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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-03-12 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 12 MARCH 1990 CALL TO ORDER Vice Chairman Carol Lyons called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Supe-rintendent's Conference Room. Chairman Stan Nissen and Margaret Cowell were not present at the commencement of the meeting, but both were expected to arrive later. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak, Business Manager R. Warren Hopkins, Student Representative Thomas Fuller, several teachers, and members of the Reading community. APPROVAL OF MINUTES George Shannon requested the minutes of the meeting on February 26, 1990 be adjusted to clarify that Mrs. Kendra Cooper was not present at the meeting on February 26, 1990. Mr. Shannon, on Mrs. Cooper's behalf, stated the minutes should reflect that Mrs. Cooper raised, along with the procedure for health and nursing services, a question regarding the P.T.O. safety report and its issues. A motion was made by Barbara Philbrick and seconded by George Shannon - that the minutes of the February 26, 1990 meeting be approved under the condition that the clarification be made. The motion carried on a vote of 4 -0. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrants for bills and payrolls were as follows: BILLS March 5, 1990 March 12, 1990 DA VPOT.T.S March 8, 1990 March 2, 1990 March 16, 1990 CITIZEN'S INPUT General Expense General Expense Teachers Bi- weekly Bi- weekly $ 26,098.20 $205,641.33 $406,549.24 $ 85,041.37 $114,055.35 Mrs. Cathy Bozzi requested that time permitting, the agenda be opened to receive input from citizens regarding the music program. Mrs. Bozzi was assured that comments would be welcome. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -2-' 12 MARCH 1990 SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly related to the Committee that during the recent information session held for citizens last week, questions were raised concerning Reading's METCO program. Dr. Munnelly informed the School Committee he has written a letter to be published in the Chronicle to address the concerns and misconceptions people have about the program. The METCO program is funded by the State Board of Education and a State grant of $294,000 for 1989 -90 pays all costs of the program. Funds received from the METCO grant are equivalent to the salaries of three and one -half teachers. The consequences of not participating in the METCO program next year would be a $100,000 tuition loss to the Reading budget. Aside from the financial benefits obtained by this grant, participation in the METCO program affords Reading youngsters the benefit of the opportunity of an integrated education. OLD BUSINESS MUSIC PANEL REPORT Dr. Munnelly introduced the co- chairwomen of the Music Advisory Panel, Adrienne Caselle and Jeanne Thomases. In addition to Mrs. Caselle and Mrs. Thomases, the committee is comprised of: Music Director John Giacobbe; Principals Dr. Mark Piechota and Charlie Papandreou; Dave Bunten and Kristin Killian, members of the teaching staff; Alice Collins, Janice Dufrense, and Rick Nelson, community volunteers. Barbara Philbrick represents the School Committee as a liaison, and Dr. Munnelly supports the Panel as Superintendent of Schools. The Music Advisory Panel, originated last fall, has been evaluating Reading's basic music program against state standards. Mrs. Thomases informed the School Committee that the Music Advisory Panel advocates the adoption of fourteen goals to strengthen the existing basic music program in the Reading Public Schools. Mrs. Caselle explained that the guidelines for a basic music program come from a set of goals provided by the Massachusetts Music Educators Association. During the discussion that followed, Mrs. Cathy Bozzi shared with the School Committee concerns regarding the need to maintain instruments and to establish more diversification of opportunities available to students. Other concerns under discussion are to provide for fewer scheduling conflicts and to improve music text. Questions from the School Committee and citizens were answered by panel members. Mr. Shannon pointed out that the music program is not unique in the need for text and updated materials. Dr. Munnelly stated music is an area that needs greater staffing, along with art and foreign language education. He recommended to the School Committee that for long range planning purposes, music be given a high priority in future strategic planning sessions and the report of the Music Advisory Panel become an integral part of the planning process. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -3- 12 MARCH 1990 The School Committee accepted the report of the Music Advisory Panel and said suggestions for improvement of the program would be given high consideration and used as a means of obtaining a higher quality basic music program for the future. Mrs. Philbrick thanked the citizens and staff members for undertaking the advisory project and commended all for their hard work. APPOINTMENT OF A VOLUNTEER TO THE READING MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL HANDBOOK COMMITTEE At the February 26th meeting, Stan Nissen recommended that as under law, the School Committee is required to appoint a liaison to the new High School Handbook review committee, a volunteer member be sought from the community. In response, the School Committee received the names of three excellent candidates: Don Davidson, who serves at present on the Reading Memorial High School P.T.O. Board; Stan Robinson, a former chairman of the Reading School Committee and more recently a member of the School Building Advisory Committee; and Jo Ann Costello also a member of the Building Advisory Committee. As all candidates are well qualified, a suggestion was made the liaison be selected by lottery. The name of Jo Ann Costello was drawn. Mrs. Costello will represent the School Committee on the School Handbook review committee. NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION - RATIFICATION OF THE SECRETARY /CLERKS CONTRACT Vice Chairman Carol Lyons suggested that as Chairman Stan Nissen was expected to arrive shortly, it would be appropriate to delay ratification of the Secretary /Clerks contract until his arrival. The School Committee agreed to take this agenda item out of order. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS SOCIAL STUDIES EVALUATION REPORT Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak introduced four members of the teaching staff who have prepared an evaluation of the Social Studies program in the Reading schools. The evaluation encompasses grades K - 12. Members of the Social Studies Evaluation Committee are the three secondary department chairpersons: Tom Darrin, Reading Memorial High School; Jack McHugh, Parker Middle School; and Ellen Svenson, Coolidge Middle School. The elementary schools committee representative is media specialist Barbara McLean of Joshua Eaton School. � ,;: REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -4- 12 MARCH 1990 Jack McHugh began the presentation by describing the philosophy of the social studies program and outlining the goals. The goals of the social studies programs are to help students to: o understand behavior, gain a knowledge of themselves and to establish their own self- worth; o gain an understanding and appreciation of democratic values in human relations. This includes a respect for the unique quality and worth of each individual and a regard for the rights of individuals; o gain an understanding of our nation and how it has developed; o develop an understanding of the world and its geography, its physical and human composition, and one's involvement in the world; o learn about people's varied political, social, and economic institutions, past, present, and future, and their interrelationships; o develop skills of research, critical thinking, creative problem solving, and communication which will enable students to make rational decisions and develop and express views on social concerns. Ellen Svenson and Barbara McLean continued the presentation explaining goals and measuring devices used for evaluation of middle and elementary school students. Tom Darrin outlined evaluation procedures at the high school, recommendations and future directions of the social studies program. Although the social studies program throughout the Reading school system is strong and the performance of the students is high, the evaluation team does have concerns. Following discussion and suggestions, Chairman Stan Nissen thanked the evaluation team of behalf of the School Committee for the organization and presentation of the report. Assistant Superintendent Lynn Bak noted that the four committee members are excellent representatives of the social studies department and represent their colleagues well. She commended them on an excellent presentation that was preceded by much effort, energy, and thoughtful data gathering. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -5- 12 MARCH 1990 RATIFICATION OF THE SECRETARY /CLERKS CONTRACT Chairman Stan Nissen arrived at the meeting at 8:00 p.m. during the Social Studies Evaluation Report and Vice Chairman Carol Lyons turned the gavel over to him. Margaret Cowell joined the meeting shortly after. The Secretary /Clerks Contract for the period July 1, 1989 - June 30, 1992 was presented to the School Committee for ratification after lengthy negotiations over the past several months. Several errors were noted on the contract when the negotiating team read the last draft on Friday, March 9, 1990. An addendum outlining these errors was given to the School Committee. A motion was made by Margaret Cowell to accept ratification with the changes as outlined on the addendum. Carol Lyons seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimous! CARNEGIE UPDATE Principal Paul Guerrette of the J. Warren Killam School was introduced and reported on the progress made during the past one and one -half years the Carnegie restructuring project has been in effect at Killam. The Killam Experience has been a partnership in learning between teachers, students, and parents. Mr. Guerrette noted there has been strong commitment on the part of everyone involved and that teachers and parents were looking forward to developing a proposal for the third year. Faculty members Wendy Small and Rosemary Palmer were joined by Killam parents Karen Macari, Marina Salenikas and Cindy Niven in describing experiences shared, challenges met, and the enrichment opportunities that have been gained by all in this unique learning process. Mr. Guerrette welcomed input from the School Committee and discussion followed. FINANCIAL REPORTS Business Manager Warren Hopkins answered questions concerning end -of- the -month financial statements that were presented to the School Committee. Account expenditures and balances for the Expense and Salary Account, Special Accounts, Revolving Accounts, and Grants were discussed as well as a Cafeteria Statement prepared by Cafeteria Manager Cathy Cook. PF:RSnNNFT. LEAVE OF ABSENCE Carol Lyons made a motion seconded by Margaret Cowell to grant a child- rearing leave for the 1990 -91 school year to School Psychologist Tona White. The motion carried. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES -6- 12 MARCH 1990 RESIGNATIONS Betty Mae Graham a special education teacher of severely handicapped children has been part of our staff for twelve years. Mrs. Graham will not return from a child- rearing (1989 -90) leave. Her resignation was accepted unanimously on a motion by Carol Lyons and seconded by Margaret Cowell. The resignation of William Faller, a custodian at Reading Memorial High School was accepted on a motion by Carol Lyons. Margaret Cowell_ seconded the motion and it passed unopposed. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBER MARGARET COWELL Margaret Cowell announced to the School Committee in January that she would not be a candidate for re- election to the School Committee in the upcoming election on March 19, 1990. Chairman Stan Nissen thanked her on behalf of the members of the Committee for the time and effort she has expended in the interest of the School Department. Mr. Nissen noted that in addition to two years service on the School Committee, Mrs. Cowell participated actively on the Building Advisory Committee. Gifts of appreciation were presented by Chairman Nissen and Assistant Superintendent Lynn Bak. ADJOURNMENT There was no further business to conduct. The meeting was adjourned at 10.45 on a motion made by Carol Lyons and seconded by Mary Williams. The motion carried unanimously. Respectfully Submitted Robert J. Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee