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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-09-24 School Committee Minutesffi READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS READING, MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES REGULAR SESSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 24, 1990 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Stan Nissen called the regular session of School Committee to order in the Superintendent's Conference Room at 7:10 p.m. All members were present with the exception of George Shannon and James Nally who later arrived. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak, Business Manager Warren Hopkins and a reporter from the Chronicle. MINUTES Barbara Philbrick moved to accept the regular session minutes from August 27, and September 10, 1990. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for Bills was as follows: October 1, 1990 - General Expenses The warrant for Payrolls was as follows: September 28, 1990 - Biweekly - CITIZEN'S INPUT $7,469.56 $101,290.57 Reading citizen Mary McEachern expressed her concerns regarding bus- sing issues. Chairman Nissen explained that an update of the late busses from Killam would be discussed later. Reading citizen Kendra Cooper questioned if the METCO program would be reevaluated for 1990 -91 school year. Chairman Nissen stated that the program discussion would be on a future School Committee meeting agenda. Ms. Cooper also questioned if there had been an additional breakdown, beyond what she had previously received, of the Profes- sional Development monies of $120,000. She was again advised by Chairman Nissen that the labor cost to create new records beyond what is currently available for the breakdown she requested remains as she was previously quoted. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 SEPTEMBER 24, 1990 HIGHLIGHTS Dr. Munnelly introduced Director of the Arts Sue Wheltle, who shared the DeCordova Museum Project entitled "Public Art" that was conduct- ed jointly with the Coolidge and Parker Middle Schools. Ms. Whel- tle's presentation included slides of Boston area sculptures that were studied by the students participating in the projects. School Committee thanked the Arts Director for a very interesting and informative presentation. OLD BUSINESS On the recommendation of the Administration: Carol Lyons moved on a second vote to accept the School Bus Policy EEAA as described on enclosure B2a. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. UPDATE OF LATE BUSSES AT KILLAM SCHOOL Dr. Munnelly advised the School Committee that a series of steps are being taken to reduce waiting time for kindergarten students at Killam. Concerns from Mary McEachern, a parent of a kindergarten student being bussed to Killam, were heard and discussed. k+ SUPERINTENDENT'S GOALS Dr. Munnelly shared his goals for the 1990 -91 school year with mem- bers of the School Committee: 1. Provide support and encouragement to the staff as they continue to grow and change in the process of providing quality education in Reading. 2. Encourage even greater participation by parents in the collaborative process of educating our young people. 3. Gain public acceptance of the plans for adding to our elementary school buildings. 4. Seek greater understanding by the taxpayers and other community members on the school issues and the need for quality support for the schools. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 SEPTEMBER 24, 1990 5. Focus on running the Superintendent's office to meet the needs and demands of an even -more cost conscious way given the budget cutbacks. School Committee agreed that all of the Superintendent's Goals were necessary and immediate to deal with morale issues and wished that the financial climate would allow Dr. Munnelly to offer more educa- tional goals. George Shannon moved to support the Superintendent's Goals for 1990 -1991 as presented and described on enclosure B2c. Mary Williams seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. SCHOOL COMMITTEE GOALS School Committee requested that the Administration offer guidance in long range planning for quality education. Chairman Nissen added that Committee goals would also include evaluation of school pro- grams and administration, the building space needs at Birch Meadow and Eaton Elementary Schools, and the priority to other program needs such as the program for Gifted and Talented students. George Shannon moved that the School Committee adopt its first goal the need to address the building space needs of the two elementary schools, Eaton and Birch Meadow. Mary Williams seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Other goals will be established in the near future. NEW BUSINESS ACCEPTANCE OF GIFT TO KILLAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Killam Principal Paul Guerrette shared information regarding the sign that was donated to be placed in the front of the Killam Elementary School. Barbara Philbrick moved to accept the gift of the sign to Killam Elementary School as described on enclosure B3a. Carol Lyons second- ed the motion. The vote was unanimous. The School Committee thanked the Killam PTO and parents Thomas Macari and Karen Macari for the funding of the sign and their assistance along with parent Beth Anderson for the creation and installation of the sign. RENTAL FEE FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS WAIVER Dr. Munnelly advised the School Committee that the Essex Area Spe- cial Olympics, which includes Reading students, is once again plan- ning its annual Northeast Sectional Masters Basketball Tournament and is requesting the use of the Reading Field House. George Shannon moved to waive the rental fee for the Field House for the Essex Area Special Olympics as described on enclosure C -2. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Regular Session Minutes 4 September 24, 1990 INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS READING MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOK UPDATE Reading Memorial High School Principal Mark Piechota shared that Jan MacDonald, a Teacher Aide in the Library, has agreed to be the advisor for the 1990 -91 year book. Dr. Piechota also added that twelve parents, with Paula Chase as the parent coordinator, have volunteered to assist and advise students, and to generate adver- tising. BAND TRIP PROPOSAL Dr. Piechota presented a proposal for the Reading Memorial High School band to attend the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in Vir- ginia from May 1 through May 5, 1991. Band parents, in the audience, shared that the cost would be $24,780 ($295 x 84 participants). To date $10,000 has been raised by the Band Parents and the remaining $14,780 will be raised by Band Parents and Band Members. George Shannon moved to approve the Band Trip as outlined on enclo- sure C2. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. METCO 1990 BUDGET REVISION (OUT OF AGENDA ORDER) Assistant Superintendent Lynn Bak shared the METCO 1990 -91 Budget Revisions reflecting the money cuts exacted by the state's budget - cutting. Barbara Philbrick moved on the recommendation of the Administration to adopt a revised METCO budget of $268,909 for the 1990 -91 school year. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. Discussion continued. The vote was unanimous. Dr. Munnelly shared that the program will be discussed at a later date. KILLAM CARNEGIE PROPOSAL FOR AFTER - SCHOOL ENRICHMENT Killam Principal Paul Guerrette shared that one of the goals of the Carnegie Grant and the Killam Community of Learners is to create opportunities for greater parent and community involvement in the education of children. Another goal speaks to creating a climate that encourages life long learning. Mrs. Tina Cormio, Killam's volunteer coordinator, discussed a pro- posed after school program on Mondays and Thursdays. The program would primarily be offered on Mondays and Thursdays beginning Octo- ber 16th with one before school Computer group and two Saturday morning classes. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 SEPTEMBER 24, 1990 Mr. Guerrette stated that a fifteen dollar ($15.00) per course fee will be requested to defray the cost of materials and to offer mini- mal compensation to instructors. Course offerings were shared. Discussion followed. School Committee endorsed the efforts of the Killam School Community and wished them success. PLAN FOR EDUCATION CAMPAIGN - SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAM Dr. Munnelly introduced members of the Building Advisory and Renova- tion Committee who shared their concerns regarding the plans for presenting a comprehensive Building Package to the town. Dr. Munnel- ly stated the one goal the School Committee moved on this evening regarding the building program of Eaton and Birch Meadow Elementary Schools shows their support. He also shared that he is working with Dan Ensminger to update future enrollment projections. School Committee and Advisory Committee members discussed various methods they could initiate support from the community and other Town Committees. School Committee added that member James Nally will continue serving on the Building Advisory and Renovation Committee and George Shannon will serve as an alternate. Members of the School Committee thanked all of the Building Ad- visory and Renovation Committee for painfully perservering and their dedication over the last few years. BREAK At 10:40 p.m. the School Committee and audience took a brief break and reconvened at 10:45 p.m. ELEMENTARY COMPUTER CURRICULUM COMPUTER COMMITTEE Assistant Superintendent Lynn Bak briefed the School Committee on the inservice education planned this school year in the area of computer education. Ms. Bak provided the Committee with detail of the course offerings being made available to the elementary staff. Ms. Bak added that the expectation is that all elementary teachers over the course of the next three years will have integrated the use of computers as an instructional tool in the classroom. Ms. Bak shared that the goals of Computer Education over the course of the next three years are: Year 1 - Information /Education In- Service Year 2/3 - Implementation of Computer Curriculum into elementary classrooms Year 3 - Evaluation REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 SEPTEMBER 24, 1990 PERSONNEL On the recommendation of the Administration: George Shannon moved to accept the resignation of Kathleen Nelson, SEEM Special Education Teacher at Reading Memorial High School, effective October 5, 1990. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Dr. Munnelly shared that after twenty years of service as a Book- keeper in the Central Office, Alice Waldron will retire on October 12th. The Superintendent and School Committee thanked Mrs. Waldron for her years of service. George Shannon moved to accept the resignation of Alice Waldron, Central Office Bookkeeper, for the purpose of retirement effective October 12th, 1990. Carol Lyons seconded the motion The vote was unanimous. OTHER Chairman Nissen shared the next School Committee meeting would be held in the Superintendent's Office on October 1. ADJOURNMENT At 10:55 p.m. Carol Lyons moved to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of Bargaining Strategies and the question of nego- tiations with the Assistant Superintendent and Business Manager. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Respectfully Submitted Robert J. Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee