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Home My WebLink About1994-11-07 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES REGULAR SESSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 7 1994 CALL TO ORDER Acting Chair Matthew Cummings called the regular School Committee meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Barrows Elementary School Cafetorium. All members were present with the excep- tion of Timothy Twomey, who was expected to arrive later, and Roberta D'Antona. Also present were Assistant Superintendent Dennis Richards and a reporter from the Chronicle. Principal Charles Papandreou welcomed the School Committee to the Barrows School and intro- duced the PTO members, Vice President Marla Clough, Secretary Marion Nihan and Treasurer Jennifer Boshar. He explained that Barrows' PTO President Donna Walsh was unable to make tonight's meeting. Mr. Papandreou stated the PTO has provided tremendous financial support through their many volunteers. ROUTINE MATTERS MINUTES George Shannon moved to approve the minutes of October 17, 1994 Thomas Stohlman sec- onded the motion. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for bills was as follows: October 31, 1994 - Bills - $ 63,091.62 November 7, 1994 - Bills - $122,151.96 November 7, 1994 - Bills - $ 16,751.93 The warrant for payrolls was as follows: October 21, 1994 - Biweekly - $130,549.25 October 28, 1994 - Teachers - $466,402.91 November 4, 1994 - Biweekly - $139,281.97 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 NOVEMBER 7 1994 CITIZENS' INPUT There was no citizens' input this evening. SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR'S AND ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Assistant Superintendent reported that he has been filling in as Superintendent while Dr. Munnelly is on vacation and managing his responsibilities as Assistant Superintendent. He announced on Wednesday there was a meeting of town officials to review the warrant for the town meetings. Matthew Cummings reminded everyone that a call in show on the Parker Project has been sched- uled for questions and answers from the public on November 9th. VISITORS Understanding Handicaps Founder Judy LeBlanc and Co- Presidents Nancy Radville and Cathy Mandolese came forward to speak about the Understanding Handicaps program that is in its elev- enth year of working with the Reading school system. Ms. Radville explained the proposal they are asking School Committee to consider is that they be part of the school budget in the amount of $15,000 in order to fund a part-time administrator for the fiscal year 1995 -96. It was noted that Ms. LeBlanc, who always provided continuity to the program, can no longer continue at her present level of involvement. Other considerations for this proposal included the diminished length of volunteer time as people are returning to the workplace and the increased difficulty to fund raise. Chair Twomey advised that the committee would review this request and respond back to Ms. Radville. Mr. Shannon suggested to Ms. Radville that they encourage the Townside to participate in fund- ing this proposal also. PERSONNEL There was no personnel report this evening. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business to report this evening. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 NOVEMBER 7, 1994 NEW BUSINESS SCHOOL COUNCIL CO- CHAIRS DISCUSSION Assistant Superintendent Richards asked the School Council members to introduce themselves. Representing RMHS were Principal Mirkin, parent Rachel Baumgartner and student Heather McDonald, from Coolidge Middle School, Interim Principal Adreani, teacher Peter Hichborn, parent Roy Welsch and Community Representative Laurence Chomsky; from Parker Middle School, Principal Delaney and Co -chair Donna Martinson; from Barrows Elementary School, Principal Papandreou and Co- chair Kathleen Riley; from Birch Meadow Elementary School, Prin- cipal Davidson and parent Sue Berger; from Eaton Elementary School, Principal Page, and from Killam Elementary School, Principal Guerrette and teacher Karen Macari. In discussion, it was noted how the School Councils work together with the other parent orga- nizations in the schools as a team. The high school students and RMHS parents have framed sur- veys for each group that asks questions about the school atmosphere, diversity, teacher/student relationships, learning styles, technology and professional development. Principal Papandreou added that Barrows has formed school based committees to address the five goals in their School Improvement Plan. Principal Guerrette stated their team is expanding and needs to retrain the new members. Principal Delaney added they have had very rewarding meet- ings twice a month. Principal Davidson added Birch Meadow needs to expand on their School Council leadership. Other schools looking for a community representative are Killam, Eaton, Birch Meadow and RMHS. Chair Twomey asked the School Councils to share their minutes with the School Committee and with the other- school councils. He added there needs to be a clear understanding of the budget process. Mr. Twomey stated the first draft of the school budget will be reviewed at the next School Committee meeting. Mr. Shannon raised the point of the need for an override and asked that more community mem- bers attend the School Committee meetings and ask questions regarding the budget . RMHS parent Rachel Baumgartner asked School Councils to write letters to their State repre- sentatives to let them know the plight of the School Committee. It was noted that the increase of $10 per pupil has not yet brought us up to the 1989 level. 'file question when does Reading negotiate with Continental Cable was raised. Assistant Superin- tendent Richards stated that representatives of the Information Technology Task Force are now in the process of discussing needs with the Reading Cable Advisory Committee for negotiations which begin the first of the year. Mr. Twomey thanked the School Council members for this informative discussion. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 NOVEMBER 7.1994 INFORMA'T'ION TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE After a five minute break the committee reconvened. Assistant Superintendent Richards acknowl- edged the following Information Technology Task Force Members for the time and effort they have given to developing this plan over the last fourteen months. Committee Chair: Laura Peterson Computer Specialist Coolidge Administration: Dennis Richards Assistant Superintendent James Biller Parent, Research Scientist Coolidge, RMHS Joe Buckley Teacher, Grade 4 Killam Joe Cain Parent, audiovisual RMHS Linda Carey Teacher, Grade 4 Killam Lawrence Chomsky Parent, Product Developer Killam,Coolidge, RMHS Joan Clifford Foreign Language Teacher Parker, Coolidge Brian Colozzi Parent, VP Engineering Eaton, Parker Marcia Grant Computer Specialist Parker Mary Hichborn Library/Media Specialist Coolidge Elaine Hondorf Library/Media Specialist Killam ,Tames Keigley FinCom Comm. Member Charles Papandreou Principal Barrows Chuck Wayne Parent, High Tech Mgr. Birch Meadow Roy Welsch Parent, Professor of Statistics & Coolidge, Birch Management Science Meadow Nancy Ziemlak Parent, Systems Training Mgr. Eaton The Information Technology Task Force showed an audio visual presentation about the Technology Plan. It outlined the purpose and process, where we were and where we are now. Chuck Wayne informed the School Committee about a CD Rom Encyclopedia that will search and print out information. He asked that we try to look at equipment that will give us 5 to 10 years with upgrading and maintenance. He added we need people for maintenance, staff training and grant writing. Chair Twomey asked if work being done at home is being supported by the schools. He was in- formed that there are many students who do not have computers at home and other students would then share their computer or the work would have to be done at the library. Dr. Biller stated a coordinator is needed to put all the pieces together and write grants. Chair Twomey thanked the presenters. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 NOVEMBER 7, 1994 CONSTRUCTION CNANGE ORDERS Assistant Superintendent Richards began the review of the Change Orders. One applied to the Birch Meadow School for the installation of a new fire alarm signal box. The change order is la- beled "Owner's Request" with the cost of the new box $4,352.00. Other change orders are for Joshua Eaton. A School Committee member asked for a more definitive statement from the architect on the Birch Meadow Change Order and asked for a running tally on the contingency plan for both Birch Meadow and Eaton. An instructional session with the architect was asked for again. FINANCIAL REPORT - OCTOBER 31, 1994 School Committee members asked questions about the year to date percentages that were above 25 %. Mr. Richards said he would provide them with more information at the next meeting. ADJOURN Matthew Cummings moved to adjourn at 1050 p.m. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Susan Cavicchi Matthew Cummings _George Shannon Thomas Stohlman Timothy Twomey RmuctfuNy Submitted Mu . D. Robot 1. tly, Ed Superinb rjo t Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 NOVEMBER 7, 1994 CONSTRUCTION CHANGE ORDERS Assistant Superintendent Richards began the review of the Change Orders. One applied to the Birch Meadow School for the installation of a new fire alarm signal box. The change order is la- bcled "Owner's Request" with the cost of the new box $4,352.00. Other change orders are for Joshua Eaton. A School Committee member asked for a more definitive statement from the architect on the Birch Meadow Change Order and asked for a running tally on the contingency plan for both Birch Meadow and Eaton. An instructional session with the architect was asked for again. FINANCIAL REPORT - OCTOBER 31, 1994 School Committee members asked questions about the year to date percentages that were above 25 %. Mr. Richards said he would provide them with more information at the next meeting. ADJOURN Matthew Cummings moved to adjourn at 10:50 p.m. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Susan Cavicchi Matthew Cummings Georg,e Shannon "Thomas Stohlman Timothy Twomey