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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-03-14 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES MARCH 14, 1994 CALL TO ORDER Chair Roberta D'Antona called the regular School Committee session to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Superintendent's Con- ference Room. All members were present. Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Dennis Richards and a reporter from the Chronicle were also present. ROUTINE MATTERS MINUTES There were no school committee minutes for approval. BILLS AND PAYROLLS BILLS The warrants for Bills were as follows: March 7, 1994 - Bills - $67,085.87 March 14, 1994 - Bills - $51,872.35 The warrants for Payrolls were as follows: March 11, 1994 CITIZEN INPUT Biweekly - $110,668.01 Boosters' President Mr. Schenna stated he would be meeting with School Committee Representative and Volunteer Architect Thomas Stohlman to discuss taking down the old press box and putting up a new one. GIFTS Dr. Munnelly along with Killam Principal Guerrette thanked Mr. & Mrs Terrance Hahn for the gift of an Apple IIc computer and printer. Appreciation from Eaton Principal Farnham to the Scott Family for a bulletin board and magic markers, to Arnold Berger for calculators and computer programs for Grade 1 use, to Marilyn Harrington and Terri Healey for providing tennis balls that serve as "quiet glides" for classroom chairs in Grade 1, and to the anonymous parents and friends who provided 2 paper cutters, storage shelves for a classroom, computer programs and $1,000 for audio - visual equipment were also recognized. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES Z MARCH 14, 1994 SUPERINTENDENT'S AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR'S REPORTS ur. Munnelly congra students who compe t Aptitude and Mathema added that both the finished first in students, who will re the Superintendent tulated the sixteen Readi ed in the Tests of Eng tics competition at UMA -Low varsity and junior varsi their division. Along present Massachusetts in the congratulated their coa Kaczowka. ng High ineering ell. He ty teams with the finals, ch, Mr. Superintendent Munnelly recognized the students of the quarter for their achievements and contributions at Reading Memorial High School. Melissa Onorato 197 Alyssa Silva '94 Marc D'Antonio 195 Michael Crane '95 Patricia Osborne '95 Philip Rushworth 196 Shawn Sullivan '95 Michael Cormio '95 Kris DeMoura '94 Elizabeth VonEuw 196 Kathryn Murphy '94 Allison Bastiani 194 Amy King 197 Michael Antczak 194 Janet Cummings '94 Marissa Freitas 197 Jill Rickershauser 197 English Award Social Studies Award Mathematics Award Science Award Foreign Language Award Business Award Technology Education Award Visual Ar -s Award Music Award Service Asgard Service Award Leadership Award Decisions Award Athletic Award SEEM Award Principal's Award Principal's Award The Superintendent congratulated the fourteen student entries in the Tsongas Industrial History Center for their outstanding projects on the theme "Geography in History: people.. places.. time..". He added that the ten first and second place finishers qualified for the State Contest to be held on April 9th at Belmont High School. Assistant Superintendent Richards congratulated the teachers who were nominated for the Berger Award and announced the teachers who qualified for this year's award and officially recognized at the April 11th Town Meeting: Irene Bourne - Birch Meadow Grade Two Teacher Ruthann Budrewicz - RMHS Science Department Head and Teacher Sheila Richardson - Coolidge Middle School SPED Teacher REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 MARCH 14, 1994 Dr. Munnelly announced that Reading Memorial High School seniors held -a successful dance for Reading's Senior Citizens. The Superintendent stated the Reading Soccer Team hosted the Special Olympics for basketball. He added how proud he is of the soccer team and their coaches, Don Welford and Phil Vaccaro. Dr. Munnelly informed the School Committee that details will be discussed for the "Apple Blossom Band Trip" at the March 28th meeting. He replied to another question raised by a School Com- mittee member about Heterogeneous G--ouping and advised that tracking has not been eliminat =:.':. This topic will also be discussed at the March 28th meeting. VISITORS: SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE DIS,- _?SSION OF BUILDING PLANS FOR PARKER MIDDLE SCHOOL Dr. Munnelly turned this portion of the me:;_ing over to School Building Committee Chairman Russ Gr,� -am, who in turn introduced other members who were preser{y,, Roger Sanstad and Joe Lupi and the Design Partnership Arch_ _-ect David Finney. Mr. Graham opened the meeting by reviewing the status of the School Building Committee's efforts with ��gard to the Parker renovation. The School Building Committee has decided to change its recommendation for a renovation /addition project and voted on March 8, 1994 for "new construction" on the Parker Middle School site. He added t ; -.at the cost factor between a new project and renovation of the old is not significant enough to garner State support for a renovation. He presented preliminary options for which Design Partnership will provide firmer cost figures at a later date. One option would include the preserving of the Parker auditorium. He raised community concerns about where the student population will go during construction, how /when it will be funded and does this fiscal timetable keep up with the crucial need for space. Turning to the plan to finance the construction, Mr. Graham informed School Committee that the Capital Outlay Plan for new construction assumes the cost of $13 million. The timing of the project given the constraints of the Town's Capital Plan is to begin construction in the summer of 1997, with construction completed by September of 1999. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 MARCH 14. 1994 Chairman Graham advised that potential sale of Town real estate has not been factored into the financial plan. He pointed out that two land sales are slowly being consummated, one of which is the sale of Pearl Street School. In discus- sions with the Town Manager, these dollars could move the project up one cycle and pay for architectural fees so the project could be presented at the 1995 Spring Town Meeting. Mr. Graham noted the best scenario would be to go to Fall 94 Town Meeting for design costs - leading to full approval for the Spring of 1995 and occupancy in September 1997. He also advised that the legislative branch of government could revise the SFSB funding and decrease the funding for school building in Reading. To resolve the education problem, Mr. Graham noted the School Building Committee's suggestions for alternatives to move forward with: 1. Stick with the present plan which will impair middle school education for many years. 2. Hope for real estate funds. 3. Go for capital exclusion override for the cost of the project. 4. Go for capital exclusion overlay only for the cost of architectural fees so we may proceed a year earlier. 5. Tax to full capacity and use funds for this project. Mr. Stohlman noted that money from this year's unused tax levy could help achieve an early start and lessen the need for or amount of another Proposition 2 1/2 override. Architect Finney stated if application is submitted by June 1995, with a letter from the State saying we are in line for a grant, construction could begin in August 1995. Occupancy would then be for the Fall of 1996 when the first phase is completed, and the second phase would then shift from the old building to the new school and it could be completed by September 1997 for full occupancy. He added if it does not begin until November 1994 the time line would be 34 months from when the full design is approved by Town Meeting. Mr. Graham advised if construction is slowed down good money would then have to be invested in repairs to the present building. Mr. Finney confirmed that his charge from the School Building Committee is to bring back more refined schematics. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 MARCH 14, 1994 DISCUSSION OF A VARIETY OF PLANS FOR STUDENT ASSIGNMENT DURING THE PARKER MIDDLE SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION Superintendent Munnelly discussed the middle school enrollment projections. In the years 94 -95 and 95 -96, the two buildings can contain the growth. But beginning in 1996 -97 and in the years there- after the populations of 939 and 1016 cannot be met without significant changes in building use. Parker Principal Delaney presented and discussed school options as outlined for meeting the overflow of students. He began by outlining the Pros and Cons on each of six scenarios. One scenario included closing Parker and having double sessions for two grades at Coolidge and one grade at Reading Memorial High School (RMHS); another was a magnet school for grades 6, 7, and 8; an additional scenario included sending Coolidge grade 6 to RMHS or Parker Grade 6 plus some Coolidge to RMHS; another scenario for 1996 -1999 is to send Grade 8 at both Coolidge and Parker to RMHS; or for 1996 -1999 Grade 6 from both middle schools to RMHS; and lastly a "do nothing /squeeze in" approach. School Committee members asked questions relating to each of these options. Chair D'Antona stated it is important that the public understand the growth situation and the time elements being considered. PERSONNEL Assistant Superintendent Richards presented the personnel report. He advised that Karen Holzman, a Killam teacher presently on a leave -of- absence has given her resignation to be effective on June 30, 1994 and that Mim Jarema has been named the Head Varsity Soft Ball Coach at Reading Memorial High School. OLD BUSINESS SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 1994 -1995 AND BEYOND Dr. Munnelly advised the School Committee that the Reading Teachers Association has offered unilaterally to agree to a 4- year side agreement permitting the school year start on the Tuesday before Labor Day for teachers. He noted that this would permit the traditional February and April vacations. George Shannon moved to approve the calendars for the 1994 through the 1997 -98 school vear with the amendment to the REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 MARCH 14, 1994 1996 -97 and the 1997 -98 school calendar to identify TIS (teacher in service day) in March on election day. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Timothy Twomey moved to agree to the Reading Teachers Association Contract side letter for the purposes of the 1994- 95 thru 1997 -98 school year only as shown on the attached Superintendent's memo dated March 14, 1994. Matthew Cumminqs seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. NEW BUSINESS REQUEST OF BOOSTERS FOR RENTAL FEE WAIVER FOR CRAFTS FAIR On the recommendation of the Administration, George Shannon moved to waive the rental fee for the Boosters at the Hawkes Field House on March 26, 1994. Thomas Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS SAFETY COMMITTEE TASK FORCE - CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS Chair D'Antona reissued her request for townsfolk or school - folk who would like to volunteer as members of the Safety Committee to discuss safety issues in the schools. SUPERINTENDENT'S GOALS Dr. Munnelly advised he would have his goals ready for the next School Committee meeting. COMMON CORE AT READING MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL The Superintendent stated that the high school will host one of six statewide meetings on the Common Core. Several members of the Core Study Group, including Principal Rena Mirkin, will be at our lecture hall from 4 -7 p.m. on March 22 to take testimony. Dr. Munnelly announced that he and Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner were asked by the Commissioner to speak first to open the session. Dr. Munnelly added that he would appreciate the School Committee members' and the Reading citizens' input. He continued by stating the draft he received from the Massachusetts Board of Education listed thirty -nine graduation requirements for students. SCHOOL CHOICE Dr. Munnelly briefed his memo dated March 7, 1994 that was distributed to citizens, parents, staff, and students of the Reading Community to inform them about school choice. He e REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 MARCH 14, 1994 added that the School Committee's Advisory will be at the first part of the March 28 School Committee meeting. SUMMER SCHOOL Assistant Superintendent Richards stated a published brochure for Summer School is available at all schools, the library and central office. He added that registration would be at Coolidge Middle School on March 23, 6:30 -8:00 p.m. and March 24, 6:30 -8:00 p.m. ADJOURN At 10:45 p.m. Thomas Stohlman moved to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of bargaining and negotiation discussion. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Susan Cavicchi Matthew Cummings Roberta D'Antona George Shannon Thomas Stohlman Timothy Twomey Resp ^ecti 4 Su mftd r' Robert I Mu nell , Ed. D. Superintendent of Schools Secretary To The School Committee