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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-12-14 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES DECEMBER 14, 1992 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Matthew Cummings called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:15 p.m. in the Central Office Conference Room. All members were present with the exception of George Shannon who was expected to arrive later and Student Representative Michael Shannon. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly and Interim Assistant Superintendent Susan Wheltle who also was expected to arrive later. MINUTES There were no minutes for approval. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for Bills was as follows: December 7, 1992 - Bills - $55,304.20 December 14, 1992 - Bills - $34,179.95 The warrant for Payrolls was as follows: December 4, 1992 - Biweekly - $139,932.69 December 14, 1992 - Teachers - $417,926.50 CITIZEN INPUT Timothy Twomey requested an update of the FinCom's review of the School Committee financial statement. Dr. Munnelly replied that the FinCom wants more data and that he will be working with Town Treasurer Richard Foley to identify all expenditures by vendors. FinCom representative Nate White commented that they had completed the Light Department's report this week and hope to be able to complete the School Department's by early next week and they will then report to Town Meeting. Mr. Twomey stated it would be useful if the School Committee could receive a copy of this report in advance of Town Meeting. Chair Cummings answered that he would ask FinCom for the type of report they could provide. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 DECEMBER 14, 1992 SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT STUDENTS OF THE QUARTER The Superintendent congratulated the students who were chosen as the students of the quarter and noted that they are selected by Reading Memorial High School faculty because of their contributions to the excellence and quality of life of the school and its community. The students chosen for the first quarter are: Elizabeth Woods '93 Sean Murphy '93 Kenneth Agneta 195 Donna Iorio '93 Richard DeLong '93 Kerri Kelly '93 Steven Zerfas '93 Jonathan Hurley '93 Karen Dauphinee '93 Nicole Gorgone '93 Peter Losinger '93 Suzanne Foley '94 Sarah Pearson '96 Barbara Hickey '93 Michelle Colella '93 Alsylon Bailey '94 OTHER English Award Social Studies Award Mathematics Award Science Award Foreign Language Award Business Award Technology Education Award Visual Arts Award Music Award Service Award Service Award Leadership Award Physical Education Award Athletics Award SEEM Award Principal's Award Dr. Munnelly stated he recently attended a briefing with the Commissioner of Education who discussed the status of Education Reform. He noted that we will know if the Legis- lature is scheduled to vote on the Reform Bills by December 15th. Ms. Philbrick made comment on the condition of the roads and sidewalks this morning after the week -end snow storm. The Superintendent advised that complaints came into the Central Office from Barrows. He added that there are over 34 miles of sidewalks that children use to walk to school and that he found out this morning that both sidewalk plows had broken down and that he expected one to be repaired later today. Dr. Munnelly explained that he makes decisions about opening schools as he receives information. Chairman Cummings stated that it is time for the School Committee to do the annual report. Dr. Munnelly stated a short version will also appear as a newsletter in the Suburban News in February. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 DECEMBER 14, 1992 NEW BUSINESS POLICY ON SELECTION OF ADMINISTRATORS Steve Rhodes, a member of the Screening Committee for the Assistant Superintendent, spoke in regard to the School Committee's vote (4 -2) to begin the selection process again. He commented that perhaps the 2 members who voted against beginning again felt that, a good candidate had been chosen, and the 4 members who voted in favor of beginning again may have felt a mistake was made and that Dr. Delaney had been wronged. Mr. Rhodes described the amount of time, 60 -80 hours, the Screening Committee spent reviewing 48 dossiers and contended that it would be wrong to begin again. He asked that the School Committee go back to the 6 names given to Dr. Munnelly, and as a Committee welcome Dr. Delaney back into the process. School Committee members noted that it was Mr. Rhodes' opinion that the 4 who voted in favor of beginning again did not necessarily prefer Dr. Delaney, but felt that the principle of proceeding with the public process had been betrayed. Ms. Philbrick stated the process itself was not flawed, but commented she thought that sensitive issues discussed with the Superintendent would be considered confidential. Another member suggested School Committee focus on business/ financial expertise as the major criterion for the position. Mr. Rhodes spoke highly of the finalist Sheldon Berman's business experience. The Chair stated there are two issues, the policy with respect to procedure and the criteria for selection. He added that all candidates should be reviewed on the basis of these qualifications: . primary focus in business . the ability to complement background of the current Superintendent the ability to assist the Superintendent with the responsibility of running an $15,000,000 budget Dr. Munnelly went over the policy CBB, Selection of Principals and Citizen Screening Committee for Administrative Positions. He stated that good business information is being handled well within the Town although it does take an enormous amount of time. He reminded everyone that although he receives lots of support, he is working with a part -time Assistant Superinten- REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 DECEMBER 14, 1992 dent, keeping abreast of education reform, along with the 6 negotiations that are now in development, supplying information to the School Community when they want it, as well as being responsive to the community. The Superintendent also stated he speaks in openness unless told otherwise that the conversation is to be kept private. Reading Memorial High School Principal and Screening Committee member Rena Mirkin remarked on some of the questions asked of the candidates. She replied that they centered on working with the staff, communicating with the community, working within the schools frequently, and promoting curriculum and professional development, being an advocate for the schools and a liaison for the faculty. A School Committee member suggested that there are three options to choose from: . Vote on the Superintendent's recommendation . Extend an invitation to Dr. Delaney . Reopen the search While addressing the policy first to see if modifications needed to be made, the question of whether it was a conflict of interest to have a member of the School Committee on the Search Committee was raised. Timothy Twomey moved to change the policy to eliminate a School Committee member on the Search Committee and to have the Superintendent designate a School Committee member as a resource person. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. Discussion followed on the role of members of the Search Committee. The vote was 5 -1. Timothy Twomey moved to have the membership of the Selection Committee appointed solely by the Superintendent. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Barbara Philbrick moved to add 3 citizens, 2 faculty, 1 administrator, and 2 parents to the Search Committee. George Shannon seconded the motion. Discussion followed regarding having an even number of members on the committee. Barbara Philbrick and George Shannon withdrew their motion. Timothy Twomey moved to replace the existing screening sequence, by requiring School Committee to take a vote on selection criteria before discussing the criteria in an open hearing. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. Modifying the criteria /profile of the position was the discussion that followed. The vote was 5 in favor and 1 uncommitted. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 DECEMBER 14, 1992 The Chair suggested that we proceed with the new draft in writing and go forward for a first vote of the policy at the next meeting on December 21st. OLD BUSINESS BUDGET FY '94 Dr. Munnelly introduced the members that were present from the Capital Budget Subcommittee of FinCom, Chairman Jim Keighley, Mark Uger and Victor Petrie, who began discussion on the priorities of the Capital Outlay Plan that the Superintendent had prepared. Chairman Cummings asked for their guidance and intentions on how they should proceed. Mr. Keighley stated a tax supported debt target needs to be established. They will be recommending priorities over the next 5 years and will know this information by June 1, 1993. He understands the many needs of the schools and mentioned that he was impressed with the portables. The subcommittee will be addressing the money situation with an annual report to help the public realize the need for an override. School Committee members stated that the Capital Budget Subcommittee's report should stress safety priorities as opposed to cosmetics. Dr. Munnelly expressed appreciation to the subcommittee members for their efforts to convey the needs of the capital expenses to every taxpayer in Town. VISITOR Reading Memorial High School Principal Rena Mirkin explained class sizes noting that the totals are for the year as opposed to each semester. Ms. Mirkin added that they are presently working on course selection and will review choices with guidance counselors before setting up a master board to fit into the master grid. She advised School Committee it is by design that schedules are not given out to students until the first day of school. The Principal stated that they are looking into strategies that might motivate students, who are capable, from a Level 3 to a Level 2, thus enabling combined Level 2 and 3 classes. Dr. Munnelly advised that Reading Memorial High School staff is finishing their own self evaluation for the NEASC and will then be able to talk in the spring about budget implications. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 Mr. Shannon asked Ms. Mirkin Orbit that would give citizens classes. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS DECEMBER 14, 1992 to publish an article in the information about consolidating REPORT OF SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE Dr. Munnelly introduced members of the School Building Project Rodger Sanstad, Dan Ensminger and School Committee member Roberta D'Antona who addressed the draft for the timeline for the school building project. Requirements, in the December draft the Committee intends to: Review the population data . Determine the extent of the permanent additions necessary Review the educational needs assessment of the Eaton and Birch Meadow Schools . Begin to develop plans according to the population distribution, projections, and needs assessments Begin architect selection process for the Parker Middle School project Meet with the SBAB Mr. Ensminger presented an overhead of the summary of Reading school enrollment projections for 1993 -2003, noting that student counts /projections do not include METCO or SEEM students and bussed students are counted by place of residence, not by place of attendance. He advised that the projected range of increase for grades K -5 over the current school year (1992 -93) will be 113 in 1995 -96 and 140 in 2002- 03. Also included in this projection are the two middle schools that are presently at 780 and which will increase to 1015 in 1998 -99. At the high school the population will rise from the present enrollment of 960 to 1237 in 2002 -03. The present total for grades K -12 is 3560; this number will peak to 4135 in 2002 -03, an increase in the enrollment by 575 students. Ms. D'Antona advised that the School Building members have been looking at how needs can be balanced with funds to give direction to the architect. By staying on schedule the committee will be ready to make a presentation at Town Meeting in April, she noted. Ms. D'Antona stated that Reading will be in the queue and that funding will come later. Reading will be able to stay on the constructing schedule by using Bond Anticipation Notes (BANS). Dr. Munnelly stated we can start construction after the Board of Education approves construction. The anticipated construction would start in September 1993 with anticipated completion of additional classrooms in August 1994, even if REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 DECEMBER 14, 1992 Ms. D'Antona presented the following recommendations that were adopted by the School Building Committee and passed on to the architect for consideration/ incorporation into the building project plans: BIRCH MEADOW - Increase the number of classrooms from the present 17 + 1 Resource Room to 17 + 3 permanent classrooms in addition to 2 portables that may be added for the 1993 -94 school year. JOSHUA EATON - Increase the number of classrooms from 17 to 22. This would require the addition of 3 permanent classrooms and would assume that the 2 portable classrooms would continue to be utilized. Ms. D'Antona added that it is assumed in both recommendations that necessary space for Media Center, health, Special Educa- tion etc. will also be considered during the process of the development of the plans and may be added accordingly. Ms. D'Antona advised that the committee has begun advertising for an architect for Parker so an outline of the proposal for Parker Middle School can be made. She stated when we get to Town Meeting we can proceed with the elementary issues in conjunction with the middle school renovations. She noted the key factors of the Parker renovation are the cost and disruption to students. Dr. Munnelly added direction needs to be given to the architect early. Mr. Sanstad advised as far as the Parker project goes - all that has been done is to identify the problems. He stated if it is more economical to rebuild Parker then it can be done in July and August. He noted he has had good cooperation with the Department of Education, the Town Manager and School Administration. Ms. D'Antona reiterated that no one has ever doubted the needs. Chair Cummings thanked the School Building members for their report. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES ADJOURNMENT DECEMBER 14, 1992 At 11.55 p.m. Roberta D'Antona moved to adjourn from regular session to executive session for the purpose of discussing bargaining and negotiations. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Susan Cavicchi Matthew Cummings Roberta D'Antona Barbara Philbrick George Shannon Timothy Twomey