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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-05-22 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES MAY 22, 1990 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Stan Nissen called the regular session of School Committee to order in the Lecture Hall at Reading Memorial High School at 8:20 p.m. All members were present with the exception of James Nally, who arrived later, and Student Representative Tom Fuller. Also present were Superintendent Roberti. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak, Business Manager Warren Hopkins, and a reporter from the Chronicle. APPROVAL OF MINUTES There were no minutes for approval. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for Bills was as follows: May 29, 1990 - General Expenses - $56,860.47 There was no warrant for Payroll. CITIZEN INPUT Reading Citizens Sue Hennessy, Alison DiSilva and Bill George updat- ed the School Committee on the bussing issue. They presented a survey that Dr. Munnelly had approved. The survey will be sent to parents on May 30th and returned by June 8th, so information for a pay- for - riding system can be compiled. Chairman Nissen assured the citizens that School Committee will assist them as much as they can. SCHOOL HIGHLIGHT School Committee turned the meeting over to Parker's Assistant Principal Bill Cowles, who introduced staff members School Psy- chologist Diane Ketlak, Sixth Grade Math Teacher Jack Kelliher, and Special Needs Teacher Sheila Richardson. They discussed some of the outcomes of the Parker School Highlight Program, "Homework Haven ", and how it has relieved many sixth graders' homework anxieties. The program was described as a peer support group for sixth graders by eighth grade students. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 MAY 22, 1990 Diane Ketlack stated that many of the students involved felt they were doing a community service. Jack Kelliher added the-eighth graders invested time and handled themselves in a very profession- al manner. Sheila Richardson encouraged a greater use of coopera- tive learning and mainstreaming of communication with classroom and special education teachers. Jared Fennelly and Kelley Buckley were two of the students that represented the "Homework Haven" program. They added that their involvement also encouraged new friendships. School Committee encouraged the use of peers as a human resource and complimented each staff member and student for the amount of time they have contributed. OTHER Dr. Munnelly congratulated Reading Memorial High School music stu- dents Jennifer Toth, a French hornest and Peter McGillicuddy, a trumpter who were chosen to participate in the Lions' sponsored event in Hyannis. While in attendance Peter McGillicuddy audi- tioned for the Lions' Jazz Band. .. The Lions' music festival was sponsored and funded by the Lions International Organization. The Reading Local Chapter covered expenses for this event. Dr. Munnelly also shared that Reading High School Math students participated in a math competition at a Western New England College. Barbara Philbrick also brought to the attention of the School Com- mittee that the Reading girls' softball team was highlighted in the Western Section of the Sunday Boston Globe. STUDENT ADVISORY Principal Piechota introduced representatives of the Reading Memo- rial High School Student Advisory Board - Nancy Drane, Michael Shannon, Matt Prudente, Scott Losinger, and Jennifer Gregorio. Mike Shannon questioned if it would be possible to amend the student in -bound guide limits. Dr. Piechota explained why the current limits were necessary. Discussion also included the problem of smoking in the girl's lavoratory. The students stated they are planning to raise money to install smoke sensitive detectors in the girls lays. Dr. Pie- chota advised that work is being done on this particular issue and hopes to find a solution. School Committee wished the senior class of 1990 good luck. OLD BUSINESS READING MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL HANDBOOK CHANGES Carol Lyons moved on a second vote to adopt the cha tions to the 1990/91 Student Handbook. James Nal: motion. The vote was unanimous. es and addi- seconaea the REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 MAY 22, 1990 NEW BUSINESS CUSTODIAL SUPPLY BIDS Business Manager Warren Hopkins shared the 1990 -91 Bid Tabulation for custodial supplies. He explained that the companies awarded the bid may not have been the lowest bidder but were considered to be the most reliable. The five companies awarded the bids for custodial supplies were Massco, Dowd Co., M. D. Stetson Co., Industrial Wiper & Paper Co., and G & S Paper Co.; for a total of $8,746.34. Carol Lyons moved to approve the bids for the 1990 -91 custodial supplies to the companies as described on enclosure B3a. James Nally seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS Dr. Munnelly turned the meeting over to Killam Principal Paul Guerrette and Director of Pupil Services Alex Alexanian, who in- troduced Killam's Special Education - Resource Room teacher Marthanne Pressey and Speech /Language teacher Pamela Girouard. Ms. Pressey shared how she integrated and developed a hands -on Lego curriculum. She also encouraged that the student body continue to work on the same projects as part of the special education main- streaming in the classrooms, such as the integration that had been done with the children's novel "Charlott's Webb ". Ms. Girouard shared that her students were also working within the classrooms on a news video which included writing, producing, editing, and articulation skills. Mr. Guerrette explained the collaborative effort has been positive for all students and staff. Dr. Alexanian encouraged that staff continue working on a climate to be able to accomplish these goals and have these results. PUBLIC'S RENTAL OF GYMNASIUMS AND AUDITORIUMS PROPOSAL Dr. Munnelly shared a draft of a proposal to put the rental of facilities by outside groups as an enterprise. He explained the present process and the hidden costs of registration, arrangements, and billing have been absorbed by the school system. Up to now, the half -time role of a central office secretary has been charged with the paper work. Since this position has been cut from the FY91 budget the plan Dr. Munnelly explained would include user charges to support the salary of the clerk needed to sustain the service. Dr. Munnelly explained in order to keep the program running smoothly a half -time secretary at a cost of $9,000 per year would be necessary. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 MAY 22, 1990 School Committee continued the discussion with the Superintendent sharing the present rental fee schedule and a list of the local groups, occasional users, in- school evening use, and charges made to our major users. PLANS FOR SEMI - ANNUAL EVALUATION OF SUPERINTENDENT Dr. Munnelly shared the end -of- the -year evaluation forms, enclo- sure C -3, for the Superintendent. He added that he will write out a longer list of goals and mail to School Committee members for their review and discussion before the next School Committee meet- ing. ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF PRIORITIES FOR PUTBACKS The Superintendent presented the Administrations recommendations for priorities of putbacks for FY91. They included one high school guidance counselor, one half -time high school reading tea- cher, one half -time high school home economics teacher, two middle school computer teachers, one elementary teacher and additional elementary aide time. Dr. Munnelly added that at the next School Committee meeting specific recommendations will be presented.. MIDDLE SCHOOL SCHEDULING Parker Middle School Principal Jack Delaney and Coolidge Middle School Al Lahood responded to questions School Committee members have regarding middle school scheduling. The Principals explained that the recommendations contained in the Carnegie Council report entitled "Turning Points" were discussed with a self study committee. Basically what they hoped to incorporate is to empower the teams, respond to staff cuts and develop initiatives for im- provements. After a lengthy discussion the sense of the School Committee is that middle schools should slowly go forward and to keep communi- cation open with the Committee so they are aware of what is hap- pening. ENCAPSULATION OF PRIORITY 2 ASBESTOS Business Manager Warren Hopkins recommended that we amend our asbestos management plan, based on a quotation received from SCS and Hygeia, to include encapsulation at six of our schools. The costs would include air testing and would breakdown as follows: Parker $ 8,900 RMHS 9,100 Barrows 4,550 Coolidge 5,250 Birch Meadow 650 Eaton 1,100 Total $29,550 Amend Management Plan 1,500 Administrative 1,000 Grand Total $32,050 The estimated reduction for our warrant article for Town Meeting to reconsider would be $32,000. Specifications would have to be sent out for bid. The School Committee did not choose to act on this recommendation at this time. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 MAY 22, 1990 PERSONNEL RESIGNATIONS On the recommendation of the Administration: Barbara Phibrick moved to accept the resignations of Carrie Normandin, a Killam Elementary School, Grade 5 teacher and Brenda_ McMillan the Metco tutor /counselor to be effective at the end of the 1989 -90 school year. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. MATERNITY LEAVE For informational purposes, Assistant Superintendent Lynn Bak shared that Peg Loder, Reading Memorial High School's Reading Specialist will be on maternity leave effective June 8, 1990. ADJOURNMENT At 11:15 p.m. Carol Lyons moved to adjourn. Mary Williams seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. 0 Respectfully Submitted Robert I Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee