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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-09-10 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 10, 1990 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Stan Nissen called the regular session of School Commit- tee to order in the Superintendent's Conference Room at 7:50 p.m. All members were present. Carol Lyons was present but had to leave on personal business at Information and Proposals point in agenda. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak, Business Manager Warren Hopkins, and a reporter from the Chronicle. Dr. Munnelly welcomed Jennifer Gregorio as the new School Commit- tee Student Representative for the first half of the school year. MINUTES There were no minutes to approve. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for Bills was as follows: September 10, 1990 - Bills - $ 84,087.42 September 17, 1990 - Bills - $ 79,358.82 The warrant for Payrolls was as follows: September 6, 1990 - Teachers - $418,713.78 September 14, 1990 - Bi- weekly - $ 90,962.17 CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen's input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly shared that the schools were off to a good start. Dr. Munnelly stated there is a higher kindergarten enrollment this year which will initiate more first grades for the next school year, 1991 -92. The Superintendent reviewed all of the enrollment figures for the school year 1990 -91 and informed the School Com- mittee the grand total of students is 3585. Dr. Munnelly informed the School Committee of the favorable re- sponse of the "Wellness Fair" and Dr. Tom Cottle's opening remarks. Dr. Munnelly added that the teachers at the close of the fair, went to their respective schools for building meetings in preparation for the first day of school. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 SEPTEMBER 10, 1990 Dr. Munnelly shared that there would be a Health insurance Meeting on Tuesday, September 11th as the Town Manager prepares for Town Meeting on Thursday, September 13, 1990. OLD BUSINESS SCHOOL BUSSING POLICY Carol Lyons moved to adopt on a fist vote the School Bus Policy, EEAA as outlined on enclosure B2a. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. Discussion followed. The vote was unanimous. OTHER Dr. Munnelly shared the September 10th, Transportation Update memo from Business Manager Warren Hopkins.. Chairman Nissen sug- gested a need to micromanage the bus schedules to make efficient use of afternoon time. Mr. Nissen also suggested that Administra- tion investigate the early runs and individual stops. Discussion continued with a suggestion to use the additional monies collected by the Parent Bus Committee to fund another midday (Kindergarten) bus run. It was noted that an additional 27 students have been enrolled since the rates were set and presently there is roughly $7,000 to use for this purpose, adding that the cost of another run would be $7,600. Carol Lyons moved to authorize the Administration to appropriate up to $7,000 from the Parent Bus Committee for the midday run from Killam -Birch Meadow - Barrows back to Killam. James Nally seconded the motion. Discussion continued. The vote was unanimous. Parent Stacie Smith explained her concerns with the afternoon run to the School Committee. Dr. Munnelly advised that the Administration would strive to make the afternoon bussing effort run smoothly. NEW BUSINESS GOALS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT Dr. Munnelly shared a draft of goals he had prepared for 1990 -91. The Superintendent discussed that he would like to be considered as an educational leader. Discussion regarding several of the difficult problems confronting the school system followed. Chairman Nissen suggested that the Superintendent's Goals be placed on the agenda for the next School Committee meeting and for members to come with a list of School Committee goals to be discussed. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 SEPTEMBER 10, 1990 REQUEST FOR HOME SCHOOLING Dr. Munnelly stated that he had not received formal documentation from the Clonlara School as yet for a home school request. Dr. Munnelly shared that he would recommend a one year home schooling plan for the student under the Clonlara School home curriculum pro- gram, but could not require a special education home schooling plan because an Individual Ed Plan has not been signed within the last two years. There were no motions and no action was taken. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS REPORT ON SUMMER SCHOOL 1990 Jeff Cryan, Director of the 1990 Summer School Program, reported on the total enrollment of a 163 students in three program areas: Skills Maintenance 57 Enrichment 70 High School Review Courses 36 Mr. Cryan added it was a productive summer school, but it lacked the variety of classes to serve all the elementary children who needed help to maintain their regular year gains. School Committee commended both Assistant Superintendent Bak and Jeff Cryan for initiating a self supporting summer program under budgetary constraints. 80 -10 -10 UPDATE - ADDITIONAL GIFT Dr. Munnelly shared that an additional $1,440 from the 80 -10 -10 people had been given to the Reading Public Schools. Barbara Philbrick moved to accept the gift of $1,440 from the 80- 10-10 people and apply it to the $32,000 received earlier and be aoolied to the Arts program. James Nally seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. School Committee members and the Administration thanked the 80 -10- 10 volunteers whose efforts have been so successful. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 SEPTEMBER 10, 1990 PERSONNEL On the recommendation of the Administration: Mary Williams moved to accept a half -time leave -of- absence due to personal health reasons, for the first semester of the 1990 -91 school year for Margaret Loder as a Reading teacher at the Reading _Memorial High School and the Coolidge Middle School, effective SeDtember 17, 1990. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. ADJOURNMENT At 9.20 p.m. George Shannon moved to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of bargaining and negotiations. James Nally seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken and all members as listed were unanimous. George Shannon Barbara Philbrick Mary Williams James Nally Stan Nissen Respectfully Submitted Robert J. Munnelly, Ed. D. S ;"erintendent Of Schools Spi -ptary To The School Committee