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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-01-18 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES JANUARY 18, 1994 CALL TO ORDER Acting Chair George Shannon called the regular School Commit- tee session to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present with the exception of Matthew Cummings, and Roberta D'Antona and Timothy Twomey who were expected to arrive later. Also present were Super- intendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Dennis Richards, Student Representative Allison Bastiani, and a re- porter from the Chronicle. ROUTINE MATTERS BILLS AND PAYROLLS BILLS The warrants for Bills were as follows: January 10, 1994 - Bills - $ 33,373.53 January 18, 1994 - Bills - $136,216.20 1-17%NT17/lT T Q The warrants for Payrolls were as follows: January 14, 1994 - Biweekly - $122,924.79 January 7, 1994 - Teachers - $441,435.04 January 21, 1994 - Teachers - $440,589.30 CITIZENS' INPUT School Committee member Thomas Stohlman, asked a question he had received from a citizen, has the opening time for schools ever been delayed because of weather conditions? Dr. Munnelly replied it had. GIFTS Dr. Munnelly thanked the Village Carpet store for the donation of carpet squares (through Kathy Carroll) to the Killam Physical Education program. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 JANUARY 18, 1994 SUPERINTENDENT'S AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR'S REPORT VISITORS: READING MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL Dr. Munnelly stated that Reading Memorial High School Class Advisor Donna Papalardo is in attendance with the Student Advisory Council. He explained that Principal Mirkin is chairing a regional input meeting on the Common Core of Learning tonight at Brookline High School. She has expressed an interest in explaining the Common Core Process to the School Committee to gain input for the State decision - making process. Student Representative Allison Bastiani asked the members of the Student Advisory Council to introduce themselves and to discuss their issues. Heather MacDonald stated she recently attended a School Councils' training course for goals and efficient council planning. Maura Cignetti reported that the Student Advisory Council plan to propose to the principal and teachers the privilege of not taking finals if the student has a 90 average. The Council will look into neighboring schools to see what their policy is. Sean Daly thanked people who supported the recent drama pro- duction, "Arsenic and Old Lace ". He added they are now rehearsing a one act play, "Baby with Bath Water ", for the Boston Globe Awards. Sean also asked the Administration about earning a Varsity letter for Drama. Dr. Munnelly replied that he would discuss this with Principal Mirkin. Jill Rickershauser spoke about diversity the High School's annual theme and how it affects students. Marissa Freitas invited School Committee members to join the students for an International Food Festival luncheon on Friday at 11:15 a.m. Jared Petkewich stated the Student Advisory Council have held meetings for facilitating how diverse the people of the schools are and how to work with different people. Jen Massa advised the Senior Citizen Prom would be held on March 16th at the Somerset Nursing Home. Students are being encouraged to bring their grandparents or an elderly neighbor. Rob Bennett concluded that fund raisers have been very succes- ful and profiled the colleges early admission students have been accepted at. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 JANUARY 18, 1994 School Committee members thanked the students for their interesting comments. OLD BUSINESS EDUCATION REFORM Dr. Munnelly shared the Video on Educational Reform by the Massachusetts Department of Education featuring many Reading faculty, parents, and students. A School Committee member suggested memberships of groups in town should know the tape is available for their review and also suggested running the tape before the call -in show to encourage more questions. BUDGET FY 1995 REVIEW AND VOTE ON BUDGET FOR TRANSMISSION TO THE TOWN MANAGER OPERATING BUDGET Chair D'Antona noted at the Open Hearing, RTA President Donovan presented 18 teacher letters. Ms. D'Antona made the following informal tally of their issues - computers and technology, books and materials, class size, professional development, space, storage and foreign language. Dr. Munnelly began discussion of the Level Standards Budget's Priorities. He advised that the budget is five percent over this year's amount; most of that comes from $659,645 in negotiated teacher raises and other salary increases. The Superintendent added there will be a need to fund four new elementary teachers because of the increase in enrollments. A School Committee member stressed the importance of how this budget is presented. He noted that we need to identify what we can fund and prioritize what is most important to us. Ms. D'Antona stated once prioritized it may be assumed that some items are not essential. Another School Committee member stressed the importance of the definite maintenance items that need to be done. The budget also includes $100,000 in basic building needs. Dr. Munnelly also noted that the budget includes permanent funding of 2.5 special education teachers, an electrician, 25% increase in textbooks and supplies, and $37,000 for School Council Improvement Activities. He added other priority items the budget does not include funding for 1.5 additional art, music and physical education specialists or a language lab. REGULAR MINUTES 4 JANUARY 18, 1994 George Shannon moved to prioritize items on the FY95 budqet. Thomas Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote failed with 2 in favor and 3 against. Mr. Stohlman expressed his concern that the format suggested by the Town Manager was not being used. He added that before the presentation, we should calculate the proposed total FY95 spending on schools with the FY94 budget plus raises. The calculation, done at the meeting, totalled $18,310,092. Dr. Munnelly was asked questions about the Athletic section of the budget and to further explain the Athletic Director's salary. Thomas Stohlman moved to approve the FY95 Level Standards Budget for $16,728,457, $16,560,457 to come from the tax levy. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. The vote passed with 4 in favor and George Shannon voting against. Mr. Shannon asked that it be recorded that he could not vote for the FY95 budget without prioritization. CAPITAL BUDGET Dr. Munnelly reviewed the Long Range Capital Budget. Thomas Stohlman moved to accept the long range Capital Bud et Plan, dated January 19, 1994, with the suggestions and exceptions of Projects S.D. 4, 6, and 11. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Thomas Stohlman moved to accept Project S.D. 4, with the removal of Gas Conversion Project removed from the title. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4 in favor and 1 aqainst. Thomas Stohlman moved to remove Project S.D. 11 from the FY95 budget, and reconsider it for the FY96 budget. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 3 in favor and 2 against. WARRANT ARTICLES Readi Memorial High School roof replacement for $314,000. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Thomas Stohlman moved to lace on the warrant the Boiler Replacement for $172,000. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Thomas Stohlman moved to ask the Selectmen to place the American Disability Act on the warrant. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 JANUARY 18, 1994 Thomas Stohlman moved to ask the Selectmen to place on the warrant the School Committees endorsement of the Reading Memorial High School Ceiling Tile Replacement for $32,000 Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Thomas Stohlman moved to ask the Selectmen to place on the warrant the School Committees endorsement of the American Disability Act for Chairlifts /Toilets Systemwide for $15,000 George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous Thomas Stohlman moved to ask the Selectmen to place on the warrant the School Committees endorsement of the Alarm and Fire Protection Systemwide for $15,000. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Thomas Stohlman moved to ask the Selectmen to place on the warrant the Overflow Retrofit of Remaining Tanks for $20,000 Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. Mr. Shannon requested amending the motion for the endorsement of the School Committee to $15,000. The vote was unanimous with the change to $15,000. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS PLANS FOR SCHOOL COMMITTEE SESSION ON JANUARY 31 WITH SCHOOL COUNCILS Chair D'Antona stated the School Committee has decided to host a meeting for the leaders of the school councils and principals to establish communication over their concerns. Ms. D'Antona stated they would meet on Monday, January 31 in the high school staff center at 7:30 p.m. It was her suggestion that the Assistant Superintendent be the moderator. George Shannon recommended that Dennis Richards be the moderator. SCREENING COMMITTEE REPORT Dr. Munnelly shared the report Stan Nissen prepared of the screening process for the selection of administrators for screening committees in the future. The Superintendent stated if necessary this report may have to be clarified through Education Reform. SUPERINTENDENT'S EVALUATION Chair D'Antona asked the School Committee to look over the form to evaluate the Superintendent. She added remarks should be returned to her by February 1. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 JANUARY 18, 1994 Dr. Munnelly requested the School Committee look at what the Superintendent is doing and performances that the form may not speak to. He noted that a self- evaluation was done that included his goal and action steps on "inclusion" and Learning Outcomes. He also remarked on the extraordinary demands he has had to handle. George Shannon left the meeting. SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 1994 -95 Dr. Munnelly suggested reopening discussion of the 1994 -95 school calendar. He recalled the school committee in late June reversed its vote on the February vacation so that we would have a vacation this year and rearranged the 1994 -95 school calendar and vacation schedule. The Superintendent proposed an opinion development period from now to March 10th so the School Committee or Superintendent can vote or will announce a decision regarding the calendar at the March 14th School Committee meeting. He requested Principals send out the information to parents in their newsletter. RESCHEDULING PARKER BUILDING MEETING Dr. Munnelly asked that School Committee and Reading citizens reschedule their calendars to February 9 for the Parker Building Meeting. CALL IN SHOW Dr. Munnelly announced a cable call -in show on Wednesday, April 6, a few days before Town Meeting, has been scheduled. MINUTES (out of order) Thomas Stohlman had comments to make regarding the draft Joint Meeting Board of Selectmen, School Committee and Finance Committee minutes. It was suggested that he and Dennis Richards work out the changes. Susan Cavicchi moved to approve the minutes of January 3, 1994. Thomas Stohlman seconded the motion. Discussion to change the second bullet for the Budget FY1995 to read "need to be funded, ". The vote was 4 -0. � 4 ADJOURN At 11:30 p.m. Thomas Stohlman moved to 'adjod °rn_ from regular session. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion.' Tfte;vote-was unanimous. Susan Cavicchi Timothy Twomey Roberta D'Antona Thomas Stohlman (wf I