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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-05-24 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES MAY 24, 1993 CALL TO ORDER Chair Matthew Cummings called the regular School Committee session to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Birch Meadow School Cafeteria. All members were present with the exception of George Shannon who was expected to arrive later. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Interim Assistant Superintendent Susan Y. Wheltle, and a reporter from the Chronicle. Student Representative Peter Losinger was not present. ROUTINE MATTERS MT ATT TT V C! There were no minutes for approval. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrants for Bills were as follows: May 3, 1993 - Bills - $ 23,575.65 May 10, 1993 - Bills - $189,549.46 May 17, 1993 - Bills - $121,743.99 The warrants for Payrolls were as follows: May 7, 1993 - Biweekly - $113,386.33 May 21, 1993 - Biweekly - $120,805.60 April 30, 1993 - Teachers - $411,464.30 May 14, 1993 - Teachers - $412,527.64 CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen's input. GIFTS Dr. Munnelly announced that Arnold Berger has made the following donations in support of school and town programs: Science Olympiad Travel $2,500 Coolidge Music Xylophone 300 Baseball Team Travel (Cooperstown, N.Y.) 200 Library Books for RMHS 1,100 Town Library 2,000 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 MAY 24, 1993 Timothy Twomey moved to thank and accept from Arnold Berger the school donations as outlined. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT The Superintendent congratulated the third group of "Students of the Quarter ". The students selected by faculty for recognition in the third quarter are: Cynthia Zorabedian '93 English Award David Morrissey '95 Social Studies Award Catherine Gillette '96 Mathematics Award Carolyn Morse '95 Science Award Michelle Baker '93 Foreign Language Award Stacy Manley '93 Business Award Brian Gaw '95 Technology Education Award Stephanie Lucas '93 Visual Arts Award Matthew Bouchie '94 Music Award William Sumner '93 Service Award Sarah Fraser '93 Service Award Valerie Lloyd 193 Leadership Award Michael S. Thompson '96 Physical Education Award Kara O'Leary '93 Athletic Award Carmelina Maccanico SEEM Award Gary Cormier '93 Principal's Award Dr. Munnelly spoke about The Electronic Bookshelf newsletter 'SHELF TALK' that featured three perspectives from Reading on the Twenty+ Club at Coolidge submitted by Library Media Specialist Mary Hichborn, the Public Library's Summer Reading Program submitted by Reading Public Librarian Nancy Aberman, and "A Novel Feast" written by Phyllis Nissen and re- printed with permission from the Reading Chronicle. The Superintendent shared Coolidge's first year partici- pation results in the Science Olympiad. He noted that several of the other competing schools have been there before and that out of 65 finalists Coolidge students finished 28th with 7 medalists, a good record for a first -time competition. Dr. Munnelly advised the School Committee members that Matthew Cummings has volunteered to serve as their representa- tive on the Pearl Street School Evaluation Committee. PERSONNEL School Committee members agreed to put aside the discussion of second contracts for teachers until after the FY94 Budget Priorities had been explained later this evening. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 MAY 24, 1993 LEAVE OF ABSENCE On the recommendation of the Administration, George Shannon moved to allow Susan Perkins, a Kindergarten teacher at Killam Elementary School, a one year educational leave of absence for the 1993 -94 academic year. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. OLD BUSINESS SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION REPORT Design Partnership of Cambridge architects David Finney and Jennifer Pearson explained that the Elementary School Educational Specifications document had been completed for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts School Facilities Services Bureau. The construction and renovation to Birch Meadow Elementary School includes: . construction of five new classrooms, increasing the number of classrooms to 19 . expansion of the library from 1170 to 1800 square feet . construction of new office space to house guidance staff expansion of the administration office area. Mr. Finney added that the building will be brought up to code for handicapped accessibility, such as building wheelchair ramps for all entrances and widening the doors to most classrooms. Mr. Finney pointed out that even though peak enrollment equals the current enrollment the square footage of the Birch Meadow school will be increased over 20 percent, to meet state space requirements. He added that this demonstrates the level of overcrowding that presently exists. School Committee member Thomas Stohlman recommended a joint meeting between the School Committee and the Community Planning Development Commission for the purpose of giving abutters to the Birch Meadow and Eaton schools a chance to contribute to the planning process. He noted that neighbors may want to comment on landscape issues, such as parking, traffic and lighting. Mr. Finney stated that site plans will not be completed for the June 7th School Committee meeting. He added that the June 14th date, to be held at Eaton, would be the time to invite abutters to attend. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 MAY 24, 1993 Roberta D'Antona moved to accept the Education Specs and Preliminary Plans for Birch Meadow Elementary School from Design Partnership. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0. Principal Richard Davidson complimented the architects for listening to the needs of the Birch Meadow staff. Dr. Munnelly asked, "When will construction start ?" Mr. Finney replied when the construction contract is signed for the five new classrooms, near October 1, 1993. He added they will begin the entry during Spring break, noting that the library will have to be vacated and that windows in the offices will have to be barricaded. The inside work will start during the summer and he expects the new classrooms to be completed by the Fall of 1994. Mr. Finney stated that parking will need to be addressed during this time. CALENDAR 1993 -94 Chair Cummings opened discussion on the 1993 -94 and 1994 -95 calendars: Dr. Munnelly, School Committee members, Killam PTO member Linda Goodemote and several parents in the audience offered possible schedule alternatives: A post -Labor Day start, normal February and April vacations, and a school closing date of June 27, 1994. A pre -Labor Day start, normal February and April vacations, and a school closing date of June 20, 1994. A post -Labor Day start, normal February and April vacations, and a school closing date of June 26, 1995. A post -Labor Day start, no February and April va- cations (4 day week -ends instead), and a school closing date of June 15, 1995. Some of the concerns expressed included: Pre -Labor Day starts interfere with family vaca- tion plans, although sufficient notice could be given for a 1995 early start. Breaking from the traditional February and April vacation weeks causes problems for families when parents teach in Reading and children attend other communities' schools and vice - versa. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 MAY 24, 1993 The Superintendent explained that Andover recently experimented with non - traditional vacation weeks and decided to switch back. He noted that children have difficulty maintaining "school attitudes" when summer weather begins and that a late June closing intensifies this problem. Dr. Munnelly stated that he would try to create a consensus from the opinions offered and request a vote at the June 7th School Committee meeting. POLICY: SCHOOL COMMITTEE TASK FORCE POLICY George Shannon moved for a first draft vote on the Task Force Policy, Policy BB, as outlined. Roberta D'Antona seconded the motion. In the discussion that followed a School Committee member recommended that the policy book be updated. The vote was unanimous. FY94: BUDGET PRIORITIES Dr. Munnelly presented a plan for staff and program cutbacks totalling $125,000. SAUIlTS Eliminate .5 Reading position at the high school $16,000 Reduce one full -time computer position at middle $15,000 school to half -time Reduce custodial staff $40,000 Reduce educational assistants $44,000 Reduce professional development by half $10,000 Total $ 125,000 The Superintendent pointed out that all of these staff and programs were added last September through State Aid funds, and he would recommend putting these items back into the budget when FY94 State Aid becomes available, optimistically $100 per pupil by mid - August. Thomas Stohlman moved to reappoint the teachers as shown on enclosure C -1 for a second year contract. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was five in favor and one abstention, George Shannon, in regard to Janet Quinn. NEW BUSINESS Dr. Munnelly introduced Robert Donovan, the new President of the Reading Teachers' Association. George Shannon moved to ratify the Labor Contract, as identified on enclosure E -1, with the Reading Teachers' Asso- ciation effective September 1, 1992 and expiring on August 31, 1995. Roberta D'Antona seconded the motion. Dr. Munnelly ex- plained that he had a conversation with Allan Drachman REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 MAY 24, 1993 regarding the dates of the contract. the negotiating team, Mr. Shannon, Twomey, and the teachers who were vez taining a positive atmosphere. appreciation for the attitude of the vote was unanimous. Chair Cummings thanked Ms. D'Antona and Mr. -y professional in main - Peter Greene voiced School Committee. The AWARD OF BIDS FOR HIGH SCHOOL ROOF AND BIRCH MEADOW PORTABLE On the recommendation of the Administration, George Shannon moved to award the base bid for re- roofing and related work at Reading Memorial High School to Ca eway Roofing. Thomas Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. PnRTART.Fq Dr. Munnelly advised School Committee that the scheduled in- stallation date for the portables is August 15, 1993. George Shannon moved to contract Williams Mobile Offices, Inc. for the erection of one 88x25.6 portable. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE The Superintendent stated that we need a Citizen /Faculty Task Force to explore implications of computer technology over the next 5 -7 years for the Reading Schools. He added that President Clinton's call to develop an "information superhighway" that would result in Reading youngsters being able to access information and people nation -wide and worldwide. The need, therefore, would be to solicit /advertise for help from the community for a committee to help us lay out long range plans to acquire sufficient technology and other communication devices. He added that the Task Force would include members of our computer education committees, interested parents and townspeople, a member of the Finance Committee's long range capital budget committee, and a representative from municipal government. ADJOURN At 9:55 p.m. George Shannon moved to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of discussion of matters related to bargaining. Timothy Twomey seconded the mo o T vote as unanimous. + Susan Cavicchi Matthew Cummings Roberta D' Antonahq�as .- George Shannon Timothy Twomey '