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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-12-07 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES DECEMBER 7, 1992 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Matthew Cummings called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:08 p.m. in the Central Office Conference Room. All members were present. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Interim Assistant Superintendent Susan Wheltle, School Committee Liaison from the Board of Selectmen Sally Hoyt, School Committee Liaison from the Finance Committee Nathan White, Student Representative Michael Shannon, and a reporter from the Chronicle. MINUTES Georae Shannon moved to approve the minutes from the November 23, 1992 and the Open Hearing of December 2, 1992. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous for the November 23, 1992 meeting and for the December 2, 1992 Open Hearinq it was 5 in favor with 1 abstention. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for Bills was as follows: November 30, 1992 - Bills - The warrant for Payrolls was as follows: November 27, 1992 CITIZEN INPUT There was no citizen input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT NORTHEAST CONSORTIUM Teachers $98,974.16 $486,280.42 Dr. Munnelly stated several of Reading's Professional Staff will be active in leadership roles this spring at the Northeast Consortium. They include: Susan Wheltle, Interim Assistant Superintendent; Michael Harney, Photography Teacher; Patrick Schettini and Robert Quinn, Assistant Principals; and David Brett, Business Education Teacher. NORTH SUBURBAN ART EXHIBIT The Superintendent congratulated the forty -two of Reading's Secondary Art Students whose work was shown at the North REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 DECEMBER 7, 1992 Suburban Art Exhibit at the Boston Technology Building in Wakefield on November 6, 7, and 8. Several of Reading Memorial High School students received awards - Sandra Cyr for an acrylic painting and Christine Jesser, Mike Tremberth, Liz Pherson and Shannon Rogan for sculpture. Dr. Munnelly related that our student participation in this show was organized by High School Art Teacher Peter Wood, who has done this for many years, and this year he was assisted by William Endslow and Lois Harkless from the Middle Schools and Jeannie Donovan and Mike Harney from the High School. GRANT AWARD FOR HIGH SCHOOL CRISIS TEAM Dr. Munnelly reported that the Department of Education has awarded a competitive Drug Free Schools Discretionary Grant to Reading Memorial High School. He advised that the staff from the Center for Addictive Behaviors will train a student assistance team to complement, the existing high school crisis team for early intervention in the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse with the awarded $4,096 Grant monies. The Superintendent thanked Jane Fiore from the Health Department, Principal Rena Mirkin, and Interim Assistant Superintendent Susan Wheltle for developing this proposal. PERSONNEL Dr. Munnelly stated that he would recommend a candidate for the position of Assistant Superintendent. Chairman Cummings commented that he had some concerns after interviewing the three finalists and felt that none of them fit the profile of what the school system needs today, and stated he believed that hiring for the sake of process or out of desperation is not in the best interest of the community. He stated that even though the Screening Committee did a sterling job. He suggested that the process be done again and to look for a candidate who would complement the background of the Superintendent in the areas of operations and finances. The issue of a two School Committee members having private conversations with the Superintendent was raised again. Mr. Shannon insisted that nothing was violated in the process. Mrs. D'Antona claimed that when members spoke to the Superintendent in private, it violated the ethical code as stated in the Massachusetts Association of School Committees handbook. Dr. Munnelly added there had been opportunities this summer for the School Committee or citizens to discuss the criteria for the new Assistant Superintendent. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 DECEMBER 7, 19.92 Timothy Twomey moved to reopen the search process before moving forward with the Superintendent's nomination for Assistant Superintendent. Roberta D'Antona seconded the motion. Discussion followed with Dr. Munnelly noting the time and effort the Screening Committee invested in framing questions for interviews. The Superintendent regretted the events in the process that lead up to Dr. Delaney's withdrawal. Dr. Munnelly advised that he was ready to bring his recommendation before the School Committee tonight. His recommendation was Sheldon Berman of Concord. The vote f or the motion on the f loor was 4 in favor and 2 opposed. Dr. Munnelly advised that discussion regarding this issue would continue at the next School Committee meeting. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business. NEW BUSINESS WAIVER FEE FOR BOOSTERS' FUNDRAISER George Shannon moved to waive the rental fee of the Hawkes Field House at the High School on April 3, 1993 for the Reading Boosters Club to hold a craft show. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. BUDGET FY94 The Superintendent outlined the enclosures for the Budget FY94 as follows: Student Enrollment Projections Dr. Munnelly made the comparison of student enrollments in the elementary, middle schools, high school, and special education area for FY92, FY93 and projected numbers for FY94. He pointed out that we are in a growing school system. Capital Outlay Plan 1992 -97 Dr. Munnelly explained the enclosed draft dated December 4, 1992 for 1992 -97 from the Townwide Capital Outlay Plan and from the School Operating Budget. He asked for town fathers support bonding of some of these items. Dr. Munnelly noted that the Town Manager has to have this information by early January. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 DECEMBER 7, 1992 He added that 5 of the 7 schools have been toured by town fathers and would like to have Chairman of the Capital Budget Subcommittee of the FinCom, Jim Keighley, come meet with us. Chairman Cummings added it would be helpful for any member of the Capital Improvement Committee to come to the next School Committee meeting. FY93 SPECIAL EDUCATION ESTIMATED TUITION AND SUMMER SCHOOL COSTS Dr. Munnelly reported on the FY93 Special Education estimated tuition and summer school costs as related to him by Dr. Alexanian's memo of November 1, 1992. He stated that the FY93 budget indicates that $690,329 is budgeted for public and private tuition placements and that the estimated expenditures (private school placements, and collaborative programs, and SEEM Collaborative costs) come to $669,986.. This leaves an estimated balance of $20,343 available for new placements. Chairman Cummings asked about the summer programs and services. Dr. Munnelly replied that Individual Education Plans (IEP) may indicate that special education continue throughout the summer and that the pre - school summer program has provided the school system with a very inexpensive alternative for young children who require summer programming. He added that the Department of Social Services sometimes assigns a summer program for students who have drug /alcohol problems. ENROLLMENT FIGURES INCLUDING METCO STUDENTS The Superintendent noted that there are 81 METCO students throughout the Reading Public Schools. He discussed the numbers in each school, noting that some schools have higher numbers of METCO students. CLASS SIZE Dr. Munnelly stated that METCO students are placed so that no additional classes are required. He discussed the class size reports from Parker and the larger class sizes from Coolidge Middle School and the average class size by departments at Reading Memorial High School. The Superintendent pointed out class sections at the high school with small enrollments and informed School Committee that Principal Mirkin will join us at a later date to provide information to help the School Committee determine if small classes are necessary. Decisions on whether Reading Memorial High School should be an academic high school or a comprehen- sive high school need to be discussed further. He proceeded REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 DECEMBER 7, 1992 to advise School Committee about the process of scheduling students at the high school. Dr. Munnelly stated that Principals are working with Dan Ensminger's new enrollment figures for space needs. The Superintendent concluded that other issues to think about along with adding portables would be the additional expense of furniture and staffing. BUDGET FOR NEASC EVALUATION Superintendent Munnelly outlined the budget for the NEASC Evaluation that itemized the following: I. Visiting Committee . Accommodations and Meals . Travel Expenses . Lunches . Refreshments . Welcoming Dinner II. Clerical Expenses . Self - Evaluation Typing . Supplies . Typing for the Visiting . Final Report III. Chairman's Expenses . Travel Clerical IV. Other Expenses . Postage . Workshop for Compilation Miscellaneous TOTAL SCHOOL NEEDS $3364.00 562.00 135.00 450.00 1500.00 2000.00 500.00 Committee 1500.00 100.00 150.00 500.00 100.00 of the Report 500.00 300.00 $11,661.00 Dr. Munnelly presented the individual budget documents from schools. He noted that the reports of school needs reflect five years' budget reductions during which the orderly process of acquiring equipment and repairing the buildings and equipment has been postponed. This has created a huge backlog of unmet needs. The Superintendent stated that Reading's youngsters are not well- served by a school district which cannot provide sufficient resources for high -grade education. Chairman Cummings requested a list of all copiers /riso- graphs /LCD electronic projectors /and overheads and their locations throughout the schools. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 DECEMBER 7, 1992 OTHER Dr. Munnelly noted that the Town fathers reminded him that we must add a fifty -third week of salary this year for secretaries and custodians who work a full year. School Committee requested a more standardized budget to review at the next budget presentation. They also raised the legality of the music position being partially parent- funded. Dr. Munnelly explained that he had received a letter from the State Department of Education on the ruling and advised that voluntary payment is legal. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS CONSOLIDATION OF RECREATION AND SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAMS The Superintendent began discussion of the possible consolidation of the recreation and summer school programs through hiring a joint supervisor and listed the advantages as well as the disadvantages. He noted one of the disadvantages was that in the past the part -time summer school director position was filled by a Reading teacher. Because this proposal creates a more extensive psoition, a full -time teacher could not handle it in addition to teaching. Board of Selectmen representative Sally Hoyt stated that the Board approved the merger. Chairman of the Recreation Committee Joseph Giordano reviewed two models of this type of consolidation - Medford and Winchester. He advised that the secretary for the merged programs is not paid from the revolving account. Discussion between School Committee members continued with members noting that the self- supporting summer school program has been well accepted by students and parents; that this commitment to a merged position is for a two year trial basis; that all decisions will be made by the Town Manager and that the School Committee would have limited input. Dr. Munnelly advised that he would work with the Town Manager to make sure the same standards the Summer Program has been run on would carry over into the consolidated program. Chairman Cummings questioned if there would be a conflict if the teaching positions being given to Reading teachers. Dr. Munnelly stated he would check into this with the Town Manager and suggested holding on this issue until he has more feedback. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 DECEMBER 7, 1992 RESOLUTION OF PEACE DIVIDEND After School Committee reviewed the wording on Enclosure F -1 from the American Association of School Administrators whose goal is to present to Congress and the White House in January a resolution entitled "Reinvest in America ", their consensus of opinion was to pass. FORUM ON SCHOOL CHOICE Dr. Munnelly advised that Dr. Piedad Robertson, Secretary of Education, has accepted the School Committee's invitation transmitted by Rob Krekorian to be the featured presenter at Reading's Open Forum on School Choice on December 16, 1992 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lecture Hall at Reading Memorial High School. He added that members of the audience will be invited to make comment or pose questions afterwards. ADJOURNMENT At 10.45 p.m. George Shannon moved to adjourn. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Susan Cavicchi Matthew Cummings Roberta D'Antona Barbara Philbrick George Shannon Timothy Twomey R pectfullY Submitted^ Robert I unneny, Ed. . Superintendent Of Schools �prretary To The School Committee