Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-08-27 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS READING, MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES REGULAR SESSION MINUTES AUGUST 27, 1990 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Stan Nissen called the regular session of School Committee to order in the Superintendent's Conference Room at 7:03 p.m. All members were present. Also present were Superin- tendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak, Business Manager Warren Hopkins and a reporter from the Chronicle. MINUTES Carol Lyons moved to accept the regular session minutes from July 23, 1990. James Nally seconded the motion. Mary Williams abstained. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for Bills was as follows: August 6, 1990 - General Expenses - $30,694.62 August 13, 1990 - General Expenses - $50,071.24 August 20, 1990 - General Expenses - $16,173.19 August 27, 1990 - General Expenses - $26,080.27 September 9, 1990 - General Expenses - $26,290.92 The warrant for Payrolls was as follows: August 3, 1990 - Biweekly - $ 41,260.42 August 31, 1990 - Biweekly - $ 43,124.13 August 9, 1990 - Teachers - $115,136.36 August 23, 1990 - Teachers - $109,617.00 CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen's input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly shared information regarding a recent article in Parent Magazine about the Killam Elementary School and an article that appeared in Ladies Home Journal that highlighted comments from Dr. Jack Delaney. School Committee members congratulated both principals for this achievement. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 AUGUST 27, 1990 Dr. Munnelly informed the School Committee that staff and schools will be ready for the return of 3600 pupils on September 6th. He added that the completion date for the Eaton portable classroom will be the end of September and ready for use in October. Dr. Munnelly invited School Committee members to join the Reading Public Schools staff at a "Wellness Fair" on September 4, 1990 in the Field House. Dr. Munnelly added that the keynote speaker will be well -known psychologist and radio personality Dr. Tom Cottle, and that exhibitors would be available to share health and wellness related information. OLD BUSINESS PARENT - FINANCED BUSSING PLAN Dr. Munnelly shared the status report on the Parent - Sponsored School Bus Program. The Superintendent stated that 125 students had paid $260.00 each, a total of $32,500 and that these students could pick up their passes at Central Office. School Committee members thanked the parents who had worked so hard on this effort. They are Susan Hennessy, Bill George, Allison DaSilva, Karen Cozzoli, Linda Mortin and Ann Ward. VISITOR Chairman Nissen recognized Town Manager explained his reasoning for not taking mittee's recommendation to go for a State Health Care. The Town Manager backed his decision to pursue a new John Hancock overseeing the indemnity being the offered HMO. He added that a be held on September 13, 1990 to vote o mium the Town will pay. Peter Hechenbleikner who the Insurance Advisory Com- proposal submitted by Bay advised that the Selectmen health insurance plan with program and Harvard Health Special Town Meeting would n what portion of the pre- George Shannon moved to authorize Town Manager Peter Hechenbleik- ner to represent the School Committee as its bargaining agent for the upcoming health negotiations with the school department's six unions. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. WARRANT ARTICLE ON EATON /BIRCH MEADOW BUILDING PROGRAM FOR FALL TOWN MEETING ACTION Dr. Munnelly requested that the School Committee ask the Town Meeting to place an article on the November Town Meeting Warrant to approve bonding for additions to Joshua Eaton and Birch Meadow elementary schools. School Committee shared that this approval would be contingent on passage of a debt exclusion override vote by the townspeople at an election held in January 1991. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 AUGUST 27, 1990 Chairman Nissen raised a legal question which may need consulta- tion and advice from Town Counsel. The concern was if the School Committee ask for a favorable Town Meeting vote on a contingency basis which would cancel out Town Meeting approval if the override vote fails to pass. NEW BUSINESS AWARD OF BID FOR EATON CLASSROOMS Business Manager Warren Hopkins shared the bids that were submit- ted for the construction of the Eaton portable. The lowest bid submitted was Ferrazzani Construction Co. for $39,000. Based on instructions from the last School Committee meeting, Mr. Hopkins advised that Administration had entered into a contract to get construction underway. Carol Lyons moved to award the construction of the Eaton portable contract to Ferrazzani Construction Co., Reading, Massachusetts for a total cost of $39,000. James Nally seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. PLAN FOR USE OF 80 -10 -10 FUNDS Carol Lyons moved to accept the gift of $32,000 from the Reading Community Action: 80- 10 -10, Inc. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. School Committee members and the Administration thanked the follow- ing 80 -10 -10 individuals who volunteered their time and efforts to make this endeavor successful; Karen Burke, Richard Cuffe, Ron D'Addario, Daniel Dupee, Dharshi Dupee, Steve Meehan, Steve Quigley, Rich Radville, Steve Thomases, and Tim Twomey. Discussion regarding the use of these funds continued later in the agenda. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS REVISED JOB DESCRIPTION OF HALF -TIME ATHLETIC DIRECTOR Dr. Munnelly shared that Jack White has agreed to the position of half -time Director of Intersholastic Athletics. Discussion con- tinued with Athletic Director White sharing his concerns. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 AUGUST 27, 1990 The following proposals for the job description of half -time Athletic Director to be incorporated in the Draft JD53 are as follows: As a result of the cutback,, the requirement that the Athletic Director attend home games will be removed. Mr. White will attend those games where he has supervisory interest. The Athletic Director will have one hour per day desig- nated as office hours where he will be available for business with coaches, students and parents. The remain- der of his half time position will be for administrative and supervisory responsibilities. An answering machine capable of providing game information will be installed and a system of Jack's responding promptly to calls left on the answering machine will be instituted. The Athletic Directors need to monitor building mainten- ance projects and the lining of fields will be reduced by reassigning responsibility. NEW BUSINESS FURTHER DISCUSSION REGARDING THE 80- 10 -10'S GIFT Discussion continued regarding the expenditure of $32,000 that was accepted from the Reading Community Action, 80- 10 -10, Inc.. Based upon a July vote of the School Committee to expend the received monies on the Arts, the Administration advised that the monies would be used to continue the Instrumental Music Program that was eliminated from the Middle Schools. George Shannon moved to direct the Administration to expend the funds as outlined in the Superintendent's Memo. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. Discussion continued. The vote was approved with four in favor and two oppossed. The School Committee requested that an Instrumental Music Program update be included in this year's evaluation of the music curricu- lum. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS MEETING WITH FIN COM AND SELECTMEN REGARDING NEGOTIATIONS Dr. Munnelly shared a memo dated August 1,1990 from Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner inviting the School Committee to a joint meeting with the Finance Committee, and the Board of Selectmen on September 4, 1990 at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 AUGUST 27, 1990 PROPOSED CALENDARS Chairman Nissen recommended additional dates to be added to the proposed Fall and Winter 1990 -91 School Committee Meeting calen- dar as follows: October 1, November 5, and December 10, 1990. The Reading School Committee Agenda Calendar for 1990 -91 was dis- cussed with a reminder to include negotiations with teachers, cafeteria workers and custodians beginning in November and Town Meeting in March of 1991. AFRC(1n1NFT On the recommendation of the Administration: Barbara Philbrick moved to appoint Alan Mosier as an Elementar Music Specialist at the rate of Bachelor Plus 15, Step 7; Kay Strayer as a Barrows Elementary School Special Needs Teacher at the rate of Masters Level, Step 2; and Ellen Payne as a one year Special Needs replacement at Killam Elementary School at the rate of Masters Level, Step 1. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. Discussion continued. The vote was unanimous. On the recommendation of the Administration: Barbara Philbrick moved to re- appoint Robert C. Seeley for the 1990 -91 school year as an Instrumental Music Teacher assigned to Coolie and Parker Middle Schools. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. Discussion continued. The vote was unanimous. OTHER Chairman Nissen advised that the next School Committee meeting would be held on September 10th and that an Executive meeting would be held first at 6:45 p.m. ADJOURNMENT At 9:25 p.m. George Shannon moved to adjourn the regular session of the School Committee. James Nally seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Respectfully Submitted Robert J. Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee