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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-01-19 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES JANUARY 19, 1993 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Matthew Cummings called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Central Office Conference Room. All members were present with the exception of Student Representative Michael Shannon. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly and Interim Assistant Superintendent Susan Wheltle who was expected to arrive later. MINUTES Barbara Philbrick moved to accept the minutes of December 14, December 21, December 28, 1992 and the Open Hearing of January 4, 1993. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for Bills was as follows: January 4, 1993 - Bills - $ 71,440.97 January 11, 1993 - Bills - $ 21.001.69 January 19, 1993 - Bills - $ 97,608.20 The warrant for Payrolls was as follows: December 21, 1992 - Biweekly - $122,328.74 January 15, 1993 - Biweekly - $110,077.45 January 8, 1993 - Teachers - $417,121.33 CITIZEN INPUT There was no citizen input. School Committee member George Shannon asked if the committee could go into Executive Session at the end of tonight's meeting for Bargaining Information. rrVmc Dr. Munnelly acknowledged gifts donated to the following schools: Eaton - Compact Disk - "Just Grandma & Me ", donated by Michael Rubin REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 JANUARY 19, 1993 Apple IIe, computer, printer, additional disk drives and a large amount of software, donated by Mr. & Mrs John Callahan Barrows - P.T.O. holiday gifts to entire professional staff - $50 to purchase miscellaneous materials The Selfridge family -a Scrabble Unit that a whole class can play at one time The Wall family -made it possible to purchase a U.S., world map and a 16" globe for a 4th grade classroom Students Ted and Erin Walsh in memory of their uncle made it possible to receive the Operation Outreach - U.S.A. Program The Wilkinson family for the many times they have donated supplies during this period RMHS - Rudolph Honberg, International Equipment Co., for the generous donation of an MP4R Laboratory Cen- trifuge (used) w/215 motor and manual to the Science Department. Barbara Philbrick moved to accept and thank all of the people who gave gifts as outlined on enclosure B -4 to the Reading Public Schools Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly stated that Reading Memorial High School Biology teacher Leo Kenney, faculty and 3 or 4 students have been designated by a Grant from the EPA as a Vernal Pool Certification group and are working to share that information with students and teachers at area high schools. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Reading Memorial High School will sponsor a conference at Reading Memorial High School in April. The Superintendent congratulated this group for taking this lead with the EPA. Dr. Munnelly reminded the audience that the School Committee will have a call -in- program on Reading Cable, Channel 3 on Thursday, January 22 at 7:30 p.m. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 JANUARY 19, 1993 PERSONNEL RESIGNATION On the recommendation of the Administration, Timothy Twomey moved to accept the resignation of the 2 /5ths Foreign Lanquage teacher Carmen Lonero, effective January 28, 1993. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. VISITORS: SCHOOL /BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP The Chair welcomed the leadership members from the Steering Committee of the Reading School - Business Partnership. Dr. Munnelly stated that under the initiative of Gail Cerra schools and business people have found a partnership. The Reading Chamber of Commerce has played an instrumental role in mobilizing the community's business people. Venny Gatto, Chair of the Reading School- Business Partnership (RSBP) stated that the partnership's philosophic position is that schools need to be understood, and supported by business as youngsters prepare for life and work in the 21st century. He noted that the Commission on Achieving- Necessary Skills (SCANS Report), has detailed a foundation plan and a set of goals for preparing young people for future world market competition. He added that the Reading School- Business Partnership will be a vehicle for members of the business community to address the foundation goals of basic skills, thinking skills and personal qualities for all of Reading youngsters. Birch Meadow Reading and Computer teacher and RSBP Vice Chair Paul Graveline spoke on the mentor program and how businesses could provide job education resources to our students; influence their education process; and insure that students would be qualified to go into business. RSBP Executive Secretary Gail Cerra stated that the idea of the partnership is to bring businesses, parents, students and teachers together so they can understand the community better. Ms. Cerra added that over 3,000 school partnership programs are going on in the community today. President of Reading Memorial High School PTA Tom Meharg emphasized that the RSBP is looking for vehicles to bring business people to the school as well, as gifts. He hopes that the match of community members and business people with the schools will be a success. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 JANUARY 19, 1993 Dr. Munnelly highlighted the RSBP pamphlet that advised businesses of the programs currently in place for them to assist in: A speaker series at Reading Memorial High School Assist the Junior Achievement Programs at the Middle Schools Participate in Career Awareness Days at the Middle Schools Work with the High School Business Education Department Share your hobby or business expertise Help the school provide interviewing skills for seniors Be a mentor for students Chair Cummings thanked the RSBP group for coming. The Superintendent advised that he will be making a pre- sentation at Rotary with Mr. Cerretani in February and encouraged the business community to become involved. OLD BUSINESS BUDGET FY94 The Chair requested the Superintendent to highlight changes made in the Level Service FY94 Budget. With the input of the School Committee, Dr. Munnelly stated that he met with the Town Manager and he agreed that the portable classroom fits as a subject for a bondable item. Therefore, the Superintendent removed $60,000 from the operating budget and will have the portable for Birch Meadow be placed as a warrant article at Town Meeting and then it may be a bondable item. The Superintendent advised that without raises to staff the budget exceeds the funds appropriated in FY93 by $768,000. Dr. Munnelly reviewed the changes that have occurred that add to the costs of maintaining the system at an equivalent of service as follows: o School enrollments will increase by fifty- three, bringing the two year elementary increase to nearly one hundred students. To provide services for the additional students, three teachers, new desks and chairs and one portable classroom will be needed. About $90,000 in this proposed budget is to serve new students. o Special education costs continue to rise in ways which the local school district acting responsibly cannot control. A 14% increase of $342,700 will be needed in FY94. o The high school will undergo its accreditation visitation by a team from the New England Association of Schools and REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 JANUARY 19, 1993 Colleges. Accreditation takes place every 10 years. Our cost is $11,000. o Additional electrical costs are necessary because of the electrical inspector's ruling requiring certified electricians to change lighting wiring. This cost is $12,000. o Step increases for the 20% of the faculty who have not reached their career salary limits equal $135,000. o The School Committee has added $50,000 to supply needed computer technology for instructional purposes. o Funding items not specifically in the 1992 -93 budget at this time are tuition reimbursement for teachers and middle school department head salaries. The Superintendent, with School Committee approval, stated he would present the FY94 Level Service Budget for the Reading Schools to the Town Manager, after his acceptance he will bring it into his Town budget and then it will go to the FinCom. He added that staff people are now two years without a raise. A School Committee member stated that the Town Manager needs to understand if the warrant article for the portable does not pass at Town Meeting, the space issue at Birch Meadow as an educational issue would still have to be addressed in our operating budget. The Chair asked School Committee to entertain a discussion regarding salaries. One member suggested that the Town Manager put a line item in the budget for salary increases. Dr. Munnelly stated that in discussion with FinCom there may be a reserve fund for raises to employees. FinCom Member Nate White advised that the need for an override is well known. He noted that Town employees also have been without pay increases for two years. School Committee stated that we are not expecting a third year of no salary in- creases, but cannot at this point advise the dollar figures. Another School Committee member suggested having money in the budget for an engineering consultant to keep members updated on the priority of needs in the schools. Dr. Munnelly explained that we depend on people in the schools to keep us updated, as well as the fire department, insurance people, building inspector, and Building and Grounds Coordinator Michael Lombardo. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 JANUARY 19, 1993 George Shannon moved to approve the FY94 operating budget of $15,166,247 for the Reading Public Schools and send it on to the Town Manager. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Chair Cummings, for future discussion purposes, requested Dr. Munnelly to outline the Reading Schools Cut Back of $786,000. A School Committee member suggested that conversation take place after we have come to a conclusion with the Selectmen and the Town Manager as to what numbers will be on the Warrant Articles process. WARRANT FOR BONDING Chair Cummings began discussion of the Warrant Article Bonding requests. Dr. Munnelly listed the priorities and explained the partial Reading Memorial High School Roof Replacements for $70,000. Mr. Twomey questioned whether the Eaton oil tank replacement, burner /boiler replacement and boiler asbestos removal would be 2/3 refundable if it were part of the renovation plan. Ms. D'Antona advised that that gas conversion plan was still under discussion in the School Building Committee. The Chair asked Dr. Munnelly to gather information on how much more gas heat would cost. George Shannon moved to have these items as described on enclosure D -1 -b, the Capital Outlay Plan, placed on the warrant with gas conversion removed for $392,000. Roberta D'Antona seconded the motion. The Committee discussed getting advice from Town Council on separating these items for the warrant, and on the projected dates for gas conversion. Dr. Munnelly stated plans with Town Manager and Gas Company have not been worked out. The vote passed with 5 in favor and one abstention. CAPITAL BUDGET Dr. Munnelly explained there are two sections, A and B, of the 1994 -1998 Capital Outlay Plan: The projects identified in A are to be funded by warrant articles for a Townwide Capital Budget, expecting that building renovation projects at Birch Meadow and Eaton Elemen- tary Schools and Parker Middle School will take care of all projected capital needs of these schools during this period. A School Committee member asked to have the clock tower in Eaton moved to the 1994 budget. