The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1991-12-09 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES CALL TO ORDER DECEMBER 9, 1991 Chair Barbara Philbrick called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:08 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present with the exception of Mary Williams and Timothy Twomey. Also present were Superinten- dent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak and a reporter from the Chronicle. MINUTES There were no minutes. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for Bills was as follows: December 9, 1991 - General Expense - $ 28,340.16 The warrant for Payrolls was as follows: December 6, 1991 Biweekly - $123,838.14 CITIZEN INPUT There was no citizen's input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT VISITORS Dr. Munnelly recognized several of Reading Memorial High School Student Advisory Council Members who were present to share with the School Committee. School Committee Student Representa- tive Carrie Bither introduced students Alison Bastiani, Mark DiGiovanni, Phil Dolan, Greg Fratto, Maura Gignetti, Jen Massa, Cathryn Murphy, and Lauren Perella. Sophomore Cathryn Murphy opened discussion stating sophomores raised a $100 profit by offering 4 hours of baby sitting as a com- munity service, and fund raiser and added that the students plan to offer this service again. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 DECEMBER 9, 1991 Phil Dolan and Carrie Bither added that they were involved in the AIDS Awareness Week that included speakers who have the virus. Ms. Bither added that a Parent Information Night is being sche- duled. Carrie Bither shared a survey that Student Council had pre- pared for faculty and students to answer regarding budget cutback ideas. She noted that 650 students and 50 faculty members had re- sponded. Replies regarding course options at Reading Memorial High School, the Fine Arts requirement, and user fees represented a split of opinion. Carrie added that when students were asked about preserving extra - curricula activities vs maintaining smaller classes the percentages ran 79% in favor to 21% opposed. Other student comments included cutting busses for some away sports games; providing an all year pass for sports; fundraisers; and a slight increase in activity card /athletic fee. Dr. Munnelly stated there would be further discussion regard- ing the Fine Arts requirement at a future School Committee meeting. Another idea from the students, was to request businesses in town to give a percentage of each dollar earned on an identified day to support athletics. Chair Philbrick suggested pursuing this effort through the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary. Reading Memorial High School Principal Rena Mirkin stated she was impressed with the work the students have been accom- plishing. BRIEFING ON NEW ENGLAND ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGE ACCREDITATION PROCESS Dr. Munnelly introduced Reading Memorial High School teacher Peter Moscariello, Chairman for the Steering Committee for the accredi- tation process, and Principal Rena Mirkin. Mr. Moscariello noted that the site visitation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges will take place four days in November 1993. Self evaluation of nine standards will take place prior to that date. Mr. Moscariello advised that materials have been received for each committee and will keep School Committee updated. Ms. Mirkin also stated that the Steering Committee will try to balance what is necessary with what is required with our present fiscal restraints. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Dr. Munnelly shared the Reading School Committee Policy for Reading Memorial High School Graduation Requirements voted in November 1984. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 DECEMBER 9, 1991 Assistant Superintendent Bak related how the computer proficiency requirement hours are being identified and the standard is being met by high school students. Principal Mirkin explained the process of computer testing and shared with the Committee the timetable for measuring student's proficiency. The Assistant Superintendent also noted that develop- ing computer proficiency with our students at the high school is difficult when the computer hardware that is available is outdated. A Computer Curriculum Evaluation K -12 is currently underway. Re- sults will be shared with the School Committee in the spring. vpmr WANAiriNi There was no personnel action. OLD BUSINESS BUDGET FY93 Dr. Munnelly explained his proposal of the staff and program reductions and how the impact on students and services with the amount of savings for each cut. .Eliminate the remaining Directors (Physical Education, Fine Arts) in the Regular Day Educational Program - $54,000 .Eliminate all Department Head positions and replace with four Curriculum Leaders, grades 6 -12, in Science and Technology, Math, English Language Arts and Humanities - $140,000 .RMHS assistant principals would be redesignated as teaching assistant principals and teach one period per day - $10,000 .Teaching assistant principals at Coolidge and Parker will be- come half -time assistant principals - $44,000 .Institute a one -year moratorium on contracted Tuition Re- imbursement - $30,000 .Reduce professional development consultants - $30,000 .Fund one -third of the athletic budget, instead of two - thirds $80,000 savings .Reduce some extra - curricular programs and raise student "beneficiary fee" from $15 to $25 - $10,000 .Redesign the custodial and repair functions - $32,000 M REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 DECEMBER 9. 1991 .Eliminate uniform allowance for custodial workers - $5,000 .Reduce teacher aides at RMHS by cutting one library aide and one attendance aide - $16,000 .Reduce elementary aides by 10% - $10,000 .Reduce 7.5 teaching and guidance specialists: two library/ media specialists, two physical education teachers, one middle school reading teacher, one K -8 school psychologist, one high school guidance counselor, one half -time home eco- nomics teacher - $260,000 .Reduce four elementary teachers. Raising class sizes to 25 -30 students - $120,000 .Reduce three middle school teachers (home economics, educa- tional technology, and possible loss of foreign language) - $90,000 .Reduce three high school teachers: one English teacher, one math teacher, one half -time foreign language teacher, one half -time technical education teacher - $90,000 In summary, Dr. Munnelly stated this FY93 draft budget represents a total of $1,021,000 cuts noting that the only area not touched by this reduction is secretarial, which presently is at a bare bones staffing. The Superintendent advised that he would detail main- tenance further at the next School Committee meeting. Discussion followed. Issues raised were the cutting of guidance and foreign language positions. Mr. Shannon raised a concern about the justification for the Focus program, and all members agreed to reinstate the district standardized testing program. Booster President James Murphy encouraged Reading citizens to support the rally at the State House on December 16th and to call their State Representative regarding the budgets for education in the State. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS STATE DEPARTMENT AND GERALDINE DODGE FOUNDATION PROGRAM (out -of- order) Dr. Munnelly stated that he and Assistant Superintendent Bak have been attending two year ongoing sessions with eighty -eight other superintendents state -wide who are examining school restructuring. Dr. Munnelly advised that the seminar, funded by the Geraldine Dodge Foundation in collaboration with the Massachusetts Depart- ment of Education and the Massachusetts Superintendent Association, will be held in Worcester on December 11 -12th. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 DECEMBER 9, 1991 The Superintendent shared that he will be part of a panel at the meeting which reflects on the Killam Carnegie School Experience. STATE VIDEO ON MAINSTREAMING Dr. Munnelly presented a video that the Massachusetts Department of Education, in collaboration with the New England Telephone Company, has produced featuring students from the Developmentally Delayed class at Killam. The Superintendent stated the film en- titled "We Are Special" demonstrates how mainstreaming of special education students is carried on in several locations throughout the state. ADJOURNMENT At 10:25 p.m. George Shannon moved to adjourn. Stanley Nissen seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Respectfully Submitted Robert I Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee