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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-12-10 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES DECEMBER 10, 1990 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Stan Nissen called the regular session of School Commit- tee to order in Reading Memorial High School's Lecture Hall at 7:10 p.m. All members were present with the exception of Mary Williams who arrived later and Student Representative Jennifer Gregorio. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak, Business Manager Warren Hop- kins and a reporter from the Chronicle. ROUTINE MATTERS MINUTES There were no minutes to be approved. BILLS The warrant for bills was as follows: December 17, 1990 - General Expenses Un VDr)T r c The warrant for payrolls was as follows: - $ 84,857.17 December 13, 1990 - Teachers - $496,914.93 SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Assistant Superintendent Bak shared information regarding the collaboration of Parker Middle School with the Lowell National Park /Tsongas Industrial History Center. Ms. Bak explained that the project which has earned a grant of $473,000 from the National Science Foundation includes three teachers from Parker Middle School in a Core Group of 10 for the development of a summer institute and special curriculum applica- tions. The focus of the grant is or) integrating curricula in the areas of Social Studies, Science and Technology Education. The Assistant Superintendent gave honors to the teachers chosen for this project; Social Studies teacher John McHugh, Industrial Tech- nology teacher Robert Ward and Science teacher Katherine Jacobitz who will represent the first year core teachers from Massachusetts schools beginning mid -term in January, 1991. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 DECEMBER 10. 1990 VISITORS: MUSIC EVALUATION REPORT Assistant Superintendent Bak introduced members of the K -12 Music Curriculum Evaluation team, Fine Arts Director Susan Wheltle; Chair of the Elementary Arts Committee Thomas Hoffrage; elementary music teacher Elena Pavlos; Parker Middle School music teacher Kristin Killian; Reading Memorial High School music teacher Dave Bunten; and elementary music teacher Alan Mosier. The curriculum evaluation process started fifteen months ago. The intent of the document is to assess the present music program and student achievement, and offer recommendations for improvement with an eye toward future program direction. Tom Hoffrage began the overview with a discussion on the Philosophy and Goals of the Music Program K -12. Mr. Hoffrage then turned the presentation over to Susan Wheltle who discussed Research and Eval- uation methods that were used in gathering the data for this evaluation. Ms. Wheltle informed the School Committee that 943 students in our schools were tested to provide information for this study. Ms. Pavlos went on to discuss the surveys were used with students and teachers. Ms. Pavlos also reported on the status of the in- strumental program at the middle schools. After nearly one and a half years at that level, it appears that the attrition rate is very low, and students are committing themselves to the lessons over a period of time. Ms. Killian talked about the Commendations which included the positive student attitudes toward music and the adoption of fine arts requirement in the high school. Mr. Bunten then discussed the Concerns and Recommendations in the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Ms. Wheltle concluded the presentation with recommendations for Future Directions. The Arts Director spoke of a collaboration with outside groups; an increase of instructional time devoted to com- position; to explore the computer as a compositional tool; to investigate new modes of assessing students progress in music; and to consider broad professional development programs in arts educa- tion for all fine arts staff. School Committee continued the dis- cussion. Assistant Superintendent Bak extended praise to the Music Evalua- tion Group for the dedication and time offered to the report and for their ability to critique themselves as professionals and the program they are responsible for teaching. OLD BUSINESS BUDGET '92 Chairman Nissen shared an explanation of the recent meeting with the Selectmen. Mr. Nissen then turned the discussion over to the Superintendent who stated the recommendations he would make after speaking with building principals in the event of a 3.2% budget. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 DECEMBER 10, 1990 Dr. Munnelly recommended that under Regular Day Instruction direc- tors for fine arts and athletics, reduction of supervisory time for secondary school department heads, six teachers from Reading Memorial High School, four from middle schools and four from the elementary schools would be cut. The Superintendent added that staff cuts would come in the business department, technical education, reading, guidance, math and science at the high school and reductions at the middle school level would be in computer education, reading and library /media. Dr. Munnelly added further reductions on the elementary level would effect library /media and physical education instructors. There was further discussion wi.t.h School Committee members request- ing more detailed information on the impact this cut would have on Reading's students and schools. EXAMINATION OF KEY FINANCIAL ISSUES The Superintendent also discussed other cuts that would have to be considered in the drastic cut budget scenario, they included drop- ping one half of one central office professional, dropping a number of aides at all levels, and dropping the addition of a special education person. School Committee discussed the proposed cuts and noted that the athletic and custodial sections will be addressed at the next School Committee meeting on December 17th and that a public hearing on the budget has been scheduled for January 14th. OTHER Dr. Munnelly shared a request from Dr. Delaney that two of his colleague principals; Reading Memorial High School_ Principal Mark Piechota and Coolidge Middle School Principal Al Lahood, who belong to the National Association of Secondary School Principals accompany him as he is inducted as the President of the NASSP, to the annual meeting of the Association in February, 1991. Barbara Phibrick moved to allocate from the National Association of Secondary School account $2,000 for both secondary principals to go to the meeting of the Association. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. Discussion continued. The vote was one in favor, four opposed. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS IMPACT OF NOVEMBER ELECTION QUESTION 5 ON MUNICIPAL BUDGETS Dr. Munnelly shared his notes from a meeting with Assistant Revenue Commissioner Collins regarding Question 5. The Superintendent stated that the long range value of Question 5 will most likely be that it brings stability and predictability to issues of state financing for education and added that, by law, the municipalities will have the cherry sheets by March 1, of each year. Dr. Munnelly added that hopefully we can budget from that point on without state disturbance. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 DECEMBER 10, 1990 OTHER The Superintendent stated that discussion of negotiation strategies for Reading Public Schools teachers would begin in the next Execu- tive Session. ADJOURNMENT George Shannon moved to adjourn at 11:10 p.m. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. ?espe,;tfuily Submitted Robert J. Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee