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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-10-03 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES OCTOBER 3, 1994 LL TO ORDER Chair Timothy Twomey called the regular School Committee meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Parker Middle School Auditorium. All members were present with the exception of George Shannon. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly and a reporter from the Chronicle. Assistant Superintendent Dennis Richards was expected to arrive later. ROUTINE MATTERS APPROVAL OF MINUTES There were no minutes for approval. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrants for bills were as follows: September 26, 1994 - Bills - $ 46,845.40 October 3, 1994 - Bills - $553,543.79 The warrants for payrolls were as follows: September 9, 1994 - Biweekly - $105,436.47 September 23, 1994 - Biweekly - $114,289.00 September 30, 1994 - Teachers - $462,001.18 CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen's input. SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR AND SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly reviewed the new fall meeting calendar. He noted the budget hearing has been changed to December 12th and after that it will be sent to the Town Manager on the 15th of December. Dr. Munnelly stated we will have to go into executive session on October 17th to define meeting dates for negotia- tions with the employee groups. The Superintendent informed the audience that Killam Principal Paul Guerrette recently was honored in Washington, D.C. as a National District Principal. He added that Mr. Guerrette also met with members of Congress and the Executive Department leaders. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 OCTOBER 3 1994 WELCOME FROM W. S. PARKER PRINCIPAL AND P.T.A. OFFICERS Parker Principal Dr. Delaney expressed appreciation to the School Committee members for their support regarding the Parker Building Project. Dr. Delaney introduced Parker's PTO President Patricia Keane, who noted their PTO is a very active, concerned and committed group. She spoke about Parker's concerns and what the PTO can do to push this building project along. Also present, was School Council President Steve Connor who stated the key element of the School Council is the Parker Building Project and thanked School Committee members for their time and efforts and asked that they continue the challenge. Dr. Delaney advised the Parker Building Project is a community problem. He added that in 1995 the incoming Coolidge sixth grade class size will be 28 students and the following year it will be 30 students. As enrollment is studied, some relief can be offered to Coolidge when Parker's construction is com- pleted. He went on to explain that while occupying the old school the new section will begin and when it is completed students and staff will then move into that section. At that point they will be transitioning to a 600 pupil school. Presuming Town Meeting approves, combinations of shifting will happen. Redistricting will have its effects on transportation. He added that the Administration and he will be meeting with the elementary principals so they will be able to make the parents realize the situation. MS. D' Antona asked what else is needed regarding the impact on teachers and ancillary programs. Dr. Delaney explained special service, special education, library media, custodian help, cafeteria size, gym and staffing to name a few of the concerns. He added that when we reach 600 students we will need to transition students in and will need 13.5 teachers. Chair Twomey invited Town Meeting Members, Building Committees and other School Councils to visit Parker Middle School to observe first hand this townwide problem. Dr. Munnelly suggested a call in show and articles in the local newspapers to help make the public more aware. Dr. Delaney thanked the School Committee members, members of the School Building Committee and Chair Russell Graham for their support and efforts. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 OCTOBER 3, 1994 Chair Twomey advised at the All Boards Meeting it was voted to put an article on the Town Meeting Warrant for the cost of the Parker Project. HIGHLIGHT Superintendent Munnelly asked Dr. Delaney to present tonight's highlight. Dr. Delaney requested Parker's Assistant Principal William Cowles to come forward and receive a plant and plaque denoting him as Massachusetts Assistant Principal of the Year. Dr. Delaney read a letter from Parker's Guidance /Psychologist Diane Ketlak that highlighted Mr. Cowles as always being available, helps kids feel confident, an advocate for the students, a fair disciplinarian and respects and works with the students. Dr. Delaney publicly thanked Mr. Cowles. VISITORS: SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL ROBIN HAMILTON AND BELINDA BARBAS, CO-CHAIRS Dr. Munnelly introduced the new Director of Special Education William O'Connell and turned this portion of the meeting over to the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (P.A.C.). Co -chair Belinda Barbas welcomed Mr. O'Connell and stated they will be meeting with him on October 20th to explain the role of the P.A.C. Co -chair Robin Hamilton stated topics to be discussed for children with special needs include the RISE Program and the training for vocational special needs students. Ms. Hamilton added some of their concerns included: more understanding Chapter 766 was created 20 years ago to guarantee children with disabilities a quality education Learning difficulty students with SPED services are given quality education Want their SPED students an to have education within the community's schools. Dr. Munnelly requested P.A.C. members to participate with them in budget discussions. In response to a School Committee member's question on how do you think inclusion is going, Ms. Hamilton responded most stu- dents have been included in the inclusion process, but both regular education teachers and special education teachers need training with co- teaching. Chair Twomey asked if there was anyway the evaluation process of students could be in sync with the budget process. Ms. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 OCTOBER 3, 1994 Hamilton replied it would be difficult to work out since annual reviews are on the student's birth date and they come in at age 3. Mr. Stohlman asked that special education parents, work together with the administration and School Com- mittee members regarding this issue. NEW BUSINESS (out of order) APPROVAL OF FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH PROGRAM On the recommendation of the Administration, Matthew Cummings moved to approve the policy for Determining Eligibility for Free Meals and Reduced Price Meals as outlined on Enclosure C- 1. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS (out of order) SCHOOL COMMITTEE ADVISORY GROUP TO STUDY REFURBISHING The Superintendent asked School Committee members, as part of our long range plan to have the schools ready for the 21st century, to establish an Advisory Group to develop a plan for refurbishing the 1952 portion of RMHS needs. He asked for volunteers to serve with members of the high school adminis- tration, Principal Mirkin and high school head custodian Bill Stamatis, to put together a detailed plan which, then, could be used for State SBAB submissions for financial assistance. Dr. Munnelly added May 15, 1995 should be set as a date to re- port back, then if funding is needed we would know about it as we plan a long range capital improvement plan. Principal Mirkin stated the charge is for the 1952 part of the building and it should be for the whole high school in order to accommodate an anticipated approximate 20% larger popula- tion and a diversity of programs. PROJECT ALLIANCE Dr. Munnelly shared the recent Project Alliance Calendar of Events from District Attorney Town Reilly's office. He noted the Project Alliance staff have developed events around such issues as sexual harassment, violence prevention, and expul- sion under education reform. Training for recertification will be worked out with the staff. To belong to Project Alliance a small fee comes out of the Drug Free Account. VISITORS: RMHS PRINCIPAL MIRKIN AND HEALTH COORDINATOR MARC ALTERIO: THE HIGH SCHOOL'S DETENTION AND DIVERSION PROGRAM Dr. Munnelly invited Ms. Mirkin and Mr. Alterio to come for- ward and explain the changes in procedures and processes to REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 OCTOBER 3, 1994 implement a fully smoke -free and harassment free environment at RMHS. Mr. Alterio stated the Diversion Day for students presented a model for this new program. He added the main goal for the Diversion Education Program is to recognize and change dis- ruptive school behaviors that adversely effect the daily academic performance of some students. Conflict resolution education modules are spread out on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a total of 8 periods. Students are asked to keep a journal, stay in the classroom, and report back to the Assistant Prin- cipals. Teacher E. J. Laino is receiving help from Jean McGah and other members of the guidance department, Principal Mirkin, the Assistant Principals, and Mr. Morse a Human Rela- tions person from Wakefield. He added that they believe this educational effort is committed to holding students to a higher standard of responsible behavior and will assist them in becoming productive community members. Mr. Stohlman asked how the schools handle some of the topics such as family disruption and suicide. Ms. Mirkin explained that the guidance counsellors spend many hours discussing issues around families and pointed out the Decision class and other health related groups as examples. Ms. Mirkin anticipates that the RMHS Diversion Education Pro- gram will become a model program and invited the School Com- mittee members to come in on any Tuesday or Thursday. Dr. Munnelly asked School Committee members if we wanted to identify this as a goal. OLD BUSINESS (revisited) REPORT ON RMHS BAND ACTIVITIES Chair Twomey expressed the band competition concerns noting the education/ social problem of Wakefield is that competition would result in three activities in two days. He added it was not appropriate for the band program to ask that all members and families participate. Mr. Twomey also noted that Wake- field does not compete in the same "circuit" as Reading, therefore we would be competing in our circuit one day and then crossover to another the next day. He added that the band is in a competition every week from the opening event on October 1 to the finals on November 6. Student and band representative Elizabeth VonEue stated the M.I.C.A. has three events this year - next year it may be less. Ms. Cavicchi asked that School Committee members consider in- creasing band events from 3 to 6. REGULAR SESSION MINUTE OCTOBER 3, 1994 Dr. Munnelly stated the circuit starts in October for a time of about 6 weeks. Since the season is short students should have the opportunity to perform. Ms. VonEue reminded the School Committee members that the practice schedule is outlined in the RMHS Handbook. Ms. D'Antona stated for excellence there is a price and supports the Administration who try to balance this. Thomas Stohlman moved that the School Committee's intention is to foster and enrich the musical education of students in the RMHS Band by encouraging participation in regional competi- tions during the marching band season. The number and sche- dule of which are to be determined by the Superintendent and the RMHS Principal. Roberta D'Antona seconded the motion. The modified motion was approved by 4 and opposed by Matthew Cummings. BIRCH MEADOW CHANGE ORDERS APPROVAL The Superintendent recently met with the architect for Birch Meadow and Eaton Elementary Schools' construction process. Design Partnership of Cambridge architect David Finney out- lined a chart on the Birch Meadow Project change order status and totals. He noted the change orders #01 - #07 totaled $62,312 leaving a remaining contingency at that point of $37,688. Mr. Finney added change order #08, that includes P.C.18 - Unsuitable soil at Part "A" for $4,270 and P.C.20 - Additional Blasting of Ledge for $24,314 brings the remaining contingency to $9,104. Dr. Munnelly advised that no paperwork has been done from change order #09 on, and that a vote for #09 and #10 will be needed. He stated another proposal, #45 -the rewiring of 3 existing ventilators for hidden conduits cut during construc- tion need to be replaced for a total of $1,350. Mr. Finney stated two claims under pending, #39 - claim for extra steel work and #43 - claim for additional repairs to existing fire alarms have been rejected, but need to be carried as a figure now until the contractor gives sufficient written evidence. The architect stated this brings the total contingency to the nearest thousand, $137,000. Dr. Munnelly advised that this is $7,000 more money for Birch Meadow than intended. Mr. Finney stated the Birch Meadow soil and removal has added up to more than half of the additional costs and informed the School Committee that the contingency for Eaton is $170,000 and they will not run into soil pro- blems. He added any lessons learned through Birch Meadow will be applied'to Eaton. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 OCTOBER 3, 1994 Roberta D'Antona moved to approve change orders #09 and #10 as described on pages 2 and 3 of Enclosure D2. Thomas Stohlman seconded the motion. Mr. Stohlman pointed out that P.C. #19 is a design area error and not the responsibility of the School Committee and Administration. The vote was unanimous. ADJOURN At 10:55 P.M. Roberta D'Antona moved to adjourn. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Susan Cavicchi Matthew Cummings Roberta D'Antona Thomas Stohlman Timothy Twomey Robert J. E,d. Sup oil 6 idsi t Of Schools Secretary To The UW Committee