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Home My WebLink About1991-02-11 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES REGULAR SESSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 11, 1991 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Stan Nissen called the regular session of the School Committee to order in the Reading Memorial High School Lecture Hall at 7:00 p.m. All members were present with the exception of Mary Williams and Student Representative Matt Prudente. Also pre- sent were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superinten- dent Lynn M. Bak, Business Manager Warren Hopkins, several members from the community and a reporter from the Chronicle. MINUTES Barbara Philbrick moved to accept the regular session minutes from the January 28, 1991 meeting. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for bills was as follows: February 11, 1991 - General Expenses February 19, 1991 General Expenses The warrant for payrolls was as follows: February 7, 1991 - Teachers February 15, 1991 - Teachers February 15, 1991 - Bi- weekly CITIZENS INPUT There was no Citizens Input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT $ 64,509.62 $133,262.45 $417,022.52 $435,896.45 - $108,475.58 Dr. Munnelly shared that Joshua Eaton Elementary School Library/ Media Specialist Barbara McLean will be presenting a program for the Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire Geographic Alliances for Social Studies: Basic to Understanding Global Diversity entitled "Going from Here to There: A Lesson in Relative Location" at the Sheraton Boston Hotel in Boston, on Saturday, March 16th. The Superintendent also reported that the Northeast Consortium for Staff Development, Teachers 1991 Sharing Conference, will be held at REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 FEBRUARY 11, 1991 the Northeast Metro Vocational High School in Wakefield on February 27th and includes Coolidge Middle School Science teacher Carolyn Howard's workshop entitled "Enhancing Learning Disabled Students' Performance (K -12)" and Parker Middle School Science teacher Dave Williams' workshop "Nature Hates a Vacuum and Tries to Fill It (Gr. 4 -8) The Superintendent extended compliments to Reading Memorial High School students Dana Bryant, Susan Coco and Kathleen Kieran who were recently designated finalists in the 1991 Merit Scholarship compe- tition. Dr. Munnelly added that in March the National Merit Scholar- ship Corporation will notify 6,000 of the 14,000 finalists that they are receiving scholarships. RTC RT.TC RT Dr. Munnelly introduced Killam Elementary School Principal Paul Guerrette who turned the Highlight Lego /Logo and Logo Writer pro- grams presentation over to fourth grade teacher Linda Carey. Ms. Carey began by describing the training and support she received while a participant in a year -long project conducted by Seymour Papert and his staff at M.I.T. Ms. Carey introduced fourth grade students Elizabeth Logsdon, John McMahon, Stephanie Gonzales and Kevin Gentile who demonstrated how these computer programs are being used to teach concepts in science and math, as well as problem solving and computer skills. School Committee members thanked Ms. Carey and the students for their fascinating presentation and commended the idea of involving all Killam School fourth grade classes. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS MATH CURRICULUM EVALUATION K -12 Assistant Superintendent Bak introduced the Mathematics Curriculum Evaluation Team who has worked with her for the last thirteen months in developing the comprehensive math curriculum evaluation K -12. Christine Redford, Chair of the Elementary Mathematics Curriculum Committee presented the Goals of the mathematics program that will enable students to reason, recognize and approach mathematic problems with confidence. Peter Moscariello, Chair of the Reading Memorial High School Mathematics Department detailed the evaluation component of the study and described the tests that were administered to students to evaluate how well they are performing in the area of math. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 FEBRUARY 11, 1991" Joseph Finigan, Chair of the Coolidge Middle School Mathematics Department proceeded with an overview of Commendations, Concerns and Recommendations for the program as a result of the evaluation.' Mary Abegg, Chair of the Parker Middle School Mathematics Depart- ment closed the presentation by outlining the future direction the math program should take in light of Reading's evaluation results, needs and performance as related to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards. Discussion with School Committee followed. School Committee members congratulated the evaluation team and Ms. Bak for an informative and well assembled presentation. NEW BUSINESS REQUEST BY COOLIDGE PARENTS FOR AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM Dr. Munnelly introduced Coolidge Middle School Principal Al Lahood who, along with parent volunteer Tina Cormio requested an after school student enrichment program. Principal Lahood added that a survey of the children indicated 98% would be interested in after school activities. Mrs. Cormio stated that classes would be held from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. at the school with a $15 per course fee to offer compensation to instructions. On the recommendation of the Administration: George Shannon moved that Coolidge Middle School carry out an after school enrichment program as described on enclosure B -3 -a. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. OLD BUSINESS BUDGET FY 1992 Dr. Munnelly stated that the Finance Committee has requested that the School Committee submit for review a budget reflecting the target set by the Town Manager's office which is the Drastic Cut Budget -in the amount of $14,411,943. Discussion continued with members of the School Committee prepared to submit a strong case for the Level Service Budget of $14,939,088. Dr. Munnelly hoped that the proposed trash fee, if passed by Selectmen would fund the $527,000 shortfall the School Committee feels it needs to run a school system. The Superintendent shared the FinCom sentiment that if Governor Weld's budget message call- ing for a reduction in local aid by 10% is passed, then--the money raised via a trash fee may be needed to support total town govern- ment. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 FEBRUARY 11, 1991 Relating to budget, several questions were raised by School Committee members in regard to the cost of heating the Field House in the winter and what school /community programs are held in the Field House. Dr. Munnelly said he would provide the Committee with answers to these questions at the next School Committee meeting on February 25th. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS PROCESS FOR SELECTION OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL The Superintendent informed the School Committee that Reading Memorial High School's Principal Mark Piechota has accepted an Assistant Superintendency in Ithaca, NY. Brief discussion ensued regarding the process for selecting Dr. Piechota's successor. Peter Greene asked the School Committee to consider faculty members to serve on the Screening Committee who have been elected by the Staffs rather than selecting volunteers as in the past. Chairman Nissen stated faculty, citizen, and educators who would like to volunteer should leave word at the Superintendent's office within the next two weeks. Dr. Munnelly asked that March 4th be set aside for a public meeting to gather public input for the selection of Reading Memorial High School's next Principal. i924e12MUN `IONM REQUEST FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE On the recommendation of the Administration; Barbara Philbrick moved to approve the part -time leave of absence due to medical reasons for Margaret Loder, Secondary School Reading Specialist at Reading Memorial High School and Coolidge Middle School beginning February 11, 1991 through June 30, 1991. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. TEACHER HEARING ISSUE Dr. Munnelly advised the School Committee a teacher /administration negotiation session has been scheduled in place of the teacher hearing for February 12, 1991. SCHEDULING A LEVEL III GRIEVANCE HEARING The Superintendent added that a coach's level 3 grievance would be discussed at the February 25th executive session to be held at REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 FEBRUARY 11, 1991 6:30 p.m. with the regular School Committee session to follow. The Superintendent requested that School Committee members also set aside March 11th in the event all interested parties were not available to meet on February 25th. ADJOURNMENT At 9:40 p.m. Barbara Philbrick moved to adjourn. James Nally seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Respe *uy Submitted Robert I Munnetly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee