Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-03-11 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES CALL TO ORDER MARCH 11, 1991 Chairman Stan Nissen called the regular session of the School Committee to order in the Central Office Conference Room at 7:00 p.m. All members were present with the exception of James Nally and Mary Williams who was expected to arrive later, and Student Representative Matt Prudente. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak, Business Manager Warren Hopkins, and a reporter from the Chronicle. MOMENT OF SILENCE Chairman Nissen requested a moment of silence for Custodian John Walden of Barrows School who passed away suddenly on March 7th. Mr. Walden had served the children of Reading as custodian at Pearl Street School and at Reading Memorial High School for twelve years before becoming the regular day custodian at Barrows School. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF CAROL LYONS w Chairman Nissen notified the audience that this is Carol Lyons' last meeting as a School Committee Member. Chairman Nissen pre- sented Ms. Lyons with a gift thanking her and commemorating her five years of service with the School Committee. Ms. Lyons expressed that her work with the School Committee has been a wonderful opportunity to contribute to the Reading community and encouraged fellow town citizens to become active. MINUTES Barbara Philbrick moved to accept the regular session minutes from the February 25, 1991 meeting. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Carol Lyons abstained from voting. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for bills was as follows: March 11, 1991 - General Expense March 18, 1991 - General Expense The warrant for payrolls was as follows: March 7, 1991 - Teachers - March 15, 1991 - Bi- weekly - - $ 89,857.71 $131,793.09 $416,878.15 $112,527.11 P REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 MARCH 11, 1991 CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen's input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly shared that Reading Memorial High School Assistant Principals Pat Schettini and Bob Quinn will be presenting a program entitled "Peer Coaching" at the annual Massachusetts Prin- cipals 1991 Joint Spring Conference in Hyannis on Thursday, May 10, 1991. Dr. Munnelly also shared a picture and an article that recently appeared in the Honeywell -Bull newsletter featuring a trip taken by an Eaton Elementary Kindergarten class to the Museum of Science. The Superintendent thanked parent Mr. Rodriguez for sending this information to us. The Superintendent displayed a plaque that had been presented to Reading Public Schools for hosting the Adult Education Special Olympic Basketball Tournament. Dr. Munnelly added that Reading Memorial High School's band played the introduction and the theme of the Olympics. OLD BUSINESS BUDGET FY92 Superintendent Munnelly reported on the meeting with the FinCom and the status of the proposed trash fee to raise revenue. He advised that projections of the trash fee from Resco need to be laid out in further detail and reiterated that trash fee use for schools will be on the Selectmen's next agenda. Dr. Munnelly reported on information regarding the cut in State Aid from the Governor Weld Budget. The Superintendent stated the total is a cut of $416,000 of which $281,000 is in reduced aid and $135,000 is increased assessments. The Superintendent reported that at the FinCom meeting Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner revised the amount of money available to fund the school budget and estimated that the gap of $333,518 exists between Level Service budget and money provided by town government. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL EXPENDITURE Assistant Superintendent Bak reintroduced Coolidge Middle School Improvement Council's proposal to fund an in -house seventh grade Study Skills Program. Discussion followed. On the recommendation of the Administration: .;., _Carol Lyons moved to accept Coolidge Middle School Improvement Council's proposal as described on enclosure B -2 -b. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. i REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 MARCH 11, 1991 RECESS Mr. Young from the Reading Chronicle took pictures of the School Committee presenting Ms. Lyons with her farewell gift. CITIZEN VIEWS OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALSHIP Dr. Munnelly shared that several citizens, parents, students, and teachers provided input regarding the Reading Memorial High School principal search that will take place to replace Dr. Mark Piechota who is leaving his post at the end of the school year. The Superintendent presented several of the suggestions offered at this informal exchange. School Committee members determined that the search take place in both local and national publications, and that the salary be advertised in general enough terms that it can be tailored to the candidate. School Committee also decided that the Screening Committee should include two students and one administrator as ad hoc members. NEW BUSINESS SCHOOL SPACE PLANNING In light of increased enrollment and limited space, Assistant Super- intendent Bak shared that two additional elementary teachers may need to be hired for next school year. In reference to housing two additional kindergartens for 1991 -90, the administration has developed a plan that would house one of Birch Meadow's classes at Killam and the other at Barrows. Al- though not ideal, the plan provides for the best possible education to the kindergarteners for the upcoming school year. The Administration will return to the School Committee before year's end with plans to develop a long -term kindergarten center in the district. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS CAFETERIA NEGOTIATIONS PLANNING Business Manager Wari the AFSCME Council notifying the Reading tion of State, County representing Reading into negotiations. -en Hopkins shared a letter he received from 93 Staff Representative Thomas L'Italien School Committee that the American Federa- and Municipal Employees, Local 1703, AFL -CIO, School Cafeteria employees, desires' to enter REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 MARCH 11, 1991 School Committee member Barbara Philbrick volunteered to represent - the School Committee as the Union for the Cafeteria enter into negotiations for the purpose of modifying the agreement currently in effect. PROGRESS REPORT OF AIDS TASK FORCE School Committee and AIDS Task Force member Carol Lyons reported on deliberations the AIDS Task Force has had over the last three months with three of Reading Memorial High School Peer Leader re- presentatives; Sean Murphy, Shannon Blaney and Cristine Flaherty. Ms. Lyons informed the Committee that the Task Force has been meeting regularly to discuss the feasibility of condom distribu- tion as a method of AIDS protection. Ms. Lyons added that a survey was distributed to the students and ninety -seven percent responded and expressed their concerns and support. Ms. Lyons reported the successes of the Task Force in curriculum education over the past five years. Dr. Munnelly requested that the School Committee consider specific proposals a sub - committee of the Task Force recently presented. PERSONNEL The Superintendent noted there would be no action at this time re- garding the scheduled bargaining issue. ADJOURNMENT At 8.55 p.m. George Shannon moved to adjourn from Regular Session. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Respectfully Submitted Robert I Munn ft Ed 0. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Co mmift