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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-10-24 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES OCTOBER 24, 1994 CALL TO ORDER Chair Timothy Twomey called the regular School Committee meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. in the Coolidge Middle School Cafetorium. All members were present. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Dennis Richards and a reporter from the Chronicle. ROUTINE MATTERS APPROVAL OF MINUTES Matthew Cummings moved to approve the regular session minutes of October 3, 1994. George Shannon seconded the motion. Mr. Stohlman asked that on page 4, first paragraph, that his re- quest for special education parents and the administration to work with the School Committee for the information discussed, and on page 5 the word and be added to the reference - disruption and suicide. The vote was 5 -0 for the corrected minutes. BILKS AND PAYROLLS The warrants for bills were as follows: October 24, 1994 - Bills - October 24, 1994 - Bills - The warrants for payrolls were as follows: October 21, 1994 CITIZENS' INPUT Biweekly - There was no citizens' input. GIFTS $480,674.00 $146,592.54 $130,549.25 Dr. Munnelly thanked and acknowledged Mr. Arnold Berger for his donation of a Hewlett Packard Scanner and a color Hewlett Packard ink jet printer to the Coolidge Middle School Computer Lab. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 OCTOBER 24, 1994 SUPERINTENDENT'S AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR'S REPORT Dr.. Munnelly asked Chair Twomey to summarize the components of Tuesday evening's FinCom session. Chair Twomey stated the budget for the Parker Middle School Project was presented to the FinCom. FinCom will review and then make their recommendations. The financial folks at Town Hall have presented a plan on how the project can be financi- ally handled. FinCom member Mr. White noted that the Town Treasurer Ms. K lapels has put together more information on how the financing can be done. Chair Twomey stated FinCom voted $209,000 to be put on a warrant. This is the amount we actually need for expenses over and above our budget for the year after discrepancies were worked out. WELCOME FROM ACTING PRINCIPAL LOU ADREANI Chair Twomey asked Acting Principal Adreani to come forward and introduce PAC member Jim Miller, who outlined the function of PAC. He stated they are a sounding board for issues re- garding education and test scores, they are a fund raiser who support activities of the students in the school, such as the handbook, arts and trips. IiT(_I IT. T(:i -TT MATH DEPARTMENT CHAIR JOE FINIGAN AND STAFF ON COOLIDGE MATH PROGRAM Acting Principal Adreani introduced Coolidge math staff, Stan Quinlan, Marie Tomasello, Charles Smith and Department Head Joe Finigan. Mr. Finigan presented an overview of the Coolidge math program r_hat, included the work of inclusion, the hard work of students and faculty and the support they have received over the years from the Superintendent, Interim Principal Adreani and the former Principal Lahood. Mr. Finigan continued with the following outlines: Math Common Core of Learning Math skills to interpret information Know and understand math concepts and explore to other areas of knowledge Recognize and use patterns, construct math models REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 OCTOBER 24, 1994 Curriculum Frameworks . Students constructing own understanding of the disci- pline out of activities to promote inquiry Teachers role is central to promoting communication CMS Math Teacher Beliefs Welcome curriculum change as an original need and a stimulus for growth Believe in the inability to implement new curriculum and achieve positive CMS Focus on in the Last 5 Years Eliminate redundant material Integrate albebratic concepts in Grades 6 -8 Emphasize problem solving Integrate strains of math Vary teaching strategies Some Indicators of Student Achievement MEAP Stanford Testing NE Math League . Continental League . Math Team Selection by ETS as normal school Consultation by other middle schools . Everyday enthusiasm positive attitude willingness to work hard for success Ideas for Future . Performance Assessment interest and Technology . Limitless Learning Model Communication and Coordination with RMHS and PMS Integrate Learning Activities Chair Twomey thanked Mr. Finigan for a fine presentation. Dr. Munnelly asked Mr. Finigan how math classes are different from 3 years ago. Mr. Finigan replied the use of manipulatives, hands on and group work. when asked how the tests access the students, Mr. Finigan replied that alterna- tive accessment will bring in characteristics to solve pro- blems and by building self confidence students will be in- terested in math. He added that Mr. Smith and Ms. Tomasello have worked in the area of math history. VISITORS: STUDENT ADVISORY TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE Christine Cerretani, a member of the class of 1995, explained some of the senior activities: .welcome back dance REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 OCTOBER 24, 1994 .1995 tee shirts ($400 profit thus far) .Halloween dance .Haunted House ($3 per person) .Spirit Week (11/21 - 11/23) .Pep rally .Powder puff game .Pancake breakfast .Raffle .AHL volley ball tournament between students and parents From the class of 1997 Sarah Meehan spoke about the contract 35 AHL members have signed to refrain from the use of alcohol and drugs. An aerobics class to be held for seniors at the Senior Center on Wednesday afternoons are part of their plans. Marissa Freitas, also from the class of 1997, informed the audience that the Student Advisory Council have met with Dreamers, Inc. about RMHS issues. They have discussed the Diversity Fest and the Student Exchange Day plans. Another member from the class of 1997, Jaren Petkewich, stated the benefits of the middle school students meeting with the high school student groups before the beginning of school. Meagan O'Connell, class of 1995, added the high school atmos- phere this year is different. She felt that was part of the freshmen orientation. They plan to survey students on what they feel are the important issues. From the class of 1998 Mary Von Euw spoke about the band sche- dule and stated it is no more demanding on the band students than sports are on those students. She highlighted the awards the band have received and announced that they missed first place in Oswego by only 5 /10ths of a point. Also from the class of 1998 Scott Given announced that the freshmen class needs to raise $20,000 by the time they are seniors. Some of the activities planned to raise that amount are a bake sales, a car wash, and a skating night. He noted during school time the bug collection activity was initiated. Heather Shannon, a member of the class of 1998, pointed out some of the enjoyable freshmen activities, sports and band, an interesting humanities class, and other fun courses. Another member of the class of 1998, Kate Chomsky- Higgins, ad- vised she too is enjoying the humanities class. She reported the atmosphere, freedoms and options are exceptional. Senior Chris Cerretani added the Student Council is working together with the Peer Leadership group to have a Karayoke night at the Senior Center with the senior citizens. She also REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 OCTOBER 24, 1994 asked that people participate in the food drive on November 11th at the Old South Church. Principal Mirkin stated this has been the most active Student-_ Advisory Group she has worked with and noted that the students look at the needs of the school and survey what learning classes can be pursued in depth. Dr. Munnelly congratulated Meagan O'Connell, who recently presented her topic, "Potato Famine" in Washington, D.C. Ms. O'Connell stated the Hibernian Society will present her with an award of $200 and a medal. VISITOR: CAFETERIA PROGRAM REPORT: CATHERINE COOK The Superintendent prefaced his introduction of the Director of. Food Services, Catherine Cook, by stating last year was a good year for Reading's cafeteria. Ms. cook highlighted the cafeteria end of the year statement that noted a profit of $33,117.47. when asked about low fat and vegetarian meals, she noted students are more aware, they read the labels. She stated the cafeteria provides fruit and salads opposed to some low fat food that can be very pricey. Other points of interest Ms. Cook spoke of were the coordina- tion of elementary schools and Nicholodean productions about school lunches. She included a Nicholodean tape that promotes "'Tune Tuesday" for lunches. Ms. Cook stated plans for middle school and high school students are incorporating the theme "cold turkey day" for November 17th into the lunch menu. This has been arranged with the Health Department's representative Jane Fiore. School Committee members complimented Ms. Cook for a job well done. Ms. Cook, in turn, thanked her employees. OLD BUSINESS SCHOOL COMMITTEE GOALS FOR 1994 -1995 Dr. Munnelly suggested that the School Committee ask them- selves, "What they can do to establish goals, and then develop understanding and the means to see the goal addressed. A major resource for the School Committee is its own meetings; to educate the public, involve staff, parents and citizens in projects, and give recognition to people who further the goals." Chair Twomey asked the members to identify and articulate what goals they want to tackle and access themselves again as they did last year at a Saturday meeting. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 OCTOBER 24, 1994 The concensus of opinion was to meet on November 12th at 8:00 a.m. BUDGET FY96 - NON- INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF NEEDS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Dr. Munnelly presented an overview of the non - instructional staff needs for FY96. He noted that there are 13 additional classrooms and we have not added anymore custodians. He stated RMHS Principal Mirkin stated the understaffed custodian staff is not able to keep that facility as clean as it should be. The Superintendent added the regular day educational assistant needs have not been restored to several years ago along with curriculum leadership for Fine Arts, Physical Education, Data Processing and a Reading Director. He added we will be hear- ing more about the need for Technology leadership. Central Office staff is in the need for an Administrative Assistant. He gave an example of some information the Secretary of State's office is requiring of the Superintendent - i.e. records of the prevailing rates for construction workers. Dr. Munnelly asked that December 1 be added to the calendar for a budget workshop meeting. The Assistant Superintendent spoke about the changes requiring Professional Development and presented those stipulations on an overhead. The information he highlighted included the following: .FY96 Professional Development Proposal .3 Excerpts from October 1994 Massachusetts Board of Education Annual Report .School Committee Goals .Massachusetts Educational Reform Law Changes Requiring Professional Development .Reading's Expectation for Changes Requiring Professional Development Assistant Superintendent Richards said a lot of professional development positives are going on but it the level of support to address new needs is important. Mr. Stohlman left the School Committee meeting at this juncture. SUPERINTENDENT'S CONTRACT REVIEW Matthew Cummings moved to approve the Superintendent's 1995 -96 contract in the amount of $87,206. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 OCTOBER 24 1994 Matthew Cummings moved the Chair to go into the next contract negotiation session with the Superintendent. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. NEW BUSINESS REQUEST TO GIVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO SCHOOL FINANCE COURT CASE Dr. Munnelly stated the Council for Fair School Finance (FSF) is asking the School Committee to join dozens of towns in the Commonwealth in the MacDuffie case in an effort to get fair dn(] equitable state support for education in the Commonwealth. The question they are presenting is should the Reading Com- munit.y through its School Committee be a party to the suit and provide financial help for the legal fees. The Council is asking the Communities that will benefit to consider a contribution of up to $3,000, $1500 this year and then $1500 next year. The consensus of School Committee members was to invite Norma Shapiro the President of the Council for Fair School Finance and Joanne Rys, field representative of MASC to come and explain the background information of the FSF to the commit- tee. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS COOLIDGE PRINCIPALSHIP Dr. Munnelly explained that he would be meeting tomorrow evening with the Screening Committee for further discussion of the Coolidge Middle School principalship. He reported the Screening Committee has had 2 meetings thus far. Chair Twomey presented a parental request to meet with the School Committee regarding a complaint that falls under the Parental Rights policy. He asked if the complaint needs to be discussed in executive session. It was noted it would be necessary for committee members to review a written statement of concerns and the Chair would then need to coordinate a time with the Superintendent and other members for a meeting, not necessarily in executive session. It was noted that All Boards will meet in Executive Session on October 26th at the Reading Municiple Light Department. ADJOURN At 10:40 o.m. Matthew Cummii The vote u W Susan Cavicch4",! C ftb mmings Roberta D' Antona George Shannon! v w+?'I , 1,!7-?Timothy Twomey