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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-02-10 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING OPEN HEARING SESSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 10, 1993 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Matthew Cummings called the open hearing of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:20 p.m. in the J. Warren Killam Elementary School Library. Representing the School Committee members were Barbara Philbrick and Susan Cavicchi. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly and Interim Assistant Superintendent Susan Y. Wheltle. Mr. Cummings welcomed and thanked the Killam community who were present in the audience. REMARKS Dr. Munnelly complimented the fourth grade teachers who will be part of the Math Portfolio Assessment pilot group for the Department of Education and also the staff and Killam community who recently participated in their International Fair. INTRODUCTIONS Killam Principal Paul Guerrette introduced members of the PTO and described the activities of Killam Advisory Team (KAT) and Killam After School Learning Activities (KOALA). Other activities for which parents and teachers together provide leadership are the newsletter Kaleidoscope, the Student Council and the Safety Patrol. HIGHLIGHTS Mr. Guerrette introduced the fifth grade teachers Brigid Ahern, Nancy Picardi and Karen Rickershauser who together have used a broad theme of conflict in helping their students understand the American Revolutionary War. The issues the fifth grade students have researched from both the American and British viewpoints will be demonstrated by students; Mark Ottariano, Mary Longee, Chris Farrell, Sara O'Brien, Theresa Cummings and Costa Walcott. As part of the program these students appeared tonight as 18th century historical figures to present their arguments. OPEN HEARING MINUTES 2 FEBRUARY 10, 1993 CITIZENS' COMMENTS Chairman Cummings updated the audience on the school and town budget deliberations. Dr. Munnelly cautioned that citizens should keep informed of developments through the newspaper and School Committee meetings, since decisions about the budget and possible override are being made by Selectmen and FinCom prior to the town elections and Town Meeting. Parent Linda Martin suggested that it was necessary for interested groups to explain the impact of cumulative cuts on students, rather than simply listing the number of positions lost. Teachers and parents pointed out that the community needs a better understanding of the changes in family structures over the past 30 -40 years and the social and edu- cational demands made on schools today. ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT HEARING At 9:10 p.m. Chairman Cummings opened the discussion of the Assistant Superintendent Search Process noting that because of many School Committee evening commitments to Town Board Meetings, the hearing on the Assistant Superintendent qualifications was being held in conjunction with the Killam Open Hearing. The purpose of the hearing, he stated, was to get citizen reactions to the proposed qualifications and job description. A parent, Linda Martin, observed that she felt that the person chosen should be: . a motivator and planner . visible in the buildings a role model and resource person for teachers . experienced in curriculum planning and revision Superintendent Munnelly thanked the previous Screening Committee for its help. In response to a question about the timetable, he replied that the School Committee would have one more report on the process prior to advertising the position and seeking screening committee volunteers. Assistant Super- intendent candidates would have six weeks to respond, followed by six weeks of screening committee work, with the final selection and appointment in June. He clarified that the screening committee would consist of 3 citizens, 2 faculty and 2 parents, with one School Committee person designated as a resource person. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Cummings thanked the parents and faculty in atten- dance for their interest and support. The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.