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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-07-20 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 20 JULY 1992 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Matthew Cummings called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Robert J. Munnelly, a reporter from the Chronicle and members of the community. RECOGNITION On behalf of the School Committee, Chairman Cummings thanked Joe Sarcone, Community Television Access Producer at Continental Cablevision, for many years of dedicated service filming the School Committee meetings. Mr. Sarcone was presented a gift from the School Committee in appreciation. MINUTES Barbara Philbrick moved to accept the minutes of the June 29, 1992 meeting. Tim Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for Bills was as follows: June 30, 1992 Bills $ 98,839.58 June 30, 1992 Bills $ 65,910.21 The warrant for Payrolls was as follows: June 30, 1992 Teachers $ 3,061.28 July 10, 1992 Teachers $106,839.91 July 17, 1992 Biweekly $ 39,186.01 BOOSTERS OPEN HOUSE Chairman Matthew Cummings informed the community that the School Committee had visited the new weight room at Reading Memorial High School prior to the meeting. He thanked the Boosters and parents for their generous contribution and encouraged the public to take advantage of an opportunity to visit this newly donated facility. CITIZENS' INPUT There was no Citizens' Input to be addressed at this meeting. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -2- 20 JULY 1992 GIFTS Dr. Munnelly announced that the Reading Schools are the recipients of additional gifts from Arnold Berger. Recent gifts include funds for weather station instruments at the J. Warren Killam School and an IBM computer for Birch Meadow School. Mr. Berger has also given funds ($2,000) for the recently installed telecommunication satellite dish on the roof at Reading Memorial High School. This satellite dish will be used for educational television in connection with the Massachusetts Commission for Educational Television. Three Coolidge families have donated funds for the purchase of library books to support the sixth grade curriculum. The parents, Mrs. Mary McIntire, Mrs. Mary Ellen Downey and Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Morrison have made this donation in appreciation of the the sixth grade team teachers' efforts with students during this past school year. The gifts were formally acce ted by the School Committee on a motion by Timothy Twomey and seconded by Roberta D'Antona. The motion carried 6 -0. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT LETTER OF APPRECIATION Dr. Munnelly directed the attention of the School Committee to a letter of appreciation received at Killam School from Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pelley. As their children move on to secondary schools, the Pelley's expressed thanks to the staff for their caring, and teaching. ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT APPLICATION MATERIAL The recently compiled Information and Application packet to be distributed to prospective candidates for the Assistant Superintendent position was reviewed by Dr. Munnelly and the School Committee. Timothy Twomey pointed out that there are 3,700 students in the system, not 2,700 as mentioned in the advertise- ment. This figure will be corrected in the packet and in the ad sent to Education Week. Barbara Philbrick made suggestions: to clarify that the response to the two questions in question three of the application should not extend to three pages; to include the number of support staff in the general responsibilities of the Assistant Superintendent; and to add a time line. The public was reminded that an open meeting regarding this position will be held on Thursday evening, July 23, 1992 in the Superintendent's Conference Room. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -3- 20 JULY 1992 RELAMPING MEETING WITH READING MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT Chairman Matthew Cummings asked Dr. Munnelly to report on the recent relamping meeting with the Reading Municipal Light Department. Dr. Munnelly informed the Committee that the school buildings will not be relamped with new high tech lamps. Due to the fact that the schools use the major part of their electricity during non -peak hours, rate - setting practices would not apply. The School Department electric bill is approximately $100,000 per year. The initial cost of relamping would be $500,000 which would result in savings of $50,000 a Year, with a ten year period for the savings to pay for the cost of relamping. Superintendent Munnelly suggested contacting other communities within the four -town district served by the light company urging all to seek legislative change to reduce electric costs. Dr. Munnelly noted that Massachusetts Electric and Edison Electric Company are relamping various communities with savings to the schools. The Superintendent urged people in the community to respond and write to state senators and representatives seeking their support in enacting legislative action to assist relamping as a method of energy and financial savings. MEETING WITH FINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman Matthew Cummings reported briefly on his meeting with the Reading Finance Committee. He recommended that the School Committee meet with FinCom to discuss the capital budget needs of the schools. Mr. Cummings invited the FinCom to tour the schools to determine first hand the condition of buildings and repair work necessary. SCHOOL /BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP MEETING Dr. Munnelly made known to the School Committee results of last week's meeting with the joint School /Business Partnership group. Some of the upcoming activities will include a speaker series at RMHS, assistance with the Junior Achievement program, and a Career Day at the middle schools. An explanatory brochure is being prepared for distribution and will be available in September. SUPERINTENDENT'S EVALUATION Chairman Matthew Cummings requested three volunteers for a School Committee sub - committee to be formed as a Superintendent Evaluation Committee. The sub - committee will be charged to take the present evaluation form and School Committee policy and make any recommendations and determinations to the School Committee for a more workable document. Also, a time table for the evaluation of the Superintendent will be constructed. Evaluation forms, including an evaluation form from the M.A.S.C. will be made available to the sub - committee. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -4- 20 JULY 1992 Members of the School Committee who agreed to be on the sub- committee are Timothy Twomey, Roberta D'Antona, and Barbara Philbrick. This sub - committee will share their findings with the School Committee the first meeting in September. PERSONNEL RESIGNATIONS Dr. Munnelly informed the Committee that a motion to accept three resignations was in order. Mary Abegg, department head for Mathematics at Parker Middle School, and Frances Tully, a first year teacher at Barrows have submitted resignations and a letter from Dawn Avery, also a teacher at Barrows School is expected shortly. Barbara Philbrick moved, on the recommendation of the Administration, that resignations from Mary Abegg, Frances Tully, and Dawn Avery be accepted effective August 31, 1992. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. The motion carried unopposed. Concern was expressed by George Shannon that the Reading Schools are losing some very good teachers as a result of Proposition 2 1/2. APPOINTMENTS Dr. Munnelly recommended the appointment of five teachers as outlined on enclosure C -1. In the discussion that followed, it was decided not to appoint the group in a single motion. George Shannon moved, on the recommendation of the administration, to appoint Catherine Francis to a kindergarten position at Barrows School, Mary McDonald to Grade 4 at Barrows School and Lucille Kaloyanides to a Special Education position at Killam School at salary scales presented on the enclosure. The motion was seconded by Barbara Philbrick. All School Committee members voted in favor. Timothy Twomey moved, on the recommendation of the administr- ation,to appoint Janet R. Quinn as a teacher of English /Language Arts at Coolidge Middle School at a salary of B -2. Roberta D'Antona seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 5 -0 -1. George Shannon moved, on the recommendation of the administration, to appoint Ann Marie Calabresi as a one year replacement teacher at the J. Warren Killam School at level M -1 for the time certain: a contract of one vear. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion which carried on a vote of 5 -0 -1. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -5- 20 JULY 1992 REAPPOINTMENT OF MIDDLE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT HEADS Dr. Munnelly recommended that action be taken to reinstate the middle school department heads to their leadership positions at Coolidge and Parker Middle Schools. This would be an interim arrangement for one year. Contrary to their contractual agreement with the School Committee, the department heads would teach four classes a day instead of three and their supervisory time would be limited. During the discussion that followed, Timothy Twomey questioned where middle school department heads were listed on the putback list as the budget was prepared. Dr. Munnelly stated that it was not one of the higher priorities on the list, but the impact of being without these leadership positions will be felt in the schools. Due to potential savings in the turnover of teaching positions, there is money ($12,000) to reinstitute these curriculum coordinators. Dr..Munnelly informed the School Committee that the plan to reduce the department heads to four was unsuccessful. Although the positions were posted, there were no applicants due to a feeling among the department heads that it is not a workable plan. Timothy Twomey suggested that the School Committee revisit the priority list to determine placement in respect to available funds. Barbara Philbrick suggested that the discussion be tabled until the next meeting when copies of the putback list formulated in the spring would be made available for the School Committee's review. The Committee was in accord with the suggestion. OLD BUSINESS RENEWAL OF HOME SCHOOLING Dr. Munnelly recommended the granting of extensions of home schooling plans for three families who have met requirements. The Superintendent noted that in all cases, in accordance with School Committee policy, there was a curriculum plan, student monitoring and the cooperation of parents. He stated that good progress has been made by the students. On the recommendation of the Superintendent, George Shannon moved that home schooling plans as presented by Mr. and Mrs. Steven Botzko for their daughter Susan, by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Rodriguez for daughters Emily and Beth, and by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Gatta for their children Alicia, Aaron, and John be approved for two years. The motion was seconded by Susan Cavicchi and carried unopposed. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -6- 20 JULY 1992 ELECTION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE VICE CHAIRMAN Chairman Matthew Cummings informed the School Committee that under a 1988 amendment to the Open Meeting Law, written ballots are prohibited in Open Session. A review of Robert Rules of Order states that the officer elected will retain the position until new officers are elected. Mr. Cummings announced that as the full committee was in attendance, affirmative votes would be taken to elect a Vice Chair. The nominations were closed with Roberta D'Antona and Barbara Philbrick as candidates. School Committee members voted in favor of Roberta D'Antona 3 -0 and in favor of Barbara Philbrick 3 -0. In discussion, Susan Cavicchi shared input from the community of support for a newly elected member for this leadership position. George Shannon stated that a newly elected member serves in a leadership position as Chairman of the School Committee, he noted that as Vice Chair, time and