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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-06-06 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING OPEN HEARING MINUTES JUNE 6, 1994 CALL TO ORDER Chair Roberta D'Antona called the open hearing of the School Committee to order at 7:40 p.m. in the Reading Memorial High School Lecture Hall. All members were present with the ex- ception of Timothy Twomey who was expected to arrive later. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Dennis Richards, METCO Coordinator Wilma Fraser, METCO Executive Director Jean McGuire, METCO Trans- portation Director Lance Carter and a reporter from the Chronicle. There were approximately 125 interested Reading citizens and METCO parents and students in the audience. School Committee member George Shannon commented about the Chronicle article under "School Notes" that mentioned some members of the School Committee were surprised to learn they had declared June 10th, the 350th Celebration Day, as "purple and white day". He stated the School Committee had voted this in at Barrows School Committee meeting on April 8, 1994. METCO PROGRAM UPDATE METCO Coordinator Wilma Fraser and Assistant Superintendent Dennis Richards began the update of the METCO program. Ms. Fraser informed the audience of the people who work for the METCO program in Reading. For 1993-94 Ms. Fraser stated 94 students have been dispersed throughout the Reading school system. Ms. Fraser presented the activities each school participated in for the 1993 -94 school year and she listed the following 1994-95 goals for the METCO program: . To enhance the interaction and understanding of the staff regarding the multicultural student. To increase METCO parent school communication. . To increase the communities awareness of the METCO program. . On going monitoring of academic, social and school activity involvement of the students. OPEN HEARING MINUTES 2 JUNE 6 1994 Ms. Fraser explained events will continue to encourage Reading parents to participate in the Host Family Program will continue. Superintendent Munnelly informed the audience the Reading Public Schools have been involved with the METCO program for 25 years and looking forward to 26 years. The program was originally formed to reduce racial imbalances with 8 students at Eaton. He added current enrollments are now in the 901s. Assistant Superintendent Richards stated he has worked closely with Ms. Fraser and recognized the concerns of students and teachers. Ms. Fraser stated some of the concerns are: Shorter bus route Larger buss Shared school /student responsibility Efficacy "Get Smart" training She explained the "Get Smart" training emphasize - think, do work, and you will get smart. The benefits Ms. Fraser outlined included the sharing and exchange of ideas, and the sense of sharing identities to have youngsters get along in the college and business worlds. Ms. Fraser stated work on changing funding must be accomplish- ed, more financial support and the need for lobbying. Mr. Richards spoke about enrollment for 1993 -94 with 94 students enrolled through out the school system. He presented the METCO 1994 -95 enrollment projections that show a total of 83 and the need for 11 more students to stay at the total of 94. School Committee member Mr. Cummings asked what number of students the grant is written for. Ms. Fraser replied it is level funded for 94. METCO Director Jean McGuire asked that numbers in each school be adjusted to reflect an enrollment to reflect a plan that fits METCO needs and Reading's budget. When asked how financial arrangements are worked out, Dr. Munnelly advised that the program is level funded by the state. Reading writes a proposal that includes bussing, re- imbursement for the cost of Reading teachers and salary for staff. The State funds a contract for all students awarded to METCO. The social service help that we tap into is modest. OPEN MEETING MINUTES 3 JUNE 6, 1994 . Ms. Fraser stated the METCO Grant for Reading is $269,909. Chair D'Antona announced the phone number for people watching on cable, 944 -4175, and stated the Assistant Superintendent would screen calls. Nathan white spoke as a resident for 37 years and not that of FinCom about the financial impact the METCO program has on Reading. He advised the reimbursement to Reading for each METCO student is $1255, less than 25% of our figure for education of each Reading student. He took issue with the claim that we 'don't need to hire additional teachers or make additional space ". Dr. Munnelly noted the revised enrollment and class size figures for 1993 -94, dated 4/22/94, with METCO students would not impact the number of classrooms. Reading citizen Bruce MacDonald stated that this is not just an accounting issue. This is a chance to gather people of color to continue with a racially diverse school and the friendships between students. Another person from the audience asked what we would charge for tuition under school choice. Dr. Munnelly replied for every high school student choosing school choice tuition would be $3800. RTA President Robert Donovan spoke about what makes a person different and the diversity at Reading Memorial High School. He stated it would be a disadvantage to take away the METCO program. An unidentified METCO handicapped parent praised what METCO has done for her child. She stated, " METCO is a promise for all of its students - -do not wash them away." First Congregational Church Pastor Alan Bond asked, "Whose the new enemy ?" He replied the answer to his own question - noting racism, tribalism, ethnic conflict, reactionary TV /radio. He too stressed the importance of education is diversity in our school system. Eaton Resource Room Special Education teacher Barbara Kelley noted METCO students have given more benefits to Reading stu- dents. Old South Church Pastor Sweet noted Reading as a pioneering community with METCO and added children need to live in a multi- cultural society. A caller agreed with that statement. OPEN MEETING MINUTES 4 JUNE 6, 1994 A Reading Barrows fourth grade parent stated she is thankful for the program and added grade 5 overcrowding is not about numbers. Jean McGuire advised the METCO Program is based on an empty seats philosophy, and some communities have temporarily scaled back their participation when their schools have become overcrowded. METCO parents in the audience praised the Reading METCO pro- gram for the experiences their children have had with other cultures. Safety for their students was another concern the METCO parents and children expressed. Children also said they would miss their teachers and the friends they have made in Reading. Principal Rena Mirkin, School Committee members Matthew Cummings and Thomas Stohlman related the valued experiences they had while going to school in diverse neighborhoods. They encouraged support of the METCO Program and to work with the State for increased METCO funding. School Committee member Thomas Stohlman left the meeting. Dr. Munnelly advised that all current METCO students will continue in their present schools in Reading, but have not made a decision regarding whether or not any first grade seats will be opened to new incoming METCO students next year. In conclusion Chair D'Antona thanked the audience and the call -ins for their participation and input. The School Committee will continue to look at benefits that are very significant and the financial and space issues. ADJOURN At 10:05 p.m. Matthew Cummings moved to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of negotiation discussion. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Susan Cavicchi Matthew Cummings Roberta D'Antona George Shannon Timothy Twomey Robert 1 unn ft Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Commit + ^r