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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-12-13 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES DECEMBER 13, 1993 CALL TO ORDER Chair Roberta D'Antona called the regular School Committee session to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Superintendent's Con- ference Room. All members were present including Student Representative Allison Bastini. Also present were Superin- tendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Dennis A. Richards and a reporter from the Chronicle. ROUTINE MATTERS MINUTES There were no minutes for approval. BILLS AND PAYROLLS BILLS The warrants for Bills were as follows: December 6, 1993 - December 13, 1993 - PAYROLLS Bills - $64,492.25 Bills - $124,674.15 The warrants for Payrolls were as follows: December 10, 1993 - Teachers - $522,798.56 CITIZEN INPUT There was no citizen input. LIAISON REPORTS School Committee member Matthew Cummings reported on the Budget Committee meeting that he attended with Chair D'Antona. He stated the update on early retirement was discussed along with the FY95 Budget Agenda with the Town Manager, FinCom, and Selectmen. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 DECEMBER 13, 1993 SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly explained that Assessment is the major follow -up of curriculum. Assistant Superintendent Richards stated that the "Manageable System of School or District Assessment" (acronym SPARCS) is being led by Richard Strong and advised the Introductory Session date is January 26, 1994 to meet with School Councils, School Committee, Assessment Committee, Curriculum Chairs, Department Heads and the Planning Session with Administrative Council will lead to a March 22 all teacher presentation. Mr. Richards explained the acronym SPARCS on an overhead: S Select & identify a limited set of work quality standards. P Prepare easy to use assessments on standards of feasible concern. A Arrange a sampling process that is manageable and fair. R Review & evaluate the work in conference using rubics. C Create a forum to distribute & share the results. S Select plans for improvement in the area of concern. A School Committee member questioned what will happen in be- tween January 26 and March 22. Mr. Richards replied that what happens on January 26th will determine what will happen on March 22nd. He noted time will be used to explore and define district assessments to reflect student /teacher needs. Another member suggested an information meeting to know what the system is doing so we may all be on the same page. OLD BUSINESS ADOPTION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE GOALS FOR 1993 -94 Chair D'Antona reviewed the adjusted draft of school committee goals. Language discussion was initiated. STAFF EVALUATION Achieve a "revitalized staff - consistent with the high quality level expected in Reading and in keeping with the goals of Education Reform. Aggressive, pro- active evaluations of staff will be used, remediation where necessary will be encouraged and other appropriate action shall be taken. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 DECEMBER 13, 1993 The School Committee will assist in this implementation through review and guidance to Administrators; through the collective bargaining process and through support and encouragement of appropriate professional development pro- grams. Matthew Cummings moved to approve the STAFF EVALUATION GOAL with the wording as discussed. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. COMMUNICATION Continue along the direction set forth in the 1992 -1993 School Committee goals and broaden the goal to investigate a specific vehicle of written communication. Adopt a more longitudinal and direct model of communi- cation between the school committee and the administration, school councils, teachers, parents, students and the community at large. Timothy Twomey moved to adopt the second draft of the COMMUNI- CATION GOAL as a substitute for former language. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. Discussion regarding the request for written communication followed. The vote was 5 in favor, with George Shannon voting against the motion. Timothy Twomey moved to adopt the STUDENT SERVICES GOAL as set forth. Thomas Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was 4 in favor, George Shannon voting against, and Matthew Cummings abstaining. Timothy Twomey moved to adopt the FINANCES GOAL. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 5 in favor, and George Shannon abstaininq. BUDGET FY 1995 EARLY RETIREMENT ACT - UPDATE The Superintendent advised he is working with the $18,191,144 amount in the same manner as the $17 million budget was developed. This is the combined spending of the Town and School Department he added. Dr. Munnelly stated first consideration should be given to the Early Retirement Program that is being developed for a group of 10 by the Town Accountant, Town Treasurer and the Assis- tant Superintendent. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 DECEMBER 13, 1993 Assistant Superintendent Richards acknowledged R.T.A. Presi- dent Bob Donovan's input regarding teachers who may be retiring. He added a model of 30 administrators and teachers has been developed by age and averaged and divided by 3 to equal the group of 10. The annual savings (costs) over five years (FY 1995 -FY 2000) with 2 Administrators at an average age of 60 and salary of $65,850 would be $131,700 and with 8 teachers at an average age of 55 and salary of $43,400 would be $347,200. Mr. Richards advised that the Public Employees Retirement Administration (P.E.R.A.) developed the formula for a 5 year amortization for the 2 Administrators cost of $16,989 per year and for the 8 teachers at a cost of $29,859 per year. He went on to explain the replacement costs with teachers' being hired at a Master's Step l level. Administrators would remain the same over the 5 year period with teachers costs increasing with each step, each year. He noted that Medicare (1.45% of payroll) and Health insurance for family or an individual is figured in the total savings (costs) at $48,498 for FY 1995, $36,118 for FY 1996, $23,314 for FY 1997, $9,947 for FY 1998, $4,193 for FY 1999, and $18,960 for FY 2000. The Assistant Superintendent presented as an example of the ERI's one time offer to a neighboring town's Pension Distribution for the Early Retirement Program 1993. Mr. Richards added that an important consideration for entering into the ERIP is to energize the system with new teachers and ideas. A School Committee member stated the ERIP needs to be approved by the Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting between January, 1994 and June, 1994. School Committee members asked if sick leave buy back is included in the calculations and would the and would the dollar figures change if more administrators chose to retire early. Mr. Richards replied that the State prioritizes by seniority in the retirement system. DECISION - SEEM COLLABORATIVE Dr. Munnelly advised he would not pursue withdrawing from SEEM. He added that he has spoken with parents, staff, colleague superintendents, the director of SEEM, and has received several letters from teachers in its support. He reiterated that he does not believe every child should be in a classroom. Dr. Munnelly stated in return for services given we receive approximately $10,000 or $12,000 per year. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 DECEMBER 13, 1993 SPED INCLUSION PROFILES Assistant Superintendent Richards and Integration Facilitator Cathy Woods discussed the Inclusion Profile. Ms. Woods advised that a consultant, Terry Trask, spoke with families and staff and her report stated that each school had to work on their own "Inclusions ". The profiles that were established included activities for students, goals, and objectives that led to budget requests. At an earlier date, Mr. Ric Woods met with principals, Assumptions for inclusion to EQUAL ACCESS DIFFERENT FOR EACH DIFFERENT FOR EACH ,bards reported that he and Ms. and developed an outline of include: CHILD SCHOOL The Profile Goals Mr. Richards highlighted were: Staff Attitude and Building Atmosphere Physical Factors Curriculum and Instructional Flexibility Resource Needs Ms. Woods continued with Staff Attitude and Building Atmosphere: Common Vision Effective Instruction Cooperative Learning Social Skills Technology Co- Teaching Pre- Referral Teams Alternative Assessment Team Teaching The Assistant Superintendent advised the Physical Factors: Wheelchair Entrances Architectural Modifications Multi -level Area Lifts Uncrowded Classroom Seating Accessible Instructional Areas Elevator Access to All Floors Access to Stage Access to Boys & Girls Lavatory Ms. Woods identified the Curriculum & Instructional Flexibility: Increase Common Planning Time Reduce Tracking Models of School Organization Differentiated Instruction Support Teams REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 DECEMBER 13, 1993 Curriculum Modification Integrated Homerooms Mr. Richards concluded with the Resource Needs: Pre- Referral Team Additional Staff Photocopier Tape Recorders Computers Professional Books & Journals School Library Books Phone Lines School Yellow Pages OTHER DECISIONS Dr. Munnelly stated that the FY95 budget will be ready for discussion the middle of this week. He outlined Decision Points he would be recommending that included a Sabbatical at $16,000 for the preliminary budget, leaving testing at $10,000, committing $155,000 for Staff Development, adding 4 elementary teachers at a cost of $120k plus $20k benefits, adding half -time art, music and physical education specialists, increasing the per -pupil amount for instructional textbook supplies $385,000, recommending the Early Retirement Program, and hire at maintenance a person whose job description would include having an electrical license, therefore reducing the building maintenance expenditure lines. Mr. Shannon requested an Executive Session at the close of the Reaular Session. DECISIONS FOR WARRANT ARTICLE CONSIDERATION The Superintendent reviewed decisions for warrant article consideration that included: 1. Roof Replacement - Front of R.M.H.S. $314,000 2. Ceiling Tile Replacement - R.M.H.S. 32,000 3. Space Remodeling - Barrows School Library 15,000 4. Chapter 504 - Chairlifts /Toilet- Systemwide 15,000 (and other handicap requirements by ADA) 5. Alarm and Fire Protection - Systemwide 36,000 6. Oil Tank Removal & Overflow Retrofit of Remaining Tanks ($5,000 per tank) 29,000 7. Boilder Replacemnt (2 per yr. $85k each) 172,000 8. Early Retirement (Warrant Article) 0 9. Vehicle Replacement (Van) 20,000 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 DECEMBER 13, 1993 ADJOURN At 9:15 p.m. George Shannon moved to go to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing a grievance that's in litigation. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Susan Cavicchi Matthew Cummings Roberta D'Antona George Shannon Thomas Stohlman Timothy Twomey Re: �bmfted Robert I Munnek Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee