The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1994-12-19 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES DECEMBER _19, 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 Roberta D'Antona. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly and Assistant Superintendent Dennis Richards. ROUTINE MATTERS BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrants for bills were as follows: December 5, 1994 - Bills - $80,733.37 December 5, 1994 - Bills - $ 1,600.00 December 12, 1994 Bills - $45,692.82 _. December 19, 1994 - Bills - $94,717.16 December 19, 1994 - Bills - $ 5,687.75 The warrants for payrolls were as follows: December 2, 1994 - Biweekly - $147,055.38 December 9, 1994 - Teachers - $ 55,624.25 December 16, 1994 - Biweekly - $124,098.03 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Matthew Cummings moved to approve the regular session minutes of November 28, 1994. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. Thomas Stohlman asked that the time he arrived at the School Committee meeting be recorded on page 3 and to identify Matthew Cummings, George Shannon and Roberta D'Antona as the members voting in favor of the Boosters request on page 5. The vote was unanimous as amended. Susan Cavicchi moved to approve the re Aar session minutes of December l 1994. George Shannon seconded the motion. Mr. Stohlman asked to have George Shannon and Matthew Cummings as the opposing votes to support the specialist assignments on page 2 and Susan Cavicchi as the opposing vote to cut the IEP Computers and to reduce monies for band transportation. The vote was unanimous as amended. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 DECEMBER _19 1994 CITIZENS' INPUT There was no citizens' input. SUPERINTENDENT'S AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR'S REPORT The Superintendent asked Mr. Richards, the Assistant Superintendent, to speak about the science staff who have received a $10,000 grant for the Reading Public Schools. Mr. Richards stated the Re- lationships and Math Friendly Physical Science (RAMPS) funds are for teacher training sessions. The workshops will address the renovations in Reading Memorial High School (RM -HS) texts for science / math in the 9th grade physical science classes only. He recognized RMHS science teachers Ruthann Budrewicz and Judy Donovan; who worked on a draft that they submitted for 1611 implementation of RAMPS during the 1994 -95 academic year. They will work with a consultant on a Saturday, January 21 st to assess the program. VISITORS Dr. Munnelly proudly announced the two nominees the Guidance Department choose for the Superintendent's Award of Excellence. He asked Patricia Osborne and Michael Wardwell to come forward to receive their awards. The Superintendent stated Ms. Osborne ranks 926 in the graduating class of 245. She has been a member of the RMHS band since grade 10 and a member of the varsity tennis team for all four years of high school and this year she is Tri- captain. She also has been a member of the French 1-lonor Society for three years and this year was chosen to be President. In addition to her commitments in school, she also teaches tennis to adults, and volunteers some of her time to Rosie's Place. Dr, Munnelly announced Mr. Wardwell ranks #48 in the graduating class. He is interested in mechanical or electrical engineering and has been a member of the band for his high school years. He is also a talented athlete and a valued member of the wrestling team. This year he was chosen as the Captain of the wrestling team. As a hobby he enjoys miniature painting. Dr. Munnelly stated both award recipients possess the fine qualities a student should possess to be considered for the Superintendent's Award. He congratulated them and extended appreciation to their families. PERSONNEL The Assistant Superintendent announced the personnel report for December. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 DECEMBER 19, 1994 Claire Friedman, an Occupational Therapist at Killam Elementary, will be on a medical leave of absence from October 24, 1994 to January 3, 1995. He advised that she received a doctor's note saying she could come back to work for a few hours each day now. Barbara Rubin, an Educational Assistant at Birch Meadow Elementary, gave her resignation to be effective on December 16, 1994. OLD BUSINESS POLICY ON LIBRARY /SCHOOL COORDINATION - 2ND VOTE Thomas Stohlman moved to approve for a second vote the new version of the Town of Reading Policy on School /Public Library services to Children # 1612 LD with the addition of Technolo , Access added to the Comparison of Services to Users, Public Library column on page 2 and the remainder as outlined on enclosure C -1. George Shannon seconded the motion. Mr. Shannon announced he would be voting against this as a policy. The vote was-4-1. NEW BUSINESS SUPE,11UNTENDENT'S PROGRESS ON GOALS FORTHE 1994 YEAR Dr. Munnelly reviewed the progress report on his goals and noted that the calendar year 1994 was one of strong educational focus. He added that under our program of implementation of the Massachusetts Education Reform Initiative parents have become more involved in educational decision making. He noted that every school council prepared a school improvement plan. The Superintendent highlighted that the staff feel supported and morale as exemplified in several leadership activities that brought recognition and awards. Dr. Munnelly continued by stating written profiles describing our schools and their programs were prepared and distributed. He added the community demonstrated its support for our schools at spring budget approval time and virtually gave unanimous approval to the Parker Project at the fall Town Meeting. There were three key experienced administrators replaced by an open selection process. The School Committee held four sessions of retreat meetings and along with the Superintendent have given attention to grievances, mediation, and hearings as part of its labor relations process. He referenced the school system reaching out to others in the community. Dr. Munnelly then went on to outline Goal I - To further the spirit of educational improvements imbedded in the Education Reform Act of 1993 by agressively leading the school district to understand and respond positively to the changes. He reviewed the action steps that have already taken place since the law passed in June, 1993 and the several other areas of the Reform Law with which we need to become more active. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 DECEMBER t9,199 Goal 11, the Superintendent stated, will be to provide administrative and advisory support for the School Committee as it develops a "new" role for itself featured in the Education Reform Law and then he outlined his action steps and outcomes. Chair Twomey asked the members of the School Committee to review the evaluation form and to give him their input so he can meet with the Superintendent and have their information ready for the January 9th meeting. JOSHUA EATON CONSTRUCTION CHANGE ORDER BRIEFING The Superintendent advised he would be meeting with Building & Grounds Supervisor Mike Lombardo and be back to School Committee with more information. The change order proposal numbers CP# 144 have already been approved for $22,197 and an eye will be kept on the running total - now at $46,234. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS (out of order) PROGRESS ON EATON BUILDING PROJECT Dr. Munnelly noted that construction is over 50% finished and the new building will be ready for occupancy before the February vacation break. He also added approvals from the Reading Fire Department, building, electrical and plumbing inspectors will be garnered in advance. EATON CI,OCK The Superintendent advised there is no money in the school budget or school construction budget and recommended School Committee take leadership in getting the Eaton community to repair the Eaton Clock. Dr. Munnelly stated that someone from Old South Church may be able to lend us some assistance with long term care of the clock. The estimated cost for new clock works is $2400. OFFER BY READING POLICE TO PARTICIPATE IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM Mr. Cummings noted that the police are writing in our assistance in a D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) grant that will support training for one or two police officers, one full day a week for 16 weeks. Dr. Munnelly stated Chair Twomey has written a letter in support of the School Committee members for Safe Schools to the Human Services Health Department Coordinator Jane Fiore. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 DECEMBER 19, 1994 The Superintendent added Marc Alterio and Jane Fiore worked with more than 200 teachers in the summer on a health program. He stated we will be seeing a more active role from Reading's police in our health program and extended a welcome to them into the school community. He looks forward to them becoming involved in our health fairs and school programs and we will continue to see how best we can use them to work with our young people. Planning for that to take place will occur over the next eighteen months. The Superintendent asked Mr. Alterio, Ms. Fiore and Assistant Superintendent Richards for their commitment to the project. AD.IOURN At 8:50 p.m. George Shannon moved to adjourn from regular session to executive session for the purpose of planning bargaining and negotiations with employee unions. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. The vote was unanimouse. Susan C_avicchi Matthew Cununing:s G�e Shannon Thomas Stohlman Timothy Twomey Respect ly Sub i IN d %1. -c �` Robert I Munneh, Ed. D. gnperintendent Of SchooiS Secretary To The School Commit'pe