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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-01-03 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES JANUARY 3, 1994 CALL TO ORDER School Committee member Matthew Cummings called the regular School Committee session to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Super- intendent's Conference Room. All members were present with the exception of Roberta D'Antona and Timothy Twomey. Stu- dent Representative Allison Bastini along with Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Dennis A. Richards, FinCom members Fred Van Magness, Jim Keigley, and a reporter from the Chronicle were also present. ROUTINE MATTERS MINUTES George Shannon moved to approve the minutes from the December 13 and December 20, 1993 meetings. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS BILLS The warrants for Bills were as follows: December 27, 1993 - Bills - January 3, 1994 - Bills - PAYROLLS The warrants for Payrolls were as follows: December 23, 1993 - Teachers December 31, 1993 - Biweekly CITIZEN INPUT There was no citizen input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT GIFTS $29,384.26 $79,793.20 $442,819.77 $115,582.49 Dr. Munnelly thanked Barry Mendell, parent of a grade 6 and a grade 8 student, for the donation of the Macintosh Desktop Publishing System to the Coolidge Middle School. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 JANUARY 3,_1994 TEACHING TOOLS The Superintendent shared an article that was in the Learning Section of the December 10th Boston Sunday Globe. This article highlighted educational trip tips and Eaton Elementary School Barbara McLean's students who shared The Traveling Pals program. WINCHESTER HOSPITAL CALENDAR Dr. Munnelly advised that several of Reading's elementary students art work has been featured in the 1994 Winchester Hospital Calendar. LIAISON REPORT The Superintendent noted the enclosure from the architect that provided the general allocation of furniture for the new addi- tion to Birch Meadow Elementary School. NEW BUSINESS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR APPROVAL OF HOME SCHOOLING Assistant Superintendent Richards presented the following requests for Home Education of Students: Jennifer Waterman Grade 9 Student 1993 -1994 Emily Rodriguez Grade 7 Student 1993 -1995 Nona Childress Grade 11 Student 1993 -1994 George Shannon moved to approve the requests for home schooling education for the specified time periods as described on Enclosure E. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion the vote was unanimous. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS CAFETERIA STATEMENT FOR NOVEMBER Superintendent Munnelly advised School Committee of the November Profit and Loss Cafeteria Statement. He explained Director Cathy Cook's account of the enclosed November statement. STATUS OF APPROPRIATIONS AS OF JANUARY 3, 1994 Dr. Munnelly profiled the status of appropriations as of January 3, 1994 for the school department. He stated the expenditures under Building Maintenance were mostly from two major boiler breakdowns. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 JANUARY 3, 1994 FinCom member Fred Van Magness requested Dr. Munnelly to provide information for the Building Maintenance personnel services appropriation. f"AT.F'Nr)AV Dr. Munnelly advised that FinCom have asked for a discussion of priorities on the scheduled January 12th Open Hearing at Parker Middle School. SCHOOL COMMITTEE GOALS Superintendent Munnelly stated that the approved School Committee Goals for 1993 -94 will be put in the School Committee's welcome brochure. ENROLLMENT HISTORY GRADE BY GRADE - 8 YEAR PERIOD The Superintendent stated kindergarten youngsters may need to be moved around because of the expected increase of twenty students. FinCom member Mr. Van Magness stated first grade is the best place to judge enrollment figures through the years. OLD BUSINESS BUDGET FY 1995 REVIEW AND PRIORITY SETTING Dr. Munnelly presented a version of the draft FY95 budget that contained revisions resulting from discussions of previous School Committee meetings. Some key observations the Superin- tendent made were: o The projected student increases for FY95 will be in the 100+ range or about 250 in three years. o Serious "postponements" made over the past four years need to be funded, and teacher and educational assistant tuitions which are in our contract. o Raises to staff. All personnel salaries are identi- fied by name. The Superintendent noted the latest budget of $16.67 million is a 5% increase over the FY94 budget. He added the analysis of the Education Reform target minimum shows a gap between this proposed budget and the target of $315,832. Dr. Munnelly stressed that the target amount is a minimum spending amount for each school district, and to accept that number is to REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 JANUARY 3, 1994 aspire to the lowest that Reading can aspire to and not be taken over by the state. He proposed an additional permanent funding for 2.5 special education teachers, $75k, at the elementary schools and appealed for additional funds for textbooks and supplies. The Superintendent stated the largest additions to this year's budget are four new elementary teachers, $120,000; $100,000 worth of deferred maintenance projects on the buildings; and $74,000 for textbooks. School Committee members expressed frustration over the under stated $75k for Special Education teachers. Dr. Munnelly stated he would assemble the history of the special education monies. Assistant Superintendent Richards explained he would map out facts for both the education and special education assistant services for the next meeting. When asked if the $75k amount included benefit cost, Dr. Munnelly replied, "It did not." A School Committee member requested the regular day supplies (Form D) expenditures be extended column to column and a com- prehensive list of "priority" items which were not included in the budget be provided. Dr. Munnelly stated the need for an electrician in the FY95 budget, noting that we have already spent $21k for electrical services this year. Another School Committee member stated the budget needs to be set, gather information from the public budget open hearing, then come back and make any necessary changes. Dr. Munnelly announced the Open Hearing would be held in the Reading Memorial High School Lecture Hall on January 10, 1994. ADJOURN At 9:50 p.m. George Shannon moved to go to Executive Session for the purpose of bargaining and negotiations. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Susan Cavicchi Matthew Cummings George Shannon Thomas Stohlman Submitted Robert!. Mundt► A . Supmia�endent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee