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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-12-03 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLICE SCHOOLS READING, MASSACHUSETTS i I r SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES REGULAR SESSION MINUTES DECEMBER 3, 1990 i CALL TO ORDER Chairman Stan Nissen called the regular session of School Commit - tee to order in the Superintendent's Conference Room at 7 :10 p.m.. i All members were present with the exception of Mary Williams, who was expected to arrive later. 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 November 20, 1990. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous with one abstention. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for Bills was as follows: December 3, 1990 - General Expense - $ 75,521.69 December'10, 1990 - General Expense - $118,337.10 The warrant for Payrolls was as follows: November 30, 1990 - Bi- weekly - $ 21,816.77 December 7, 1990 - Bi- weekly - $103,690.54 November 29, 1990 - Teachers - $418,541.88 CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no Citizen's Input. ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS- Dr. Munnelly announced that a Barrow's parent, who wishes to re- main anonymous, would like to present a gift of an Apple computer, monitor, and image writer to be used in the Chapter One program in the district. The Superintendent added that the donation equals approximately $1500 worth of materials. Carol Lyons moved to thank and accept the donation from a Barrow's parent as described in enclosure B -1 -d. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. READING REGULAR SESSION 2 DECEMBER 3, 1990 HIGHLIGHTS With a focus on the Foreign Language Program at Reading Memorial High School Principal Mark Piechota introduced the Foreign' Language Department Head Gina Healy to the School Committee and audience. Dr. Piechota prefaced his introduction with the statistic that 70% of Reading's secondary students are enrolled each semester in a foreign language course. Ms. Healy began by highlighting the current instructional strate- gies being used by members of the Foreign Language Department with an information handout. Ms. Healy went on to explain the metho- dologies of the New American Lecture, the cooperative learning techniques, the use of "realia" to promote cummunicative competence, the use of authentic audio and video materials, and ways to assess oral proficiency. Ms. Healy was thanked by the committee for an interesting presenta- tion. OLD BUSINESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAM: STATUS REPORT Dr. Munnelly remarked on the successful passage of the authorization at Town Meeting to hold a special election on Tuesday, January 8th's election day. The Superintendent advised that P.T.A. members Nancy Toomey, Nancy Radville, and Nancy Anglehart were in the process of the development of a committee to lead the "Vote Yes" campaign and will be setting up a bank account for contributions to pay for cam- paign expenses. Chairman Nissen advised that the School Committee will be involved and supportive of the campaign committee. BUDGET '92 - OVERVIEW OF THREE BUDGETS Superintendent Munnelly began a lengthy discussion with School Com- mittee on the Proposed "3 Budget" document and for comparison purposes the Annual Adopted FY 91 Budget. Dr. Munnelly began his explanation with the 1991 -1992 Budget Summary that included the FY 92 3.2% Cut Budget, a budget that would mean a cut in personal services, and regular day instruction staff, of over $543,000; the FY 92 Level Fund Budget, that would maintain the reduced level of services of the current year increasing the dollar figure needed for maintenance by about 2.5 percent; and FY 92 Quality Budget, reflect- ing the put backs that were cut two years ago. READING REGULAR SESSION 3 DECEMBER 3, 1990 Dr. Munnelly reviewed the Special Needs Division of the Budget Summary. Discussion continued. Dr. Munnelly requested that Principals Don Farnham, EatoniElemen- 0 tary School; Jack Delaney, Parker Middle School and Mark Piechota, Reading Memorial High School discuss their enrollment figures, average class size and problems they could foresee with program/ teacher cuts. Athletic Director Jack White was also asked by the Superintendent to give an overview of the Athletic program's cost and current participation of students. Extended discussion with School Committee continued with members stating a more appropriate description of names should be given to each scenario of the budget. Several parents in the audience spoke in regard to Athletic fees and alternative ways to keep sports. Chairman Nissen stated that the School Committee and community need to again ask the Board of Selectmen at its meeting tomorrow evening, December 4th, to prioritize - trash fee versus school and public safety and to consider the Superintendent's recommendation of a Level Service Budget. NEW BUSINESS CONTRACT FOR SPACE RENTAL WITH CONTINENTAL CABLE STUDIO Dr. Munnelly stated he has been negotiating, in the name of the Selectmen, with Continental Cablevision representatives for a rental arrangement and has worked out plans with them. The Superintendent shared that Continental in addition to paying the Town's rental rate per square footage, will inspect and relocate existing cable drops in each school to a more accessible location within the existing classrooms, will install 10 additional sub- scriber outlets for the benefit of "Cable in the Classroom" program- ming use, will conduct training workshops for administration, de- partment heads and teachers during 1990 -91 and 1991 -92 school years, will provide a 5 year commitment of 15 copies of "Connect" magazine to the Reading school system and will cover the cost of the Dis- covery Channel's "Assignment Discovery Kit" for the secondary schools. Dr. Munnelly added that the total commitment including the rental figure is $52,620. On the recommendation of the Superintendent: Carol Lyons moved that the School Committee recommend to the Board of Selectmen they negotiate with Continental Cablevision on the proposed lease agreement as described on enclosure B -3 -a. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Chairman Nissen encouraged and welcomed anyone to volunteer in our schools. REQUEST TO NEGOTIATE FOR SUCCESSOR CONTRACT FROM READING TEACHERS ASSOCIATION -- Dr. Munnelly shared a letter from the Reading Teachers Association President Peter Greene requesting that the School Committee enter into negotiations to endeavor to reach a new bargaining agreement wry' to replace the current one that expires August 31, 1991. School Committee members decided to set a date in January, 1991. ANNUAL REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE Dr. Munnelly informed School Committee members that the 1990 annual report is due at Town Hall on December 31, 1990. School Committee member James Nally volunteered for this assignment. BRIEFING ON HEARINGS PROCESS Dr. Munnelly briefed the School Committee regarding the possibility to hold a hearing for one of Reading Public School employees. The Superintendent added that an enclosure, C -1, from The American School Board Journal cites an article he authored describing the hearing process. The Superintendent shared that a two - thirds vote is required under Massachusetts law to dismiss a teacher and that most hearings are held in Executive Session, although an individual may request their hearing in an open session. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 DECEMBER 3, 1990 INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS NEW PART -TIME SENIOR CITIZEN EMPLOYEES WORKING IN READING SCHOOLS Business Manager Warren Hopkins shared the names of local senior citizens working in the Reading Public School system as follows: Betty Philips - Central Office - AARP -Fed. Grant Vera Lasquade - R.M.H.S. - AARP -Fed. Grant Ruth Sheehan - R.M.H.S. - AARP -Fed. Grant Mary Newton - R.M.H.S. - Council of Aging Volunteer Barbara Rhodes - R.M.H.S. - Council of Aging Volunteer Assistant Superintendent Lynn Bak informed the School Committee that a meeting would be held December 4th in collaboration with the Council on Aging for interested volunteers who would enjoy working with Reading's children. Chairman Nissen encouraged and welcomed anyone to volunteer in our schools. REQUEST TO NEGOTIATE FOR SUCCESSOR CONTRACT FROM READING TEACHERS ASSOCIATION -- Dr. Munnelly shared a letter from the Reading Teachers Association President Peter Greene requesting that the School Committee enter into negotiations to endeavor to reach a new bargaining agreement wry' to replace the current one that expires August 31, 1991. School Committee members decided to set a date in January, 1991. ANNUAL REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE Dr. Munnelly informed School Committee members that the 1990 annual report is due at Town Hall on December 31, 1990. School Committee member James Nally volunteered for this assignment. BRIEFING ON HEARINGS PROCESS Dr. Munnelly briefed the School Committee regarding the possibility to hold a hearing for one of Reading Public School employees. The Superintendent added that an enclosure, C -1, from The American School Board Journal cites an article he authored describing the hearing process. The Superintendent shared that a two - thirds vote is required under Massachusetts law to dismiss a teacher and that most hearings are held in Executive Session, although an individual may request their hearing in an open session. LIM REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 DECEMBER 3, 1990 PERSONNEL ADDITIONAL SICK LEAVE FOR TEACHER AIDE On the recommendation of the Administration: s George Shannon moved to grant Linda Jackson, a Library Aide at Read- ing Memorial High School 15 additional days sick leave with pay as described in enclosure D -1. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. OTHER Chairman Nissen stated that the next School Committee meeting would be December 10th and the Music Curriculum Evaluation K -12 would be presented. ADJOURNMENT Carol Lyons moved to adjourn the regular session at 10 :35 p.m. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Respectfully Submitted Robert I Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee