Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-05-06 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES REGULAR SESSION MINUTES MAY 6, 1991 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Stan Nissen called the regular session of School Commit- tee to order in the Superintendent's Conference Room at 7:00 P.M. All members were present with the exception of Mary Williams and George Shannon, who were expected to arrive later. Student Representative Matt Prudente was not present. Also present were Superintendent 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 minutes from April 1, April 10 regular and joint meetings, and April 20, 1991. Matthew Cum- mings seconded the motion. The tentative session date on page 2 of the April 20th minutes was corrected to read June 22nd. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for Bills was as follows: April 16, 1991 - General Expenses - $110,450.49 April 22, 1991 - General Expenses - $ 10,420.69 May 9, 1991 - General Expenses - $ 56,983.11 May 13, 1991 - General Expenses - $119,388.89 The warrant for Payrolls was as follows: May 2, 1991 - Teachers - $421,276.99 April 26, 1991 - By- weekly - $ 82,725.72 May 10, 1991 - By- weekly - $106,020.58 CITIZEN INPUT There was no citizen input. ACCEPTANCE OF GIFT Dr. Munnelly extended appreciation to Mr. Arnold Berger for his generous donation of $1,500 to Coolidge Middle School for the purchase of a new kiln for the art room. Barbara Philbrick moved to accept and thank Mr. Berger for his donation to Coolidge Middle School for the purchase of a kiln for the art room. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. _w REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT (out of order) MAY 6. 1991 Dr. Munnelly complimented the staff and students in the Reading Public Schools who deserve recognition as follows: Dr. Munnelly commented on the Reading Memorial High School band and color guard who recently competed and won the Sweepstakes Award in the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in Virginia. The Superintendent added that this honor is presented to the band who accumulates the highest number of points in the competition's five categories: field, concert, jazz ensemble, grand festival parade and firefighters parade. The Superintendent noted that by winning this national championship award, the RMHS band and color guard will be featured in the Apple Blossom souvenir program book and declared the Festival Honor Band for next year's competition. Dr. Munnelly shared that twenty -one students who took the 1990 PSAT /NMSQT were entered into the 1992 National Merit Scholar- ship Program, and their Selection Index scores placed them among approximately 50,000 of the highest- scoring participants. The students invited to participate in the 1992 Merit Program's College Plans Reporting Service are: Benjamin Abbott Daniel Bolnick Mark Cafazzo Peter Congdon Mark Erelli Krzysztof Grabarek Jon Griffith Thomas Lautzenheiser William Lautzenheiser Katrina Lecain Tara Lee Eryn MacDonald Michael Manville Stephen Maxwell Timothy Moynihan Amy Nelson Jeremy Piper Mark Rulison Yee Fan Sun Alexander Svirsky Frederick Van Magness The SuPerintendent was also pleased to inform the School Com- mittee that the MIAA has named Mark Erelli a semi - finalist in the Massachusetts Walt Disney World Dreamers & Doers competition. Dr. Munnelly wished Mark well as he awaits the announcement of the finalist and runner up at the end of May. Dr. Munnelly shared that Reading student Paul Sumner was awarded an Honorable Mention in the Asthma & Allergy Foundation Scholarship Competition. The Superintendent added that The Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge welcomed 121 high school representatives from many states and that Fred Van Magness and Josh Latham had the distinct honor of being two of Reading Memorial High School juniors selected to share in this experience. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 MAY 6, 1991 Dr. Munnelly congratulated Reading teachers Judith Donovan and Ruthann Budrewicz, who recently were welcomed to the Eleanor Roosevelt Teacher Fellowship program. The Superintendent shared that Ms. Donovan and Ms. Budrewicz have been awarded a fellowship in the amount of $10,000 to complete the work outlined in their proposal, "Opening Doors of Science to Adolescent Girls ". Dr. Munnelly shared that Susan Wheltle, Director of the Arts in Reading Public Schools recently spoke at a teaching exhibition and panel discussion at the Mass. College of Art. The Superinten- dent added that several examples of Reading student art, reflective writing about the arts, written assessments and teaching materials were also included. OUT OF ORDER Chairman Nissen announced that the School Committee and Reading Teacher Association are planning a reception for 1991 Exemplary Teacher recipients and nominees. The date will be announced soon. NEW BUSINESS EXCHANGE STUDENT APPROVAL Dr. Munnelly advised that Reading Memorial High School would like approval to accept an exchange student, Christen Petra from Switzerland for the 1991 -1992 school year. The Superintendent stated that the American Intercultural Student Exchange program is sponsoring the exchange. George Shannon moved on the recommendation of the Administration to accept the exchange program from American Intercultural Student Ex- change for Christen Petra for 1991 -92. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. ASSURANCES FOR FEDERAL GRANT PURPOSES Dr. Munnelly stated that a vote by the School Committee for the Assurances for Federal Grant Purposes is necessary so federal monies which are channeled to us by the state may be received. George Shannon moved on the recommendation of the Administration to accept the Statement of Assurances for State and Federal Funds. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. OTHER Dr. Munnelly discussed upcoming School Committee meetings and agenda topics. A brief discussion continued with members deciding to postpone the Report of Killam Carnegie Efforts until late June or early summer and to eliminate the topic of long range planning from the School Committee Roundtable Agenda in June. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 MAY 6. 1991 HIGHLIGHTS Parker Middle School's Assistant Principal Bill Cowles introduced Parker's Computer Education teacher Ms. Laura Peterson to the School Committee and audience. ' Ms. Peterson shared that several of her students recently joined the AT &T Learning Network which connects them to schools in Alaska, Indiana, New Jersey, New York, Belgium, Canada and Tunisia. Ms. Peterson introduced students Jason Gracilieri, Jill Rickerhauser, Julie Wilson, Ken Takase, and Stephanie Hahn, who shared the interesting exchanges that they experienced via telecommunications with students in distant locations. The School Committee thanked members from the Parker staff and students for their enthusiasm and refreshing presentation. OTHER Mr. Nissen stated that beginning in September 1991, the School Committee will begin a series of open meetings to give both the citizens of Reading and the Committee an additional opportunity to give and receive input and information. School Committee members discussed the open meeting outline Stan Nissen had prepared. Members made revisions of this outline and agreed to send the revised open meeting outline to the PTOs, schools, and newspapers. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS SPECIAL EDUCATION BRIEFING Dr. Munnelly opened this segment of the meeting about Special Educa- tion in Reading and the challenges we face due to the present finan- cial situation. The Superintendent introduced Joan Coco, Chairperson of the Special Education Parent Advisory Council, and members Veronica Sykes and Kathy DeMita. Ms. Coco began discussion by sharing the goals established by the Reading Chapter 766 Parents Advisory Council (PAC) as follows: 1. Foster better understanding and communication between parents, administrators, School Committee Members, and the community - at -large concerning all aspects of special needs education. 2. Serve as consultants and /or advisors to parents concerning all aspects of Chapter 766 procedures and to provide information con- cerning available resources. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 MAY 6, 1991 3. Serve as advocates of equal educational opportunities for special needs children and parents. 4. Through the PAC, provide parental input into educational programs and policies. 5. Maintain involvement in any other associated issues which effect special needs children or their parents. Ms. Coco explained concerns for the 688 special needs persons over the age of 22 who are not mandated by the State. Other major issues Ms. Coco addressed regarded mainstreaming, the middle school program, and vocational education at the high school level. Ms. Coco shared that the 766 PAC would be presenting a meeting on the topic of THE STATE OF THE STATE REGARDING 766 LAWS on May 21st at 7:30 p.m. in the Reading Public Library with invited guests Senators Tisei and Buell and Representative Krekorian. Reading's Director of Pupil Personnel Dr. Alexander Alexanian introduced Killam Elementary School SEEM /Special Education teacher Cathy Woods who shared a report on the Killam Integration Process. Ms. Woods discussed the survey with questions and comments regard- ing behaviors of individual children and severely handicapped stu- dents and how they affected the regular educational classrooms. Ms. Woods introduced Mr. and Mrs. Gargiulo and Mr. and Mrs. Camp - bell, parents of special needs students who advocated for their children being involved in the integration process and the posi- tive results they have noticed within their own children. Ms. Woods added the integration process is positive for all of the students, handicapped and regular educational students. Dr. Alexanian stated that the community should be used as a train- ing vehicle for real job settings for special needs high school students ages 16 -22. The Special Needs Director added that this issue must be a priority for staff development, the Superin- tendent and the School Committee. The Superintendent explained that Reading plans to carry out the Explanation of Procedural Rights Available to Parents Of Children with Special Needs and with overheads he discussed Reading's Special Education Resources, the SEEM Collaborative, and Reading's Out -Of- District Placements. Dr. Alexanian shared there would be a future Round Table discus- sion to update ideas and review the report of the 1988 Task Force. School Committee members and the Administration thanked the staff, PAC members and parents who shared their concerns and information. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 MAY 6, 1991 PERSONNEL (out of order) " APPOINTMENTS Dr. Munnelly recognized Reading Memorial High School Football Cap - ;,, tain Josh Latham, who came in support of the recommendation for the 1991 -92 football coach. Barbara Philbrick moved on the recommendation of the Administra- tion to appoint Thomas Kasprzak as the head football coach at Read - ing Memorial High School effective for the 1991 -92 season on a Step 5. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. NEW BUSINESS METCO GRANT PROCESS Dr. Munnelly began discussion regarding the METCO Program that will be level funded for the 1991 -1992 school year. Dr. Munnelly noted that Reading will be guided by the METCO Vision Statement as outlined on enclosure B -3 -c. The Superintendent stated that each participating district will submit a grant application which delineates the educational plan to be implemented over a three -year period and documents the progress made annually to achieve the objectives stated in the Vision Statement. Assistant Superintendent Bak pointed out that transportation costs are up 10% and that resources are limited. While accessing program needs Ms. Bak recommended the following for program support in FY92: . maintain the current enrollment of students (95 -102) . contract for services of a METCO Coordinator /Academic Counselor and continue the service of our present ele- mentary bus monitor /teacher aide . contract transportation service through METCO, Inc. in Boston Ms. Bak also noted that the difference in the program for FY91 to FY92 reduces the role of a full time coordinator to a half time position and utilizes the person to also provide academic counsel- ing primarily to secondary students. Ms. Bak added that over the course of the last three years the METCO budget has continued to erode, while costs for operation has continued to escalate. The Assistant Superintendent shared that the METCO Grant needs to be submitted next week but due to the circumstance of fiscal restraint, restructuring and rethinking our priorities is in order. Dr. Munnelly suggested an open discussion in June to discuss the future of Reading's METCO program. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 MAY 6, 1991 Georae Shannon on the recommendation of the Administration moved to approve the 1991 -92 METCO Grant Proposal as outlined on enclosure B -3 -c. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. Discussion continued. The vote was unanimous. OTHER Chairman Nissen informed the School Committee that approximately forty -five candidates applied for the Reading Memorial High School Principal position. Mr. Nissen advised that first interviews will begin on Saturday, May 18th and that the interview process is open to the public except where the candidate objects. The Chairman in- formed the Committee that the Superintendent will then look at the finalists. PERSONNEL REAPPOINTMENTS George Shannon on the recommendation of the Administration moved to reappoint Reading Memorial High School Special Education teacher Paula Durrance, Reading Memorial High School Foreign Language teacher Susan Hennessey, Coolidge Middle School Foreign Language teacher Stacey Katz, Elementary Speech Specialist Jill Mayberry, Barrows Elementary Special Education teacher Kay Strayer, and Killam Elemen -' tary Special Education teacher Catherine Woods. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. RESIGNATIONS Matthew Cummings on the recommendation of the Administration moved to accept the resignations of Killam's School Psychologist Tona White and Parker's Language Arts Teacher Patricia Avolio. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. RETIREMENTS Georae Shannon on the recommendation of the Administration moved to accept with a note of appreciation the retirement and resignation respectively the School Department's payroll person Ruth Burbine and the accounts payable bookkeeper Janice Deveau. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. ADJOURNMENT At 10:15 p.m. George Shannon moved to adjourn to the executive session for the purpose of preparing for negotiations. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Respectfully Submitted Robert J. Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee