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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-05-20 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts School Committee Minutes REGULAR SESSION MINUTES MAY 20, 1996 CALL TO ORDER Chair Matthew Cummings reconvened the regular session back to order at 7:45 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Harry K. Harutunian, Associate Superintendent Dennis Richards and a person from the Chronicle. PUBLIC HEARING ON SCHOOL CHOICE Chair Cummings explained to the audience that the School Committee has chosen not to go with School Choice for the past three years. He noted that the School Committee must vote prior to June 1 of every year on whether or not Reading will participate in School Choice. Mr. Stohlman added that School Choice does not offer free transportation. Dr. Harutunian recommended the Reading School Committee vote against School Choice. Mr. Twomey moved pursuant to the provisions of G.L.c. 76 & 12B, the School Committee of Reading, following_ public hearing hereby withdraw from its obligation to enroll non - resident students in Reading Public Schools during the school year be inning June 1, 1996 for the following reasons: Programmatic Reasons, Class Sizes and General District Enrollment. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous, 6 -0. OLD BUSINESS (out of order) HOME ECONOMICS Dr. Harutunian requested that the School Committee endorse the World Language Proposal as outlined from Principals Doherty and Delaney. With their approval, it would replace the Consumer and Family Science Program at the middle schools for next year. He said that Technology Education A, Technology Education B and Computers has been rescinded. Mr. Stohlman added it would now be Technology A, Technology B and Foreign Language. RMHS Foreign Language Department Head, Anthony DiSanzo, stated this is the first measure, noting Grade 7- Introduction to World Languages, Grade 8- French and Spanish Recitation REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 MAY 20, 1996 (tutorial) and Grade 8- Spanish Culture and Language. He added this is the first measure and hopes that this will eventually go down to the lower grades. Mr. DiSanzo said throughout Massachusetts there are foreign language programs in the elementary grades - some schools start in the 4th grade. Ms. Clifford, French/Spanish teacher at Coolidge and Parker Middle Schools, advised the outline is a condensed version of the kind of curriculum being offered. She is confident that they can do it. Ms. D'Antona expressed concern about the content of the program, the evaluation of the program, and the proposal coming forward so quickly. She could support the proposal if, we would come back in the early spring with a report and some comparisons to other communities. She wants reassurance that we are moving in the right direction for middle school students. Dr. Harutunian added that we may want to move foreign language down to grade 6 in the spring next year. He advised that there would be a report in the trimester as well as the 1997 spring. In response to a question from Mr. Twomey, Ms. Clifford stated each seventh grade student will take this course for one third of the school year. They will be exposed to the Romance Language Family and that each of the twenty lessons will be hands -on suited for middle school students. This course is to prepare students to make choices for their grade 8 experience in World Language. The Superintendent noted this is not an elective in Grade 7 - everyone is taking this course. Ms. Clifford stated the five period elective available to Grade 8 students, who are not taking the full year French 1 or Spanish 1 course, is Spanish Culture and Language. This is the foreign language most commonly being spoken. Associate Superintendent Richards added World Language Curriculum Frameworks Study Group will be coming up with a draft format in the fall. Chair Cummings suggested this would give more confidence to the eighth grader who is making a foreign language choice. Mr. Stohlman moved to endorse the World Language Proposal for Middle School as outlined in the May 14, 1996 memo. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. Chair Cummings thanked all who were involved. The vote was unanimous, 6 -0. Dr. Harutunian asked Coolidge Middle School Principal Doherty to inform the School Committee about the Science Olympiad trip. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 MAY 20, 1996 Mr. Doherty stated out of 53 teams in the United States represented in Atlanta, Coolidge's Science Olympiad team came in fifth. Several of the students won medals also. He thanked Science teachers John McCarthy and Kate McLaren and added that Assistant Principal Adreani and he also gave some of their time. There was a one minute recess. ROUTINE MATTERS (out of order) APPROVAL OF MINUTES There were no minutes for approval. BLLLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for bills were: May 13, 1996 - Bills - $123,873.55 The warrant for payrolls were: May 10, 1996 - Teachers - $492,387.24 REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR AND SUPERINTENDENT *The Superintendent reported that the applications for the Eaton Elementary Principal and the RMHS Assistant Principal were now closed. He added that we had 59 applicants for the Eaton Principal and 57 applicants for the Assistant Principal position. *He noted that there would be public interviews for the position of RMHS Principal on May 22, 1996 beginning at 6:00 p.m. and that on -site visits will be completed by the end of the month. All three candidates, Arthur Dulong, Gina Healy and Frank Orlando, will each meet for an on -site visit of RMHS. He anticipates an announcement of the new high school principal will be made by June 17th. The Superintendent replied to Mr. Cummings question by stating the candidates interviews would be taped. *Dr. Harutunian announced that Killam's Assistant Principal/Teacher, Pam Chomp sky-Higgins has been chosen as a semi - finalist for the 1996 -97 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 MAY 20, 1996 •A copy of the test report from Air Quality Sciences for our carpet product "Parallels II" was also enclosed. The Superintendent stated the TVOC emission rate was measured well below the maximum acceptable for the Carpet and Rug Institute's Testing and Labeling Program, as approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. *He also shared a copy of the recent Whole Language Teachers Association newsletter which included an article by Killam Grade 5 teacher Brigid Ahern. *The Superintendent congratulated the students that were selected by faculty for the third quarter. *Dr. Harutunian shared the names of the Eaton Principal Screening Committee. *He reported on the adjusted 1995 -96 calendar due to a snow day, and the change in the opening day for students and teachers in 1996 -97. PERSONNEL SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER Superintendent Harutunian stated he has had a series of meetings with John Doherty, Jean McGah and Dennis Richards to discuss a situation at the Coolidge Middle School for the fall of 1996. He added that we have four to five students who need to be placed in private tuitioned -out Chapter 766 schools. He noted that the three schools that would be most appropriate range from $15,300 per student to as much as $19,000 per student. Transportation would cost approximately $7,500 for each of the students. The Superintendent added that the parents of these students are very interested in having us retain their children in the Reading Public Schools. To do this he asked School Committee to support creating a new Special Education teacher position for approximately $35,000. The money for this position could be absorbed through the tuition -out account which could cost the district over $100,000. Mr. Twomey asked if the students had more than learning issues. Dr. Harutunian said they were strictly learning disabled. Ms. D'Antona asked if this was a potential to develop a mechanism for in house? Dr. Harutunian stated we are doing everything possible to bring down the cost of Special Education. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 MAY 20, 1996 Asked about transportation, if they would need an aide and the impact on the regular classroom, Mr. Doherty said one aide would be needed for all five students in the regular classrooms. Dr. Harutunian acknowledged transportation money would be saved as they will all be housed at Coolidge. Mr. Spadafora moved that the School Committee support the Special Education teacher as outlined on the May 15, 1996 memo for approximately $35,000. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. When asked about bringing this issue to School Committee for a vote, Dr. Harutunian said anytime a new position is proposed it should come before them for a vote. The vote was unanimous, 6 -0. NEW BUSINESS SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS The Superintendent stated in an attempt to meet the law a vote to accept the 1996 -97 draft of the School Improvement Plans will be needed. Ms. D'Antona moved to receive the draft of the 1996 -97 School Improvement Plans pending approval of the draft of the School Committee Goals. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS The Superintendent announced that there were five bids for the modular classroom at the Barrows Elementary School. The lowest bid was submitted by Pope Building Systems, Inc. at $54,706.00. He added the classroom would be delivered by July 1, 1996 and turnkey by August 1, 1996. We will do the water and sewer hook -up and they will hook up the electricity. Ms D'Antona moved to accept the lowest bid for the modular classroom at the Alice M. Barrows Elementary School from Pope Building_ Systems Inc. at $54,706.00. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. CHAPTER 1/TITLE 1 Dr. Harutunian explained that he received a letter, May 14, 1996, from the Department of Education, advising that Title 1 Reauthorization requires states, beginning in FY97, to only provide Title 1 funds to the districts with 10 or more AFDC students and 2% or more low- income students. Since we do not meet that requirement we will no longer be eligible for Title 1 funds. With this elimination, 7 individuals who have tutored our young people, K -8, would be eliminated. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 MAY 20 1996 He stated after meeting with principals they expressed a desire to continue a program that would be in line with Reading's needs, not under federal guide lines. He then requested School Commit- tee to authorize $70,000, from the 20% hold from each school to fund a similar program. This would be for remedial help in Math and Language Arts, K -12 and to hold an equal amount in abeyance for the $70,000. When asked about the 20 %, Dr. Harutunian said he is confident that through good budget management we will be able to absorb this cost and return the 20% hold to our principals in the spring of 1997. He highlighted that through Maureen Hanifan's investigation we have signed a bid for paper, delivered at $18.88 a case. Mr. Stohlman questioned the Title 1 revenues that are outside of the budget and suggested the $70,000 should be a line item. He added since $70,000 was just saved from Special Education why can't we take it from that. Dr. Harutunian explained that 20% needs to be held out of all accounts except Special Education. He added that there would be greater control of the budget and then in the spring the $70,000 could be erased through good budget management. Mr. Stohlman asked since $100,000 budgeted in the Special Education non - personnel account then adding $35,000 for a Special Education teacher why aren't we seeing the $65,000 being applied to this? The Superintendent stated that Special Education is the one account we have no control over - with every Special Education unanticipated amount we may have a deficit later on. He perceives this 20% request is an emergency. Our administrators then can start to organize their staff. Mr. Stohlman added that he was not against doing this. He was just debating how it affects the budget. Chair Cummings said if the Federal Government is eliminating the program then we should do the same. The Superintendent advised that we used Educational Assistants to help with the IEP's. Many parents feel that their child did not need CORE's testing because of the Title 1 program. He feels that the principals will work even harder knowing that they may have their 20% returned to them. Chair Cummings noted the $70,000 would be coming out of instructional equipment, text books and supplies for the vast amount of students. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 MAY 20, 1996 Dr. Harutunian agreed with the Chair, but because of the lateness of the Federal Government memo (5/14/96) they need to do something for the next school year. Mr. Spadafora said the principals are willing to free from their 20% holdings. Dr. Harutunian encouraged that savings from paper and hiring will bring back the 20% to the instruction account. Principals already know they do not have that 20% now. Mr. Stohlman moved that we add $70,000 to the regular educational personnel budget and take $70,000 from the regular day non - personnel budget to fund the sub program for Title 1 as recommended by the administration. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. Mr. Stohlman advised that he made this motion because the principals have stated how important this program is: He made the motion to move from non - personnel to personnel - line item to line item.. Mr. Cummings stated he will be voting against it as it looks like a new program issue and it should be considered with everything else. Mr. Spadafora asked for information that shows other net savings. Dr. Harutunian said he could do that. The vote was 5 -1. Mr. Cummings was opposed. DATES Dr. Harutunian requested School Committee to review their calendars so they could set dates for ASCME, 7 p.m., May 28 or 8 p.m., May 23 and to meet with the Teamsters Union on June 10 at 7 p.m. ADJOURN At 9:45 p.m. Mr. Spadafora moved to adjourn. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. He ectfull mitted, arr Harutunian, Ph.D. Super ntendent of Schools