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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-01-29 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts EGULAR SESSION MINUTES JANUARY 29, 1990 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Stan Nissen called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present with the exception of Carol Lyons, George Shannon, and student representative Tom Fuller who arrived later. Mary Williams was not present for the meeting. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak, Business Manager Warren Hopkins, and a reporter from the Reading Chronicle. ROUTINE MATTERS SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS Coolidge Middle School Principal Al Lahood introduced his staff; Connie Cherrington, Mary Hichborn, and Nancy Powell who presented the School Highlight A "How To Study" Program. i Connie Cherrington prefaced the presentation with "before and after" drawings of a student in this program and how this program would facilitate the students' transition from elementary to middle school. She also shared how the program will enable students to develop proper study techniques and work habits to be applied over a wide range of content areas. She discussed the use of organiza- tional tools and homework strategies. Mary Hichborn shared the importance of following directions and listening while Nancy Powell explained the SQ3R technique as follows: S - Survey Q - Question R - Read R - Recite R - Review It was recognized that the sum total of these skills plus desire will encourage students to become life long learners. School Committee members thanked the Coolidge staff for their pre- sentation. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT SUPERINTENDENT'S EXCELLENCE AWARD At this time, Dr. Munnelly introduced the two High School Seniors receiving the Massachusetts Superintendent's Excellence Award, David Platt and Jennifer Baggs. Both students are members of the National Honor Society and band. Dr. Munnelly stated that David is on the Student Advisory Council, SADD, and has played hockey for three years, and that Jennifer is active as a letter winner in three - sports. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 JANUARY 29, 1990 The members of the School Committee congratulated both students and recognized their proud families. A short recess was called for the recipients of this award to have their pictures taken for the Reading Chronicle. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Nissen called the regular session of the School Committee back to order at 7:35 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairman Nissen noted that the January 20, 1990 Special Session Minutes should be modified to read that Mary Williams arrived later. Barbara Philbrick moved to approve the minutes, as corrected, for the January 20, 1990 special session meeting. Margaret Cowell seconded_ the motion. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS There were no bills and payrolls to be approved CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen's input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly shared information on the air quality at the Ki.11am, Birch Meadow and Coolidge Schools stating that they have a higher than normal carbon dioxide level. He added that he will have an air quality report completed on the remaining district schools soon. The State recommended that the air vents at the schools be open for more circulation and they will be tested again by the State on February 9, 1990. OLD BUSINESS PROPOSED ARTICLES FOR CAPITAL EXPENDITURES Dr. Munnelly shared the drafts of four articles for the Town Meeting warrant as follows: .Boiler Replacement'at RMHS: estimated cost - $65,000 .Killam Roof: estimated cost - $262,000 .Track Refurbishment at RMHS: estimated cost - $30,000 .Asbestos Removal from Reading Public Schools: estimated cost - $95,000 Also to be presented at a Special Town Meeting within a Town Meeting will be the article to transfer a sum of money from certified free cash or other available funds for the purpose of funding expenses related to the cost of tuition for special needs students. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES JANUARY 29, 1990 Barbara Philbrick moved to submit all four Capital Improvement Articles to the Regular April 1990 Town Meeting and the Special Needs Article to Special Town Meeting within Town Meeting. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. COMMISSIONER'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly shared the memorandum as described on enclosure (B2a(3) from Harold Raynolds, Jr., Commissioner Massachusetts Department of Education entitled Public Education in Massachusetts: A Broken Promise. The information provided the impact of the deepcuts in the FY90 Budget on local school districts and indicated the results of educational opportunities for the Commonwealth students. NEW BUSINESS BARROWS ROOF ACCEPTANCE Dr. Munnelly recommended that the School Committee adopt a motion to "accept" the roof that was replaced under a Capital Bond at Barrows Elementary School. The State recently approved the.pay- ment of the States 66% contribution. Barbara Philbrick moved on the recommendation of the Administra- tion to accept the Barrow's Elementary School roof as authorized by Town Meeting, April 13, 1987 and completed June 22, 1989. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. UNDERSTANDING HANDICAPS Dr. Munnelly shared a letter from Rachael Baumgartner, President of the Understanding Handicaps /Reading requesting School Committee waiver of the rental fee on the Parker Auditorium for its annual fund raiser. On the recommendation of the Administration, Carol Lyons moved to waive the rental fee of the Parker Middle School Auditorium on Friday, March 9, 1990 for the Understanding Handicaps /Reading annual fund raiser. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS HORACE MANN PROJECTS Assistant Superintendent Lynn Bak shared the success of the written reports of the Horace Mann projects that were funded last year. School Committee members were provided individual booklets for their review. COURSE OF STUDY BOOKLETS Dr. Munnelly advised the School Committee that the few changes - they had approved were now incorporated into the 1990 -91 Reading Memorial High School Course of Study Booklets. The booklets will be distributed this week in time for students to review with their families and make early course selections to start their classes in September 1990. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 JANUARY 29, 1990 PERSONNEL Regarding personnel interests, conveyed that Rebecca Flaherty, Killam Elementary School will be or near January 29, 1990. Assistant Superintendent Bak Grade 5 teacher at the J. Warren on maternity leave effective on Regarding other personnel related matters, On the recommendation of the Administration, Barbara Philbrick moved to accept Carolyn Ferguson to the position of Coolidge Middle School part time Psychologist; Carol Steele as a long term English substitute at the rate of Bachelor's Level, Step 1, at Reading Memorial High School effective January 30, 1990; and Joanne Garlick as a long term substitute for Grade 5 at Killam Elementary School effective on or near January 29, 1990. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. Discussion followed. The vote was unanimous. On the recommendation of the Administration, Carol Lyons moved to accept that the employment of Gregory Owen be concluded effective January 19, 1990. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion The vote was unanimous. OLD BUSINESS EVALUATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT Chairman Nissen shared the School Committee's overall assessment of the Evaluation of Superintendent Munnelly. On the evaluation form, the Superintendent was rated as superior or better on most of the performance responsiblities in the job description. The Superintendent thanked the School Committee for the vote of con- fidence their ratings represent. BUDGET FY1991 PLANNING FOR JANUARY 29th FINCOM REVIEW OF BUDGET Chairman Nissen reported that the School Committee will now have to cut $275,000 more from its "Deep Cut" budget after receiving a set of revised figures from the Town Manager's office. He com- mented that another revision would be necessary after the FinCom meet on January 30, 1990,. for preparation of the override meeting, and that proper adjustments would be made at the next School Committee meeting. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS AIDS EDUCATION UPDATE Assistant Superintendent Lynn Bak updated the School Committee Members of the work that teachers, students, and parents have done in the areas of curriculum development, implementation, informa- REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 JANUARY 29, 1990 tion sharing and in- service with the AIDS Education Curriculum over the last year. She presented on the overhead the time line of the activities that had taken place since July of 1987. Ms. Bak introduced Marc Alterio, who served on the AIDS Task Force, highlighted grade level objectives and community iniatives of the AIDS program. He stressed that decision making on the part of responsible students will establish a basis for sound under- standing of a healthful society. School Committee members related that they had received positive feedback from parents and thanked Carol Lyons for her contribution as a School Committee member. MAINSTREAMING PILOT PROGRAMS Dr. Alexanian, Director of Pupil Personnel Services introduced Kathy Woods from the Killam Elementary Special Needs Program and Pam Pratt from the Reading Memorial High School Special Needs Program. Ms. Pratt shared several-of the SEEM program initiatives for high school special needs students so they can be trained to move into jobs and the community. Kathy Woods than shared her program for special needs students to advance into the classrooms with their peers. The Committee thanked the teachers for the information they provided to familiarize Reading citizens of their efforts to mainstream special needs students into the classrooms and community. OTHER INTERESTS School Committee shared that Citizen James Nally, Jr. and Commit- tee Member Barbara Philbrick had taken papers out as a candidate for the March 1990 School Committee election. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Nissen suggested that School Committee ajourn to executive session. Margaret Cowell moved to adjourn to Executive Session. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and the regular session adjourned at 9:40 p.m.