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Home My WebLink About1990-11-20 School Committee Minutes.. READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS READING, MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES REGULAR SESSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 1990 In the absence of a quorum, Chairman Nissen opened the meeting to Citizen's Input at 7:15 p.m. ROUTINE MATTERS CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no Citizen's Input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly awarded two of Reading Memorial High School's out- standing senior class members with the Superintendent's Award for Excellence and a small check for college application fees. The students that the Superintendent and faculty recommended are Mark Latham and Kirsten Manville. Dr. Munnelly stated that both stu- dents have demonstrated excellence in academics, the arts, and athletics. The School Committee congratulated both students and their families. urrur rr•um At this time Dr. Munnelly introduced the Chair of the Elementary Math Committee Chris Redford from Eaton. Dr. Redford along with faculty members Mary Boyle, Grade 1 from Birch Meadow; Marcia Gib- bons, Grade 2 from Eaton; and Caryn Perley, Grade K, from Barrows discussed "Math Their Way" which is an alternative method of teaching mathematics for grades K -3. The teachers demonstrated several graphs, materials, and hands -on methods they have used to encourage children to think, explore, and discover. The teachers were thanked by School Committee for their presenta- tion of a very interesting approach to learning mathmatics. 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 with the exception of Carol Lyons and James Nally. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak, Business Manager Warren Hop- kins and a reporter from the Chronicle. READING REGULAR SESSION 2 NOVEMBER 20, 1990 MINUTES Barbara Philbrick moved to accept the regular session minutes from November 5, 1990. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous with one abstention. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for Bills was as follows: November 19, 1990 - General Expense - $80,623.94 November 26, 1990 - General Expense - $45,537.64 The warrant for Payrolls was as follows: November 15, 1990 - Teachers - $436,987.55 November 29, 1990 - Teachers - $418,541.88 November 23, 1990 - Bi- weekly - $106,324.35 OLD BUSINESS APPROVAL OF HOME INSTRUCTION Assistant Superintendent Lynn Bak informed the Committee that the 1990 -91 Home School Instruction Plan for student John Gatta has been submitted to the Administration in a form that is acceptable under the conditions agreed upon by the Reading Public Schools and the Gatta family. -f George Shannon, on the recommendation of the Administration, moved to approve the Home Schooling plan for John Gatta for the 1990 -91 _school year. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. Discussion continued. The vote was unanimous. BUDGET '92 Dr. Munnelly presented a report that had been prepared by Dr. Alexanian on the Special Education Program in Reading. The Super- intendent related the report to the development of the FY92 Budget and indicated the needs of the Special Education Program. Dr. Munnelly went on to explain the October 1 Census, the Age Distribu- tion, and the Prototype Distribution charts that Dr. Alexanian had included in his report. In regard to the budget deliberations, the Superintendent demon- strated "How Big A Cut Is 3.2 % ? ". Dr. Munnelly explained that the 3.2% amount is $469,283 and that the new money needed for FY92 is $317,000. Discussion with School Committee continued which in- cluded that the full impact figure of a 3.2% cut should include new elementary staff (2 teachers), middle school SPED (1 teacher) and the cost figures to set up 2 new kindergarten classes. As discussion of a budget continued, Chairman Nissen requested 1 1/2 hours to discuss Schools /Towns priorities at the December 4th Selectmen's meeting. Discussion continued. Chairman Nissen stated that a vote on a figure should be ready for the near future. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 NOVEMBER 20, 1990 NEW BUSINESS ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS George Shannon moved to accept and thank Mr. & Mrs. Eliot Polk for the sandbox they donated to the Killam kindergarten playground area and the McKilligans for their donation to replace the slide in the Birch Meadow playground. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS REVISION OF STUDENT COURSE SELECTION BOOKLET Assistant Superintendent Bak opened the discussion by addressing the request to make two additions to the course selection booklet. The first would be to add a geometry four level course to the curriculum and the second would be to publish in detail the entrance require- ments of students into the Honors Courses at Reading Memorial High School. To discuss more of the details Ms. Bak turned to Reading Memorial High School Principal Mark Piechota and faculty members Leo Kenney, Biology teacher; Peter Moscariello, Math Department Head; and Kevin Zenewicz, Chemistry teacher who outlined the two recommended course book revisions. Justification and discussion took place regarding the change that adds a fourth -level geometry course so fourth -level students can complete math requirements without having to take third -level courses and also to formalize policy on entrance into Honors Level courses ensued. The next level of discussion focused on the clarity and under- standing that is needed for students entering the Honors Courses. The additional information in the Booklet will assist students and their parents in making better decisions about entry into the accelerated course. Barbara Philbrick moved to approve the Proposal for Seauence Four Geometry Course and to formalize a policy on entrance into Honors Level courses as described on enclosure C -l. George Shannon seconded the motion. Discussion continued. The vote was unanimous. NEW BUSINESS (out of order) AIDES ASSOCIATION CONTRACT CLARIFICATION AGREEMENT Information regarding the contract between the Aides and the School Committee had not been resolved for discussion at this meeting. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 NOVEMBER 20, 1990 INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS REPORT OF MASSACHUSETTS EDUCATION ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (MEAP) Assistant Superintendent Lynn Bak shared results of the MEAP tests that were given to Grades 4, 8, and 12 students last spring in the areas of Reading, Math, Science and Social Studies. Ms. Bak advised that Reading is considered an "economically developed suburb" and is compared to towns like Andover, Arlington, Lexington, Newton, Stoneham, Winchester, Wellesley and Woburn. The Assistant Superintendent added that Reading, for the first time, showed an overall decrease in scores, although not considered sig- nificant from the last testing period. Ms. Bak added that we need to examine the scores to identify if this is a true measure of our curriculum and see where improvements can be made. OTHER REPORT ON MAINTAINING SCHOOL BUILDINGS Dr. Munnelly presented a brief report of the "State and Condition of School Facilities" in preparation for Town Meeting on Monday, November 26th. This draft, the Superintendent added, summarized much of the history of the repair and maintenance of the school buildings under the jurisdiction of the Reading School Committee. Discussion continued regarding the maintenance needs and state man- dated program changes that have called for different uses and space needs affecting the school buildings. Dr. Munnelly stated that the elevator should be added to the long range plan and that the creation of a principal's office at Reading Memorial High School be post- poned. k*!, -YAUNIA1519 LEAVE OF ABSENCE On the recommendation of the Administration: Barbara Philbrick moved to accept JoAnn McMahon's leave -of- absence from her position as Supervisor of Health for the Reading Public Schools effective January 7, 1991 to June 30, 1992. George Shannon seconded the motion. Discussion continued. The vote was unanimous. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 NOVEMBER 20, 1990 MATERNITY LEAVE WITH CHILD REARING LEAVE On the recommendation of the Administration: George Shannon moved to receive Martha Moore's maternity leave from her position at Reading Memorial High School as a Biology Teacher effective January 28, 1991 to March 21, 1991 and approved her child rearing leave effective March 22, 1991 to June 27, 1991. n-,r► - D►,il►,rinlr carrnnrlaH tha mntinn_ ThA Vnte was unanimous. OTHER Dr. Munnelly previewed the format of the three budgets; the request from the Town's Budget, a Level Funded Budget and a Quality Budget. Mary Williams advised School Committee that she would not be available for meetings during the month of January. ADJOURNMENT Mary Williams moved to adjourn the regular session at 9:55 p.m.. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Respectfully Submitted Robert J. Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee