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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-09-26 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 26, 1994 CALL TO ORDER Chair Timothy Twomey called the regular School Committee meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Superintendent's Confer- ence Room. All members were present with the exception of Thomas Stohlman and Roberta D'Antona. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Dennis Richards, RMHS student representative Heather McDonald, and a reporter from the Chronicle. MINUTES Matthew Cummings moved to approve the regular session minutes Of August 29, 1994. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for bills were as follows: September 19, 1994 - Bills - The warrant for payrolls were as follows: September 16, 1994 - Teachers - CITIZENS' INPUT There was no citizens' input. GIFTS $434,250.75 $467,535.56 Dr. Munnelly acknowledged several appreciated gifts to Parker. .Mr. & Mrs. Adams provided funding to install a weather station. .Mr. Doucette, working through an employee gift program from Hewlitt Packard, provided over $4000 of computer equipment. .Mrs. Pat Keane donated an Apple computer. The Superintendent also noted appreciation for gifts that were given to Coolidge. .A $120 gift from The Friends of the Reading Public Library for use in the Media Center. .A Hewlitt Packard Desktop color printer and an upgrade of two media center systems valued at $2540 from the Class of 1994. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 SEPTEMBER 26, 1994 .The Science Olympiad Support Group presented a Hewlitt Packard Desktop multimedia computer valued at $3,000. .Hewlett Packard (HP) presented one HP Vectra VL2 Computer & Moni- tor for the Language Arts Department valued at $1,468. REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR AND SUPERINTENDENT The Superintendent reported on the maintenance problems at Parker. He advised that our insurance company inspector will not allow us to turn the boilers on without extensive repairs and our patchwork of repairs at Parker has our roof repairer completely exasperated. He stated that one of the burners is out of service and repairs will have to be done from the inside on the stays. Hopefully, he added, this will be enough to get us safely through the winter months. Dr. Munnelly complimented Reading Public Schools three National Merit Award winners: Patrick Twomey, Sarah Shemkus and Matthew Campbell. The Superintendent stated our band has once again been invited to compete at the Windjammer Festival at the Coast Guard Academy in New London for a Saturday evening competition. He added that he would be approving, for this one time only, this activity. VISITORS Dr. Munnelly introduced Elizabeth VonEuw, Student President of the Reading Memorial High School (RMHS) Band. Other band members pre- sent were Jennifer Boulivar, Tim Fennelly and Marcy Goodwin. Ms. VonEuw questioned the guideline that decreases the number of RMHS Band and Color Guard competitions for this year. She noted that this competition season is their fall sport. Ms. VonEuw stated the N.E.S.B.A. states four competitions are the bare minimum required. She went on to explain that the U.S. Coast Guard Invitational only invites accomplished bands. She added the band consistently wins prestigious awards at this invitational. Realizing that the Superintendent can waive the band's Sunday policy, the band schedule was reviewed by School Committee members. Members asked that the students be sensitive to other students and parents who do not want to attend all of the events. Dr. Munnelly advised that he would decide on the request by the next School Committee meeting. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 SEPTEMBER 26, 1994 PERSONNEL Assistant Superintendent Richards reviewed the resumes of candidates recommended to the following positions: Nancy Anthony, Birch Meadow Media Specialist, M -2 Joy Haffer, RMHS 30% Physical Education, M-7 Karen Lanthier, Parker Middle School Language Arts, M-1 Other new employees he referenced include: William O'Connell, RMHS SPED Director & Pupil Personnel Jennifer Page, Eaton Principal Elizabeth Costello, Killam 31 3/4 hour SPED Assistant Pamela Moscufo, PPS 31 1/4 hour SPED Assistant Kirsten Scherer, Coolidge 30 hour SPED Assistant Anne Marie Waystack, Killam 27 hour Educational Assistant OLD BUSINESS REPORT OF TOWN MANAGER'S ALL BOARDS MEETING PLANNING: DRAFT PLAN FOR LONG RANGE FINANCING (out of order) Chair Twomey reviewed the FY96 Budget Schedule Agenda from Town Manager Hechenbleikner. He asked that the entry "October 25, 1994 - Board of Selectmen review and rank "new Program" requests." be clarified. Mr. Twomey stressed that we need to have a common understanding among all boards. He went on to express the intent of the FY96 budget process is that, within the Charter and other legal obligations imposed on the different parts of the Town of Reading Departments, to coordinate the development of the FY96 budget by all departments. Some of the elements in the process being recommended are the following: .Departments will submit a "base budget" with the guidelines of no new positions or new expense items. The base budget will be reduced by one time expenditures. .Departments will submit material on prioritized fully costed "structural budget increases ", which will deal with issues such as increased enrollment, mandated increases in levels of activity, etc. .Departments will submit prioritized fully costed "new program" requests, which will be either programs that have not been done in the past, or that are restorations of programs previously reduced or eliminated. .It is expected that the "base budget" plus the "structural budget increases" will be within the estimated revenues available at this time, and that "new Programs" will be funded as savings permit, and /or as new revenues permit. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 SEPTEMBER 26, 1994 Dr. Munnelly stated the Town Manager wants information by early November. Superintendent explained the school side will discuss information with them but will not be ready until early January with the school budget. Then an Open Budget Hearing for the public will be held. Dr. Munnelly stated with a vote from Town Meeting for the Parker Project funding would enable us to start construction this year. Russell Graham, School Building Committee (SBC) Chair, stated that the SBC met on Friday evening and changes were already made by Saturday morning. On Wednesday evening they will discuss how we shall proceed - take the Parker project in 3 phases so as not to incur large bonding costs. SBAB funding needs to be made a priority and ask the Town Meeting for full funding so we will be grandfathered in if there are changes. Mr. Shannon thanked and encouraged the Town's financial folks for their support and flexibility. George Shannon moved that the Administration place a warrant in the fall for 13.7 million dollars to plan and build a new Parker Middle School. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. Discussion for the FinCom to come on board in addition to the community for Town Meeting. If this does not get on the Town Meeting floor it will affect our going forward. Chair Twomey noted we are facing signi- ficant costs now. The vote was unanimous. Dr. Munnelly suggested a call in show around the Parker Middle School building concerns. Chair Twomey stated the next School Committee meeting will be at Parker on October 3, 1994. Mr. Graham noted Coolidge Principal Lahood's retirement party has been planned on a Town Meeting night and offered the suggestion that the Town Moderator arrange discussion of Parker needs on another date. 1994 -1995 SCHOOL YEARS FINANCIAL NEEDS Dr. Munnelly summarized the compilation of the 1994 -95 financial budget needs with an overall amount needed $265,000. The actual School Budget voted at Town Meeting is $16,389,325. The difference between this number and the appropriations amount ($100,000) were to be made up by School Committee action regarding Early Retirement and School Choice, but those funds never appeared. 1. $106,000 - After Town Meeting, School Committee decisions and state ERI data projections have us $106,000 less than we need to run the schools. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 SEPTEMBER 26, 1994 2. $61,000 - Maintenance - Decisions put off for obligations until FY95 include: Electric Carryover $25,677 High School Track 23,950 Portable $ 3,400 New Space 8,000 3. $98,000 - Special Education - The list which uses teacher turnover and Special Education tuition overage shows the need for $98,000. Unanticipated Costs .5 Speech 18,000 .5 SPED Teacher 15,000 SPED Assistants 74,000 Nurse for adolescent 42,300 Nurse for Preschooler 22,000 Subtotal 171,300 Out of District Budget Balance Out of District Tuition (unassigned) 44,000 This brings the total SPED need to $127,300. With the savings from teacher turnover of $85,261 and the estimated Early Retirement Program Costs of $56,000 there is a balance of $29,261 therefore reducing the SPED need from $171,300 down to $98,039. Dr. Munnelly reviewed the comparisons to note the cutbacks in Transportation, Tuition and Psychological Exams. He added that we need to respond with effectiveness and some economy. The requested amount of $259,000 could come from the unused levy limit or from free cash for emergencies. Mr. Shannon expressed concern over the monies being spent for the nurses and asked if the State's medical assistance has been ex- hausted. Mr. Richards said that the family has identified every source of funding we are aware of and all have been used. Dr. Munnelly said he will once more check into this information. After further review it was noted that the total amount needed adds up to $265,000. Matthew Cummings moved to amend the FY95 budget by increasing the amount by $265,000. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. ANTICIPATING BUDGET FY96 NEEDS FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS Dr. Munnelly reminded the School Committee of the needs of the school system as we move forward to a Needs Based Budget. He highlighted the areas of concern - Pupil Enrollment Increases, School Improvement Plans, Professional Development and Building Maintenance. He added that one outstanding need is to get our supply level back to the 1989 -90 school level. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 SEPTEMBER 26, 1994 The Superintendent stated he would put this information in a packet for School Committee members for the All Boards Meeting. Then as people talk about what is coming up they will realize our needs are real to serve our pupils and it does not include money being built back in for any staff or programs. He urged the public to realize when School Committee and the Administration ask for this money it takes away from other programs within the Town. Dr. Munnelly stated the Assistant Superintendent and elementary principals are making an array of elementary classes so we can identify by our last meeting in October how many teachers will be needed. We will then need to see if redistricting or moving programs around will be helpful. Mr. Shannon advised that whatever the State Foundation Budget is we have that as a minimum plus whatever else we determine. With all theses options Mr. Shannon suggested we will need a stamp that says "subject to change ". Dr. Munnelly mentioned the letter sent to Chairman Twomey from the Reading Cooperative Bank that asks for School Committee endorsement for the "Savings Makes Cents" program at Birch Meadow. Matthew Cummings moved to approve the "Savings Makes Cents" program at Birch Meadow School. George Shannon seconded the motion. School Committee was assured that there would be no other costs to this program. The vote was unanimous. NEW BUSINESS On the recommendation of the Administration, Matthew Cummings moved to approve the low bid of $47,220 from C & J Consulting for Parker Middle School Computer Workstations. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. Discussion followed. When Dr. Munnelly was asked who put this bid together, he replied, Joe Cain, Pat Schettini along with Bob Bennett a physics teacher from Wakefield. Mr. Shannon asked if it was a conflict of interest that Chuck Wayne of C & J Consulting is a member of the Technology Committee. The Superintendent replied he did not believe so. The vote was unanimous. REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF RENTAL FEE FROM LIBRARY George Shannon moved on the recommendation of the Administration to waive the rental fee only for use of the RMHS Lecture Hall for November 13, 1994 by the Reading Public Library. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 SEPTEMBER 26, 1994 SCHOOL COMMITTEE INPUT ON CRITERIA FOR COOLIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPALSHIP Dr. Munnelly announced that he will meet with the Screening Committee after a 7:30 p.m., October 4th meeting at Coolidge. He noted that Matthew Cummings would act as the School Committee lia- son for the Coolidge Principalship. Discussion followed with School Committee members suggesting the criteria for the Coolidge principal. . Principal Experience or equivalent managerical experience including staff evaluations and demonstrated leadership Strong emphasis on computer and information technology A leader to the staff and an advocate of vigorous staff - evaluation . A proponent of inclusion . A person with strong middle school program knowledge and experience especially in heterogenous grouping. School Committee members stressed that person be someone with a fresh view. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS NEW STATE REGULATIONS ON TEACHER RECERTIFICATION Assistant Superintendent Richards shared the Recertification Guide for Massachusetts Educators from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Education. He added that the recertification period is for 1993 -1999. Mr. Richards outlined Recertification as follows: 1. Professional Development Plans, both individual and school 2. District Professional Development Plan Provide Professional Development Programs Identify No -Cost Programs Provide Guidance 3. Professional Development Points 15 PDP = 15 clock hours = 1 semester hour 120 PDP = 120 clock hours = 8 semester hours 4. 120 PDP for Primary Certificate 60 PDP in area 60 PDP other educational issues 30 PDP for each other area of certification 5. Records responsibility He added that a Question and Answer booklet will be coming to us soon from the Department of Education. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 8 SEPTEMBER 26, 1994 ADJOURN hew Cummings ourn to Executive Session at 10:15 p.m. for the purpose of discussion of Union and Non -Union is George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Susan Cavicchi Matthew Cummings George Shannon Timothy Twomey fitted Robert I Mu I Ed. D. Supe inbmdent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee