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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-05-09 School Committee Minutes READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES MAY 9 , 1994 CALL TO ORDER Chair Roberta D'Antona called the regular School Committee session to order at 7 : 40 p.m. in the Superintendent ' s Con- ference Room. All members were present with the exception of George Shannon, who was expected to arrive later. Superin- tendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Dennis Richards and a reporter from the Chronicle were also present. ROUTINE MATTERS MINUTES Thomas Stohlman moved to approve the March 28, 1994 School Committee minutes . Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. Mr. Stohlman asked that the last paragraph on page 3 be identified as Thomas Stohlman instead of a School Committee member. The change was noted. The vote was unanimous for the minutes as changed. Timothy Twomey moved to approve the Open Hearing minutes of April 7 , 1994 . Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4 in favor and 1 abstention, Matthew Cummings . Matthew Cummings moved to approve the April 25, 1994 School Committee minutes . Thomas Stohlman seconded the motion. Mr. Stohlman asked that the spelling of his name be corrected on page 2 . The correction was noted. The vote was unanimous for the minutes as corrected. BILLS The warrants for Bills were as follows : April 4 , 1994 - Bills - $147 , 621 . 80 April 11, 1994 - Bills - $ 68, 036 . 36 April 19 , 1994 - Bills - $164 , 529 . 95 - April 25 , 1994 - Bills - $ 25 , 110 . 36 May 2 , 1994 - Bills - $113, 102 . 25 PAYROLLS The warrants for Payrolls were as follows : April 1 , 1994 - Teachers - $436 , 614 . 80 April 15 , 1994 - Teachers - $471, 084 . 46 April 29 , 1994 - Teachers - $438, 517 .48 II REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 MAY 9 , 1994 April 8 , 1994 - Biweekly - $116 , 696 .46 April 22 , 1994 - Biweekly - $ 84 , 140 .52 CITIZENS ' INPUT Barrows ' parent Eileen Patch expressed concern over the grade 4 large class sizes . Along with the size of the grade, she was concerned about behavior and emotional needs of the stu- dents not being met. Another parent, Bob Lynch, asked what can be done for this 1 class now. He stated the students need to catch up and would it be possible to have Educational Assistants help. Assistant Superintendent Richards stated that Barrows ' Princi- pal Charles Papandreou will be meeting with parents before our next School Committee meeting and a report will be forthcom- ing. Mary Cohan asked that all Barrows ' parents be notified of the Barrows ' meeting. Overcrowding in several of the grades was a concern of parent Ann Rand. She also questioned how long it would be before re- sults to alleviate this problem could be expected. Chair D'Antona stated the issue of class size for Grade 5 and the curricula content for this year will be addressed at the next School Committee meeting. SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR AND SUPERINTENDENT' S REPORT Dr. Munnelly saluted the band participants for their outstand- ing triumphs at the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival band competition in Winchester, Virginia. The Superintendent proudly acknowledged Killam Elementary School Principal Paul Guerrette for being chosen for the 1994 Thomas C . Passios Outstanding Elementary Principal Award. In September, Mr. Guerrette will travel to Washington, DC to receive one of 60 National Distinguished Principal Awards . Dr. Munnelly announced that last weekend, Reading Memorial High School student Carolyn Morse was a third place winner for her entry Hydroponic Vegetable Growing at the Statewide Science Fair at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Leo Kenney and his Vernal Pool Students were the subject of a report from the Environmental Protection Agency. Dr. Munnelly stated the $5 , 000 grant Mr. Kenney receives will continue for its third year. He stated, for educational television Mr. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 MAY 9 , 1994 Kenney and the Vernal Pool students will be presenting a documentary. VISITORS : SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS FROM SCHOOL COUNCILS Assistant Superintendent Richards began by introducing the Reading School Council 1994 School Improvement Plans and their goals . Mr. Richards informed School Committee that he was notified by the State that other schools have not yet reached the point that Reading has . He went on to explain the 1994 School Improvement Plan process that represent Introspection- Self Examination, Broad Based Inquiry, Common Needs, Different Priorities, and Learned Information - No Shortage of Targets, Need for Coordination (the mandates from the State, District, School and Individuals ) - Value of Communication. Mr. Richards stated the communication is the key to developing goals for the school district are developed. The Target Areas from the School Council Goals were identified by the Assistant Superintendent to include technology, core values, safety, improve learning for all students , profes- sional development, student assessment, calendar/kindergarten