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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-07-18 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES JULY 18 1994 CALL TO ORDER Chair Roberta D'Antona called the regular School Committee meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Central Office Confer- ence Room. All members were present with the exception of Thomas Stohlman and George Shannon who was expected to arrive later. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Dennis Richards and a reporter from the Chronicle. ROUTINE MATTERS MINUTES to Minut June 6, 1994. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion The vote was unanimous. Matthew Cummings moved to approve the Regular School Committee Minutes of June 13, 1994. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. Comments were made to clarify Mr. Shannon's statement on Page 1 and to modify the last line on Page 7 to read: .Someone who will deal with a variety of several different personalities. Adjustments were made. The vote for the corrected minutes was unanimous. Susan Cavicchi moved to approve the Regular School Committee Minutes of June 20, 1994. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion Discussion to add to the first sentence of the last paragraph on Page 3 - "per the recommendation of the N.E.A.S.C. evaluation" and to change the word would to should. Further information to correct Mr. Shannon's motion on Page 5 was to add at the end of the first sentence "not necessarily for the whole year ". Motion was withdrawn until it could be verified by Mr. Shannon. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrants for Bills were as follows: June 30, 1994 - Bills - $ 1,600.00 June 30, 1994 - Bills - $135,699.93 June 30, 1994 - Bills - $ 31,676.49 July 18, 1994 - Bills - $ 6,075.44 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 JULY 18, 1994 The warrants for Payrolls were as follows: July 8, 1994 - Teachers - $158,064.91 July 15, 1994 - Biweekly - $ 48,537.75 CITIZENS' INPUT Reading parent Bill Kerrick asked if the current first grade enrollments have changed and was informed that this would be part of the METCO Student Placement discussion. SUPERINTENDENT'S AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly advised the School Committee members that he was using vacation time to attend a week's working retreat of the State Arts Framework Committee and to lead an intensive one -week graduate course. He added he will be on vacation through the month of August and would only be available on an on -call basis. The Superintendent informed the School Committee members there were no bidders for the high school roof job. He stated they interviewed those who had shown interest and have extend- ed the time frame. PERSONNEL Assistant Superintendent Richards reviewed the personnel report as follows: Kristine Anderson - Assistant Girls Soccer Coach at RMHS Ann Loos - English teacher at Coolidge Amy Mannikko - Science teacher at Coolidge Molly Pitcher - Grade 3 at Birch Meadow Tirrell Elliott -Hart - 3/5 English teacher at RMHS Kenneth Vogler - Social Studies teacher at Coolidge Deborah Reinemann - Science teacher at Coolidge - 1 year LOA Mary McCue - SPED Assistant at Killam - Resignation 6/24/94 OLD BUSINESS METCO STUDENT PLACEMENT Dr. Munnelly reported current projected elementary enrollments and offered the options for staying within our numbers to bring METCO student enrollment up to the 1993 -94 size of 94. School Committee members stated a conscientious decision has to be considered as to how the numbers would affect enroll- ments now and into the future. Noting the numbers in the first grades, members offered accepting 3 METCO siblings at the Eaton Elementary for grade 1. Discussion continued REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 JULY 18, 1994 regarding enrollment for middle school METCO students, with the concerns over the level these students would come into our schools at. Matthew Cummings moved to accept no more that 3 METCO siblings at the Eaton Elementary School Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4 in favor and 1 abstention. George Shannon moved to freeze the existing numbers of METCO middle school and high school students Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. The vote was 4 in favor and 1 abstention. SCHOOL COMMITTEE STRATEGIC PLANNING DISCUSSION The Superintendent reviewed the key issues facing the School Committee and asked them to come up with a plan. He advised the Warrant doesn't close until October and Town Meeting will be held November 11 and 17. Chair D'Antona noted the last School Building Committee meeting was in May and that a meeting should now be encouraged regarding Parker Middle School financial needs. Dr. Munnelly added we need a clear cut priority list and needs for the budget. Mr. Shannon suggested the need to talk about a debt exclusion override for school budget and to find a Citizen Committee that will discuss a 3, 4, 5 million dollar override. The Superintendent asked that discussion should include money to be used for architectural fees, etc. Mr. Cummings requested that the Chair emphasize that Parker Middle School is the number one Capital Improvement in the Town up to and including a debt exclusion override. Before we have an all boards meeting, Dr. Munnelly suggested organizing some School Building sessions. Need to find al- ternative ways to fund projects, not just town taxes but the need to go to the state. It was suggested by a member that School Committees lobby on how education funding can be changed. NEW BUSINESS POLICY ON SELECTION OF ADMINISTRATORS - 2ND VOTE Matthew Cummings moved to approve for a second vote policy CBB, Selection of Principals and Citizen Screening Committee REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 JULY 18,_1994 for Administrative Positions as outlined on enclosure E -1. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous with a 4 -0 vote. Mr. Twomey was not present for this vote. Chair D'Antona thanked Mr. Stohlman for his efforts on put- ting together the Parental Rights Policy. AWARD OF BIDS - AUTHORIZE SUPERINTENDENT TO AWARD LOW BIDS Timothy Twomey moved to award the bid in the amount of $14,900 for the handicapped toilet - near the high school auditorium to the lowest bidder, Omioza Construction, Inc. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous with a 4 -0 vote. Mr. Cummings was not present for this vote. The Superintendent asked that the School Committee give their permission to accept the lowest bid for the high school roof project. _George Shannon moved to give permission to the Superintendent to approve the lowest bidder for the high school roof, not to exceed $314,000 Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. DISCUSSION OF INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT POSITION Dr. Munnelly advised the School Committee that he has received notice of 5.9 Early Retirement positions for Reading, noting so far since June $163,000 will be the amount Early Retirement plan to award. He added that the State has created a ratio for each town use of the available 20 million Early Retirement dollars. Assuming the towns have given the information to be accurate the actual could be more or less to spread out on our list. We will be unable to do anything until August 31st. Discussion followed with the Chair reiterating it is paramount to appoint an Interim Superintendent and requested the School Committee members provide their suggestions. Other members discussed the pros and cons of hiring someone within the Reading schools and within the current administra- tion. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS UPDATE ON SCREENING COMMITTEE PROCESS FOR JOSHUA EATON PRINCIPALSHIP AND SPECIAL EDUCATION DIRECTORSHIP Dr. Munnelly advised he appointed two selection committees and has carried out an orientation session with the committees. The time period for receiving applications ended on July 15. He added that we have a good array of candidates for both the REGULAR SESSION MINUTES _ 5 JULY 18, 1994 Joshua Eaton Principalship and the Special Education Director- ship. He noted that Dennis Richards name has been added to the Screening Committee for the Director of Pupil Services. The Superintendent stated the salary issue will be discussed later and asked that a School Committee member act as a liaison on each of the screening committees. The Athletic Director search and selection process is being handled through Principal Mirkin and is proceeding on. Chair D'Antona noted that under Education Reform theWAthletic Director could be appointed by the Principal, she added she is glad to see we are going through the process. Mr. Twomey asked what subject the Athletic Director would be teaching for his 3 /10ths position. Dr. Munnelly stated they will seek the best way to deal with that situation. ADJOURN At 10.05 p.m. Matthew Cummings moved to adjourn. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Susan Cavicchi Matthew Cummings Roberta D'Antona George Shannon Timothy Twomey Robot 1 Mun Superintendent Of Secretary To The School Committee