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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-01-21 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts i SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES JANUARY 21, 1992 CALL TO ORDER Chair Barbara Philbrick called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:08 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present with the exception of Stanley Nissen, who was expected to arrive later. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak and a reporter from the Chronicle. MINUTES Mary Williams moved to approve the minutes of January 6, 1992. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. There was discussion re- garding the student fee for extra - curricular activities and the correction was acknowledged. The vote was unanimous. George Shannon moved to approve the Budget Hearing minutes of January 13, 1992. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for Bills was as follows: January 21, 1992 Bills $119,051.00 The warrant for Payrolls was as follows: January 10, 1992 Teachers $427,911.81 January 17, 1992 Biweekly $104,996.52 CITIZEN INPUT There was no citizen input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly reported that he and School Committee Chair Barbara Philbrick have reviewed the FY93 School Budget with the Town Manager, the Chairmen of the Finance Committee and the Selectmen. The Superintendent noted that the Governor's budget would be in place for discussion next week and that it was too early for School Committee to make adjustments on the FY93 School Budget at this meeting. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 JANUARY 21, 1992 Dr. Munnelly stated that a meeting with all of the Boards has been scheduled for January 27, 1992 at 4:30 p.m. Chair Philbrick requested that Matthew Cummings be allowed to leave School Committee meeting to attend the Selectmen's meeting now in progress. Ms. Philbrick also excused herself to attend to personal business and stated she would return shortly. The meeting was turned over to George Shannon, Vice Chair. EVALUATION REPORT: HEALTH EDUCATION CURRICULUM REVIEW The Superintendent complimented members of the K -12 Health Curriculum Evaluation Committee for the fine written report they were about to present. In providing a history of the Health Evaluation process, Assistant Superintendent Lynn Bak informed the School Committee that a comprehensive plan for health education was last formalized in 1982. Health related activities have been updated since and pro- vided through such vehicles as the Substance Abuse Grant Program, the Understanding Handicaps Program, and the AIDS education pro- gram that was initiated in 1989. Ms. Bak then introduced staff members who had prepared the evalu- ation: Director of Health and Physical Education, K -12, Marc Alterio; Reading Memorial High School Health and Physical Educa- tion Instructors, Ted Bryson and Nels Nelson; and Chairperson of the Elementary and Physical Education Curriculum Committee, Virginia Quinn. Ms. Bak also thanked Coolidge Middle School Physical Education Instructor, Walter Fitzgerald who was unable to be present this evening. Nels Nelson began discussion on the Health Curriculum Evaluation's Philosophy. Mr. Nelson shared that health education in Reading will enable students to take more responsibility for their own health and that integrating instructional units in a variety of subject areas promotes the physical and well -being of all of our students. Mr. Nelson outlined the goals of Reading's health and wellness program as follows: Goal 1 To enhance the physical and emotional well -being of our students by: exposing students to the need for good nutrition, appro- priate recreation, adequate rest, and an appreciation for optimum health and health practices; and REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 . provide students with skills process which assist in the self- image, an understanding assist them in understanding health behaviors. JANUARY 21, 1992 in the decision - making 3evelopment of a positive of feelings and emotions and the consequences of their Goal 2 To educate students in the areas of substance - awareness and abuse through: increasing knowledge of the use and effects of substances, and . strengthening the student's abilities to exercise proper decision- making techniques. Goal 3 To provide for the acquisition of knowledge regarding personal and public health issues and concerns by: . promoting an understanding of the body and its functions, . developing and understanding current health issues and behaviors, and exploring the functions and roles of families, friendships and relationships in an ever- changing society. Mr. Nelson continued by explaining that health topics are inte- grated into the elementary curriculum by the classroom teacher, and in the middle schools the focus of health education centers around physical education and the subject disciplines of science, home economics and social studies. Mr. Nelson added that health education at the high school is taught formally in the ninth grade by two health educators in the Decisions course and infusion type instructional activities take place at all grade levels in physical education, science and social studies. Regarding the evaluation of the program, Ted Bryson then shared results of a health survey distributed to Reading's students. Mr. Bryson noted that a health concept was considered achieved if the questions pertaining to the concept were answered correctly by 75% or more of the students. He added that each grade answered appro- priate survey questions regarding nutrition, health practices, decision - making, substance awareness and abuse, body and functions, current health issues, and family, friends, and relationships. Mr. Bryson stated that another survey was administered to the professional staff to ascertain the amount of preservice and in- service training teachers had in health education and their level of confidence in teaching health education. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 JANUARY 21, 1992 Mr. Bryson also shared the results of a community survey that asked members to respond to the 10 identified areas of the health education curriculum being proposed K -12: • mental health • substance awareness • disease and disorders • growth and development • family life education • safety • first aid • injury prevention, and • environmental health. Ginny Quinn then presented the Commendations for the K -12 health program as follows: Emphasizing holistic health and wellness - Physical Best/ Health Related Physical Education K -12 Implementation of the AIDS Curriculum /Education Programs Grades 3 -12 Intensive Teacher Training offered for the implementation of the Substance Abuse Program through the State funded grant. . Effectiveness of the Student Peer Leaders Program Presence of the Understanding Handicaps Program for Grades 3 -4 Attention dedicated to planning Health Focus Weeks for Grades 6 -8 The Proactive approach taken in the Grade 9 Decisions Course . Planning and providing of Student Health Fairs Grades 9 -12 Leadership and professionalism of the Physical Education Staff in recognition of the teaching of health and wellness. Ms. Quinn also noted the Concerns that were identified with the program: STUDENTS CONCERNS: Perceptions and /or knowledge related to: nutrition for students in grades 3, 4 & 11 substance awareness in grades 3, 6, 7 & 8 safety for grades 6 -8 Alarmingly high percentage of high school students show acceptance of risky behaviors relative to: sexual activity drugs and alcohol REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 JANUARY 21, 1992 STAFF CONCERNS: Limited teacher training in comprehensive, in -depth health related topics. No specifically identified providers for instruction in the district. GENERAL CONCERNS: . Lack of a sequential, comprehensive health education curriculum and evaluation, K -12. . Public perception of the importance of health education. . Lack of resources to provide health curriculum to students The negative impact that the media has had in influencing behavior or our young adults. Ms. Quinn continued outlining the committee's Recommendations that included increased curricular emphasis on nutrition, substance awareness, sexuality and safety and the development and implemen- tation of a sequential, comprehensive health education curriculum K -12. Marc Alterio concluded the Health Curriculum Evaluation discussion with Future Directions as follows: To establish a health education program K -12 that focuses on prevention vs intervention approaches to teaching. To ensure that periodic evaluation of the health education curriculum takes place to ensure concept validity. . Our efforts regarding prevention vs intervention must be re- doubled. Grade level presentations and instructional strategies that promote positive lifestyle issues must be effectively pre- sented and updated. Research has shown that today's American students regularly face a number of serious health problems: o At least one -third of our youth already exhibit at least one of the prime risk factors for heart disease. o The incidence of obesity among teens has increased 39% yet the incidence of anorexia nervosa has doubled. o Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15 -24 year olds. o Of the 29 million adolescents over age 12, about 12 million are sexually active. o 75% of all sexually transmitted diseases are found in the 15 -24 age group. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 JANUARY 21, 1992 o 25% of young people between the ages of 12 and 17 have a serious drinking problem. „w o More than 50% of student deaths are related to drugs and alcohol. o Two- thirds of all students have used illegal drugs before they leave high school. o Both drugs and sexual activity place adolescents at greater risk for developing AIDS and other STDs. Mr. Alterio concluded by stating a health education program, that by design, promotes health and prevents illness will assist our students in reducing illness and time spent away from school, reduce teenage pregnancy, adopt health promoting behaviors, in- crease physical and mental fitness, reduce student smoking and redirect the incidence of drug and alcohol abuse. Assistant Superintendent Bak informed the School Committee that a K -12 scope and sequence of areas and concepts will be formalized by years end with an eye toward implementation in the next school year. Ms. Bak noted that teachers will require inservice educa- tion which at this time will be difficult to provide in light of budget restraints. Ms. Bak thanked all who participated in the Health Evaluation, in- cluding Health Consultants Pat Degon and Lily Hsu, and the Elemen- tary Curriculum Committee. School Committee complimented presenters for a very comprehensive report and noted the biggest challenge will be how to do more with less. VISITORS: ICE RINK SITING COMMISSION A member of the Ice Rink Committee briefed the School Committee on the three sites the group are considering for a skating arena. They included the Nike Site, Birch Meadow Park and the Batchelder Field. Discussion focussed on the Birch Meadow Park area with a map out- lining the location adjacent to the Field House. The Superintendent asked if the Ice Rink Committee had given any consideration to the amount of traffic in the Field House and High School area, both during a normal day use as well as during an event. "Parking and traffic flow on the school site are critical to the feasibility of the site," he noted. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 JANUARY 21, 1992 School Committee members expressed concern for parking in this area and requested information on the criteria of other sites being con- sidered. Stanley Nissen moved to go on record to convey to the Board of Selectmen and the Ice Rink Site Commission that the School Committee is opposed to the Birch Meadow site. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. PERSONNEL ACTION There was no Personnel Action. A brief recess was held at this time. OLD BUSINESS BUDGET FY1993 Stanley Nissen moved to adopt the budget as presented for FY93 dated 1/6/92 with the reduction amount of $1,083,520 to reach the FinCom Taraet Budaet figure of $13,745,427. George Shannon seconded the motion. Discussion continued regarding if figures need to be changed, adjustments will be made. The vote was unanimous. Dr. Munnelly went through the six areas of the budget; Administra- tion, Regular Day, Special Education, Other Services, Athletics, and Custodian /Maintenance that included back up information for each area. Stan Nissen moved to adopt the draft of the 1992 -97 Capital Outlay Budget Plan. Mary Williams seconded the motion. Dr. Munnelly dis- cussed replacement and repair priorities. The vote was unanimous. The Superintendent advised the need for a warrant article for boilers. DISCUSSION AND ADOPTION OF PUTBACK PRIORITIES Chair Philbrick postponed discussion of putback priorities due to the late hour. The outcome of the Selectmen's meeting could also present information that School Committee could use to fine tune the FY93 priority list by the February 10th School Committee meeting. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 8 JANUARY 21, 1992 NEW BUSINESS WAIVER OF USE OF FACILITY FEES On the recommendation of the Administration, Stanley Nissen moved to waive the rental fee for the Reading Boosters at the Hawkes Field _House on April 4, 1992 for the express purpose of running a Craft Fair to raise funds to supplement the athletic budget. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. WEIGHT ROOM IN HIGH SCHOOL TECH AREA Dr. Munnelly stated that the Boosters, in support of the Athletics program, have helped put a year -round weight training program into effect and since space is at a premium, the Superintendent has approved that one of the rooms in the metal shop area be used on a one year notice basis. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS SELECTMEN'S VANDALISM POLICY Dr. Munnelly shared the draft letter, enclosure F -1, which welcomes the Selectmen's involvement in the attempt to reduce the uncivil behavior associated with vandalism and pumpkining. School Committee responded positively and requested the Administra- tion to send a letter to the Town Manager and Board of Selectmen to indicate their support. ADJOURNMENT At 11:20 p.m. George Shannon moved to adjourn. Mary Williams seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Respectfully Submitted Robert J. Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee