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Home My WebLink About1993-03-22 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES MARCH 22, 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 Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present with the exception of George Shannon who arrived later. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Interim Assistant Superintendent Susan Y. Wheltle, FinCom Liaison Nathan White, Reading Memorial High School Principal Rena Mirkin, Student Representative Peter Losinger and a reporter from the Chronicle. MINUTES Barbara Philbrick moved to accept the minutes from the open hearing February 22, 1993, and minutes from March 1, 1993 regular session. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. BILLS & PAYROLLS The warrants for Bills were as follows: March 8, 1993 - Bills - $ 88,511.84 March 15, 1993 - Bills - $ 41,520.38 The warrant for Payrolls is as follows: March 5, 1993 - Teachers - $409,651.67 March 12, 1993 - Biweekly - $109,263.38 March 19, 1993 - Teachers - $409,315.14 CITIZEN'S INPUT Chairman Cummings stated the FinCom voted to cut an additional $116,896 from the Proposed Budget the School Committee submitted. The cuts are as follows: $ 48,000 Education Assistance from State Aid 18,782 Accounting Position Central Office 31,854 Reduction in High School Media Staff 9,960 Athletic Director 8,300 High School Media Material $116,896 FinCom Liaison White explained the budget was $300,000 out of balance at the last FinCom meeting, and they had to come up with a balanced budget. He explained the cuts were made with regret. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 MARCH 22, 1993 SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly congratulated the Students of the Second Quarter at Reading Memorial High School and noted that they are selected by High School faculty because of their contributions to the excellence and quality of life of the school and its community. The students chosen for the Second Quarter are: Julie Selvitella '93 Craig Murphy '93 Matthew Campbell '95 Emily Marino -Protz '93 Kara O'Leary '93 Erika Baumgartner '94 Michael Fligg '93 Steven DaSilva '94 Sallyann Shumilla '93 Jae Guttadauro '93 Cheryl Wing '93 Allison Bastiani '94 Katie Welford '93 Julie Cook '93 Christine Kerrigan Cynthia Zorabedian Robert Pace Jane Gillette '93 English Award Social Studies Award Mathematics Award Mathematics Award Science Award Foreign Language Award Business Award Technology Education Award Technology Education Award Visual Arts Award Music Award Service Award Leadership Award Physical Education Award 193 Physical Education Award '93 Physical Education Award SEEM Award Principal's Award Dr. Munnelly and Matt Cummings congratulated the Coolidge Science Olympiad Team, coached by John Doherty and Debbie Reinemann, for winning first place in the State Science Olympiad held at Wheaton College, on March 20, 1993. The team has been invited to represent Massachusetts to compete against other State winners in Pueblo, Colorado on May 20 and 21, 1993. Students on the Coolidge Team are: Grade 6: Monica Lucey, Yee Ping Sun and Scott Strandberg. Grade 7: Lauren Cassidy, Jim Giordani, Stephen Carpenter, Julie Jamgochian, Steven Biller, Scott Given, Josh Green and Leah Welsch. Grade 8: Zachary Piper, David Peterson, Jarrod Petkewich, Lynda Joudrey, Meredith Logsdon, Page Perkins, Neeta Bansal, Jason Hsu and Greg Stratton. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 MARCH 22, 1993 PERSONNEL Chairman Cummings received correspondence over the weekend in regards to the ad in the paper for the Assistant Superintendent. He noted that the ad failed to list administrative and financial responsiblity. Barbara Philbrick stated the salary was also listed incorrect as "in the $60's" and it was agreed the salary should read "low $60's ". Dr. Munnelly reported that the new packets going out to all candidates will include the new job description and the salary will read low $60's. RESIGNATIONS Timothy Twomey moved on the recommendation of the Administration to accept with regret the resignations of Paul Pro erzio, Latin_ Teacher at Reading Memorial High School and Richard Thibodeau, Mathmatics Teacher at Parker Middle School. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. LEAVE OF ABSENCE George Shannon moved on the recommendation of the Administration to grant a one -year educational leave -of- absence to Barrows Special Education Teacher Kathleen Gregory and a second -year leave -of- absence to Killam Teacher Karen Holzman to continue teaching in Israel. Discussion regarding procedures followed. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. VISITORS; READING MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE Student Representative Peter Losinger introduced Jennifer Mazza, Allison Bastiani and Sean Murphy. Chairman Cummings complimented students for the well written letter published that evening in the Chronicle about the override. Sean Murphy wanted the School Committee to know that the letter was student - initiated and not written on the advice of any faculty member. George Shannon verified it was initiated by students only. The students brought the School Committee up to date on a variety of High School happenings, including a Senior Citizen Prom held at Somerset Nursing Home. Mrs. Mirkin added the thirty -five students should be commended for a superb afternoon. She added a great time was had by all including Dr. Munnelly who also attended the prom. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 MARCH 22, 1993 A Bloodmobile will be at school for students and faculty Thursday, March 25, 1993. Students reported that in the newly established Office Hours, an after school- program held once a week in the library, students can voice their opinions, ideas and concerns about what is going on in the High School. Another activity mentioned was Athletes for Healthier Lifestyles headed by Jane Fiore, Tuesday, March 23, 1993, with guest speaker Tom Hermanowski speaking on drugs and alcohol. Springfest is coming in May. Student Council will be sponsoring a barbecue afterwards. National History Day /Science Fair night was held Thursday, March 18, 1993. Mrs. Mirkin was very pleased with everyone's efforts. Five individual science projects will be going to the Regional Science finals in Somerville in the next two weeks. Mrs. Mirkin expressed regret at the behavior of a few students at the Hawaiian Dance, March 19, 1993. Mrs. Mirkin stated that a task force will be formed involving parents and community to set up appropriate guidelines for future dances. School Committee applauded Mrs. Mirkin for including parents and community. MUSIC PARENTS Debbie Wilson, Linda Carter, Donna Harrison, Judy Clark, Mary Ellen Downey and Gretchen O'Halloran visted and reported the success of the music program in the middle schools. They showed a brief video "A Way of Learning ". There are 297 middle school students who play instruments and 250 students in the chorus. Debbie Wilson thanked the School Committee for including music in the override proposal, and asked the members to keep music high on their list of priorities. OLD BUSINESS POLICIES PROHIBITING SEXUAL HARRASSMENT - POLICY GRDK - SECOND VOTE Barbara Philbrick moved to have a second vote of Policy GRDK, Prohibiting Sexual Harrassment in the Reading Public Schools D -1, Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 5 in favor and 1 absention. NEW BUSINESS CABLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE VACANCY Chairman Matthew Cummings advised the School Committee that Donald Farnham has asked to be replaced on the Cable Advisory Committee. Superintendent Munnelly expressed that as we consider a replacement for Donald Farnham we need to reconsider the purposes or goals an educational advisor has as a School Committee representative. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES READING SUMMERFEST MARCH 22, 1993 George Shannon moved on the recommendation of the administration to approve the use of the School Parkin_g Lot, Basketball Court and the Baseball Field to Reading Summerfest, July 14,15,16 and 17, 1993. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. POLICY ON EMPLOYEE CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION Superintendent Munnelly submitted a draft on Employee Conduct and Disciplinary Action and after much discussion about procedures, Chairman Cummings asked the School Committee to go over the list and make note of any comments or concerns before going forward with the document. SPECIAL EDUCATION Mr. Cummings had concerns about what the Reading School Committee, and other towns and the Legislature could do to control Special Education Costs. Mrs. D'Antona said the School Committee supported the philosophy of the program but would like to explore ways to pay for Special Education with shrinking resources. Chairman Cummings suggested that School Committee, the 766 PAC, Dr. Alexanian and the Adminstration work together on the issue. Dr. Munnelly is also exploring the possibility of Medicaid paying for health and diagnostic services. Matthew Cummings and George Shannon agreed to work with the Administration to put the matter on a future agenda. ADJOURN At 9:15 p.m. George Shannon moved to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining with union and non -union personnel. Roberta D'Antona seconded the motion. The motion was unanimous. Susan Cavicchi Barbara Philbrick Matthew Cummings George Shannon Roberta D'Antona Timothy Twomey