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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-09-23 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 23, 1991 CALL TO ORDER Chair Barbara Philbrick called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:03 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present with the exception of George Shannon and Mary Williams, who were expected to arrive later. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak and a reporter from the Chronicle. MINUTES Matthew Cummings moved to accept the minutes from the September 9, 1991 meeting. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous with one abstention. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for Bills was as follows: September 23, 1991 - Bills - $85,649.45 The warrant for Payrolls was as follows: September 20, 1991 - Teachers - $408,560.43 CITIZENS INPUT There was no citizens input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly reported that the elementary busing problem has been resolved. The Superintendent congratulated the six Reading Memorial High School Seniors that have been named as National Merit Scholars. School Committee Student Representative Carrie Bither shared the names of the National Merit Scholars as follows: Benjamin Abott Yee Fan -Sun Jon Griffith Erin MacDonald Mike Manville Jeremy Piper REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 SEPTEMBER 23, 1991 Dr. Munnelly stated he had met with parents of secondary students who are investigating school busing for their children. Dr. Munnelly added that most of these students are from the west side of town. He stated the importance of attempting to generate enough financial support from parents to contract a bus. PERSONNEL On the recommendation of the Administration, Matthew Cummings moved to grant Lauren Fusco, Grade 3 teacher at the Killam Elementary School, a child rearing leave from December 30, 1991 to June 30, 1992. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. School Committee members noted that the item of Personnel has moved ahead of usual order on the agenda and advised that Committee action must be taken promptly to incorporate this policy change. OTHER Matthew Cummings who represents -the School Committee on.the Drug and Alcohol Task Force advised the Committee that.the [Montreal ski trip students are arranging with Colpitts Travel Agency is not school sponsored. Reading Memorial High School Principal Rena Mirkin advised the School Committee that the high school does not sponsor or chaperone the ski trip and has stated this in the school paper High Flyer and a letter sent for inclusion in the Chronicle. Principal Mirkin also stated that she has sent a letter to Colpitts advising them that this trip is being planned without permission of the school administration and hoped that parents would make an informed choice. OLD BUSINESS BUDGET '92 - DISCUSSION BETWEEN SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND ADVISORY COM- MITTEE ON FISCAL PRIORITIES REPORT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE Dr. Munnelly, with respect to the FY92 budget, identified savings without a teacher salary deferral of $240,000 as follows: • Cafeteria - Revolving Account $ 55,000 • Athletic - Revolving Account 4,000 • Facilities /Rental - Revolving Account 70,000 • Electric Utilities 7,000 • Athletic Transportation 7,000 • Regular Day Transportation 2,200 • Custodial Overtime 1,800 • METCO Accounts 18,000 • Roof Account Balance (restricted) 9,000 • Principal's Salaries 5,000 • Adult Education - Revolving Account 7,000 i REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 SEPTEMBER 23, 1991 . Essex Agricultural 18,400 . Clerk (Central Office) 5,000 1/2 Reading Teacher - RMHS 20,000 . 1/2 Home Economics - RMHS 9,500 Total $238,900 The discussion which followed included a report from the School Committee's Advisory Committee on financial priorities given by Matthew Cummings. The Superintendent advised with the concurrence of the Advisory Committee that the high school reading position not be filled and the high school home economics position be eliminated at mid -year. In response to School Committee inquiry regarding the effect of taking money from the revolving accounts, Dr. Munnelly answered that in the event of an emergency the school would have to go to the Finance Committee to request funds. Stan Nissen on the recommendation of the Administration moved to accept the list of cuts in accounts that total $238,900 as identified on enclosure B2c(1). Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. Discus- sion continued. Timothy Twomey moved to amend the motion by removing the reading and home economics teaching positions from the list and increasing the withdrawal of funds in the revolving accounts. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. The motion did not pass on a 1 -4 -1 vote. The original motion was approved by a 5 -1 vote. Mr. Twomey advised that his motion was not in opposition to re- ducing the goal of $_240,000_ but rather to opposition of specific items composing the list. TEACHER SALARY DEFERRAL Dr. Munnelly advised that amendments to the teacher's salary pay deferral now provides that the Board of Selectmen rather than Town Meeting be the deciding factor whether the deferral would be adopted. Knowing how strongly the Selectmen have voiced their opposition to the plan, Chair Barbara Philbrick stated that Articles 4 and 5 that appear on the Special Town Meeting warrant addressing the deferral and an accompanying stabilization fund will be postponed. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 SEPTEMBER 23, 1991 INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS Dr. Munnelly invited Reading citizens to attend an open hearing at Killam Elementary School on September 30th. The Superintendent shared that the meeting would begin informally at 7 p.m. From 7:30 -9:30 p.m. the Killam School highlight presentation will be made followed by an open session to hear from interested citizens. The Superintendent stated that enclosure C -2 identified dates and schools that would coordinate their school highlight presentation with the school's open hearing date. OTHER Dr. Munnelly advised that School Committee would meet on Tuesday, October 1 and begin discussion regarding projected increase in elementary enrollments over the next several years. Dr. Munnelly stated that Reading Memorial High School Princi- pal Rena Mirkin would discuss SAT.results at a future meeting. The Superintendent also shared that Mary Williams and Timothy Twomey would begin the update of policy issues for School Commit- tee review at their next meeting. Chair Philbrick requested members to have their School Committee goals prepared for discussion. ADJOURNMENT At 9:05 p.m. Stan Nissen moved to adjourn to Executive meeting for the purpose of the report from the School Committee teacher nego- tiation bargaining team. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Respectfully Submitted Robert .I. Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee