of the Coolidge Middle School also. Mr. Stohlman advised the School Committee is here to listen to the audience so they will be able to make their decision. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 MAY 8 1995 With the additional options from the Administration, Mr. Cummings noted, we will have more options to consider. Option 3 for an additional $30,000 would offer bussing. Chair Twomey explained the scenario for funding of a new building for Parker Middle School. He added that we are lucky to get it moving at a time when we need it. He stated all options from last week as well as this week will be considered. Another parent came to the front and presented a letter signed by 91 parents and asked the School Committee members to take it into account. PERSONNEL There was no personnel report. OLD BUSINESS READING MEMORIAL 1IIGi1 SCHOOL REPORT OF LONG BLOCK RMI IS Principal Mirkin advised that letters were sent to every high school parent inviting them to share regarding their concerns about long block classes. At the first PTA meeting long block was discussed. A TV show that talked about long block was shown to the faculty and each department was interviewed and a survey that is presently being collated was given out. She stated the best reasons students sited for long block is that they are more relaxed, more time for project activities, more time for each individual and time to get work done. Another option being offered is for 2 days per week next year. Ms. Mirkin added that we need to continue the trial period to work out kinks. Principal Mirkin stated they are in a state of transition and seek input from the students, parents and faculty. She added that teachers will need to redesign their curriculum so they may integrate subjects. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING DATES UPDATE Mr. Richards asked the School Committee members to identify a Saturday morning for dis- cussions. Members decided on June 24 to meet in the Superintendent's office from 8 a.m. to noon. Mr. Richards also requested that the members give him their summer schedules and suggested keeping July 10 to August 21 free. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 MAY 8, 1.995 INTERIM ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT COMPENSATION Mrr.Cllmmillt.s moved to award the Interim Assistant Superintendent Dr Patsy Bau,,,h $300 uer day with no benefits and no vacation days. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. NEW BUSINESS CALENDAR 1995 -96 interim Superintendent Richards stated we would need to adjust the school day calendar to keep in compliance with state regulations. One more snow day will need to be added in for students to equal 185 days. The students last day for 1995 -96 will now be June 19 and teachers will be June 20. Mr. Cummings moved to add one additional snow day to the 1995 -96 calendar to brim it into con)JJiance with the state's re uirements. Students last day will be June 19 1996 and teachers last c_1aXwil) Ue 3une 20 1996 Mr SRadafora seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous- TI ME AND LEARNING Interim Superintendent Richards reviewed the Time and Learning Proposals for the 1995 -96 School Year. Ile offered some of the possible options that the Administrative Council will discuss next week. lie advised that the elementary schools will need to offer 900 instructional hours and secondary schools will need to offer 990 instructional hours. He suggested having a decision on an option by May 22, 1995. Mr. Richards stated the administration will stay within the 7 hour day requirement of the contract. Mr. Cummings encouraged keeping the early release days and asked for more information regarding the 48 minute home room period in the middle schools. Mr. Stohiman asked that the committee keep in mind the parents that need to shuttle their kids ii-oin school to school. Principal Mirkin outlined the high school requirements for time and learning and how it will affect the students. She added that this will affect the student groups and the athletes as the season changes. Mr. Cummings informed the committee that attendance and announcements were done in the first period when he attended school. Mr. Richards advised that an even stricter schedule will have to be in effect by 1997. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 MAY R, 1995 INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS COOLIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SEMI- FINALISTS Interim Superintendent stated the date will have to be changed to interview the Coolidge Middle School Principal semi - finalists. The Committee asked him to investigate May 23 and May 24. Mr. Cummings asked to check if the Selectmen have a date that evening so we could schedule live cable coverage. NEW BUSINESS (out of order) BID Mr. Stoblinan moved to award the bid for the boiler replacement for RMHS and Coolidge Middlc School to I. A. Marino Automatic Heating Co in the amount of $153,900. Matthew Cummi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS (out of order) .IOSIRIA EATON CHANGE ORDERS Mr. Richards reported on the enclosed Eaton Change Order Change Proposal Tabulation by Cate- gory sheet and change proposals contained in change orders 5, 6 and 7 for Eaton Elementary School. He added that the architect and contractor have signed each of the change orders that give a date of substantial completion. All of these change orders are under $5,000. Mr. Richards advised he would look into Change Order Proposal 436 that presented the cost of a 3" Neptune water meter. QTIIER INFORMATION Ms. Mirkin advised that Anna O'Brien, Peter Greene, and Patrick Schettini attended a recent Conference on Professional Development Schools. Interim Superintendent asked the School Committee to consider the possibility of installing a window in the Chapter I room at Joshua Eaton. Mr. Stohlman asked what kind of light it would provide and was told it would be light from a hallway. The School Committee's consensus was not to install a window. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 MAY 8, 1995 ADJOURN At 10:10 p.m. Mr. Stohlman moved to adjourn from regplar session to executive session for the purpose of negotiation strategy discussions for bargaining with union and non -union personnel. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Susan Cavicchi Matthew Cummings Thomas Stohlman 1Zobert Spadafora, Jr. Timothy Twomey_ Respectfully submitted, Dennis Richards Interim Superintendent