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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-07-13 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES JULY 13, 1992 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Matthew Cummings called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:38 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present with the exception of Roberta D'Antona and Student Represent- ative Michael Shannon who was expected to arrive later. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, FinCom Member Nathan White, and a reporter from the Chronicle. MINUTES George Shannon moved to accept the minutes from the June 15 and June 22, 1992 meetings. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. Corrections were noted and made. The vote was unanimous as amended. Barbara Philbrick moved to release the Executive Minutes of June 15, 1992 to open session. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for Bills was as follows: There was no warrant for bills. The warrant for Payrolls was as follows: June 12, 1992 - Teachers - $411,953.14 June 30, 1992 - Biweekly - $ 2,421.00 GIFTS There were no gifts on the agenda this evening. CITIZEN INPUT FinCom Member Nate White questioned how long it would be before we would be looking for roof repair money. Dr. Munnelly answered at the Fall Town Meeting. Mr. White then questioned if the School Committee would be looking for a bond issue. The Superintendent replied it would be his recommenda- tion at the July 27th meeting. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 JULY 13, 199.2 SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly noted that Reading Memorial High School was named as one of eight Massachusetts recipients of a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's new National Environmental Education Grants Program. Reading High will receive a total of $5,000 for expenses on the Vernal Pool Curriculum Project. The Superintendent recognized Biology teacher Leo Kenney and the students he has been working with who submitted this proposal so they may continue to carry out biological studies. Dr. Munnelly advised School Committee that the Reading Teachers Association has changed officers. The new officers of the RTA are as follows: - Acting President: John Doherty Acting Vice President: Ellen Svenson Treasurer: Stan Quinlan Secretary: Bob Swanson The Superintendent added that Past President Peter Greene will continue to have an active part in the RTA. Dr. Munnelly informed the School Committee that the professional ad for the Assistant Superintendent's position has been placed in the Boston Globe and Education Week. He added that other educational bulletins will also feature this ad. The Superintendent stated the article for the volunteers for the Assistant Superintendent Search appeared in the Chronicle today. He added that a draft of the Information Packets will be prepared for School Committee's review and that there will be Public Hearings to gather more input. Dr. Munnelly invited School Committee members to meet on July 14th with the Reading Selectmen and the Reading Municipal Light Department Commissioners for a presentation on the potential savings that could result from a relamping of schools and municipal buildings. Dr. Munnelly added that some legislation or approval of the Department of Public Utilities ratesetting agency may be key steps to getting the RMLD to bond the lamping renovation. He continued saying that RMLD may propose to install a new type of switch activated by movement in each room of the school system. This project, if carried out, could substantially reduce the $100,000 we pay each year for lighting in our schools. Chair Cummings announced that Susan Cavicchi has volunteered to serve as a liaison to the Recreation Committee. School Committee raised questions regarding Assistant Superintendent Bak's schedule. Dr. Munnelly advised that her resignation would be effective as of September 30, 1992 and REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 JULY 13, 1992 that Ms. Bak will be working out her accumulated vacation time over the summer months and has scheduled four days to come into the office. When asked, Dr. Munnelly replied that Ms. Bak has accumulated approximately 65 vacation days. At this point it was decided to go into executive session later this evening for further discussion. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS SPECIAL EDUCATION BRIEFING Dr. Munnelly welcomed Special Education Director Alex Alexanian and the following PAC parents that were present; Mrs. Coco, Mrs. Sykes, Mrs. DeMita and Mrs. Hamilton. Dr. Alexanian stated he would brief the School Committee and the public on Special Education and especially special education in Reading. He began by talking about some concerns that had been raised: Overview of SPED Services for Reading Students . The Special Mission of Special Education 1990 -91 Per Pupil Costs of Special Education . State Regulations about Special Education Mainstreaming Update . The Pressures for Increased Spending . What Does The Future Hold Dr. Alexanian addressed the enclosure entitled Federal Child Counts. School Committee asked questions regarding the Chapter 766 Protype identifications. Dr. Alexanian stated the Modified 502.1 students are in a regular classroom 100% of the day; Substantially Separate 502.4 is a self - contained on site class; Separate Facility 502.4(1) is a public classroom off the school grounds; Special Day 502.5 is a private classroom off the grounds; Special Residential 502.6 is a 24 hour a day facility; Home or Hospital 502.7 is for regular and special needs students who are out of school over 14 days the school system is then required to provide them with a tutor; and the 3 & 4 Year Olds 502.8 is an early childhood service. He added as of December 1, 1991 about 582 students have been serviced. Dr. Alexanian continued with the enclosure entitled State -Wide Report of Per Pupil Expenditures for All Day School Programs. The Special Needs Average Expenditures as compared to surrounding communities and the State -Wide Average, which is the highest in the nation, demonstrated that Reading's spending is the lowest with the gap widening. He noted that we have addressed certain needs more vigorously than in the past, such as Early Childhood. READING SESSION MINUTES 4 JULY 13, 1992 The Director of Special Education stated Killam Elementary School has been an integrative program since 1990. Cathy Woods, who was hired by Reading in September as the teacher of the Multi- handicapped classroom, met with twelve regular education teachers to view the video "Regular Lives" and they received handouts on integration and participated in a discussion on the process of integrated education. There was another meeting held with all the parents of the special needs students which followed the same agenda. Dr. Alexanian advised that in September of 1991 four 502.3 special needs students were placed into a regular education 6th grade science class at Parker Middle School with a special education aide, whose job was to integrate them into the class and provide curriculum follow -up to insure feelings of success. In November 1991, Dr. Alexanian noted the school district offered an in- service workshop on co- teaching by a pair of Winthrop teachers who had been working with their model for ten years. He added the most beneficial result of the workshop was the realization that the co- teaching technique was a viable option for our school as a method of better servicing special education students in the regular education classroom. Both middle schools have been very active with the teaching efforts. Dr. Alexanian spoke on Enclosure E, Description and Evaluation of Consultative Services by Jane Hanrahan and Meg Porter. He advised that both consultants are certified SPED teachers who have experience in transitions from Grade 5 to Grade 6 and in mainstreaming. Dr. Alexanian identified some of the pressures as follows: . Placement of students outside the district . Legalization . Younger children with specific needs . Less support from agencies Some of the factors and influences being recognized include the economics of the times, unemployment, and medical needs. Dr. Munnelly stated that survivors of complicated pregnancies have also been a factor. Dr. Alexandian stated that the majority of students that are in Private Schools need to be there. He added that local programs must be strengthened and over the next couple of years decision making has to be done carefully as alternatives are expensive. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 JULY 13, 1992 Mrs. Coco asserted that the cut -backs in the public sector has parents placing children in private schools. Mrs. Hamilton stated that because of early intervention there has been an increase in mild to moderate needs and that it should be recognized that neurological reasons are primarily why a child is classified as slower. Mrs. DeMita added that special needs parents want their child mainstreamed, but if a child -is multi- handicapped then the parents of these children are the ones that look into private school options. Dr. Alexandian advised that all influences need to be evaluated that inhibit the-process. He stated that he has met with Task Force II and will have a report in the Fall that will outline responsibilities of the School Committee, Administration and different groups in the system. The approach will be inclusive of all children and will give a clear basis that supports the regular classroom. Dr. Munnelly stated we are pushed and pulled by regulations and now with Alex working to educate parents and staff the outcome in the end is to service a larger number of children. A School Committee member commented there will be more information when we receive the Task Force report so we can better understand what the programs are. Dr. Alexanian stated he would supply this information as a packet for the School Committee. Dr. Munnelly advised if we could run a program here in Reading the cost to the Town would be less because students would not need to be transported out of town which also necessitates medical supervision. He noted that some parents are looking into the full measure of the regulations that push us into the direction of some specialized plan with high costs. Another School Committee member stated if this type of program is developed in Reading would other communities want to send their children here? Dr. Alexanian replied, "Yes, and that discussion of the financial issues would have to be developed." He added that he would expect the Collaborative READING SESSION MINUTES 6 JULY 13, 1992 to come forward with ideas and help in developement of a program. Comments from School Committee stated how commited to this work Dr. Alexanian is to educate all Reading's youngsters and that we need a better understanding of strengths and weaknesses as we think of program changes. Dr. Alexanian stated he would put together a brief program with teachers and parents so they may discuss priorities and needs. Chair Cummings thanked Dr. Alexanian for the presentation and stated School Committee can hardly wait for the Task Force Report and asked that any interested parent come forward and offer the School Committee and the public more information. Dr. Munnelly advised that the space problems that effect special education at the middle schools will be part of our long range concerns and will be discussed at the School Committee meeting on July 27th. OTHER The Superintendent advised that Allan Drachman is on the agenda next week and will go into executive session to lay out plans for bargaining. ADJOURNMENT At 10;10 p.m. George Shannon moved to executive session for matters relating to our negotiations with non -union personnel. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 in favor. Susan Cavicchi Matthew Cummings Barbara Philbrick George Shannon Timothy Twomey Re billy Witted,,, y Munneli Robert I y, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School CommPt a,,