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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-06-08 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES JUNE 8, 1992 CALL TO ORDER Chair Barbara Philbrick called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:06 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak and a reporter from the Chronicle. Several parents were also present. NEW STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE The Chair welcomed Michael Shannon the new Reading Memorial High School Student Representative for the first 1992 -93 semester to the Reading School Committee. MINUTES There were no minutes. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for Bills was as follows: June 1, 1992 - Bills - $30,168.20 The warrant for Payrolls was as follows: June 5, 1992 CITIZEN INPUT Biweekly - $106,052.78 There was no citizen input. GIFTS The School Committee acknowledged the receipt of gifts from two families in the community. On the recommendation of the Administration, Timothy Twomey moved to accept the donation of gifts to the Reading High School Athletic Department from Larry and Joy Cosena and to the Parker Middle School from Steve and Rosemary Adams as described on enclosure B -4. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Members of the School Committee thanked these citizens for their generous donations. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 JUNE 8, 1992 SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly stated that the Class of 1992's graduation exercise on June 7, 1992 went very smooth. He noted the great decorations of flowers and plants and complimented everyone who was involved with the graduation plans. The Superintendent praised Julie Guarciariello, a Barrows student, who out of thousands of entries submitted from all six New England states, was selected as a finalist in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Education Ecology Poem and Poster Program. Dr. Munnelly shared an article that recently appeared in "Teaching Voices" that interviewed Reading Memorial High School teachers Anna O'Brien and Donna Pappalardo. The Superintendent stated both Ms. O'Brien and Ms. Pappalardo are active participants in an innovative mentor program that was created for apprentice teachers seeking to become certified practitioners. PERSONNEL ACTION RESIGNATIONS On the recommendation of the Administration, George Shannon moved to accept the resignations with regret Kaye Michelini, Coolidge Middle School Language Arts teacher effective at the end of the 1991 -92 school year; Jean Richardson of the Cafeteria Program effective on June 30, 1992 and Linda James a teacher -aide at Birch Meadow School effective June 3, 1992. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. APPOINTMENT On the recommendation of the Administration, George Shannon moved to appoint Ellen Zermani as a one year appointment replacement teacher at Killam Elementary School at the rate of Bachelors Level, Step 1. Roberta D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. OLD BUSINESS MIDDLE SCHOOL REDISTRICTING Dr. Munnelly stated the figures for Coolidge Middle School's sixth grade enrollment are high and that a variety of methods to close the gap have been entertained. Coolidge Principal Al Lahood shared that several years ago an enrollment projection of 160 would be a workable enrollment. He added that in April of this year it was realized the figure would be over much higher. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 JUNE 8, 1992 Noting present enrollment figures at Coolidge are 170 and at Parker 123. Mr. Lahood informed the School Committee that he had called the parents of fourteen youngsters who are part of the proposed redistricting and invited them to a meeting at Coolidge on Wednesday evening. In this group only two parents seemed to feel that a transfer to Parker would be a good move. Dr. Munnelly advised that all of the parents now recognize the issue of twenty -eight youngsters in Coolidge and twenty -two at Parker with the science and social studies teachers handling one hundred sixty -nine youngsters. The Superintendent added that most would place their youngsters neighborhood and school relationships at higher priority than class size. Some of the comments from parents were as follows: A parent stated that his son, who has been identified in an Individual Educational Plan ( IEP) , has gone to many schools and one of our psychologists has been preparing him on how to get along with other students and it would not be to his best interest to be moved to a school different than his friends. Mr. LaVoie shared that he will have two students in the high school next year and one at Coolidge. He added that they were looking forward to a one stop pick up of all three children. Mr. LaVoie also stated that other parents have mentioned that they would have choosen Parker if given the opportunity. Mrs. Smith advised that looking into the future she would have one elementary student, one student at Parker, and one at Coolidge. Mr. DesChamps advised the behavior of his son has improved since he too has been identified in an IEP and would prefer to keep his son with his friends. He too supported a volunteer effort. Principal Lahood offered an explanation of the term "maxed out" and stated it would be difficult to support the extra students with aide time. Another parent Mrs. Carbone expressed displeasure with three weeks notice and felt this problem should have been addressed sooner. She also added that her after school child care is in the Coolidge School area. School Committee members remarked on the adult way everyone was handling this emotional situation. After realizing that several of the fourteen youngsters have sibblings in the Coolidge School or that some youngsters require special needs instruction, the concensus was to look at this problem again. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 JUNE 8, 1992 School Committee members questioned if there were any METCO students going to Coolidge in the fall. It was suggested by School Committee members that the voluntary program be explored. The Superintendent stated he would send out letters to Coolidge students soliciting their interest, and perhaps will know the direction we are headed by the next School Committee meeting. Principal Lahood explained that both middle schools orientation has been scheduled for June 16. Mr. DesChamps stated that the PTO has been exemplary in getting information to parents and we should avail ourselves to them. At that point several parents in the audience volunteered to help. Timothy Twomey moved to rescind the School Committee action of June 1st on this one time move to Coolidge Middle School sixth grade students to the Parker Middle School. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. Discussion followed with motion so as not to send happen. He stated parents The motion failed 2 -4. Mr. Shannon suggesting to suspend the the wrong message that this may not should be still aware of this issue. George Shannon moved to suspend the vote of June 1 regarding redistricting until we have time to proceed. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. Discussion continued. Dr. Munnelly noted since time is of the essence that with the help of volunteers letters would be mailed to parents of fifth graders who should be attending Coolidge next year asking if they would switch their child to Parker and we should have more information at the next School Coomittee meeting. School Committee added that parents of IEP students need to be confident that the move will not effect these youngsters and if students can be identified that want to attend Parker then proceed with the orientation. The motion was unanimous. POLICY ON HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS - 1ST VOTE Dr. Munnelly reported that a total of 74% of the graduation class of 1992 are going onto a 4 year college, and 12.8% will be attending a 2 year college. The Superintendent also included a list from the Guidance Department of colleges these students have been accepted at. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 JUNE 8, 1992 Dr. Munnelly read the added paragraph to the Draft Graduation Requirements Policy as follows: "Students are encouraged to take a full schedule of courses in order to explore a rich assortment of new fields and new competencies during their years at Reading Memorial High School. Students planning to attend college will need a minimum of two years of foreign language; the school recommends three, four or even five years of one foreign language as a major asset." The Superintendent noted there is no waiver language in the policy with the exception of students entering Reading Memorial High School from other accredited public or private secondary schools, for students in the American Field Service Program, and for other Exchange Students. Dr. Munnelly added other conditions of a waiver would be made by the principal under extenduating circumstances. Assistant Superintendent Bak explained that the draft policy before the School Committee didn't include any major changes over what currently exists. Ms. Bak added the document has not been updated publicly since 1984 and the reason it was being brought forward now is to show what currently exists. The new changes presented by the Assistant Superintendent include the two new introductory para- graphs, the pass versus enroll section, the Fine Arts requirement that was passed a few years ago was inserted, the course name of Decisions was changed to Health Decisions and Computer Literacy to Computer Competency. Matthew Cummings moved to table discussion of the Graduation Requirements Policy until the Fall of 1992 when additional back -up material has been received and reviewed and an open hearing has been held. George Shannon seconded the motion. Discusion followed with a decision to maintain status quo the waiver policy for Computer Competency and Fine Arts. The only change in the Graduation Requirement the School Committee agreed on now was the pass versus enroll requirement. Principal Mirkin stated that 230 students have been serviced in computer courses without the requirement. Ms. Mirkin added that the NESSA would be at Reading Memorial High School November 7 - 10, 1993 and our charge would be to evaluate ourselves. Roberta D'Antona moved the motion. The vote was 4 in favor and 2 opposed. POLICY ON FUND - RAISING Chair Philbrick advised that the Policy on Fund - Raising was last reviewed and Accepted on October 1, 1990. Susan Cavicchi moved to add "Specific proposals which deviate from the policy can be reviewed on a case -by -case basis by the School_ REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 JUNE 8, 1992 Committee." from the first paragraph position to a number five paragraph position; to place and add "Student vs. student competitiveness is to be frowned upon. Any student vs. student or fund raiser that has incentives has to have prior approval of the Principal." to the end of the second paragraph in section 2; and in section 3 second sentence to add to "prior approval to the staff member must get the Superintendent's approval." Roberta D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 4 in favor and 2 opposed. Susan Cavicchi moved to adopt for a first vote the draft for the Solicitation of Funds with the changes that were made. Roberta D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 4 in favor and 2 opposed. NEW BUSINESS WEAPONS IN THE SCHOOL Dr. Munnelly read the strawman draft he prepared Weapons in the School Policy JGA and continued with the Student Suspensions Policy JGD. Discussion continued with School Committee members changing the first paragraph to read: "It is the policy of the Reading School Committee that firearms, knives and other dangerous weapons be banned from the schools, school grounds, and school events, in the interests of safety of all students, teachers and support staff who congregate in school buildings, on school premises, or at school events and on grounds." The second paragraph after criminal complaint -add "in accordance with State Law" change both wills to if Timothv Twomev moved to ammend both the f irst paragraph and the second paragraph of the Weapons in the School Policy JGA Draft as described. Roberta D'Antona seconded the motion. Discussion continued regarding expulsion. Dr. Munnelly advised that the schools must educate students 16 or under, they cannot be expelled. He added that students over the age of 16 can get their diplomas in various ways. Dr. Munnelly stated the JGA language is in the Student Handbook. The vote was 2 in favor 4 opposed. George Shannon moved to ammend the draft policy JGA's by adding to the end of the last paragraph "expulsion may follow." Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Timothy Twomey moved to ammend both "wills" in the second paragraph to read "may" George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 a JUNE 8, 1992 OTHER Principal Mirkin thanked everyone who was involved with the succesful events of Senior Week. Chair Philbrick advised there would be a meeting in Georgetown Sunday June 14, 1992 at 7:30 p.m. on School Choice and also reminded School Committee members that there would be an information meeting for all School Committee members on Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. ADJOURNMENT George Shannon moved at 12:01 p.m. to adjourn. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.