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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-06-25 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS READING, MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES CALL TO ORDER JUNE 25, 1990 Chairman Stan Nissen called the regular session of School Committee to order in the Superintendent's Conference Room at 7:12 p.m. All members were present with the exception of Mary Williams, who arrived later, and Carol Lyons. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak, Business Manager Warren Hopkins, and a reporter from the Chronicle. EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES FOR RELEASE TO OPEN MINUTES On the recommendation of the Administration and Sub - Committee: George Shannon moved to release Executive Session Minutes from January 1988 -April 1990 to Open Minutes. Barbara Philbrick second- ed the motion. The vote was unanimous. MINUTES Barbara Philbrick moved to accept the June 11, 1990 regular session minutes. James Nally seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for Bills was as follows: June 30, 1990 - General Expenses - $75,625.68 There was no warrant for Payroll. CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no Citizen's Input. SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS Dr. Munnelly turned this portion of the meeting over to members of the Environmental Fair Planning Committee; Ruth Cogan, Director of Human Services and Chair for the Solid Waste Committee; Barbara McAllister and Anne Mark. Ms. Cogan shared how the seven Reading Public Schools had participated in the 1990 Earth Day Fairs held this spring and explained that 40 adult presenters and 25 student presenters participated in the fairs. These presenters covered about twenty -five topics, such as Reading's trash, Reading's water, and environmentally conscious shopping. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 JUNE 25, 1990 Ruth also shared a survey that rated the Earth Day '90 programs and fairs that was completed by approximately 350 of Reading Memorial High School students. The overall consensus of the results were "good" to "excellent ". Members from the Environmental Committee stated that the program was an educational partnership with the schools and community. School Committee members thanked the committee and citizens who participated in this event. OLD BUSINESS BUS DISCUSSION Business Manager Warren Hopkins presented preliminary information regarding a parent financed bus plan. The three scenarios included a willingness of 139 parents to pay $200 for transportation ser- vices for two buses, on two runs apiece. It was noted that to get costs down to around $200 per student we would need at least 325 students paying for bussing. Mr. Hopkins noted that bussing is expensive and will take a lot of changes in school schedules and planning to make even the expensive bussing work reasonably well. Mr. Hopkins shared that Safety Officer Veno has met with the Principals and discussed placement of school crossing guards and safety conditions during snow situations. Principals are presently planning safe pick -up locations at their schools for students. Mr. Hopkins added that a final bus plan would be ready by the first of August. George Shannon moved to instruct the Administration to approve the expenditure for a mass mailing requesting how many parents would be willing to pay $200 -$250 per student, and asking for a $100 deposit which would be returned if there was insufficient funding to provide the busses. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Discussion followed. School Committee requested that further di- rection from the Administration be provided by July 23, 1990. POLICIES George Shannon moved to adopt the revised Policy KG, Use of School Facilities -for Other than Regular School Purposes as described on Enclosure B-2-b. James Nally seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Barbara Philbrick moved on a second vote to approve the draft for Policy JJB, Policy on Extracurricular Participation Fee as described on Enclosure B -2 -c. James Nally seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 JUNE 25, 1990 George Shannon moved on a first reading to approve the revised Policy JN, Policy on Student Debts to the School as corrected on Enclosure B -2 -c. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. h., Barbara Philbrick moved on the recommendation of the Administration to approve on a first vote Policy JJA, Policy on Athletic Partici- pation Fee as described on Enclosure B -2 -d. George Shannon second - ed the motion. Discussion followed. The vote was unanimous. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS Dr. Munnelly shared a report from the Reading League of Women Voters regarding the Length of Kindergarten Day Study, May 1990. Due to the f1_nancial climate at this time, it was decided by the League that no action would be taken at present. Dr. Munnelly thanked the League of Women Voters for the research survey and the compiling of this information. EARLY CHILDHOOD COORDINATION PROJECT - UPDATE Assistant Superintendent Lynn Bak introduced Early Childhood Coor- dinator Leslie McGovern. Ms. McGovern presented to the School Com- mittee the roles and responsibilities she has been charged with through the Early Childhood Grant. Mrs. McGovern's activities have included: .Pre - School /Kindergarten linkages .Being a resource to community and parents .Being available to Kindergarten registration and screening and providing Aide Time to Early Childhood teachers .Kindergarten progress report review and reassessment .Conducting Parent Workshops .Working with REAP as a Referral Service Ms. McGovern was thanked by the School Committee for the update of the Early Childhood Program. CURRICULUM COORDINATION UPDATE Assistant Superintendent Lynn Bak shared with the School Committee the curriculum efforts that have been taking place on a K -12 level. Ms. Bak discussed the Elementary Science initiative teachers had ex- perienced this past year with Dr. George Ladd. Discussion continued with School Committee encouraging the implementation of the Science program and the participation of teachers in inservice activities. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 JUNE 25, 1990 Ms. Bak also shared the goals to be identified for the next three years for the Computer Education program as follows: .Integrating of Computers .Teacher training /inservice .Student awareness of computer operations and applications School Committee discussed the importance of computer knowledge and the need to keep abreast of its education in today's world. Ms. Bak discussed the third curriculum priority area and highlighted future plans in developing and implementing a comprehensive health education program K -12. Ms. Bak concluded the presentation by sharing the coordination efforts that have taken place K -12 this past year, and outlined the coordination plans for the upcoming school year. BRIEFING ON NEW PROCUREMENT LAW Business Manager Warren Hopkins briefed the School Committee on the major implications of the new Procurement Law as follows: 1. The threshold on municipal projects to which the Ward Commission designer selection procedures apply has been raised from $10,000 to $100,000. 2. It allows the Reading Schools the option of bidding construction projects up to $25,000 under Ch. 30B. 3. The maximum amount for supplies and services above which a contract must be competitively bid, has been raised from $4,000 to $10,000. All contracts between $1,000 and $10,000 will now require written or telephone quotations from at least three vendors. The contract must then be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. 4. Unless authorized by a majority vote of Town Meeting, a contract may not be awarded for a term greater than three years. 5. Extensions or renewals can only be exercised if the terms were part of the original contract and if they are at the sole discretion of the awarding authority. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 JUNE 25, 1990 6. Formal written contracts are required for procurements of $5,000 or more. 7. Certified sole source procurements such as library books and textbooks under $10,000, and basic utility services may still be procured noncompetitively. 8. Acquisitions and dispositions of real property (including leases) worth more than $500 and consisting of more than 2,500 square feet, require an advertisement for proposals in a local newspaper and publication in the Central Regis- ter. The advertising requirement may be waived in an emergency. APPOINTMENTS On the recommendation of the Administration: Barbara Philbrick moved to appoint Karen Rickershauser, Killam Ele- mentary Grade 5 teacher, as Intern Assistant Principal at Killam. School for 1990 -92, Susan Wheltle as Department Head of Fine Arts at Reading Memorial High School, and Dick Gillis as Department Head for Business Education /Technology Education at the rate of Department Head Schedule, Step 3 for the 1990 -91 school year. James Nally seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Barbara Philbrick moved to increase the salary of Reading Public School nurses by 7% for the 1990 -91 school year. Mary Williams seconded the motion. The vote unanimous. Barbara Philbrick moved to advance Diane Williamson and Carol Angelo, Central Office Confidential Secretaries, from Step 3 to Step 4 and to increase their salary rate by 7% and to increase the School Committee secretary by 7% for FY91. James Nally seconded the motion. Discussion followed. The vote was unanimous. George Shannon moved to increase Food Service Director, Catherine C. Cook and Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, Michael Lombardo salary by 7% for the 1990 -91 school year. James Nally seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. PLAN FOR JACK DELANEY NASSP PRESIDENCY YEAR Chair Nissen recommended that the RTA be contacted to discuss the stipend amount to be given to Parker Middle School Department Chairs for their additional responsibilities as a result of Principal. Delaney's absences as he serves as President of NASSP. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 JUNE 25, 1990 NOMINATIONS FOR SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIRS At this point in time Chairman Nissen passed the gavel to Dr. Munnelly so that nominations for School Committee chair positions could be accepted. Barbara Philbrick moved to appoint Stan Nissen as Chair for the Reading School Committee for FY91. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. James Nally moved to appoint Carol Lyons as Vice Chairperson for the Reading School Committee for FY91. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. OTHER Dr. Munnelly shared that the July 9th and July 23rd School Commit- tee meetings may be held at a different location. He also reminded the Committee to assign a School Committee person to the school building needs group. ADJOURNMENT At 10 :20 p.m. Mary Williams moved to adjourn to Executive Session. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Respectfully Submitted Robert J. Munnelly, Ed. 0. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee