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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-07-23 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS READING MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES JULY 23, 1990 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Stan Nissen called the regular session of School Commit- tee to order in the Superintendent's Conference Room at 7:55 p.m. All members were present with the exception of Mary Williams. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak, several of Reading's Town Officials, Reading citizens, and a reporter from the Chronicle. MINUTES Barbara Philbrick moved to accept the regular session minutes from June 18, June 25 and July 9, 1990. George Shannon seconded the motion. Carol Lyons abstained from the June 25, 1990 minutes and James Nally abstained from the July 9, 1990 minutes. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for Bills was as follows: June 30, 1990 - General Expenses - $ 26,487.25 June 30, 1990 - General Expenses - $118,337.81 July 23, 1990 - General Expenses - $ 58,204.96 July 30, 1990 - General Expenses - $ 49,084.79 The warrant for Payrolls was as follows: July 6, 1990 - Biweekly - $ 62,273.94 July 20, 1990 - Biweekly - $ 37,568.78 July 12, 1990 - Teachers - $119,882.28 July 26, 1990 - Teachers - $116,555.69 CITIZEN'S INPUT Reading's League of Women Voters Representative Gail Drugga shared an alternative bussing plan for kindergarten students. The format included two full days and one half day in place of the half day format currently being used. Ms. Drugga explained the advantages and disadvantages to School Committee. Chair Nissen thanked the League for their input. OLD BUSINESS PARENT - FINANCED BUSSING: REPORT AND DISCUSSION Dr. Munnelly shared that the proposed self supporting bussing system did not seem to be feasible for implementation. Presently 123 good faith $100 checks have been received. Discussion from several School Bus Committee members and concerned citizens con- tinued around the issue of alternatives and limitations. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 JULY 23, 1990 Barbara Philbrick moved to authorize the Administration to contract an additional bus for three months without rescheduling school time. The cost will be financed by parents of students who live within the two mile limit. Carol Lyons seconded the motion The vote was unanimous. It was also suggested that a street map be color coded to identi- fy kindergarten students, - versus non - kindergarten students and the students whose parents will be supporting the use of the bussing service. Assistant Superintendent Bak requested that one School Bus Commit- tee person assist the school principals and central office with the necessary paper work and logistics of the scheduling. ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION OF STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUILDING NEEDS Dr. Munnelly included in his opening remarks that the Reading School Committee, Elementary School Building Needs Committee, Town Administrators and Reading residents need to work as partners with the state. Don Farnham, Chair of the School Building Committee and Eaton Ele- mentary School Principal, updated timetable strategies for the elementary building bid, emphasizing that the project is a necessity and that state reimbursements for school building assist- ance is a state priority for reimbursement. Discussion continued with several members of the audience offering information. Barbara Philbrick moved to ask the Board of Selectmen to place a debt exclusion question on a Special Election Ballot in January. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was three in favor and one opposeo. George Shannon moved to present a Debt Exclusion Override Article on the Warrant at the Fall Town Meeting to fund an Override Hear- ing. Discussion followed with George Shannon ammending his motion to be contingent on a Debt Exclusion Override. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. School Committee chose James Nally as its representative to serve on the Elementary School Building Needs Committee. ADOPTION OF POLICIES On the recommendation of the Administration: Barbara Philbrick moved on a second vote to adopt the oolicies as outlined in enclosure B -2 -c: Revised Policy KG, Use of School Facilities for Other than Regular School Purposes; Policy JJA, Policy and Guidelines to accompany the Athletic Participation Fee; and Revised Policy JN, Policy on Student Debts to the School. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 JULY 23, 1990 RENEWAL OF ALLAN DRACHMAN'S CONTRACT AS LABOR COUNSEL On the recommendation of the Administration: George Shannon moved to renew the School Committee our contract with Allan Drachman under the terms noted in enclosure B -2 -c dated February 9, 1990. James Nally seconded the motion. The vote was iinanimniic, _ NEW BUSINESS ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS On the recommendation of the Administration: Carol Lyons moved to accept the donation of computer equipment from Digital Computers to Reading Memorial High School; $1,000 from an anonymous Eaton School parent, and $4,000 from the Eaton School P.T.O. to the Eaton Elementary School to be used as item- ized on Enclosure B -3 -a; and $425 donated from the Reading Council of the Knights of Columbus to Barrows Elementary School for the purchase of the Symbol Accentaution Reading Program. James Nally seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. School Committee thanked Reading citizens and businesses for their generosity. HIGH SCHOOL PARKING Dr. Munnelly shared his recommendation to add to.the student handbook for vehicle and parking regulations as follows: 3. E. Beginning the 1990 -1991 school year, there will be no parking in the upper parking lot. On the recommendation of the Administration: Carol Lyons moved that the Administration include the addition of Item 3 E as described on Enclosure B -3 -c regarding Vehicle and Parking Regulations in the Student Handbook. James Nally seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. CITIZEN SURVEY OF VIEWS TOWARDS FINANCING OF QUALITY EDUCATION Regarding the surveying of the Reading citizenry soliciting input on school financing, Dr. Munnelly proposed that the School Commit- tee recruit the participation of various community groups to serve on an Ad Hoc Committee. The charge of the committee would be to oversee the development, distribution and analysis of the survey. The Ad Hoc Committee would then be responsible for reporting re- sults back to the School Committee. A timeline of September - December, 1990 was set. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 JULY 23, 1990 On the recommendation of the Administration: Barbara Philbrick moved to form an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of various town groups. The cost would be approximately $1,500 to conduct a citizen survey to be taken from uncommitted funds paid to us in a grant by the Federal Government in lieu of taxes. Dis- cussion followed. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Carol Lyons will represent the School Committee on the Ad Hoc Committee. AUTHORIZATION FOR SUMMER HIRING AND DECISIONS SUMMER HIRING School Committee authorized the Administration to hire school per- sonnel if the need arises prior to the next School Committee meet- ing scheduled August 27, 1990. 80 -10 -10 COMMITTEE On the recommendation of the Administration: Barbara Philbrick moved that the Arts be identified as a priority in the spending of monies to be received from the 80- 10 -10. James Nallv seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. BIDS FOR THE EATON PORTABLE Dr. Munnelly advised that bids for the Eaton portables are to be opened on August 6th. If the lowest acceptable bid is in the vicinity of the budgeted $62,000, voted by Town Meeting, Dr. Munnelly would like to enter into a contract agreement so that construction can get underway as soon as possible. Such a con- tract will have to be endorsed by School Committee at the August 27th meeting. If bids are substantially above the $62,000, the process will then be delayed until the August 27th meeting. George Shannon moved to allow the Administration to enter into a _contract for the lowest acceptable bid in the vicinity of the budgeted $62,000, voted by Town Meeting. James Nally seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS FINANCIAL REPORTS Dr. Munnelly shared the Fund 1 Financial Report as of June 30, 1990. This report closes the books for the Central Office for FY90. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 1 *0 046WIV YAM RESIGNATION On the.recommendation of the Administration: JULY 23, 1990 Carol Lyons moved to accept the resignation of elementary school music teacher Carole Palumbo effective at the end of the contract year. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. APPOINTMENTS On the recommendation of the Administration: Carol Lyons moved to appoint Deborah Cola eo as a one year re- placement school psychologist at the Killam Elementary School at a Masters Level, Step 1 rate for the 1990 -91 school year. James Nally seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. PARKER ADMINISTRATION Dr. Munnelly advised the School Committee that the R.T.A. approved of the coverage plans for Parker Middle School Department Heads in Jack Delaney's absence. Barbara Philbrick moved to accept the coverage plan at Parker Middle School as described in the School Committee Minutes of June 25, 1990, Enclosure D -3. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. ADJOURNMENT A motion to adjourn to executive session was made by George Shannon at 10:45 p.m. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Respectfully Submitted Robert J. Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Cperetary To The School Committee