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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-10-21 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING OPEN SESSION MINUTES CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:28 p.m. HIGHLIGHTS 21 OCTOBER 1991 Mrs. Kodinski, President of Eaton School Parent Teachers Association explained how the P.-T.A. is organized into eight subcommittees for such issues as; Safety, Room Parent Coordination, Parent Volunteers, Publicity, Development and Fundraising. In recent years the P.T.A. has purchased a copy machine, purchased library books, sponsored enrichment programs,. provided $5.00 per student for field trips and brought groups to school for all students on enrichment days. Principal Don Farnham and Elia Marnik expressed their pleasure at the assistance which supplements curriculum in consultation with the teaching staff. DIALOGUE AND DISCUSSION Questions posed by the Eaton School P.T.A. Board to the Reading School Committee. 1. what plan does the school have to address building maintenance issues? 2. There is a lack of communication. How can the School Committee open up communication with parents? 3. How can we get the townspeople to understand devastation and how can we get the Town to give more financial support? Open Hearing Question /Comment Time 1. Busing parents registered complaints about decision which eliminated buses on three weeks notice. 2. A parent asked about the reduction of physical education in the elementary schools, but not the middle schools. 3. Questions were raised about the two kindergarten plans and whether the decision was already made. 11 Open Session Meeting -2- 21 October 1991 4. Another citizen asked what is the process for generating space options. Where does redistricting fit in? 5. A citizen referred to a survey which elicited space options after the debt exclusion vote failed. 6. The School Committee was advised to use the Financial Priorities Advisory Committee, and that the School Committee be leaders, given the long range view. The School Committee needs to shape Town Meeting to respond to school needs. 7. A citizen asked if there is still a linkage between the sale of Pearl Street School and School Building Improvements. 8. A Birch Meadow parent said that neither Plan A nor Plan B helps Birch Meadow. 9. A comment is "What poisions do you want to take ?" is better than "Here is the poision you must take!" 10. The answer by one parent:- "Equitability is Key." 11. Barbara Philbrick commented "Equal opportunity and equal hurt may be a better way of describing the criteria." 12. A citizen asked "are there state mandates which hurt us ?" 13. A Birch Meadow parent said "New housing developments in the Birch Meadow area are opening. Dan Ensminger on mark with his predictions. Something has to be done." 14. Another citzen urged the School Committee to lobby against mandated programs. 15. A comment by one parent was that this crisis is a real opportunity to bring the age groups of the Town together and "not have people shout at the School Committee." 16. A parent raised a concern about basic skills and the watering down of curriculum standards. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. RJM /dfw Respectfully Submitted 11/12/91 Robert I Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee