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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-11-28 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 28, 1994 CALL TO ORDER Chair Timothy Twomey called the regular School Committee meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present with the exception of Thomas Stohlman who was expected to arrive shortly. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Mun- nelly, Assistant Superintendent Dennis Richards and a reporter from the Chronicle. ROQTINE MATTERS APPROVAL OF MINUTES Matthew Cummings moved to approve the regular session minutes of October 24 1994. Roberta D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0. Matthew Cummings moved to approve the regular session minutes of November 7 1994. Rober- to D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0. Matthew Cummings moved to approve the regular session minutes of November 12 1994. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0. Matthew Cummings moved to approve the All Boards session minutes of October 26, 1994. George Shannon seconded the motion. The correct spelling of Timothy Twomey and Matthew Cummings was noted. The vote was 5 -0 for the corrected minutes. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrants for bills were as follows: November 14, 1994 - Bills - $ 54,899.67 November 21, 1994 - Bills - $ 501,262.82 November 21, 1994 - Bills - $ 553,588.07 November 28, 1994 - Bills - $ 105,163.32 November 28, 1994 - Bills - $ 11,351.64 The warrants for payrolls were as follows: November 10, 1994 - Teachers - $461,671.13 November 23, 1994 - Teachers - $465,399.29 November 18, 1994 - Biweekly - $121,884.30 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 NOVEMBER 28, 1994 CITIZENS' INPUT Reading residents Bob Hilliard and Steve Conner, advocates for higher school education pro- grams, asked the School Committee if they could be a resource for the "Kids Count" program. Mr. Hilliard outlined expenditure comparisons to other North suburban communities. He ex- pressed that the community needs to be made aware of Reading schools' needs. Mr. Conner explained Reading's per pupil cost comparison to the state average and the other North suburban Comnuinities. He stated the major trends, necessary capital repairs, and addition- al data that included practical school needs, salary surveys, program comparisons, class size com- parisons, test data comparisons, and age of materials, textbooks. SUPERINTENDENT'S AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly shared the names of the following RMHS students who were chosen as "Conune- nded Students ": Savannah Cutter, Andrew Dagostino, Timothy Fennelly, Carrie Foley, Jason Gracilieri, Michael Jellison, Matthew Klane, Nicole Lanthier, Megan Lavoie, Meagan O'Connell, Lauren Zenewicz and John Zorabedian. Tile Superintendent advised every three months the faculty choose students who deserve recogni- tion for their achievements and contributions at Reading Memorial High School. For the first quarter the students selected were: Adam Musto '97 English Award Timothy Murphy '96 Social Studies Award Michael Crane'95 Mathematics Award Lauren Cassidy '98 Science Award Michael S. Thompson '96 Foreign Language Award Daniel McMahon '95 Business Award Shawn Sullivan '95 Technology Education Award Allisa Anderson '95 Visual Arts Award Jennifer Bolivar'96 Music Award Marcy Goodwin '95 Music Award Melissa Russell '96 Music Award Jessica Day '95 Service Award Cheryl Lloyd '95 Service Award Patrick O'Leary '95 Leadership Award Lisa Morris '98 Physical Education Award Joseph Nunes '95 Athletic Award Christopher Cormier'95 Athletic Award Todd Fitzler '96 SEEM Award Jarrod Petkewich '97 Principal's Award REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 NOVEMBER 28, 1994 The Superintendent advised that letters of congratulations will be sent to all of these students. Ile added that another high honor has been gained by RMHS student Matt Pothier whose exper- tise in audio /visual presentations has led to several other distinctive awards. Also being recognized are Coolidge staffers John Doherty and Deborah Reinemann who will have their experience with science instruction incorporated into a chapter of a book. The Superintendent reminded the audience that "Dracula" will be presented by the RMHS Drama Society on December 1, 2, and 3. Ile added that Vice Chair Roberta D'Antona has been asked to represent the Massachusetts School Committee people who participate in a Policy Seminar sponsored by the Geraldine Dodge Foundation. She will speak about the Seminars at the National Conference of School Boards in San Francisco. Chair Twomey added in December and January high school student council representatives will be asked to chair part of school committee meetings. Mr. Twomey asked for a moment of silence for Steve Thomases who recently passed away. Ile was a Reading Public School parent and supporter of the 80 -10 -10 and a strategist for the level funded budget. At this time Mr. Stohlman arrived and Mr. Twomey asked that he and Roberta D'Antona be ex- cised from the meeting for a half hour and turned the gavel over to Matthew Cummings. Dr. Munnelly thanked all of Town government for their support of the middle school project. PERSONNEL There was no personnel report this evening. VISITORS Dr. Munnelly introduced Joanne Rys of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and Norma Shapiro of the Council for Fair School Financing. Ms. Shapiro presented a brief summary regarding the Council for Fair School Financing and stated they began to look at education in 1978. In June, 1993 the Education Reform Act was passed that stated each child should have an equal education opportunity. In answer to a School Committee question, she advised that even though our tax rate is high we are not able to raise the kind of dollars needed for education and that the state should provide the REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 NOVEMBER 28 1994 balance. Ms. Shapiro added that the law firm of Hill and Barlow has donated $520,000 pro bono. Other committees associated with the Council for Fair School Finance are American Association of University Women, Civil Liberties Union of MA, Citizens for Public Schools, League of Wom- en Voters of MA, MA Association of School Committees, MA Federation of Teachers, MA As- sociation of School Superintendents, MA Parent - Teacher - Student Association, and MA Teachers Association. Ms. Shapiro is asking the School Committee to consider a donation of $3,000 from our budget.. She responded to another member's question by stating it is the State's responsibility to provide adequate education to all students and that a legal court ruling is needed that will advise the leg- islature to be able to respond by saying that the State made them do it. Ms. Shapiro stated the purpose of the McDuffy suit is to do something for the middle communities and their inequities. She advised that she would provide Dr. Munnelly with a list of schools receiving the money. Massachusetts Association of School Committees Joanne Rys supports the Fair School Act and explained the legality of funding from School Committee monies. She stated the Education Re- f Orin Law has not worked with adequate funding for all schools. Mr. CunmIings advised their request for $3,000 would be considered as they review the budget. Chair Twomey and Vice Chair D'Antona returned. VISITORS -HIGH SCHOOL PEER LEADERS "HEALTHY DATING" Faculty Advisor Dorothy Quinlan introduced student leaders Liz Sorrentino, Meagan O'Connell, and Allissa Anderson. Allissa shared the Healthy Dating Contract that was given to all RMHS students and signed by 350 students. Ms. Quinlan advised high school peer leaders sponsored a I lealthy Dating Awareness Week, October 30 - November 4, and suggested making this a yearly event. Meagan shared the recent success of the Kareoke Party held for Senior Citizens. Liz stated this is Aids Awareness Week at the high school and they will have guest speakers and a candlelight vigil on Thursday at 6 p.m. on the Commons. Results of a survey will be published this week. 1 leather McDonald, School Committee Student Representative, acknowledged all of the work the students have done and spoke about the positive effect the diversity theme has had on self esteem and respect at Reading Memorial High School. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 NOVEMBER 28,199 OLD BUSINESS READING BOOSTERS CLUB AS DESIGNATED FOOD AGENTS (out of order President of the Boosters Club, Chuck Schena presented a proposal for the School Committee to consider. tic informed the members that the Booster Club needs $15,000 a year to run its pro- grams and that is why they are requesting to be the sole food agent. George Shannon moved to approve the Reading Boosters as the sole agent for food service on an annual bases and waive the area to serve Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. Discus- sion began regarding the proposal as directed. The vote failed by 3 -3. It was noted that Mr. Cummings, Mr. Shannon and Ms. D'Antona voted in favor of this motion. "Thomas Stohlman moved to waive the serving of food in a designated area of the Field House be granted to the Reading Boosters Club. Geode Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. SCHOOL COMMITTEE GOALS Dr. Munnelly stated Chair Twomey, Ms. D'Antona and Assistant Superintendent Richards have shaped the school committee goals for 1994 -95. Matthew Cummings moved to adopt the goals as outlined on enclosure C -1. Roberta D'Antona seconded the motion. Tile vote was 5 -0. George Shannon was not present for this vote. Dr. Munnelly supported the vision to action the school committee's goals enhance. Ms. D'Antona thanked the Superintendent for his leadership as we get deeper into Education Rerorm. BUDGET - FY 1996 Dr. Munnelly explained the budgeting process for the FY96 school budget. He began with Octo- ber - November In House: A. Assess Needs (Zero Base) Enrollment Program Gaps and Recommendations New Mandates Anticipated Repairs to Schools Instructional Budget Issues Capital Budget Needs Other Staffing Needs REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 NOVEMBER 28, 1994 B. Review of 1992 - 1995 Expenditures C. Review of Negotiated Contracts 1). Estimates of SPED Costs and at School Committee Meetings in November - December E. Develop Budget Overage and Prepare Preliminary Recommendation The Superintendent stated the FinCom's recommendations have been followed. Dr. Munnelly moved to the end of the budget to highlight the new programs, the 1989 -1993 unfunded staff and services cutback and not reinstated, and the new staff needed for structural changes. As the Superintendent began review of the FY96 budget the school committee members re- quested summaries useful to understand the costs, followed by more detailed explanations and an explanation of how figures were calculated. They asked for numbers from the Education Reform Budget and asked for time to discuss the closure on the "Fair School Financing" request for $3,000. There was a consensus of opinion that an additional budget meeting should be planned and de- cided on Thursday, December 1, 1994. NE:W BUSINES Assistant Superintendent Richards passed out information on the 1994 MEAP results. A discus- sion of the results will be held at a future school committee meeting. FIRST READING OF DRAFT POLICY ON PUBLIC SCHOOL /TOWN LIBRARY POLICY ON SERVICES TO CHILDREN Assistant Superintendent Richards informed the school committee that he has met with the Reading Public Librarian Deidre Hanley and Reading Public Schools Librarian Joan Morse to modify policy 91612 LD and discuss a simplified analysis of how the public library and school li- brary work together. Thomas Stohlman moved to substitute Policy 1612 LD with the two sheets labeled E -I and in- clude_ Technology Access. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4 in favo_ Geode Shannon opposed and Matthew Cummings abstaining_ REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 NOVEMBER 28. 1994 ADJOURN George Shannon moved to adjourn from school committee's regular session at 10:50 a.m. Mat- thew Cummings seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Susan Cavicchi Matthew Cummings Roberta D'Antona Georgye Shannon Thomas Stohlman TinuothyTwoey Res 4 Submitted Robert J,Mu i Ed. D. Supgnuv of Schools Secretary TO 7W Shad