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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-02-26 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES CALL TO ORDER FEBRUARY 26, 1990 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 Mary Williams arriving later. Chairman Nissen announced that George Shannon would be leaving early. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak, Business Manager Warren Hopkins, Student Representative Tom Fuller and a reporter from the Reading Chronicle. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Barbara Philbrick moved to accept the minutes of the January 29 and February 5, 1990 meetings. George Shannon made note on Kendra Cooper's request, that Ms. Cooper on the February 5th minutes should include that she raised a question regarding the P.T.O. safety report as well as what procedure for health and nursing services have been done at Killam and Birch Meadow Elementary Schools. George Shannon seconded the motion with the correction. The vote was all in favor with Margaret Cowell abstaining from the February 5, 1990 minutes. The vote was 3 -0 -1. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrants for bills and payrolls were as follows: BILLS February 19, 1990 February 26, 1990 n A V nr%T T Q February 16, 1990 February 9, 1990 February 16, 1990 February 23, 1990 CITIZEN'S INPUT General Expenses $103,099.09 General Expenses $ 51,927.54 Teachers $415,833.00 Weekly $ 56,102.29 Weekly _ $ _59,498.93 Weekly $ 48,613.15 There was no citizen's input. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -2- FEBRUARY 26. 1990 SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS Killam Elementary School Principal Paul Guerrette introduced mem- bers of the Early Childhood Preschool Team; Special Education Teacher Vickie Griffin, Speech /Language Therapist Louise Ward, and Occupational Therapist Claire Friedman, who presented the School Highlight "Reading's Preschool Program ". Other members of the Preschool Team, who were not present, are Social Worker Andra Brewer and School Psychologist Kay Duryea. Vickie Griffin highlighted the program's history and development, Louise Ward shared how services for students are integrated into the child's program and the program's affiliation with private preschools, and Claire Friedman displayed slides and described the progress of typical activities. Team members shared the pamphlet, THE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM FOR EX- CEPTIONAL BEGINNINGS that is available to the public which pro- vides an overview of the program and a parent information sheet that is sent to families who inquire about this program for their child. Discussion with School Committee members continued with an explan- ation of the procedure for interviewing students, which is called an Arena type Assessment. This type of screening results in effi- cient use of staff time, is less taxing for the child, and allows better placement. Dr. Alexanian made favorable comments about the program and the fantastic cooperation with other collaboratives that have helped to make this program successful. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly shared the names of students in the third quarter, that the faculty has selected for recognition of their achieve- ments and contributions at Reading Memorial High School as follows: Kimberly Bennett '92 Dennis Lehane '92 Philip Martinelle 190 Daniel Carrigan 192 Frederick VanMagness 192 Annette Dauphinee 190 Douglas Brietzke '90 Sheila Begonis 190 Fhynita Brinson 190 Lauren D'Addario 191 Lauren Halsey 193 Kirsten Manville 191 Kevin Mocklin '90 Kevin McCoy 190 and Nancy Drane'90 Michael Walsh 193 English Award Social Studies Award AP Comouter Science and Mathematics Award Science Award Foreign Language Award Business Award Technology Education Award Art Award Home Economic Award Athletics Award Physical Education Award Music Award Service Award Leadership Award Principal's Award REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -3- FEBRUARY 26, 1990 At this time Dr. Munnelly added that two of Reading's students, Kevin Andrews and Cadence Thomases have won top prizes in the Boston Globe Art Festival. Their work will be traveling to New W York City for judging and display in the National Scholastic Art Awards. Dr. Munnelly announced that on January 19, 1990, Reading's Art Director Susan Wheltle was selected to receive the- National Art Education Association Award as the Massachusetts Art Educator for 1990. The Administration and School Committee congratulated students and Susan Wheltle for their excellent representation of the Reading Public.Schools. OLD BUSINESS SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE: BIMONTHLY UPDATING OF ACTIVITY . Dr. Piechota introduced members of the School Committee's Student Advisory Committee that were present as follows: Tim Christmas Scott Lossinger Mike Shannon David Platt Nancy Drane Tom Fuller Tom Fuller opened up the discussion with a report on their activities and such issues as to the effectiveness of the no- smoking rules. It was noted that there is currently less smoking on school property, but that there still are areas where rules need to be addressed. Other activities that the students are involved in are Students Pro - Proposition 2 1/2, chaired by Senior Rob Spadafora. Nancy Drane shared that students who are pro- override have been busy letter writing and calling voters with information of the quality of life for students. She also added that the Student Advisory Committee had sponsored student registration and that Mrs. Lind- gren, school guidance secretary had registered sixty students. Dr. Piechota remarked how many of the students are seniors and are working to continue the quality of education they have received for their undergraduate classmates. Other questions brought into discussion were why water fountains were not working. Dr. Piechota replied that the age of the foun- tains make it difficult to obtain parts. Another issue discussed was nutritional food in the school. Canned juices cannot replace soft drinks in the machines, therefore juices must be purchased in the cafeteria. It was also noted that Martha Moore and three students are recycling white paper and newspaper. Their goal is also to try to eliminate styrofoam usage from the cafeteria too. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -4- FEBRUARY 26, 1990 Nancy_Drane shared that three elected students have been elected to serve on a student handbook committee. Stan Nissen suggested the Student Advisory Committee meet again after the March election. NEW BUSINESS APPROVAL OF SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS George Shannon moved to approve the School Improvement Council expenditures as described in enclosure 3 -a. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. Discussion followed. The vote was unanimous. Dr. Munnelly stated it was time to consider School Improvement Council members for the next school year. SCHOOL COMMITTEE LIAISON TO HANDBOOK Stan Nissen solicited volunteers to serve on the committee to conduct an annual review for the code of student conduct handbook to be used in the school year 1990 -91. The committee is to be chaired by Dr. Piechota and includes three teachers, three parents, three students, and one person appointed by the school committee. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING LEGAL COUNSEL 1990 -91: COLLABORATING WITH MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT 'W -0 Dr. Munnelly shared a letter from Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner regarding services of town counsel. Members of the School Commit- tee want to convey to the Town Manager that they would prefer to maintain their own counsel. The level of experience that counsel has offered to past labor relations has been most satisfactory. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS UPDATE ON HEALTH & NURSING PROCEDURES Dr. Alexanian outlined changes and recommendations involving the Health and Nursing Program and noted the addition of one nurse and how it has significantly improved coverage and contact time for all nurses. Dr. Alexanian introduced the Supervisor of Health Service, JoAnn McMahon; who discussed the utilization of a daily first -aid log, the waiver program, staff training, emergency responses, parent notification, curricular involvement, special education procedures, and the immunization program. Discussion regarding who has received CPR training followed. Dr. Alexanian responded that currently there are two persons certified for CPR in every building and that every year CPR people have to be re- certified. It was noted that all cafeteria personnel have been trained in the Heimlech Maneuver and training has been made available to help staff respond to specific children who have specialized health problems. The Health and Nursing Procedures in- formation will be collated and made available in a central location. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -5- FEBRUARY 26, 1990 FOCUS PROGRAM - READING MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL Reading Memorial High School Principal Dr. Mark Piechota introduced Focus Program Director Sam Baker and Focus Guidance Teacher Barbara Martin. Sam Baker shared information regarding the type of student Focus helps including those students who have: 1. Poor attendance record 2. Failing grades 3. Discipline problems 4. Not learned appropriate behavior or reached an appropriate level of maturity 5. Not made a connection within school - peers, social connections He added that the program works with parents, as well as, students with a great degree of close counseling contact and supervision in small groups. This alternative "high school within a high school" meets the needs of a group who would most likely leave school if such an alternative was not available. Mr. Baker stated that this program has served over 400 students in 14 years. At this time Barbara Martin shared the enclosed Focus booklet. She highlighted the contents of the booklet with an emphasis on how the program encourages students to change, contribute, learn, laugh, connect and succeed. Several students were present, and each one shared positive informa- tion regarding their participation in the program. 1988 -89 PER -PUPIL COST ANALYSIS For comparison purposes, Dr. Munnelly shared the Massachusetts Department of Education updated cost figures that are included in the 1988- 89,(Enclosure 3) Preliminary per Pupil Expenditures, as re- lated to other school districts. PRINCIPAL RECOGNITION DAY Dr. Munnelly stated that Governor Dukakis has proclaimed April 27, 1990 as "Massachusetts School Principal Recognition Day ". Dr. Munnelly suggested that School Committee congratulate at the opening of town meeting in April, Parker Middle School Principal Jack Delaney on his election as President -Elect of the National Associa- tion of Secondary School Principals and Coolidge Middle School Principal Al Lahood for his State Leadership as President of the State Secondary School Principal's Association. OTHER INFORMATION Chairman Nissen inquired about monthly reporting on accounts. Dr. Munnelly related that regular reporting of information on fund balances and expenditures, including cafeteria, is in process. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -6- FEBRUARY 26, 1990 Chairman Nissen reiterated that the Reading Community needs to stay informed with true facts regarding .Proposition 2 1/2. Suggested ways that this could be accomplished were to set up a day and time to have a table at the shopping center with School Committee Members and to also have a question /answer call in program on cable televi- sion. DVDC(1MMVT Assistant Superintendent Lynn Bak announced that Virginia Quinn, a teacher at Barrows School will begin a maternity leave -of- absence on March 5, 1990 On the recommendation of the Administration: Carol Lyons moved to accept Richard Benshimol's resignation for the purpose of retirement from the Reading Public Schools to be effec- tive at the end of the 1989 -90 school year.. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. ADJOURNMENT At 9:45 p.m., Carol Lyons moved to adjourn the meeting. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Respectfully Submitted Robert J. Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee