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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-04-05 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES APRIL 5, 1993 CALL TO ORDER Chair Matthew Cummings called the regular School Committee session 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, Interim Assistant Superintendent Susan Y. Wheltle, and a reporter from the Chronicle. Student Repre- sentative Peter Losinger was not present. MINUTES George Shannon moved to approve the minutes from March 9 and March 15, 1993. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4 in favor and Thomas Stohlman abstaining. BILLS AND PAYROLLS BILLS March 22, 1993 Bills $ 51,809.40 March 29, 1993 Bills $ 28,916.54 April 5, 1993 Bills $107,891.27 PAYROLLS March 26, 1993 Biweekly $117,077.37 April 2, 1993 Teachers $410,367.37 CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen's input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly stated that Understanding Handicaps received a $580 grant from Commonwealth Inservice Institute for parent training. The Superintendent shared that for the second year in a row, Kevin Barry of Coolidge Middle School placed first in the Regional Spelling Bee sponsored by the Lawrence Eagle Tribune. Kevin will represent this section of Massachusetts in the spell down in Washington D.C. On April 3rd the Superintendent reported eight Reading entries competed in the State Competition of the National REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 APRIL 5, 1993 History Day Contest. The theme this year was "Communication in History: The Key to Understanding." He congratulated all the entrants for their outstanding work and noted the following entrants who will represent Massachusetts in the Nationals in Washington D.C.: In the Group Performance category, 2nd place to Carrie Foley, Nicole Lanthier, Meagan O'Connell, and John Zorabedian for their entry entitled "Conquering Silence with Understanding and Imagination: Anne Sullivan Macy" In the Individual Performance category, 1st place to Jeff Doucette for his entry entitled "James Otis: The Spark That Ignited the Revolution" In the Group Project category, 1st place to Jason Gracilieri, Josh Platt, Andy D'Agostino, Kris Doucette, and Colin Peterson for their entry entitled "Sacco and Vanzetti: A Case Study of Fear, Prejudice, and Denial of Rights ". This project also received the award for the Outstanding State Entry. Dr. Munnelly congratulated Senior Cindy Zorabedian for her work with Parker Middle School students and Jill Rickershauser and Marissa Freitas who placed first in the Junior Group Media category. The Superintendent wished all the contestants well as they prepare for the next level of competition. PERSONNEL RESIGNATIONS On the recommendation of the Administration, George Shannon moved to accept the resignations of Reading Memorial High School FOCUS teacher Leo Cotter and Killam Elementary teacher Wendy Higgins, who has been on a childrearing leave since September 1991, effective at the end of the school year. Thomas Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. REAPPOINTMENT OF TEACHERS On the recommendation of the Administration, George Shannon moved to award fourth year Tenure Contracts for 1993 -94 to elementary teachers Deborah Dutton, Dawn Greenwood, and Alan Mosier and secondary teachers Susan Hennessy and Paula Cotreau. Thomas Stohlman seconded the motion. For purpose of clarity, Dr. Munnelly explained the evaluation process and how teachers reach tenure. Timothy Twomey suggested reviewing the budget before continuing with recommendations of teachers. Chair Cummings questioned if School Committee members wanted to review the budget before going on. All agreed to vote on REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 APRIL 5, 1993 the tenure recommendations and then review the budget before continuing. The vote was unanimous. OLD BUSINESS CALENDAR CHANGE FOR STUDENTS Dr. Munnelly spoke on the March 29, 1993 School Day /Year Regulations- Advisory from Robert Antonucci and advised that Reading students would complete 181 days on June 30th. Timothy Twomey moved that the school calendar maintain 181 days for students and reflect June 30, 1993 as the last day of the 1992 -93 school year. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. PERSONNEL (out of order) SECOND AND THIRD CONTRACTS George Shannon moved to reappoint for 1993 -94, METCO Coordina- tor Wilma Fraser to her third contract, Bachelors Level, Ste 3 funded by monies received through the METCO Grant awarded from the State Department of Education. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. Dr. Munnelly explained that Ms. Fraser has done a good job and this position would be treated the same as teachers under the tenure policy. The vote was unanimous. NEW BUSINESS BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS (POST OVERRIDE) Dr. Munnelly explained that in the budget we requested in January, we voted $15,424,247 as the number we needed. He noted minus the offsets of $32,000; a suggested cut of $2,000 in Labor Counsel, $10,000 in secretaries and the correction of $20,000 in the Aides account, plus the portable costs of $60,000 and the addition of $424,000 salary negotiations to the Regular Day Instruction equaling $15,876,247 minus the estimated income of $168,000 from athletic fees and music donations would bring the total to $15,708,247. He continued to explain that we agreed to provide these services by use of State Reform Aid if and when it comes and would need to protect $118,000 with reductions in our budget in the event no reform money materializes. George Shannon moved to make the adjustments 1 -4 as outlined on the Budget Adjusments Post Override. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. For the purpose of discussion School REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 APRIL 5, 1993 Committee added that we need to know what FinCom's final recommendations to the Budget will be. Timothy Twomey moved to amend George Shannon's motion to cut Labor Counsel by $5,000 not $2,000, together with the $10,000 in secretaries and the $20,000 correction to be made in the Aides account, the total adjustment would then equal $35,000. Thomas Stohlman seconded the motion. It was noted that upon request an emergency transfer could be made. It was advised that the Salary Negotiations to Regular Day Instruction, $424,000, could not be divided amoung each negotiation area. George Shannon moved to amend his motion to $15,705,247 and to reapprove the budget figure with appropriate changes. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Chair Cummings requested School Committee members to present the warrants for the roof and the track at Town Meeting. Thomas Stohlman volunteered to present the warrant for the roof and Timothy Twomey volunteered to present the warrant for the track. Due to the areas that are leaking, Dr. Munnelly asked if we could move forward on the roof repairs at the high school. School Committee members advised the Superintendent to speak with the Town Manager to work out an earlier date to go out to bid. PERSONNEL REAPPOINTMENT OF TEACHERS - THIRD CONTRACTS Interim Assistant Superintendent Susan Wheltle presented the recommendations for third year contracts. On the recommendation of the Administration, Timothy Twomey moved to award third year contracts to the teachers as out- lined on page two of the revised enclosure C -2. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was approved 4 -0. SECOND CONTRACTS Thomas Stohlman moved not to reappoint the second vear contracts to the teachers as outlined on page two of enclosure C -2, with the understanding that the renewals will be revisited after Town Meeting. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote carried with a 4 -0 -1. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 APRIL 5, 1993 Ms. Wheltle explained the following teacher is valued by her building administrator, but because of potential restructuring non - renewal is recommended at this time. George Shannon moved that at this time the School Committee not offer Donna Farrell, a half -time special needs teacher at Parker Middle School, a contract. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was approved 4 -0. NEW BUSINESS AWARD OF BID FOR LIFTS (COOLIDGE George Shannon moved to award the bid for the installation of two chair lifts at Coolidge Middle School to Crescent Lifts. Thomas Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was approved- 4-0. AWARD OF BID - ARCHITECT FOR HIGH SCHOOL ROOF George Shannon moved to award the bid for the Design Project of the High School Roof Replacement to Briggs Associates. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS COOLIDGE FUNDRAISING EFFORT The Superintendent congratulated the twenty students from Coolidge who qualified for the National Olympiad Competition by winning first place in the Massachusetts State Science Olympiad. Dr. Munnelly stated that he has been encouraging the faculty and parents at Coolidge for their effort to raise the $15,000 to get the Olympiad Team to Colorado in May for the National Olympiad Competition. As part of this fund - raising effort, Reading businesses are being asked to make a tax - deductible contribution toward this venture. He added that the names and addresses of each sponsor will be published. RESTRUCTURING OF SPECIAL EDUCATION STAFFING Dr. Munnelly and Pupil Personnel Director Dr. Alexanian began discussion of the redesigning of the Special Education depart- ment for the 1993 -94 school year. It was noted that in 93 -94 the plan would be to place four students previously in a substantially- separate program at Killam into regular classes at Coolidge. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 APRIL 5, 1993 Dr. Munnelly advised that the pre - school is expecting two three - year -olds who are severely and multiply handicapped. He continued by stating we will give even more than usual attention and better intervention to the youngsters from whose middle school behavior we can predict will be in FOCUS or in the SEEM Campus Program at Northeastern during high school. Under this restructuring proposal, the Superintendent stated there will be students in regular classrooms full -time who just a few years ago would have been isolated into classes for handicapped or disabled. He added to accomplish this we need to get appropriate services and professional assistance to the classrooms as the regular classroom teachers will need a variety of support to make the goal of inclusion workable. Dr. Munnelly advised to fund the changes we will use resources planned for in the 1993 -94 budget and will have an additional $19,000 in Federal Aid money (from $213,000 to $232,000) for 1993 -94. The steps being used in the redesign are as follows: 1. Assign the new pschologist Jean McGah to work a significant amount of time on issues of adolescents for who our regular education tactics are not successful. 2. Create a post of Systemwide Integration Specialist. This person would work with teachers as they modify programs and services for severe special education students who are in regular classrooms. 3. Increase the work assignment of special education External Liaison Barbara Hughes by allocating an additional $16,000 in P.L. 89 -313 and P.L. 94 -142 funds. 4. Add a second special education resource room teacher to Coolidge to meet the needs of the big influx of special needs students. This position will come from the reduction of one aide at Coolidge and two aides in the high school adults' special education program. 5. Add a half -time special education resource room teacher to Parker by reducing one tutor there and one home and hospital aide for this professional staff person. 6. Recruit an additional high school resource room generic sped teacher for RMHS using an expected increase in our P.L. 94 -142 budget and a repriori- tization of present monies there. 7. Add a half -time speech pathologist. This and the following proposal would be funded by reduction of five aide or tutor positions, three from the budget REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 APRIL 5, 1993 and two funded for several years by the Federal grant. 8. Add two full -time SPED Resource Room teachers. School Committee asked about taking the 10 aides out of the classrooms. Dr. Alexanian stated staff decisions would be made on the recommendations from the Principals. Another School Committee member stated that with more professional special education staff, tutors /aides would probably still be needed as the school year proceeds. Dr. Alexanian advised that the proposed plan does not promise to curb or reverse Special Education costs, but it may prove more cost effective than the current model that supports costly separate instruction. Mr. Shannon asked Dr. Alexanian to prepare a schematic or spread sheet of where people have been and where they will be next year so that School Committee could better understand the plan. HIGH FLIER Dr. Munnelly shared a copy of Reading Memorial High School Principal's Newsletter HIGH FLIER that was enclosed for School Committee review. SPECIAL OLYMPICS Dr. Munnelly'mentioned the Special Olympics day was a huge success and that a nice "thank you" has been received. ADJOURN George Shannon moved to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of litigation discussion. Thomas Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was approved 4 -0. Susan Cavicchi Matthew Cummings George Shannon Thomas Stohlman