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 JANUARY 19, 1993 Dr. Munnelly continued, identifying areas in B as Capital Projects funded from the Operating Budgets appropriated by Town Meeting. He advised that asbestos has been removed from all public places. AHERA Plan update has been completed and relamping for energy conservation purposes will be done by Reading Municipal Light Department or by private energy conservation leasing firm - either way has no direct expenditure implications. George Shannon moved to accept the Capital Outlay Plans A and B as amended. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. SUMMER SCHOOL /RECREATION MERGER Dr. Munnelly described the memo dated December 21, 1992 to the Town Manager from Town Counsel stating there would be no conflict of interest if teachers are to be employed in the summer by either the School Department or by another Town Department or if they are employed by School Department to teach in the evening adult education program. The Superintendent read over the proposal agreement for the consolidation of the recreation supervisor and summer school director. It contained some revisions that would protect the School Department from a long -term arrangement if the merger does not work out. School Committee members expressed concern that the Administration and the Committee would not be able to play an active role in the program once it left their control. On the recommendation of the Administration, Barbara Philbrick moved to accept the proposal agreement for the consolidation of the recreation program supervisor position with the summer school director's position. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. Dr. Munnelly added it would be advantageous to collaborate with the Town. The vote failed 0 -6. George Shannon moved to direct the Administration to work with the Town Manager for a possible merger of the Adult Education Department and the Recreation Department. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 -1. NEW BUSINESS PROCESS FOR THE SELECTION OF AN ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT: PROPOSED CRITERIA AND QUALIFICATIONS Dr. Munnelly outlined enclosure E -1 for the role description of an Assistant Superintendent of Schools as follows: REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 8 JANUARY 19, 1993 Under General Administration the Assistant Superintendent would act as a liaison between the school system and the community; coordinate with faculty, administrative staff, the School Committee and the Finance /Accounting office; assist in procurement, bidding and budget expenditure reviews and stand in for the Superintendent as required. Under the Curriculum/ Instruction Coordinator category, the Assistant Superintendent would plan, coordinate, organize curriculum; mobilize and supervise curriculum teams, the staff development committee, the evaluation teams, METCO and Chapter 1; write grants and act as a liaison to universities and other outside resources. Under the Human Resources Development category, the Assistant Superintendent would be responsible for handling instructional personnel, athletic department personnel, staff development, grievance handling, tuition reimbursement and salary /benefit processing. Dr. Munnelly listed the qualities needed for this candidate - good business sense, excellent communication skills, openness, team player, savvy about getting things done, sensitivity towards those who differ, a teacher's person, an advocate for quality, can take criticism. Other qualifications needed are a Masters Degree, teaching, past curriculum coordinator or central office or principal experience, eligiblility for a Superintendent Certificate, computer capability such as Lotus 1 -2 -3. George Shannon moved to accept the recommendation of the Administration for the proposed description role of the Assistant Superintendent with the identification of the percent of time expected in each area. Barbara Philbri.ck seconded the motion. Dr. Munnelly added further discussion on this topic is planned for the upcoming open hearing at the Killam School on February 10. The vote was unanimous. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS MEETING CALENDAR FOR FEBRUARY 1993 TO JUNE 1993 Dr. Munnelly stated that between now and March the high school report on graduation requirements would be discussed; the report on testing; and the Superintendent's evaluation and goals. He added there are open hearings planned at Killam, Barrows and Parker. ADJOURNMENT At 11.35 p.m. George Shannon moved to go to Executive Session for the purpose of discussion on bargaining negotiations with REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 9 JANUARY 19, 1993 union personnel. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion The vote was unanimous. Susan Cavicchi Matthew Cummings Roberta D'Antona Barbara Philbrick George Shannon Timothy Twomey