experience balance a junior member in a leadership position. A second vote to fill the postion was taken. School Committee members voted in favor of Roberta D'Antona 3 -0 and in favor of Barbara Philbrick 3 -0. For the information of the School Committee, Chairman Cummings noted the clause in Roberts Rules and declared no election. NEW BUSINESS PRINCIPALS' SALARIES Dr. Munnelly recommended that four administrators receive increases on the ratio step to bring them into closer balance with administrators who had been in the system for a longer period of time. He recommended a two ratio point increase for principals Rena Mirkin and Richard Davidson at a value of $814 each, and a one point ratio point increase for assistant principals Robert Quinn and Patrick Schettini at a value of $407 each based on Master's Maximum value. Total amount to be expended from money that has been appropriated for this purpose is $2,442. Chairman Matthew Cummings asked for questions and discusssion. There was no discussion nor were there questions at this time. Barbara Philbrick moved on the Superintendent's recommendation to award a two ratio point increase of $814 to Rena Mirkin and a two ratio point increase of 814 to Richard Davidson, a one ratio point increase of 407 to Pat Schettini and a one point ratio increase of $407 to Bob Quinn for the 1992 -93 school year. The motion carried on a vote of 4 -1. One School Committee member was not present in the Conference Room when the vote was taken. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -7- INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS LEGISLATIVE BUDGET ACTION 20 JULY 1992 Dr. Munnelly announced that the State Budget has been passed by the legislature. The budget contains provisions, if enacted by a vote of the governor, of $100 per pupil or $370,000 for Reading. He noted that in addressing issues of education the Governor may veto part of the budget. The Superintendent affirmed that supporting an override of the Governor's veto is the best decision for education in Reading. He urged the School Committee to give major thought to contacting our state legislators in both the House of Representatives and Senate to support an override of the Governor's actions. Timothy Twomey moved that the School Committee send a letter to representatives in the legislature urging them to vote to override the Governor's veto of $186 million in new State Aid to Education. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The action was decided by School Committee agreement. The community was urged, if in agreement, to also participate by sending their messages to their representatives and senators in favor of a support for override of the Governor's veto. ENCUMBRANCE IN THE 1992 BUDGET Dr. Munnelly informed the Committee that the end -of- the -year closeout has resulted in the ability to encumber funds for a list of priority choices made in discussion with the principals. The previously expected $70,000 has been reduced to $50,000 due to a recent payment of utility bills. The Superintendent has instructed the Finance Department at Town Hall to hold $17,000 to $20,000 in escrow to pay presently encumbered bills. Priority choices include Spanish textbooks for high and middle schools ($2,400), anatomy and physics texts for RMHS ($1,200), uniforms and instruments for the RMHS band ($7,000), elementary school computer equipment update at a total of $10,000. In addition to these items, there is approximately $30,000 in the budget for a high school computer lab of I.B.M.s. In the discussion that followed, Chairman Cummings noted that band uniforms were not included in the motion made at the 6/29/92 meeting as reflected by the minutes. He said his understanding was that $33,000 was for Rediker computer purposes and the balance for textbooks and supplies. The rationale of including band instruments along with instructional equipment was questioned by George Shannon. George Shannon moved to encumber $2,400 for textbooks for high and middle schools, $1,200 for anatomy and physics texts for RMHS and $10,000 for elementary computers. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. There was no further discussion and the motion carried on a vote of 6 -0. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -8- 20 JULY 1992 Susan Cavicchi moved that $7,000 be expended for band uniforms and equipment from the FY92 budget. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. Discussion continued among the Committee members concerning band requirements of students in regard to extracurricular activities. On behalf of the Band Parents, Keith Goodwin requested the School Committee to expend $3,500 to provide instruments for the marching band for this year. He remarked on the Band Parents involvement in recent School Committee meetings and their concern for the upcoming vote. He expressed appreciation if the Committee would find a way to give the needed $3,500. The motion failed on a vote of 2 -4. Barbara Philbrick asked to direct the administration that a list of band instruments needed to accomodate the expected number of students in the band be included with the budget items and priority list at the next meeting so that the School Committee could look at all needs as one package. Roberta D'Antona seconded the motion. In discussion, a question was raised about school department stringed instruments on hand that can be sold to provide funds. Dr. Munnelly informed the Committee there are fifteen to twenty stringed instruments that could possibly bring in $20.00 per instrument. He anticipated income from a turn -in would be minimal. The School Committee voted five in favor and one opposed. A motion was made by George Shannon to adjourn the open meetin and enter into Executive Session for discussion in regard to negotiations with labor unions and non -union contracts. Robin _D'Antona seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 D.m. by a 6 -0 vote of the School Committee as recorded below. Susan Cavicchi Barbara Philbrick Matthew Cummings George Shannon Roberta D'Antona Timothy Twomey J 7."- 1 t�a Su.-Mi t Of 8*4* Secretary To The School Committee