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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-06-01 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES JUNE 1, 1992 OPEN HEARING CALL TO ORDER Chair Barbara Philbrick called the open hearing meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:18 p.m. in the Reading Memorial High School Lecture Hall. All members were present with the exception of Student Representative Carrie Bither. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak and a reporter from the Chronicle. Approximately thirty citizens were present. HEARING ON HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Dr. Munnelly began the hearing by reading the introduction of the Reading Memorial High School Draft IKF Graduation Require- ments Policy. Stating that we envision youngsters growing up with strong minds, lifelong learning skills, competencies, and healthy drug free bodies prepared to successfully meet challenges. Dr. Munnelly also stated that School Committee will listen to members of the audience regarding both the Graduation Requirement Policy and the Fund Raising Policy and will come back with revised policies within the next few weeks. Citizens first addressed the Graduation Requirements. Some of the comments were as follows: .If it is not required to "pass" a course then it is not really a course .A parent questioned if a student's Computer Literacy Competency performance will be tested for the first time with the graduating class of 1995. .Heather McDonald, RMHS Class of '95 stated that the Computer Literacy Competency testing should begin with the incoming Class of 196. .Guidance Counselor Jane Darveau stated that she meets monthly with the Middlesex Guidance Directors and they have stated if a course is required then it definitely has to be passed as opposed to enrolled. .Chair Philbrick advised that Reading Memorial High School parents have become aware that students do not have to "pass" some of the requirements. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 JUNE 1, 1992 .Parents expressed concern if a Freshman /Sophomore student takes a required Fine Arts course that it would be unfair if they are told as a Junior that it is no longer a requirement. .Chair Philbrick stated that fiscal restraints have be- come a definite consideration as to the implementation of computer courses. .Vice -Chair Shannon shared that some students reported disruption in the Fine Arts classes by uninterested students. .Jane Darveau answered questions regarding how many juniors have completed the Fine Art's requirement. .A School Committee member asked if key boarding could be clarified as part of the computer literacy course. .Assistant Superintendent Bak shared that Principal Mirkin is in the process of developing other Fine Arts courses. .Dr. Munnelly addressed the reasons for encouraging the Fine Art's requirement, stating it would be able preparation for students to expand their growth. .Another citizen asked if courses could be reevaluated and restructured so Fine Art courses could continue. .A School Committee member stated a student had shared it would be beneficial if the ability to deliver the requirements without it being at the expense of something else. .A question was raised about a waiver process. .Dr. Munnelly advised that if there was a waiver process the Principal could give a waiver depending on each individual student's circumstance. .School Committee members stated that if courses are not broadened then it will be difficult for students to com- plete the Fine Art requirement. .Jane Darveau advised that several students were not choosing their Fine Art requirements pending School Com- mittee decision. .Ms. Bak shared that presently there are 15 Fine Art course selections. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 JUNE 1, 1992 .A parent offered that outside involvement in a Fine Arts requirement should be considered as an alternative to completing the requirement. .School Committee stated increases in population, with fewer teachers will continue as a fiscal needs problem. HEARING ON FUND RAISING POLICY At 8:30 p.m. the Superintendent addressed the Fund Raising policy. Chair Philbrick stated the school's PTO's, Band Parents, Boosters and Understanding Handicaps have become more active with raising funds. President of the Reading Boosters Jim Murphy stated the Athletic Director, School Committee and the Superintendent have always been cooperative. He added that if a group decides to run a function then that should be their fund raiser. He continued by saying parties should first get permission from the Principal so their fund raiser does not clash with other groups. Barbara Philbrick advised restriction of door to door solicitation. An audience member stated School Committee should be as lenient as possible. Another parent added door to door safety protection measures for students were with the supervision of an adult. Ms. Philbrick stated the present policy restricting door to door campaigning was to protect home owners from being inundated by several groups. One School Committee member suggested home owners post no solicitation signs. An Eaton parent remarked on a fund raiser that discouraged door to door solicitation but offered prizes that in a round about way encouraged students to go door to door. School Committee members questioned having incentives for kids. A high school teacher, who is also a parent of students in Reading, encouraged children selling within their own family group and to keep the policy as it is now. A music parent stated each fund raiser should be evaluated first. Another Reading citizen praised parents for the time and effort they gave to fund raising. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 JUNE 1, 1992 A parent suggested that each group have a copy of the policy. Concern was expressed from School Committee members regarding the involvement of Kindergartners in fund raising and they also discouraged offering prizes and other incentives. At 9:45 p.m. the School Committee proceeded with the regular meeting agenda. ROUTINE MATTERS MARY WILLIAMS RECOGNITION Chair Philbrick recognized former School Committee member Mary Williams and for her years of School Committee service presented her with an appreciation plaque and certificate. Dr. Munnelly presented Ms. Williams with a hanging plant and a sweatshirt marking Reading's 350th anniversary. Ms. Williams thanked the School Committee and the Administration for their thoughtfulness. MINUTES George Shannon moved to approve the minutes of May 4 and May 11, 1992. Roberta D'Antona seconded the motion. Matthew Cummings pointed out changes and corrections in the May 11th minutes. These corrections were noted. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for bills was as follows: May 11, 1992 - Bills - $24,202.89 May 18, 1992 - Bills - $88,529.89 May 26, 1992 - Bills - $124,412.55 The warrant for payrolls was as follows: May 15, 1992 - Teachers - $417,373.15 May 29, 1992 - Teachers - $423.173.29 May 8, 1992 - Biweekly - $102,238.05 May 22, 1992 - Biweekly - $105,767.55 CITIZEN INPUT There was no Citizen Input. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 JUNE 1, 1992 PERSONNEL REAPPOINTMENT OF NON - TENURE TEACHERS On the recommendation of the Administration, George Shannon moved to award the non - tenured teachers for reappointment for the 1992 -93 school year on the contract levels as described on enclosure C -1. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. Discussion followed regarding if monies are not funded by the State will School Committee have to go back into the list. Dr. Munnelly stated at that point we would be in contract with these teachers. The Superintendent advised School Committee that it appears that the State will be level funding communities. The vote was 5 in favor and 1 abstention. REAPPOINTMENT OF NURSE On the recommendation of the Administration, Sue Cavicchi moved to award Mary Malloy on the Nurses Rate, Step two for one year at Barrows and Eaton. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. LEAVE OF ABSENCE On the recommendation of the Administration, Timothy Twome moved to grant Reading Memorial High School Science teacher Carol Galvin a Child Rearing Leave Of Absence beginning September 8, 1992 to November 13, 1992. Roberta D'Antona seconded the motion. Discussion followed with members being advised that Ms. Galvin's science classes are all sophomores. The vote was 5 to 1. RESIGNATIONS On the recommendation of the Administration, George Shannon moved with regret to accept the Director of Art Susan Wheltle's resignation for the purpose of pursuing her doctoral program; Reading Memorial High School English teacher Wendell Hodgkins resignation for the purpose of retirement and Birch Meadow Grade 2 teacher Meredith BenferIs resignation effective at the end of the 1992 -93 school year. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 JUNE 1 1992 On the recommendation of the Administration, George Shannon moved to accept the resignation of cafeteria worker, Phyllis Winkler. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion The vote was unanimous. School Committee members wished all of the people resigning their best wishes. OLD BUSINESS BUDGET FY 93 Chair Philbrick advised that the Town had passed the School Committee budget and that Town Meeting had added $2, 100 to the school's budget. School Committee members decided to address this amount at a future date. Chair Philbrick advised School Committee members that if they have more questions on either the Graduation Requirement or Fund Raising Policies that they get this information to Dr. Munnelly by Wednesday of this week. School Committee requested more information in respect to Computer Competency. NEW BUSINESS RECONSIDERING OF ISSUE OF PRAYERS AT GRADUATION Dr. Munnelly questioned School Committee members about what would happen if they decided to have prayer at graduation. A School Committee member shared that since we are included in the jurisdiction of the First Circuit Federal Court we could have an injunction put on us if we defied this ban. Dr. Munnelly relayed that in conjunction with the local churches the class of 1992 hope to start a new tradition and have a Baccalaureate Service. This would offer every class member a time to worship to mark the milestone of graduation in their lives. He emphasized that this exercise would be 100% voluntary. George Shannon moved to introduce prayer back into Readina's graduation exercise. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion Discussion continued regarding the appropriateness of responding to this issue. The vote did not pass with Matthew Cummings, George Shannon and Barbara Philbrick voting in favor and Roberta D'Antona, Timothy Twomey and Susan Cavicchi votino in the negative. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 JUNE 1, 1992 CHANGING STARTING TIME FOR BIRCH MEADOW KINDERGARTEN George Shannon moved to direct the Administration to begin one Birch Meadow kindergarten class to start school at 8:10 a.m. Susan Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 5 to 1. MIDDLE SCHOOL REDISTRICTING Dr. Munnelly shared the November 1990 enrollment projections for the middle schools. The Superintendent noted that 170 sixth grade students are expected for September 1992 with six academic teams in the grade at Coolidge, the average class sizes in English and Reading would be 28. The Superintendent stated Middle School Principals have proposed a modest redistricting of fourteen students who would have gone to Coolidge in the past, and would mean these 14 students now would go to Parker for all three years. The Principals have suggested that these students in the area bounded by Salem, Harnden, Pleasant, and Eaton streets would be permanently assigned to Parker or that a full -time tutor who could help with instruction, meet youngsters, and correct assignments would cost $13,000. Discussion followed with a suggestion for spot rezoning that would keep students as a family unit in the school. Matthew Cummings moved to accept the Administration's recommendation to redistrict the Coolidge Middle School district for 14 students to attend Parker Middle School for three years. Roberta D'Antona seconded the motion. Discussion continued with School Committee raising some of the following issues: Time should be given to parents to ask questions Has there been any discussion with parents Although not finding the choices acceptable would go along with spot redistricting Chair Philbrick stated an open hearing would be ideal but because time is of the essence would support this one time spot redistricting. The motion passed 4 in favor with Timothy Twomey and Susan Cavicchi opposed. CAFETERIA PROGRAMMING CERTIFICATION On the recommendation of the Administration, Susan Cavicchi moved to approve the program for direct certification welfare data to certify national school lunch eligibility. Matthew Cumminos seconded the motion. The vote was five in favor. Mr. Twomey was not present for this vote. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 8 JUNE 1, 1992 INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS TELECOMMUNICATION SATELLITE PROPOSAL The Superintendent shared that the State Educational Television Commission (Learnpike) has received a grant in furtherance of their Satellite Telecommunications approach from the federal Star Schools Act. He stated that they will provide $20,000 worth of telecommunications equipment including linking telecommunication units and master reception equipment to one school in our district if we contribute about $2,600 of the installation costs and if we sign on to use the Learnpike programs for three years at a cost of $1,000 per year. The Superintendent stated we will be part of a network of distance learning which may bring many events and learning opportunities by satellite from around the globe. Dr. Munnelly added that Arnold Berger has agreed to fund the installation costs as part of his generous personal commitment to keep our schools educational telecommunications up -to -date. George Shannon moved to direct the Administration to enter into the Massachusetts Learnpike Satellite Network of the Massachusetts Corporation for Educational Telecommunications and to accept and thank Arnold Berger's donation to fund the installation costs. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. Discussion continued with School Committee members suggesting that we let Mr. Berger know we appreciate his generous offer but we do not find it necessary at this time. George Shannon moved to direct the Administration to expend funds to enter into the Massachusetts Learnpike and to thank Mr. Berger for his generous offer. Roberta D'Antona seconded the motion. Discussion continue and all School Committee members expressed their thankfulness to Mr. Berger. The vote was 5 to 1. ADJOURN At 11:45 p.m. Timothy Twomey moved to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of updating union information and strategies. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.