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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-11-18 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES CALL TO ORDER NOVEMBER 18, 1991 Chair Barbara Philbrick called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:03 p.m. in the Superin- tendent'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 Stanley Nissen moved to approve the minutes of the October 7th and October 21st. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. Bar- bara Philbrick abstained from the October 7th minutes. The vote for the minutes of October 21st was unanimous. Discussion followed and according to charter a majority of the committee would have to vote on the October 7th minutes when other School Committee members arrived. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for Bills was as follows: November 4, 1991 Bills $30,107.86 November 12, 1991 Bills $64,054.85 November 18, 1991 Bills $79,885.49 November 25, 1991 Bills $37,693.34 The warrant for Payrolls was as follows: November 1, 1991 Teachers $430,242.03 November 15, 1991 Teachers $414,407.19 November 8, 1991 Biweekly $105,041.87 November 22, 1991 Biweekly $103,992.74 GIFTS Dr. Munnelly shared that citizens of the Killam community have donated paper, binders, and maps to the schools. Along with the School Committee, the Superintendent publicly thanked Matthew Cummings, Lillian Cutter, and Mr. & Mrs. Glen Miller. Dr. Munnelly added that the Reading Boosters have donated a $2,200 ice making machine to the Athletic Department and have also donated supervision time for the weight training program. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 NOVEMBER 18, 1991 Stanley Nissen moved to thank and accept the donation of gifts and time from Reading Citizens. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. CITIZEN INPUT Chair Philbrick requested members of the audience to hold com- ments on agenda issues until the specified time. There was no other citizen input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly complimented Coolidge Middle School's Science Department Head John Doherty and two students who spoke at the Rotary Meeting regarding the school's science program. Dr. Munnelly congratulated Carrie Bither, Reading Memorial High School Student Representative to the School Committee, for being admitted to Colgate University.on an early admission basis. PERSONNEL ACTION On the recommendation of the Administration Timothy Twomey moved to accept the resignation of Leslie Carra han, Resource Room teacher at the Barrows Elementary School, effective December 6, 1991. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion The vote was unanimous. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Timothy Twomey noted a correction of the name of parent Linda Martin on the Open Hearing minutes of October 7th. The vote for the October 7, 1991 meeting were 4 in favor and 1 abstention. OLD BUSINESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ENROLLMENT /FACILITY PLANNING ALTERNATIVE PLANS Chair Barbara Philbrick noted that Options A and B for the ele- mentary school enrollment have already been discussed. Assistant Superintendent Bak and principals have been studying and preparing other alternatives. Ms. Bak began discussion with a presentation of the four other options. Option C, 1992 -1996, outlined maintaining all classrooms K -5 in current elementary buildings; reassigning kindergartens back to Birch Meadow; eliminating combination classrooms; in the years 1992 -1993 a portable would be added to Birch Meadow; 1994 -1996 two additional teachers would be needed and redistricting would be required beginning in 1992. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 NOVEMBER 18, 1991 Option D outlined the maintenance of all classrooms K -5 in current elementary buildings; reassignment of kindergartens back to Birch Meadow; elimination of combination classrooms; the addition of four portables to Birch Meadow from 1992 -1996; four .; additional teachers would be needed from 1992 -1996 and redis- tricting would be an option in 1994. Option E outlined transferring Grade 8 students to the high school and Grade 5 students to middle schools. Option F outlined transferring Grade 5 students to the middle schools. Reading citizen Chuck Wayne, a volunteer from a group of parents who have met with Ms. Bak and principals regarding redistricting and student residency data, stated the importance of the quality of education for all district students and the need to keep students in the same area through their school experience. School Committee agreed to remove Option A due to financial situation and agreed not to take action on the other options until the budget has been discussed and the shortfalls have been addressed. The Chair suggested that there was a need for more community input. School Committee member Timothy Twomey agreed to work with the Assistant Superintendent to frame a survey of questions regard- ing the elementary school enrollment and facility planning al- ;, ternatives. POLICY REVIEW NEW POLICY Timothy Twomey introduced a draft of a new policy, Dissemination of Information to the Public. Chair Philbrick stated that the outline of this policy is at the beginning of the Policy Book as a Philosophic Statement. Stanley Nissen moved to abolish Policy BCF: Citizens Advisory Council. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -1- 1. For discussion purposes at a future meeting, it was decided to go back into the minutes of October 1 to verify previous discussion on other draft policies. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 NOVEMBER 18, 1991 NEW BUSINESS BUDGET 1992 -93 EDUCATIONAL NEEDS /NEGATIVE EDUCATIONAL LEGACY The Superintendent began the discussion of the budget for 1992 -93 that he previously portrayed over the years as a "Financial Plan for Carrying Out an Educational Plan ". Dr. Munnelly referred to this year's budget as a "Negative Legacy ", since it is the fourth consecutive year of decreased funding. Dr. Munnelly noted that most of our time this winter and spring will be debating what is the basic core of educational services which the Town's available dollars will allow. Dr. Munnelly reviewed the state of affairs at each of the district's seven schools, followed with a summary of budget cuts to date. The Superintendent concluded stating we have "made do" and have survived without textbooks, supplies, equipment, new technology and postponed projects for the past three years and we are getting further and further behind. CAPITAL BUDGET DISCUSSION Dr. Munnelly presented the proposed revision of the 1993 -1997 Capital Plan. He focused on the need for renovations in the Secondary Schools, Parker Roof Replacement, the two High School roof projects and space remodeling for the Eaton and Birch Meadow Elementary Schools. The chair lifts at Coolidge Middle School to Gym and Art Room have been postponed. The Superinten- dent stressed the importance that boiler replacements begin in 1993. The Superintendent advised that other additions to the Capital Outlay Plan are door replacements, alarms, a computer for energy management, steam trap replacement, stage curtain, clock tower repair and roof top ventilation replacement. ROLE AND MISSION OF FINANCIAL PRIORITIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE Dr. Munnelly shared information from Town Hall that estimated a drop in state aid of $474,757 for FY93, setting the overall gap between FY92 and FY93 at $1,065,996. The Superintendent advised that the impact on the School Department will be in the vicinity of $600,000 to which we must add the $175,000 from the 1992 Governor's cutback. The Superintendent went on to say that this news, if we accept it for budget action, represents a cut of near 5 %. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 NOVEMBER 18, 1991 Chair Philbrick reminded members that the Financial Priority Advisory Committee will be meeting on December 4th to discuss budget implications and funding priorities. Results of that session will be shared with the entire School Committee at a near future meeting. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS UPDATE ON GROUPING ARRANGEMENTS Dr. Munnelly assured the School Committee that all activities on grouping arrangements have been done in the spirit of the understandings developed with the School Committee this past June. ELDER AFFAIRS VOLUNTEER PROGRAM (V.O.I.C.E.) Assistant Superintendent Bak briefed the School Committee on the school volunteer recruitment effort with the senior citizens of the community. Posters and sign -up forms have been distributed throughout the town. Any person interested in volunteering in the local schools in areas such as reading, writing, typing, sewing, cooking, or have hobbies, enjoy math or would like to share their travel experiences should contact Lee Roberts, Co- ordinator of Volunteers at Town Hall. Contact people have volunteered in each of the district schools to assist any senior citizen offering services to respective schools. Special thanks - was offered to Birch Meadow teacher Gaynelle Knowlton and Lee Roberts for the time offered in the planning and initiation of this program. ADJOURNMENT At 11:45 p.m. Timothy Twomey moved to adjourn. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Respectfully Submitted Roberti. Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee