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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-08-22 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES AUGUST 22 1994 CALL TO ORDER Chair Roberta D'Antona called the regular School Committee meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Central Office Confer- ence Room. All members were present. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Dennis Richards and a reporter from the Chronicle. MINUTES Matthew Cummings moved to approve the Regular School Committee minutes of July 18, 1994. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion The vote was 5 in favor and 1 abstention. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrants for Bills were as follows: August 8, 1994 - Bills - $231,933.49 August 15, 1994 - Bills - $423,052.64 August 22, 1994 - Bills - $ 23,861.09 The warrants for Payrolls were as follows: August 19, 1994 - Teachers - $145,141.35 July 15, 1994 - Biweekly - $ 48,537.75 July 29, 1994 _ Biweekly - $ 43,243.92 August 12, 1994 - Biweekly - $ 39,834.76 CITIZENS' INPUT There was no citizen input. SUPERINTENDENT'S AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly reported that placements are being con- sidered by the Early Retirement people and we will know who qualifies by September 1, 1994. The Superintendent explained the unforseen construction problems at Birch Meadow. It has become necessary to change the opening date for students from Wednesday, August 31 to Tuesday, September 6th. School Committee member Susan Cavicchi informed Dr. Mun- nelly that she had received a call from a concerned Reading REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2_ AUGUST 22, 1994 citizen regarding Jewish holidays and asked how many hours a year a student must attend school. Dr. Munnelly replied he had explained conditions to this person. When asked about instructional hours the Superintendent replied normally it is 900 hours for elementary and 990 hours for secondary students. VISITORS: SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE CHAIR GRAHAM'S REPORT ON PARKER MIDDLE SCHOOL PROJECT Dr. Munnelly asked School Building Committee (SBC) Chair Mr. Graham to present his report on the Parker Middle School Project, along with School Committee Chair D'Antona and Parker Principal Delaney. Principal Delaney reviewed the three alternatives to the Parker Middle School project. Plan C offers the possibility of moving the Parker project to an earlier date. Under the present timeline overcrowding and displacement will be experienced . He added that an earlier start may mean Reading will avoid a drop in state building construction support from the State for this project. He discussed enrollment figures for 1994 -95 noting that next year Grade 6 will jump up to 28 students per class. Present- ly, Dr. Delaney added, the capacity for both schools is 400 students. Mr. Graham stated the School Building Committee will present financial projections to Town Meeting in the fall so work can begin with the architect. He noted that projected middle school enrollment increases should become the concern of the elementary school parents. A debt exclusion override for all or part of the project will have to be considered. Mr. Graham presented other alternatives to address the fiscal shortfalls. He asked if revenue from the sale of real estate could be used and at what level could the town live with. Mr. Graham added that the Parker Project needs to be at the top of the list for priorities. In order to meet the educational need, Mr. Graham presented the following options: 1. Shift Townwide capital priorities 2. Review what is currently available 3. Consider capital threshold percent of budget 4. Consider option of override. Mr. Twomey offered other options to add to this list to get us closer to what we want. Review of Town's projected income each year REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 AUGUST 22, 1994 . Free cash issues Sale of real estate. Dr. Munnelly asked what are the revenue projections and the implications to the economic health of the community if the 6.53% revenue was not used for all capital projects. A School Committee member asked that everything requested should be in writing and all of the Townside of Government be invited to meet with the Administration and School Committee. Another School Committee member asked for information for the past five years and future years, such as, revenues and pro- jections, balances and free cash, and operating revenues. Chair D'Antona listed three alternatives to an override: 1. debt exclusion override for cost of whole project, 2. debt exclusion override for the cost of architect fees only, 3. debt exclusion override for the combination of both. Ms. D' Antona asked the School Committee to think about funding needed for personnel as well as classrooms. She stated the project needs to go through immediately but we need to look at available resources before going to a debt exclusion override. Then we might think of an operational override as opposed to going for two overrides. School Committee members asked that the Town Manager provide a 5 year projection, original and actual balances in free cash and the percentage amounts of operational revenue for Capital Improvements. Mr. Graham advised that history's odds may be against the debt override, but the discussion has to be kept alive. Dr. Munnelly thanked Reading citizen Joe Lupi for the amount of time he has devoted to overseeing the building projects. PERSONNEL Assistant Superintendent Richards announced that candidates for the Athletic Director position have been processed. The Administration has discussed with Reading Memorial High School (RMHS) Principal Mirkin her recommendation. Contingent on the present Athletic Director receiving early retirement, RMHS Math teacher and Head Soccer Coach Philip Vaccaro will be appointed as the new Athletic Director. Mr. Richards stated Mr. Vaccaro' s salary as Athletic Director will be based on 70% directorship time ration (1.17) plus $1,000 for tournament re- REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 AUGUST 22, 1994 sponsibilities, and 30% teaching time at Masters Maximum - $50,679.12 annually. A School Committee member questioned why the job description excluded the Athletic Director from being a coach and another asked if the $1,000 for tournament responsibilities was in the contract or was it a special consideration for Mr. White. School Committee members expressed concern as to the how and when they should find out who the finalists for the various positions are and asked as a courtesy to be notified of the other finalists as soon as possible. Dr. Munnelly explained that a public interview for the Eaton Principalship and the Special Education Director will be held next week. He noted because of the time span an appointment for the Athletic Director had to made quickly. The Assistant Superintendent went on to outline other person- nel issues and the resumes of teaching candidates. Amy Borruso Lori Whelan Cara Canedi Marcia Grant Martha Krauch Kelly McCarthy John McCarthy Kathryn McLaren OLD BUSINESS Grade 4 Speech Pathologist Instrumental Music Computer Grade 4 Grade 1 Science Science SPECIAL EDUCATION UPDATE Killam Barrows Coolidge & Parker Parker Killam Birch Meadow Coolidge Coolidge Assistant Superintendent explained the Special Education program needs that have been identified by the principals and Interim Special Education Director Jean McGah. The list included in the packet identified the current needs. Mr. Richards noted the half time Speech Therapist as a very high priority and other additional IEP's that need special education assistants. The result of pluses and minus of dollar figures between the schools as students move up. Best estimates, he added, at this point for available out of district tuition funds is $37,000 with a possible increase in costs for transportation. Mr. Stohlman asked what has caused the extra costs needed. Mr. Richards stated the needs are volatile and identified in late spring. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 AUGUST 22, 1994 Mr. Richards added that he thought there was a larger buffer last year. This year the "placements in progress" amounts were $97,245 in tuitions for private schools (total $490,000) and $20,800 in tuitions for public schools (total $150,000). Mr. Richards explained the list includes additional costs that were not anticipated last year. All of the IEPs for this year have already been signed with the exception of 3 new students who have come into the district. Dr. Munnelly stated he is working on the expense portion and may be able to reduce the $93,117 identified on enclosure D -1. FISCAL YEAR 1994 REPORT The Superintendent provided a list of items where emergencies exceeded budget and items that were not done as part of fiscal pressure. He also included the status of appropriations as of June 30, 1994. He added that he would continue to provide School Committee with the information they have requested. NEW BUSINESS (out of order) BOOSTERS PRESENTATION ON PRESS BOX Chuck Schena President of the Boosters presented an outline of the plans for the press box that the Board of Selectmen approved on July 12, 1994. He asked that School Committee provide their approval in writing to the Town Manager for an estimated cost of $25,000. Mr. Schena thanked Tom Stohlman for the time he volunteered to the plans. He added construction will begin in the Spring and cement blocks will be used to construct the building to blend with the Field House. He noted a sign will say it was built by the community of Reading. Matthew Cummings moved to accept the project as presented from the Reading Boosters for the press box dated July 13, 1994 George Shannon seconded the motion The vote was unanimous OLD BUSINESS AWARD OF BIDS HIGH SCHOOL ROOF On the recommendation of the Administration, George Shannon moved to approve the low bid of Titan Roofing in the amount of $276,200 for the installation of the high school roof. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion The vote was unanimous REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 AUGUST 22, 1994 BUS CONTRACTS On the recommendation of the Administration, George Shannon moved to approve the low bid of Suburban School Transportation for field trips and activities and athletics as outlined on enclosure D -2. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Dr. Munnelly advised the School Committee members that due to Transcomm, Inc. inability to handle transportation to our satisfaction, he is recommending the second lowest bidder as identified on enclosure D3b, pages 1, 2 and 3. On the recommendation of the Administration, Timothy Twomey moved to approve the low bidder for Special Needs Transporta- tion with the exceptions noted on pages 1, 2 and 3 of enclo- sure D3b as set forth. George Shannon seconded the motion The vote was unanimous. INSTALLATION OF HIGH SCHOOL FRONT DOORS On the recommendation of the Administration, Timothy Twomey moved to approve the low bidder Hawkins Structural Systems, Inc. for installation of the high school front doors in the amount of $10,380. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion The vote was unanimous. NEW BUSINESS PRINCIPAL SEARCH FOR COOLIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL The Superintendent explained that Coolidge Middle School Principal Lahood is second on the Early Retirement list. The Assistant Principal is being used now as the Interim. We need to move forward with a screening committee to replace Mr. Lahood. Mr. Cummings volunteered to be the School Committee liaison, with a group of seven additional people. Mr. Twomey suggested one member be from the School Council Advisory Committee. ENDORSEMENT OF PRINCIPAL SALARIES Dr. Munnelly asked School Committee members to endorse the negotiated principal salaries for 1994 -95. Thomas Stohlman moved to endorse principal salaries as outlined on enclosure E -2 dated August 18, 1994 Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 AUGUST 22, 1994 INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS REPORT OF PROGRESS OF SEARCH COMMITTEE Dr. Munnelly reported he would be meeting with finalists who applied for the Eaton Principalship and the Special Education Director. ADJOURN At 10:15 p.m. Thomas Stohlman moved to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of discussion of non union and union personnel. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Susan Cavicchi Matthew Cummings Roberta D'Antona George Shannon Thomas Stohlman Timothy Twomey Bob lit I .Ee.a of s�nrtiftI"oMmftW