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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-04-26 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES APRIL 26, 1993 CALL TO ORDER Chair Matthew Cummings called the regular School Committee session to order at 7:33 p.m. in the Superintendent's Con- ference Room. All members were present. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Interim Assistant Super- intendent Susan Y. Wheltle, and a reporter from the Chronicle. Student Representative Peter Losinger was not present. RECOGNITION AND AWARD TO BARBARA PHILBRICK Chair Cummings introduced the family of Barbara Philbrick and thanked her for the 12 years, 1981 -1993, she served as a School Committee member. He stated that Ms. Philbrick was Chair from 1991 -1992. Mr. Cummings presented Ms. Philbrick with a group picture of the 1992 -1993 School Committee members, a plaque that noted her years of service, a Reading sweatshirt, and a floral arrangement. The Chair noted that Ms. Philbrick will join the School Committee members for the 1992 -1993 commencement exercise. Ms. Philbrick received a round of applause and she thanked her family, Reading citizens, and the School Committee members that served with her over the years. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrants for Bills were as follows: April 12, 1993 - Bills - $48,828.09 April 26, 1993 - Bills - $24,935.54 PAYROLLS The warrants for payrolls were as follows: April 9, 1993 - Byweekly - $115,615.68 April 23, 1993 - Byweekly - $103,851.23 April 16, 1993 - Teachers - $410,285.45 MINUTES Timothy Twomey moved to approve the minutes from the March 22, 1993 meeting. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 -1 with Thomas Stohlman abstaining. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 APRIL 26, 1993 Susan Cavicchi moved to approve the minutes from the meetinq of April 5, 1993 and the open Hearing meeting of April 8, 1993. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 -1 with Roberta D'Antona abstaining. CITIZEN INPUT There was no citizen input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly noted the article on "Laura" from the May, 1993, Yankee Magazine. He stated Killam fourth grade teacher Virginia Cramer along with her husband Scott wrote this article about an eleven - year-old student, Laura Gargiulo, stating that it exemplifies our commitment to inclusion. Dr. Munnelly congratulated Reading Memorial High School student Michael Shannon for being selected as a National Scholar in the 1992 -93 Coca -Cola Scholars Program Competition. He stated Michael will receive a $5,000 award, that will be renewable annually, for four years of study at the accredited U.S. college or university of his choice. The Superintendent extended congratulations to Reading Memorial High School student Owen MacDonald for being selected as one of twenty -two secondary school scholar- athletes to be honored at the 17th Annual Banquet of the Eastern Massachu- setts Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame to be held on May 10th. Owen will be a recipient of a Graduate Scholarship Award given to outstanding college seniors. Dr. Munnelly commented on the "smashing success" of the Coolidge Middle School musical Oliver, directed by Judy O'Hare, Jeanne Thomases and complimented the work of Parker Middle School music teacher Kris Killian. The Superintendent complimented the new 1993 Summer School Director John Doherty for the course offerings in Science, Foreign Languages, Art, Study Skills, Introduction to First Grade, Kindercamp, Geography, History, Algebra 1, Key - boarding and more being offered through the Reading schools this summer. Chair Cummings solicited for volunteers on or off the School Committee to be our representative on the Cable Advisory Committee. Volunteers should be in touch with either Dr. Munnelly or himself. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 APRIL 26, 1993 Chair Cummings advised the School Committee of the new listing of negotiation teams: Teachers George Shannon - Chair Timothy Twomey Roberta D'Antona Custodians Susan Cavicchi - Chair Thomas Stohlman Principals George Shannon - Chair Matthew Cummings Secretaries Roberta D'Antona - Chair Timothy Twomey Educational Matthew Cummings - Chair Assistants Susan Cavicchi Cafeteria Matthew Cummings - Chair Thomas Stohlman Dr. Munnelly informed the School Committee that we have received over 30 applications for the Assistant Superinten- dent's position. He advised that he hopes to have the Screening Committee formulated by the end of the week and able to project an appointment for the Assistant Superintendent position by mid -to -late June. He asked School Committee to reconsider the salary range for this leadership position. He advised that there were three local communities that will be eliminating the assistant superintendent position this year, Melrose, North Andover and Wilmington, but added they will be keeping their Business Manager. After discussion, the School Committee's consensus was for the Superintendent to advise interested candidates that the salary range is in the low $60's and in the case of a candidate with exceptional credentials the Superintendent should come before the School Committee for them to take the candidate's credentials under advisement. PERSONNEL On the recommendation of the Administration, Thomas Stohlman moved to accept with thanks and regret the resignation for the purpose of retirement of Barrows Elementary School, Grade 4 teacher Irene Montigny. Georqe Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES OLD BUSINESS BUDGET FY'94 - REVIEW OF FINCOM ACTION APRIL 26, 1993 Dr. Munnelly reviewed the FinCom figure of $15,580,970 that FinCom recommended to Town Meeting for the FY94 School Budget and advised the School Committee had voted $15,705,000. A School Committee member questioned if Reading is eligible to receive monies from the new tax on tobacco and how we could use that money. Dr. Munnelly replied that the $27 million being accrued by the State, of which we could receive $112,000, cannot be used for General Funds, that there are very definite restrictions of its use. George Shannon moved to approve the FinCom budget of $15,580,970. Roberta D'Antona seconded the motion. Thomas Stohlman asked FinCom Liaison Nathan White why the revenue figures changed. Mr. White replied that there is $148,000 in free cash and that $59,000 will be used, leaving approximately $100,000 in free cash for appropriations by Town Meeting to meet any emergency. The vote was unanimous. REVIEW OF POLICY ON SUNDAY ACTIVITIES Dr. Munnelly shared a memo he received from Jack White expressing the coaches' request that the baseball and softball teams be allowed to practice on Sunday afternoons rather than Saturdays. School Committee members discussed the school six day rule. Roberta D'Antona moved to reaffirm the Policy IGDD, Pupil Participation in Activities Scheduled for Sundays. George Shannon seconded the motion. Discussion continued with School Committee to investigate a better way to do this and then take that under advisement. The vote was unanimous. REVIEW OF POLICY ON FOOD IN THE FIELD HOUSE Dr. Munnelly introduced Booster President Jack Marshal, who asked that the Boosters be allowed to continue to sell food in the Field House. Mr. Marshal requested former Booster President Jim Murphy to give some history of the Boosters' record. Mr. Murphy stated that the Boosters are presently turning in $30,000 a year to the Reading Public Schools to enhance all school sports, in addition, he added that they recently gave $500 to the High School Book Fund. Mr. Murphy continued by stating that they have Board of Health Certificates and if anything breaks down REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 APRIL 26, 1993 the Boosters maintain it. He invited School Committee to Senior Day to observe the gifts that will be given by the Boosters. Lorraine Salter, Chair of the Teen Center Committee, noted that at the Recreation Department's Teen Center Event held at the Field House, no one sold food in the stands. People were contained in the area designated for food. Ms. Salter question if the Field House was a Town or School facility and that the Town Manager had informed her that he had jurisdiction over non - school events. George Shannon moved to reaffirm the current Policy KG, Use of School Facilities For Other Than Regular School Purposes, as written. Roberta D'Antona seconded the motion. The discussion that followed stated that the policy could be modified at anytime and that people who want food served will meet the same rigid criteria now met by the Boosters. The motion was approved on a vote of 4 -0 -2, Thomas Stohlman and Susan Cavicchi abstaining. School Committee member Thomas Stohlman offered to prepare something in writing which could amend the policy. NEW BUSINESS POLICY PROPOSAL ON CREATING SCHOOL COMMITTEE STUDY GROUP Timothy Twomey reviewed with other School Committee members his April 21, 1993 memorandum regarding Study Groups. His suggestion to the School Committee and Administration was to create a directive by which Study Groups may be establish- ed. He asked that this memorandum be used as a tool for School Committee to discuss the pros and cons of his proposal. Mr. Twomey added that the Study Groups would bring people in who relate to specified issues and can ensure as broad a con- sideration of each matter as feasible. Mr. Twomey discussed the outline as follows: 1. To increase community involvement in the examination of issues affecting the Reading School system. 2. To increase community awareness of issues affecting the Reading School system. 3. To generate greater support for the Reading School system. 4. To alleviate some of the burden currently borne by the Administration in addressing such matters. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 APRIL 26, 1993 School Committee Member Shannon stated that this was a fine proposal if there is community interest, and shared that a committee known as the Citizen Advisory Committee had dis- banded due to lack of interest. Dr. Munnelly added that a Study Group could be used for parent /school community critical issues. He stated that an administrator from a school should be part of that group and that citizens, who volunteered for the Study Group, could be acknowledged with an award. Mr. Twomey commented that the Study Group would be a vehicle to involve more people in the community and asked for comments, concerns, or words of assurance to refine the idea for this directive. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS SPECIAL EDUCATION REDESIGN The Superintendent began discussion of the Special Education staff changes and noted that there would be movement of the 10 educational assistants and tutors. He stated in order to give students and parents less of a distinction between special education and regular education issues of inclusion must be addressed in a responsible way. He continued by stating he believes that a regular classroom setting is appropriate for students with special needs because in such situations they are exposed to more concrete teaching and learning and have more interaction with their peers than in a substantially separate classroom. A school committee member asked how the role of Cathy Woods, presently the teacher for a class of 4 severely disabled children at the elementary level, would change next year if she becomes an Integration Specialist. Dr. Alexanian responded that she presently works with her 4 students at Killam only, helping regular classroom teachers modify lessons and understand the needs of these children when they are in the regular classroom. Next year, he said, 3 of these students will be at Coolidge, and 1 at Barrows. Ms. Woods' role would be to continue to serve these children as they are integrated into regular classrooms, noting that the Coolidge children will follow a middle school schedule of changing classes and working with multiple teachers. Because of the nature of their disabilities, these students will continue to have full -time education assistants. This, Dr. Alexanian said, as Integration Specialist, Cathy Woods would be working directly with students, at 2 schools collaborating with teachers who serve them, and be available for consultation REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 APRIL 26, 1993 with the teachers dealing with less severely disabled youngsters. Another School Committee member asked if discussion with parents for the students who are currently receiving services need to take place first. Dr. Alexanian replied that if the concern was in regard to the students that are leaving Killam and going to Coolidge, that 3 formal meetings have been conducted with the parents of these children. For the RISE preschool, he noted that discussion with parents would speak to the philosophy of the program. He noted that all of these parents are very involved in their children's education. Ms. D'Antona asked Dr. Alexanian to give a definition of an integration specialist. Dr. Alexanian replied that person's services would be available to students to work on issues of what goes on in the classroom to make them a success through- out the system and to work with teachers as they modify programs and services for severe special education students who are in regular classrooms. When asked by a School Committee member to define how an In- clusion Profile could be measured for success, Dr. Alexanian replied by the testimony of regular education and special education parents. Another indicator of the value of the program would be how many special education students can spend full -time in the regular classroom. Dr. Munnelly invited the School Committee to provide input and stated the proposed job description for an integration specialist will need a vote later. Mr. Shannon commented positively on the enclosed schematic of special education staffing level proposed for inclusion for 1993 -94 school year. The Superintendent stated that briefings will continue throughout the Spring. ADJOURN At 10:25 P.M. George Shannon moved to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of collective bargaining. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Susan Cavicchi George Shannon Matthew Cummings Thomas Stohlman Roberta D'Antona Timothy Twomey