schedule, restructure learning environment, literacy, school construction, planning time, access to phones, class sizes, communication about curriculum and homework, and buildings and grounds . Reading Memorial High. School (RMHS) parent, Stan Nissen the representative for their School Council gave a quick summary noting the needs identified were based on the result of a two year study by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Study, participation from all constituen- cies . Three 1994 goals chosen by RMHS School Council are: Professional development plan by December, 1994 for implementation in the 95-96 school year in time to influence the 95-96 budget . Comprehensive multi-year technology plan by February, 1995 , for implementation in the 95-96 school year. Develop a flexible schedule that will provide an environment to accommodate multi-faceted learning opportunities by December, 1995 for implementation in the 97-98 school year. Mr. Nissen explained that the real work is ahead, committees will be formed, surveys will be conducted, resources will be identified and funding will be sought. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 MAY 9 , 1994 Assistant Superintendent Richards stated that the Technology Task Force will report their goals to the School Committee at the next meeting and will continue develop a plan over the next few months . Coolidge Principal Lahood acknowledged School Council members Peter Hichborn and Roy Welsch. Mr. Hichborn stated a couple of Poloroid executives helped the council put together a format in their school profile. The council reached a concen- sus of opinion on their 4 goals - core values (the depth of what the school believes in and has accomplished) , diverse learning needs, technology and professional development on a collaborative level . Mr. Welsch spoke on how to implement the Technology Plan by working closely with the Technology Task Force about budget issues . He added that along with technology maintenance, professional development, the maintenance of the building and grounds , class sizes and inclusion and support have been dis- cussed. From Parker, Principal Delaney introduced Steve Conner and Donna Martinson. Dr. Delaney explained they are expecting some funding for their first goal , Technology. They are looking forward to a revitalized lab by this summer, telephone lines set in place and faculty training. The second goal, adoption of the Core Values with the parent/faculty committees and the students will focus on one major initiative at a time. Ms . Martinson shared the third goal - an after school extra- curricula program. She noted that 2 : 30-4 : 30 p.m. is a danger time for students . They are looking for more people to become involved in establishing 2 or 3 programs for the Fall . Mr. Conner stated their fourth goal concerned the population explosion and the need to lobby for early construction, to work with the staff/community of Parker and their concerns for the education of the middle school children. The issue of safety was raised by Barrows ' School Council rep- resentative Kathleen Riley, along with school culture, values , expectations, curriculum enrichment, technology, professional development for inclusion and the revision of alternative assessments . Barrows Principal Papandreou stated they are preserving many things already established and goal one will be to close the gap between individual and school values . A School Committee member raised the question about what is driving the issue of safety and the security of the building and playground concerns? Ms . Riley responded that even though REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 MAY 9 , 1994 a sign inpolicy has been established in the school it is not always adhered. Chair D'Antona announced that the first School Safety meeting will be held on May 17th. Birch Meadow Principal Davidson called the School Improvement draft a working document. He too outlined their goals - safety, continually monitor traffic flow, air quality, cleaner environment; communication, need for more planning time, inclusion planning/teacher support, curriculum/student outcomes , available telephone lines to parents as well as for telecommunications; individual needs, a wider variety of en- richment opportunities, technology for staff and students; class sizes as they continue to grow. Eaton' s representative to the School Council, Nancy Stager stated that their goals were similar to what other schools have presented. Another Eaton representative James O'Leary outlined their first goal - Technology - this year to bring staff up to date, meet with industry leaders and other school systems, form a steering community to develope by the end of the school year more definitive role, keep parents informed with a curriculum night for issues that may evolve. Principal Farnham spoke about the School Councils other Improvement Plans : Inclusion - Building Professional Development Parent Survey - Expand Before/After School Time School Calendar - Kindergarten Schedule Killam Principal Guerrette presented a brief history of the 9 member School Council . He noted some of the areas the State has asked to be identified a scheduled plan for reduced class size, professional development to assist teachers to meet the diverse needs of children, parental involvement and school safety and discipline. Killams ' goals include: Language Arts - need of alignment around instructional Meet needs of all students Safety - supervision at the drop off/pick up area Technology - the need for hard and software to do the job Chair D'Antona extended thanks to the council members who have worked hard to develop this document. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 MAY 9 , 1994 PERSONNEL Assistant Superintendent Richards presented the list of teachers who have been offered their second, third and fourth contracts . Mr. Richards was asked to explain why they get a second and third contract. His reply was that teachers are scrutinized throughout the year and evaluated during the three year period of time. Mr. Richards explained the second portion of the personnel report that outlined leaves of absence and resignations . A School Committee member expressed concern about Mark Wees ' resignation and was informed that Mr. Wees will be pursuing a Ph.D. in Music Education at the University of Illinois . OLD BUSINESS SCHOOL CHOICE FORUM School Committee members voiced the pro and con reasons they heard from the community regarding School Choice. Timothy Twomey moved not to adopt School Choice for the 1994- 95 academic school year and to notify the Department of Educa- tion by June 1, 1994 . Thomas Stohlman seconded the motion. Mr. Stohlman stated the METCO needs will have to be discussed and Mr. Cummings stated there was not a positive force from the community for School Choice . He stated that the maintenance budget would need to be prioritized by $50, 000 if necessary. The vote was 5 in favor of the motion and 1 against . NEW BUSINESS AWARD OF CONTRACT ON ARCHITECTURAL PLANS FOR HIGH SCHOOL ROOF George Shannon moved on the direction of the Administration to award Gale Associates the design contract of the high school roof in the discussed range of $7 , 100 . 00 . Thomas Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous . CAFETERIA-DIRECT CERTIFICATION FOR FREE LUNCH (out of order) On the recommendation of the Administration, Matthew Cummings moved to adopt the Direct Certification for Free Lunch. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous . BIRCH MEADOW CHANGE ORDERS Superintendent Munnelly stated the April 11 , 1994 memo he received from Design Partnership outlined the unsuitable soil conditions below the foundation of the Birch Meadow School REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 MAY 9 , 1994 building and per the direction of their Structural Engineer and per the observation and direction of the Geotechnical Engineer the contractor was instructed to provide calculations of the amount of material that was expected to be removed per the contract based on reasonable elevations and a 15% compaction factor. It was understood that 668 cubic yards of material was expected to be removed. This figure will be used as a credit to the total amount of new structural fill material that was trucked on site. The additional fill material will be installed at a predetermined unit cost, included in the Contract, of $22 . 50 per cubic yard equaling $46 , 980 . 00 . It was also noted that the contractor is requesting an extension of time to complete the new addition, a formal completion date to August 26 , 1994 . Discussion con- tinued and Dr. Munnelly stated he would check into the amounts spent and information on completion dates and report back to the School Committee in the next in-between meeting note. Dr. Munnelly continued to inform School Committee of other change orders that were under $5, 000 . PRINCIPAL CONTRACTS Dr. Munnelly presented the template contract used with the present group of experienced principals . The Superintendent stated he would like the Principal ' s contract to roll over and become a 3 year contract from July 1 , 1993 . He noted the Educational Reform book is just coming out. All of our present principals are performing at a high caliber. Mr. Shannon expressed concern over the new contract being based on the principals we presently have . Mr. Cummings asked if Attorney Drachman would investigate if the length of the contract had been an issue in the past . Mr. Stohlman went on to say the roll over is for current principals and wanted to go on record that it should be an individual benefit. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS ACCOUNT BALANCES Dr. Munnelly stated he will be working with Town Accountant Richard Foley regarding some negative figures . Asked about the minus figures for the Smoking Cessation Grant, the Super- intendent informed the School Committee that the balance of funds need to be requested. It was also noted that the figures in building maintenance reflect fuel expenditures . ADJOURN At 10 : 53 p.m. Matthew Cummings moved to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of negotiation discussions for non- union personnel . Thomas Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous . Susan Cavicchi Roberta D'Antona Thomas Stohlman Matthew Cummings George Shannon Timothy Twomey