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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-10-18 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES CALL TO ORDER OCTOBER 18, 1993 Vice Chair Timothy Twomey called the regular School Committee session to order at 8:00 p.m. in the Superintendent's Con- ference Room. All members were present with the exception of Roberta D'Antona and Student Representative Allison Bastiani. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Dennis A. Richards, and a reporter from the (`hrnni rl rn- _ ROUTINE MATTERS MINUTES Matthew Cummings moved to approve the minutes of September 27, 1993. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0- 1, Georae Shannon abstained. Matthew Cummings moved to approve the minutes of September 29, 1993. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0- 1, Geor_ae Shannon abstained. BILLS AND PAYROLLS BILLS The warrants for Bills were as follows: October 4, 1993 - Bills - $ 51,391.98 October 12, 1993 - Bills - $108,841.30 October 18, 1993 - Bills - $ 41,719.25 ­11" r r c The warrants for Payrolls were as follows: October 1, 1993 - Teachers - $445,314.33 October 15, 1993 - Teachers - $442,381.18 October 8, 1993 - Biweekly - $129,062.60 CITIZEN INPUT Vice Chair Twomey encouraged citizens to take advantage of this time to give their input. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 OCTOBER 18, 1993 SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT The Superintendent congratulated Barbara McLean of Joshua Eaton who was honored this summer with a plaque at the annual meeting of the National Council for Geographic Education for Excellence in Geography Teaching. She received this recognition at the annual meeting of the Association held in Nova Scotia this past August. Dr. Munnelly stated he would be away on November 1, 1993 and that the Assistant Superintendent Dennis Richards would represent him at the November 1, 1993 School Committee meeting. Mr. Cummings informed the School Committee that we will go to Town Meeting to request approximately $45,000 to cover expenses for the Revolving Account that ran in the red for the second year in a row. The monies, he explained, provided working capital funds for the months of July, August, and September. He added that the Finance Committee's motions did not meet uninimity, therefore, we will need to proceed with the Article at Town Meeting. Regarding Article 10 on the serving of alcoholic beverages in public buildings, Dr. Munnelly stated Town Meeting would need to make decisions with respect to the 350th. Discussion continued on this issue and Mr. Twomey stated he should be apprised of any decisions made by Town Meeting. Assistant Superintendent Richards stated he would share information at the November 1 School Committee meeting. PERSONNEL Assistant Superintendent Richards informed the School Committee of the personnel changes in the Reading Schools. RESIGNATIONS Marsha Gibbons resignation as a computer teacher at Parker Middle School effective October 5, 1993. Suzanne Charland resignation as a library media specialist at the Birch Meadow Elementary School effective November 3, 1993. RETIREMENT Joseph Nisco retirement as a foreign language teacher at Reading Memorial High School effective October 8, 1993. REGULAR SESSION 3 OCTOBER 18, 1993 RECOMMENDATIONS Garry Reidister a 1984 graduate from the University of MA/ Boston who has had extensive computer experience along with a B.A. in secondary education. Mr. Reidister has been assigned to the Parker Middle School as a Computer Teacher at the Bachelors Level, Step 1. Joanne Alvarez, a 1978 graduate from the University of Mass- achusetts. Ms Alvarez is certified in secondary Spanish and secondary Russian. She has been assigned to Reading Memorial High School as a Foreign Language Teacher at the Bachelors Level, Step 4. OLD BUSINESS SCHOOL COUNCILS: MEMBERSHIP REPORT Mr. Twomey commented that he is impressed by the community representatives who responded as volunteers to the School Councils and the teachers who were elected by each school's PTO. He suggested a joint meeting with the seven School Councils as a way to give guidance to the councils. Dr. Munnelly added that the school councils need to develop a school /staff improvement plan, he stressed the importance of communication, and stated the councils would not be able to coordinate budget information this year. A School Committee member stated that a joint meeting would run counter to the law's intended effect of grass roots involvement. Another member advised that the principal of each school should brief the councils on the district wide goals. Mr. Cummings stated there is latitude in the language of the reform law to improve the schools from a local perspective; to look at what they're doing now, what they're doing best, and what they need to improve, and to march in those directions. GOAL SETTING BY READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE It was suggested to continue with discussion of the School Committee goals when the Chairperson returns. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 OCTOBER 18, 1993 NEW BUSINESS POLICY ON ADMINISTRATIVE BENEFITS Dr. Munnelly provided the basic policy statement for non -union administrators about benefits. They include Sick Leave, Personal Leave, Death in the Immediate Family, Maternity Leave, Child Rearing Leave, Family Sickness, Personal Health, Other Leaves -Of- Absence, Tuition Reimbursement and Vacation. The Superintendent stated the Family Leave Act needs to be incorporated at the same time for all units under Leave Periods. Dr. Munnelly informed the School Committee that we may wish to extend the policy to include Building and Grounds Supervisor Michael Lombardo and that it would take revisions based on length of her work year to have this policy cover Cafeteria Director Cathy Cook. George Shannon moved to adopt, on a first vote, the policy draft GBCC, Employee Benefits Policy. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. Discussion followed regarding tuition reimburse- ments and credits for any one year and vacation time. The vote was unanimous. WAIVER OF MARCH OF DIMES FEE The Superintendent requested a waiver of the $165 rental fee for the March of Dimes fund raiser. Matthew Cummings moved to waive the rental fee for the March of Dimes. as outlined on enclosure E -2. Thomas Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. HOME SCHOOLING On the recommendation of the Administration, George Shannon moved to approve home schooling for John Gatta and Aaron Gatta for school years 1993 -1995. Thomas Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Dr. Munnelly explained that the Community Orientation Program serves youngsters from the Department of Youth Services. Their plan meets minimum schooling requirements. On the recommendation of the Administration, Thomas Stohlman moved to approve the Community Orientation Program. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. READING SESSION MINUTES 5 OCTOBER 18, 1993 INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS ACCOUNT BALANCES As requested by the School Committee, Dr. Munnelly shared the October account balances for Administration, Support Services, Athletics, Building Maintenance, Northeast Regional School Assessment, Undistributed, Barrows, Birch Meadow, Eaton, Killam, Coolidge, Parker, Reading Memorial High School, Special Needs Undistributed and for each school. PROCLAMATION The Superintendent advised that the RTA has asked to have a proclamation jointly with the School Committee for American Education Week, November 14 -20, 1993 for Better Schools Shape Better Tomorrows. George Shannon moved that the School Committee Chair, Admini- stration, and RTA President sign the proclamation for American Education Week, November 14 -20, 1993. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. BUDGET PROCESS BRIEFING Dr. Munnelly reviewed the Budgeting Process for In House, October - November and for School Committee Meetings in December. Page 1 of the Budget Summary Worksheet 1994 -1995 would contain the major level of detail for Principal Office Expenses, Educational Supplies, Textbooks, Library- Media, Audio Visual Expenses, Guidance Expenses, Office Equipment Repair, Instructional Equipment Expenses, New Equipment, and Replacement Equipment. He explained that he will go over this information with prin- cipals, that principals will need to advise if changes are being made once it they are locked in with School Committee, and the School Councils will need to work with each principal as to each school's needs. He continued by stating that School Councils will have to have a history of personnel costs, he will work with them on the Capital Plan, maintenance repairs, and the Inclusion Profiles/ Mainstreaming. Dr. Munnelly added that we need to know the monies from the Cherry Sheet early together with the combination of State Aid monies to set direction and tone early in November. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 OCTOBER 18, 1993 SPED BRIEFING The Superintendent asked the School Committee to be prepared for a possible recommendation to leave the SEEM Collaborative. He added Reading has been with the Collaborative since 1968. Dr. Munnelly noted that we have ten youngsters in SEEM placements -five of which are in our high school program. He stated he is investigating if we can provide a full inclusion program in Reading for these ten youngsters, and is trying to assess cost benefits of staying or withdrawing from SEEM. ADJOURN At 9.40 p.m., Matthew Cummings moved to adjourn from regular session and go into executive session for matters relating to bargaining with Union and Non -Union employees. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Susan Cavicchi Matthew Cummings George Shannon Thomas Stohlman Timothy Twomey Resp%WIY Submffled Robert I MunnellYS D. Superintendent Of choo Secretary To The School Committee