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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-03-25 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES MARCH 25, 1991 CALL TO ORDER 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 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. OTHER Chairman Nissen announced that he had received James Nally's resignation as a member of the Reading School Committee effective today. The Chairman shared that a decision for Mr. Nally's re- placement would be decided April 10th, and an appointment made on April 22nd. Mr. Nissen added that any citizen interested in fill- ing the vacancy must submit an application to the Town Clerk's office no later than Tuesday, April 9 at 5 p.m. Chairman Nissen welcomed and introduced the newly elected School Committee Members Timothy Twomey and Matthew Cummings. Chairman Nissen shared the correspondence Business Manager Warren Hopkins had received from the volunteer group of parents who formed the Reading School Bus Committee, stating that they had disbanded in December, 1990 and therefore will not be coordinating a parent funded bussing program for the 1991 -92 school year. MINUTES Barbara Philbrick moved to accept the regular session minutes from the March 11, 1991 meeting. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Timothy Twomey and Matthew Cummings ab- stained from voting. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for bills was as follows: March 25, 1991 - General Expenses - $34,327.23 April 1, 1991 - General Expenses - $57,707.21 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 The warrant for payrolls was as follows: March 21, 1991 March 29, 1991 CITIZEN'S INPUT Teachers Bi- Weekly There was no citizen's input. MARCH 25, 1991 $417,474.27 $110,907.83 School Committee member Matthew Cummings questioned when student's grades would be available. Dr. Munnelly replied that they were being done by hand and would be completed soon. HIGHLIGHTS Dr. Munnelly turned over this portion of the meeting to Eaton Ele- mentary Principal Donald Farnham and School Psychologist Kay Duryea. Mr. Farnham emphasized that a few of the many activities that are a part of Ms. Duryea's role are to work with individual children and parents, consult with other staff members and be a member of the Child Study Team. Ms. Duryea stated that one very important aspect of her position is to work with groups of children on issues that are either social or school based. Ms. Duryea described how she is presently working with 4th and 5th graders who are members of a family in which a divorce has affected their lives. Ms. Duryea highlighted some of the issues the "Divorce Group ", who meets once a week for one hour during the school day, might discuss. Some of the issues she shared are goals for the divorce group, children's goals for the divorce group, a value clarification survey, discussion on feeling words and feeling back statements. Ms. Dur- yea shared that another area needing to 'be addressed is children going home alone or to an older sibling. School Committee members thanked her for a fine presentation and applauded her efforts. OTHER Dr. Munnelly announced that Eaton Elementary Physical Education teacher Gary Nihan is stepping aside as Reading's football coach. Dr. Munnelly shared that the qualities Mr. Nihan brought to the coaching position are important ones for Reading. The Superinten- dent stated he would be ready to recommend a replacement. coach to the School Committee later this Spring. Chairman Nissen clarified misconceptions regarding why the School Committee position effected by James Nally's resignation was not on the ballot. He stated that Mr. Nally's resignation was not re- ceived in the time frame for new candidates to submit their names. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 MARCH 25, 1991 NEW BUSINESS AIDS TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATION Dr. Munnelly shared a report of the AIDS Education Task Force committee that was formed in 1987 to study the issues surrounding an AIDS education and prevention curriculum for the Reading Public Schools. The draft proposal for a policy for the distribution of condoms at Reading Memorial High School was discussed. School Committee mem- bers and Dr. Munnelly agreed that public input from all sectors of the community is necessary to determine if condom distribution will be policy. The Superintendent stated he would draft a policy for School Committee's review. 1991 -91 SCHOOL CALENDAR School Committee members discussed alternatives to the 1991 -92 proposed school calendar. Barbara Philbrick moved on the recommendation of the Administra- tion to accept the proposed calendar for 1991 -92 as described on enclosure B -3 -b. Mary Williams seconded the motion. Discus- ; sion continued. The vote was approved 3 -1 -1 with Matthew Cummings w opposed and Timothy Twomey abstaining. OLD BUSINESS BUDGET FY 1992 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT 5 -YEAR PLAN Dr. Munnelly explained that a vote of approval is needed for the following additions or changes to the Capital Outlay Plan for 1991- 1996: a. A repositioning of capital projects which will be funded by Bonded Debt to reflect the Town Manager's desire to go out to bid every other year. (1993, 1995, and 1997) b. For purposes of expressing the magnitude of the need for elementary school space, the insertion of $250,000 was made for 1993 and 1995. c. The addition of the boiler replacement program as an on- going need for schools which are aging. d. The addition of a ceiling tile program for Coolidge which is a major spending project. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 MARCH 25, 1991 e. The addition of an elevator box replacement and recabling at Reading Memorial High School. f. The addition of a program to convert to gas to eliminate inground oil tank vulnerability of the town. School Committee members began discussion of the Computer /Word Processing Equipment expenditure. On the recommendation of School Committee member Mr. Twomey, members increased the expenditures to $100,000 for each of the 1992 through 1996 years. Other expendi- ture changes were for Space Remodeling in the Middle Schools for 1993 from $35,000 to $50,000 and a correction for the 1996 figure of $1,000,000. Another correction was for Space Remodeling in the Elementary Schools to $2,800,000. Timothy Twomey moved to accept the modified Capital Outlay Plan of 1991 -96 as outlined on enclosure B -2 -a. Mary Williams seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. TOWN MEETING PRESENTATIONS STRATEGY School Committee members discussed strategies of their Town Meet- ing budget presentation. Chairman Nissen stated the dollar figure of the trash fee will dictate the degree of cuts in the school budget and that the trash fee proposal and the school budget pre- sentation will probably take place on the first night of Town Meeting. Mr. Nissen reiterated how critical it will be to emphasize the Level Service Budget during town meeting present action. School Committee members discussed suggestions for Chairman Nis - sen's position at Town Meeting and will prioritze a list at the next School Committee meeting on April 1. REPORT OF FINCOM BUDGET MEETING Dr. Munnelly shared that the FinCom voted to recommend a school budget of $14,586,828 for FY92, this is $234,922 less than our Level Service budget. OTHER Chairman Nissen advised the School Committee of the need to recom- mend a new Vice - Chair. - ..._.... . REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 MARCH 25, 1991 Mary Williams moved to nominate Barbara Philbrick for the position of School Committee Vice - Chair. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. � ADJOURNMENT At 9:30 p.m. Barbara Philbrick moved to adjourn to Executive Ses- sion for a joint meeting with the School Committee and Selectmen. Mary Williams seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Respectfully submitted Roberti. Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES CALL TO ORDER MARCH 25, 1991 Chairman Nissen called the regular session of the School Committee back to order in the Central Office Conference Room at 12:03 p.m. All members were present. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak and Business Manager Warren Hopkins. Chairman Nissen shared that Matthew Cummings and Mary Williams will represent the School Committee during Cafeteria Negotiations and Custodian Negotiations respectfully and that Timothy Twomey will represent the School Committee on the Legal Counsel Selection Committee. INFORMATION SUMMER SCHOOL 1991 RATE APPROVAL Assistant Superintendent Bak shared plans for a self- supporting 1990 -91 Summer School program. Ms. Bak stated the planned dates for this year's Skills Maintenance and Enrichment sessions are July 8 through August 2 and High School Review courses from July 1 through August 3. Ms. Bak added that fees for Skills Maintenance will be increased from $35 to $45 per course; High School Review will be increased from $100 to $125 per course ($150 for out -of- town registrants); and Enrichment course fees increased by $5 from last year's rates. Summer School Director will continue to be Parker Middle School teacher Jeff Cryan. On the recommendation of the Administration, Mary Williams moved to accept the 1990 -91 Summer School program as outlined on enclosure C -1. Barbara Philbrick seconded tie motion. Discussion continued. The vote was unanimous. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 MARCH 25, 1991 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: SUMMER COURSE OFFERINGS For School Committee's information Assistant Superintendent Bak shared the proposed courses being offered to all of Reading Public School professional staff through the efforts and planning of the District Professional Development Committee. EXEMPLARY TEACHERS ANNOUNCEMENT Dr. Munnelly announced the recipients of the Arnold and Dorothy Berger Exemplary Teacher Award for 1991; Jeffrey Cryan, Parker Middle School English Department Head and Dorothy Wood, a guidance counselor at Reading Memorial High School who was a Social Studies and decisions teacher at the high school earlier in her career. These awards will be presented to the recipients by Mr. Arnold Berger and Chair Nissen in recognition of their strong contribu- tions to the education of Reading's youth at the opening of Town Meeting. PRPgnNNRT. On the recommendation of the Administration: The School Committee received information regaring Wendy Higgins, Killam Elementary School's Grade 2 teacher, maternity leave from April 12, 1591 until June 14, 1991. Barbara Philbrick moved to grant Mrs. Higgins child rearing leave from June 14, 1991 to the end of June, 1991 and for September through June of school year 1991 -1992. Mary Williams seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. OTHER Dr. Munnelly shared correspondence sent to the Town Manager re- questing a transfer of monies to balance the school budget for FY91. Barbara Philbrick moved to accept the transfer of monies as outlined on enclosure B -2 -a correspondence to the Town Manager dated March 20, 1991. Mary Williams seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. REDUCTION IN -FORCE On the recommendation of the Administration: Barbara Philbrick moved to notify Killam Elementary School Grade 5 teacher David Dolan that due to a reduction in -force his contract would terminate on June 30, 1991. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES a MARCH 25, 1991 On the recommendation of the Administration: Barbara Philbrick moved to notify Metco Coordinator Earscelle Wilkerson that Reading Public Schools will not be able to maintain the full -time position of Metco coordinator in the next academic year and his employment will terminate on June 30, 1991. Mary Williams seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. On the recommendation of the Administration: Barbara Philbrick moved to notify secondary and elementary staff members as outlined on enclosure D -2 that they have been recommend- ed for their 4th, Tenure Contracts for the 1991 -92 school year. Mary Williams seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. On the recommendation of the Administration: Due to financial restraints of the school budget, Barbara Philbrick moved to notifv secondary and elementary staff members as outlined on enclosure D -1 that their contracts will not be renewed for the 1991 -92 school vear. Mary Williams seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. OTHER Chairman Nissen announced the next School Committee meeting would be held on April 1, 1991 in the Superintendent's Conference Room. ADJOURNMENT At 12:30 p.m. Barbara Philbrick moved to adjourn from Regular _Session. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Respectfully Submitted Robert J. Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee