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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-07-15 School Committee Minutesrm READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Chair Barbara Philbrick called the School Committee to order at 7 :30 Conference Room. All members were Mary Williams. George Shannon was present were Superintendent Robert tendent Lynn M. Bak and a reporter MINUTES JULY 15, 1991 regular meeting of the Reading p.m. in the Superintendent's present with the exception of expected to arrive later. Also J. Munnelly, Assistant Superin- from the Chronicle. Stan Nissen moved to accept the minutes from the June 10 and the June 17, 1991 meetings. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for Bills was as follows: June 30, 1991 - General Expense - $17,003.72 July 22, 1991 - General Expense - $ 3,709.75 The warrant for Payrolls was as follows: July 19, 1991 - By Weekly - $34,037.57 July 12, 1991 - Teachers - $112,391.38 July 26, 1991 - Teachers - $118,057.79 CITIZEN INPUT There was no citizen's input. OLD BUSINESS BUDGET FY 1992 The Superintendent stated that the governor had signed the State FY 92 Budget and had vetoed the Overlay Account which would have exempted the account from the 2 1/2 levy limit calculation. He added that the school department would have to absorb 60% of the projected $500,000 reduction in local aid and reduced lottery figures. Discussion began with School Committee agreeing to postpone budget decisions tonight and to schedule another meeting on July 29th for the purpose of budget and personnel discussion only. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 JULY 15, 1991 Judythe Meagher, a member of the Instrumental Committee, re- ported that they had raised $10,480 of their $12,000 goal to partially fund the middle school instrumental program and antici- pate further donations from citizens and businesses. In discussion of general budget restraints, School Committee members discussed possible solutions, some of which were larger class sizes; moving middle school classes to high school; minimum staff to meet physical education needs, media, and guidance; elementary principal changes; parking fees for students; adding an additional $15 to the Athletic Fee; and a reduction in mandated bussing. Chair Philbrick requested that Reading citizens give their input to Committee members within the next 48 hours. OLD BUSINESS COMPUTER BID Dr. Munnelly shared, that on the advice of town council, the bid of Redicker Systems for the Secondary School Administration Computer and Data Processing Network be rescinded and that we go out to bid on the computer system once again with revised criteria. Bids will be ready to go out this week and be advertised so that a bid award will be ready for the last School Committee meeting in August. Timothy Twomey moved to rescind the prior bid award to Redicker '¢ Systems. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. School Committee reiterated that bidders understand the proceed- ings as outlined in Dr. Munnelly's Computer Bid memo, dated July 15, 1991. NEW BUSINESS REPORT OF READING PARENTS BUS COMMITTEE Members representing the Bus Committee stated, as of July 15th, deposits from 105 children were received and that an expected $27,000 should be raised. A due date would be decided after meet- ing with Dr. Munnelly. George Shannon complimented the group and thanked them for their effort. Bus Committee member, Phyllis Machnik thanked the pre- vious parent bus committee. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 JULY 15, 1991 INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS REPORT OF ATHLETIC DIRECTOR Dr. Munnelly introduced the Director of Athletics, Jack White. Mr. White read a statement that outlined the direction of the athletic program. He highlighted that 916 students participated this past year in sports and that Reading ranked 3rd in the league. Mr. White noted that the facilities are in need of repair. Mr. White also stressed that he had taken a loss in pay this year and would appreciate a reevaluation of his position. The Chair thanked Director White and expressed pride in his parti- cipation. Ms. Philbrick requested that Director White provide the School Committee with information regarding fees. Mr. White advised that there were few athletes who did not come out for sports because they could not afford to play and added a small increase in fees might not make a difference. Mr. White pointed out that parents/ students provide some of the equipment used. COMPUTER EDUCATION REPORT Assistant Superintendent Bak provided an end of the year report on the progress the elementary schools have made toward enhancing computer technology in the classroom. Ms. Bak stated that the 1990 -91 school year has been very productive with teachers using computers more often and more effectively. The Assistant Superin- tendent shared the goals of the three-year plan: Teachers will integrate the.use of computers into the regular curriculum. The teachers will be able to make informed decisions about when and how to use computers effectively in their particular teaching areas. Incor- porating the use of computers into instruction will help students reach the learning objectives for each content area. . Each teacher will become competent in the use of a variety of computer applications such as word processors and data bases. . Students will become familiar with basic computer operations. Students will learn to use computer applications that are appropriate to their grade level. School Committee members expressed pleasure in the positive results of the program and Computer Consultant Angeline Ferris. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 DRAFT OF AGENDA AND SCHEDULE CALENDARS JULY 15, 1991 Chair Philbrick presented the School Committee Agenda and Schedule AA, Calendars for 1991 -92. Members discussed that long range planning meeting(s) should be scheduled for a Saturday and that there should be a minimum of two School Committee meetings per month. Sugges- tions were made to schedule more fall meetings in the schools and to schedule the October 21st meeting as a regular meeting and not an open forum meeting. OTHER Dr. Munnelly discussed the changes that affect the School Com- mittee since the business operations of the school system have merged with the fiscal town offices. The Superintendent noted that under Town by -laws, signatures approving warrants for salary and expenses are needed. He added that when possible the warrant forms would be at School Committee meetings, and when the time -line for preparation may require the School Committee to sign sometime between Friday at 4 p.m. and Monday at 9 a.m that warrants for signature will be available at the police station. Georqe Shannon moved that Barbara Philbrick be voted as the designee to sign payroll warrants and that he be designated as the alternate in Barbara Philbrick's absence. Stan Nissen seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Dr. Munnelly requested a School Committee member volunteer to examine health insurance for employees with other committee and town members. Committee member Matt Cummings volunteered. PFRRONNFT. Assistant Superintendent Bak recommended appointments as identified on enclosures D -1 and D -2. School Committee members decided to hold appointments for Assistant Principals, Department Heads and the Library Coordinator K -12 until their stipends have been established. Stan Nissen, on the recommendation of the Administration, moved to approve the advisors, coordinators, and extra curricular appoint- ments and differentials as identified on page 2 of enclosure D -1 with the exception as noted. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Stan Nissen, on the recommendation of the Administration, moved to reappoint to staff all members listed on D -2 at recommended levels and steps, with the exception of Susan Tsiatis, and as described on enclosure D -4 to appoint Robert Mooney to his fourth contract as a math teacher at Reading Memorial High School effective September, 1991. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was three in favor and one abstention. i am REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 JULY 15, 1991 Stan Nissen, on the recommendation of the Administration, moved to appoint Todd Harrison as the Social Studies teacher at Parker Middle School at the salary rate of Masters Level, Step 1. Matthew Cum- mings seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. ADJOURNMENT At 10:50 p.m. Timothy Twomey moved to adjourn to Executive 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