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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-01-31 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES JANUARY 31, 1994 CALL TO ORDER Chair Roberta D'Antona called the Regular School Committee Meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. in the Reading Memorial High School Staff Center. All members were present with the ex- ception of Susan Cavicchi. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Dennis A. Richards, School Council Representatives from each of the schools, and a reporter from the Chronicle. ROUTINE MATTERS MINUTES Matthew Cummings moved to approve the January 10, 1994 Open Hearing minutes Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. Mr. Shannon asked to eliminate the fifth paragraph on page 2, Mr. Stohlman identified that Mrs. Anthony asked how much money has been established for the Capital Improvements Plan, if a ten year Capital Improvements Plan has been developed yet, and to add Dr. Munnelly is developing one for projects in the sixth paragraph. On page 3, Mr. Stohlman revised the third paragraph to omit "did not levy the $250,000 last year and this year we are asking for $500,000." and replace with "the Town had levied $500,000 less than the cap established by 2 1/2 and plan to do the same this year." Matthew Cummings moved to approve the amended January 10, 1994 Open Hearing minutes George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was 5- 0. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for bills were as follows: January 24, 1994 - Bills - January 31, 1994 - Bills - The warrant for payrolls were as follows: January 28, 1994 OLD BUSINESS - Biweekly $76,630.91 $37,477.78 $114,833.28 Mr. Cummings asked about prioritizing the budget list. Ms. D'Antona stated the budget has been voted as it was and further discussion will be taken up again at the February 14 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 JANUARY 31, 1994 School Committee meeting. Chair D'Antona stated the budget as presented is an absolutely essential budget. CITIZENS' INPUT Chair D'Antona welcomed citizen input. Mr. Nate White raised questions relating to the reimbursement that Reading Public Schools will receive for each of the 92 METCO students. He noted that the proposed FY95 school budget, including town -wide spending, is $4,930 per pupil and that reimbursement from METCO for their students in Reading averages $1,280 per pupil. Two questions he asked School Committee to consider: should non - residents be enrolled in the school system in return for reimbursement of only 26 percent of their cost; and are the policies known to taxpayers? SUPERINTENDENT AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR REPORTS Chair D'Antona addressed the minimum target the Education Reform Act of 1993 has set for each community's support for education though encouraging a higher standard of spending. She added when the minimum target for the school budget is calculated by using the formulas of the Educational Reform Act, Reading's school and municipal minimum target for spend- ing is $18,191,444. The FY95 budget voted by the school com- mittee on January 18, 1994, results in a school and municipal amount of $18,555,976, aspiring to the higher standard of the Educational Reform Act, exceeding the minimum target by $364,832. Continuing, Ms. D'Antona stated, if the minimum target is calculated in a different way, using the FY94 school and municipal minimum target plus the increase in staff wages, the minimum target becomes $18,310,092. In this case the school and municipal amount exceeds the minimum target by $245,884. Presenting both analyses, Ms. D'Antona stated the first direc- tion would mean larger classes, less school allotments and Professional Development, etc. The second version, called a "Level Standards Budget" (an essential budget) includes the minimum target - Base FY94 plus raises. She outlined the priority items not included in the school FY95 budget: 1.5 Specialists, $45,000; Sabbatical, $16,000; Chemical Holding Tank, $8,000; RMHS Language Lab, $75,000; and Increases for Substitutes, $5,000. Chair D'Antona turned the remainder of the School Committee meeting over to Assistant Superintendent Dennis Richards, who acted as the Moderator for the Round Table Discussion. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 JANUARY 31, 1994 ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION Mr. Richards identified #16 of the 31 questions previously prepared by the Councils on the discussion questionnaire sheet as RMHS and not the School Committee. He requested each school council to name their representatives who were present and update the committee of their work to date on developing a School Improvement Plan. Eaton parent representative, Nancy Stager, noted that they have asked the parents what they want the Council to include in their school and community plan. JoAnne Garelick, teacher and spokesperson for the Birch Meadow School Council, stated they have been meeting since September, have sent out a staff /family /parent questionnaire and are in the process of putting the common themes on a data base. Barrows Principal Papandreou stated they also have developed a survey - out of 290 families they only received 50 responses. Parents concern over the elementary nurses was addressed in a recent school newsletter he added. Stanley Nissen, representing Reading Memorial High School's Council, reported Principal Mirkin was not present this evening because she's attending a statewide meeting of the Common Core Group formed by Education Reform. He added that the just completed report of the high school's accreditation from NEASC was helpful to the high school council and will be available to read in the library soon. Killam's spokesperson, Linda Goodemote, advised a lot of time was spent on the parent survey and a good response was received. A teacher survey recently went out and they then will plan to put together their goals. Eleanor Hardin, a Parker parent, stated their council meets mostly every other week and have discussed the state of the school, projects that the staff have started, and thinking about undertaking a core values process for all of the school community. Coolidge parent Laurence Chomsky stated time has beem spent on the school's budget and areas of need. As part of their Improvement Plan they have discussed core values, inclusion, gifted and talented, technology, authentic assessment, staff development, and budget opportunities. Principal Lahood announced that Charles Lawrence from Polaroid has offered his services on how to develop a school plan through School Councils. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 JANUARY 31, 1994 Assistant Superintendent Richards presented a handout of the 1993 Massachusetts Educational Reform Act for School Councils that listed the elements of a school council: size, composition, selection, and the responsibilities of a school council: with the assistance of principals to identify needs, adopt goals, formulate a school improvement plan and review the school budget. On a second handout Mr. Richards continued with the summary of key components for the School Improvement Plan. In discussion of the Relationship with School Committee and School Councils and School Councils with each other, School Committee members stated they hoped the School Councils do not feel they have any limits as to content and timeframe. School Council member Stan Nissen stated this is a wide opportunity for the councils to develop their plan and asked School Committee to define these plans and encourage consis- tency. Several School Council members offered suggestions to prior- itize concerns, goals and share them with each other. Prin- cipal Lahood offered sending council minutes to each council for their information as an initial step. Other suggestions were joint meetings, one School Committee member keeping tabs on one School Council, coordinate a committee to meet with a representative from each council once a month, and to present their concerns to the Administrative Council for their discussion at their meetings. Regarding finances a committee member stated if there are worthy improvement plans, the School Committee will advocate for them to get additional funds. Mr. Cummings added that the additional Education Reform monies this year totalled only $140,000, not a windfall when covering the growing population. Parker Principal Delaney stated maintenance needs within the Town are staggering. Mr. Twomey stated the process of funding schools is complicat- ed. There never is enough money to go around. The School Committee will need to keep reality in mind when making decisions on how money is to be distributed. Chair D'Antona informed the audience with the advent of and the monies that have come to the community through Education Reform there also comes education requirements for profession- al development. She stated that all tax money does not go to the schools and asked the schools to continue to fundraise. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 JANUARY 31, 1994 When asked who the responsible person is for implementation, the reply was the principal at each school will be accounta- ble. It was noted if the plan includes a third party then other entities in town government may need to be solicitated. The Assistant Superintendent stated the change is difficult - it needs to be developed with parents, staff, and School Councils input. He added each School Council plan will have to be dealt with individually and that a target date for is the end of March. Mr. Nissen asked how the School Committee would like this information presented and stated that it would be difficult to have the end of March as a dead line. Until a detailed plan is developed they would not be able to come up with the cost. He asked if an interim document with an implementation plan would be acceptable for the March deadline. Chair D'Antona asked that the Councils include what is relevant to their school and added information not related to their goals will not be expected. Member George Shannon suggested councils develop for this year, a fairly basic and simple document - -a living document that can grow in subsequent years. Mr. Cummings stated the school community determines if the plan is successful and depending on the goal if it will be met or implemented. Principal Lahood asked if the Inclusion Profile Format they used would make it easier for School Committee to read the School Council information. Principal Lahood questioned if the inclusion plan should be expanded for all students and if the Inclusion Profile is expanded it would challenge all kids in all areas. Chair D'Antona replied that the notion of inclusion is a goal for this School Committee and if a School Council puts it into their School Improvement Plan as a priority it would be considered valid and if they did not it would not fit in with the goals the School Committee have established. Dr. Munnelly advised the need to continue accessing communication and goals established by the Staff Develoment and Assessment Committees. Layers of decision making, Principal Delaney continued, need to be developed, often each group is in conflict with each other. "How do the School Councils relate to the PTO /PTA ?" asked Principal Delaney. He noted at Parker they are a very REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 JANUARY 31. 1994 active, contributing group and asked about using that group for feed back. Principal Lahood stated changes in school culture will now come via telecommunications /technology and questioned how they will be funded. Birch Meadow Principal Davidson stated they already know the budget reality and will need more guidance in developing their plans. Mr. Nissen noted that Principal Mirkin has spoken on the reality of per pupil allotment funds. Assistant Superintendent Richards and Chair D'Antona together thanked the councils for coming and the opportunity to share dialogue. ADJOURN At 10:00 p.m. Timothy Twomey moved to adjourn from the Round Table Discussion Meeting. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0. Matthew Cumminas Roberta D'Antona George Shannon Thomas Stohlman Timothy Twomey ResPeatulY Submitted ROM I M6nel ly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee