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Home My WebLink About1991-04-10 School Committee Minutes. READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES APRIL 10, 1991 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Stan Nissen called the regular session of the School Committee to order in the Central Office Conference Room at 10:20 p.m. All members were present. Chairman Nissen welcomed George Shannon who was elected by School Committee and Reading Selectmen to fill the School Committee vacancy. Also present were Superin- tendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak, Business Manager Warren Hopkins, and a reporter from the Chronicle. MINUTES Barbara Philbrick moved to accept the regular session minutes from the March 25, 1991 meeting. Mary Williams seconded the motion. Discussion continued. School Committee member Timothy Twomey pointed out that he had made the recommendation to increase the Computer /Word Processing Equipment expenditure to $100,000 for each of the 1992 through 1996 years and stated that under Capital Improvement, (b) should express the magnitude of the need for elementary school space. The vote as modified was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS BILLS There was no warrant for bills. PAYROLLS The warrant for payrolls was as follows: April 12, 1991 - By- weekly - $104,659.50 April 12, 1991 - Teachers - $425,031.39 CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen's input. OTHER Dr. Munnelly recognized the students of the quarter chosen by the faculty for their achievements and contributions at Reading Memorial High School. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 APRIL 10, 1991 The students selected by faculty for recognition in the fourth quarter are: Daniel Bolnick '92 English Award Thomas McGrath '91 Social Studies Award Patrick Castaldo '91 Mathematics Award Rebecca Ruede '91 Science Award Lisa DiCicco '91 Foreign Language Award Angela Doughty '92 Business Award Edward Hunter 192 Technology Education Award Jason Russo 191 Visual Art Award Richard Nelson '91 Music Award Kerri Kelly '93 Home Economics Award Daniel Ruth '91 and Service Award Holly Vanasse Carrie Bither '92 Leadership Award Fred Lanzoni '91 Athletics Award Anna Marie Sarro SEEM SEEM Award Matthew Prudente '91 Principal's Award Dr. Munnelly added that he would like to recognize students who participated in the Massachusetts State Contest of the National History Day Competition and would also like to discuss funding for the National Contest in Washington, D.C. at the Information and Pro- posal section of the Agenda. Dr. Munnelly announced the names of the first and second place finishers in the Massachusetts State Contest of the National History Day Competition. First place finishers for a Group Project were Sarah Maher, Amy Nelson, and Yee Fan Sun; for Individual Performance, Mike Shannon; for Individual Media, Andrea Ferrari; and for Group Media, Julia Mark and Cindy Zorabedian. Second place finishers for a Group Project were Asher Cutter, Joel Mellin, Justin Nordstrom, and Josh Nolan; for Individual Performance, Mark Erelli and for Individual Media, Andrea Palumbo. The Administration and School Committee members congratulated all of the students who placed first and second in the Massachusetts State Contest and now qualify to go to the National Contest in Washington, D.C. Chairman Nissen noted that the rating process for candidates for the Reading Memorial High School principal vacancy will begin on April 15th. The Chairman reminded interested candidates in the principal position that the closing date is May 3, 1991. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 APRIL 10, 1991 OLD BUSINESS u Dr. Munnelly began discussion on the Draft Budget Agreement Between the Reading Board of Selectmen and the Reading School Com- mittee as outlined on enclosure B -3 -a. School Committee members determined that in paragraph (2) BUILDING MAINTENANCE SUPERVISION that under the jurisdiction of the School Committee, the Board of Selectmen, and the Town Manager; that the Superintendent should be added and in paragraph (4) BUSINESS SERVICES that all school department information be identified. On the recommendation of the Administration: Barbara Philbrick moved to accept the draft budget agreement as amended. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS Revised Copy of Draft Condom Distribution Policy The Superintendent shared that copies of the Draft Policy on Con- dom Availability at Reading Memorial High School has-been sent to all churches and youth groups within the community and recommended set a future School Committee meeting for input from the community. School Committee members suggested May 13th. Dr. Munnelly stated that high school students and the Task Force are planning a cable broadcast and will place more information in the local papers. School Committee members corrected the second paragraph of enclo- sure C -1, Policy #KN to read, for every student in grades 3 to 8. Calendar Change: 1990 -91 School Closing Date On the recommendation of the Administration: Mary Williams moved to close schools for students on June 20, 1991 and to close schools for teachers on June 21, 1991. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. National History Day Funding Thirteen Reading students who placed first or second in the Massa- chusetts State Contest of the National History Day Competition have earned the right to represent Massachusetts at the national competition in Washington, D.C. in June. Since there is no money in the 1990 -91 Budget to fund the $3450 expense for the students, the Superintendent sought help from the School Committee in finding a way to insure the students entry into the national competition. Dr. Munnelly proposed that the costs be paid from a revolving account at this time but that he would carry out a fundraiser to resupply the funds. Discussion followed. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 APRIL 10, 1991 Timothy Twomey moved that School Committee appropriate $3500 from the revolving facilities fund account, with the condition it would be refunded, subject to approval of the Town Accountant for the purpose of funding staff and students representing Reading Memorial High School at the National History Day Contest in Washington, D.C. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. Discussion continued. FinCom member Nathan White suggested he request the funds necessary, from the Finance Board before Special Town Meeting, in a spirit of cooperation, for room, board, registration and transportation at the University of Maryland from June 9 through June 13 for the Reading delegation. Matthew Cummings moved to ask the Administration to ask the FinCom to request the necessary $3500. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Timothy Twomey's motion was moved from the table on a 4 -1 vote. The motion was then approved as a contingency by the School Com- mittee in the event the Finance Committee was not able to fund the $3500. PERSONNEL Dr. Munnelly explained that the early retirement incentive information was distributed to teachers today. Assistant Superintendent Bak shared that as a result of neces- sary budget cuts for the 1991 -92 school year, the reduction of one physical education member is necessary. Ms. Bak added that since there are no non - tenured teachers, an act to reduce a tenured tea- cher is called for. On the recommendation of the Administration: Barbara Philbrick regrettably moved that due to 1991 -92 budget cuts that Nels Nelson, as the least senior member of the physical edu- cation department, be notified his contract will not be renewed, effective at the end of the 1990 -91 school year. Mary Williams regrettably seconded the motion. Dr. Munnelly spoke highly of Mr. Nelson's performance. Mr. Twomey asked if a letter presented to all School Committee members by Killam School staff suggesting a meeting with Administration and RTA President Peter Greene to discuss the physical education staff reduction had direct bearing on this RIF action. Dr. Munnelly answered that the reduction of one elementary physical education teacher led to this recommendation to notify Mr. Nelson. During the discussion, Assistant Superintendent Bak also commented on Mr. Nelson's contributions to the development and im- plementation of the K -12 Health Education Curriculum and added how his expertise and leadership will be missed. The vote was unanimous. RESIGNATIONS On the recommendation of the Administration: Mary Williams moved to accept the resignation of Elvira Geder from Parker Middle Schools Lunch Program. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. 4 REGULAP SESSION MINUTES 5 APRIL 10, 1991 LEAVE OF ABSENCE On the recommendation of the Administration: Barbara Philbrick moved to grant Mary Abegg, Parker Middle School Department Head a personal unpaid leave of absence for the 1991 -92. first. semester. Mary Williams seconded the motion. Discussion con - t -Lnuee -- rgarding Mrs. Abegg's replacement and the conditions of the repa':ament inc l'.,it4 _�ng salary. The vote was L1P.an1"tOUS. OTHER C=airman iiissen discussed, that at present, the next meeting of cc',,.. -Do'_ C.OTimi;.tee is sc eduled for April 29t'.-:, but requested that t.hooi Corm ittee member:, hold May lst open in case Town Fleeting is still in prccess. Chairman Nissen also requested that an orienta- tion mee tine for the new school committee members be scheduled for Saturday, April 21st. yJv'J[JR''!E VT At 12:15 a.m. Barbara Philbrick moved to adjourn from regular ses- s:on. Mary Williams seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Respectfully Submitted Robert I Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee