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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-12-17 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES REGULAR SESSION MINUTES CALL TO ORDER DECEMBER 17, 1990 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 Carol Lyons and Mary Williams, who was expected to arrive later. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superin- tendent Lynn M. Bak, Business Manager Warren Hopkins and a reporter from the Chronicle. MINUTES Barbara Philbrick moved to accept the regular session minutes from December 3, 1990. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for Bills was as follows: December 24, 1990 - General Expenses - $106,014.90 The warrant for Payrolls was as follows: December 21, 1990 December 21, 1990 CITIZEN'S INPUT - Biweekly - $114,213.70 - Teachers - $416,321.95 There was no Citizen's Input. ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS Dr. Munnelly announced that Arnold Berger wishes to donate $1500 to the elementary music program for the purchase of elementary music textbooks and that the Reading Boosters Club has donated $1,200 to the Reading Athletic Department for the purpose of allowing the weight room to be open. George Shannon moved to thank and accept the donations as described. James Nally seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 DECEMBER 17, 1990 SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly acknowledged the Students of the Quarter who deserve recognition for their contributions to the excellence and quality of life at Reading Memorial High School and its community. The students selected by faculty in the second quarter are: Angela Garcia '91 Michelle Baker '93 Desiree Dominguez '93 Christina Lanzoni '92 Benjamin Abbott '92 Jeffrey Herrick '91 Gary Beninati '92 Elizabeth McPartlin '91 Mary Beth Griffin '91 Corey Welford '91 Jennifer Gregorio '91 Catherine Jarema '91 Colleen Keenan '91 Joanne Masciave 191 Melinda Miller SEEM Sharon Muise SEEM Peter Jennings '91 English Award Social Studies Award Mathematics Award Science Award Foreign Language Award Business Award Technology Education Award Visual Art Award Music Award Service Award Leadership Award Athletics Award Physical Education Award Physical Education Award Home Economics Award SEEM Award Principal's Award School Committee members congratulated the students for their achievements and contributions. OTHER - OLD BUSINESS George Shannon asked the School Committee to reconsider the request from Parker Middle School Principal Jack Delaney to allow 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, to accompany him to the annual meeting and witness his induction as president of the Association. Brief discussion followed. George Shannon moved to reconsider the appropriation of monev from NASSP. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Georae Shannon moved to instruct the Superintendent to spend the funds for two secondary principals to attend the National Associa- tion of Secondary School Principals Convention in February, 1991. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. Discussion continued. The vote was approved, 3 -1. At this time Chairman Nissen encouraged the public to contact the Selectmen and let their feelings be known regarding the need to place education and public safety as a budget priority before the trash fee that is currently being considered the town's #1 priority. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 OLD BUSINESS BUDGET '92 DECEMBER 17. 1990 Dr.'Munnelly began his discussion with reference to letters he had received from citizens and offered to have copies made for the School Committee's review. Chairman Nissen explained the procedure of the Budget before it is presented to the Town Manager. Discussion then began with the Athletic Budget Figures. The Superintendent shared information regarding the town's support of athletics, coaches salaries and supportive services including equipment. Dr. Munnelly then moved to the Custodial Section of the Budget providing personnel information and the cuts that have been already made. Dr. Munnelly further shared information on the energy conservation measures currently in place within Reading Public Schools and those that are still needed. George Shannon moved to approve the Regular Day Level Service Budget as presented for purpose of presentation to Town Meeting. James Nally seconded the motion. Discussion continued. The vote was unanimous. In discussing and reviewing the Special Needs budget proposed, Barbara Philbrick moved to approve the Drastic Cuts Special Needs Budget. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unani- mous. Discussing and reviewing the Regular Day Instructional section of the proposed budget, George Shannon moved to put back $225,000 in the Regular Dav Instruction Drastic Cut Budget under Personal Services. James Nally seconded the motion. Discussion followed. The vote was 3 in favor, 1 against and 1 abstaining. Discussing the role of Directors in the district, Barbara Philbrick moved tto restore a full -time director of fine _arts and a half -time director of physical education in the Proposed Drastic Cut Budget. James Nally seconded the motion. Discussion con- tinued. The motion was approved by a 3 -2 vote. Addressing the Central Office Administration, George Shannon moved to reduce the Administration Budget an additional .5 position. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. Discussion followed. The motion failed, 3 -2. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 DECEMBER 17, 1990 BUDGET 192 (CONTINUED) George Shannon's motion to reduce the proposed Drastic Cut Athletic Budget was tabled. At this point Chairman Nissen recognized that the budget is un- balanced and would need more time for further discussion. He also suggested that 15 minutes be set aside at the January 2, 1991 School Committee meeting to discuss the consequences if the building override vote fails. NEW BUSINESS SET DATE FOR VOTE ON DISMISSAL OF A TEACHER Dr. Munnelly advised the School Committee to set aside a date to vote on his upcoming recommendations for dismissal of a teacher. George Shannon moved to set the date of February 11, 1991 to hear the Superintendent's recommendation for a vote to dismiss a teacher. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS AIDS TASK FORCE REPORT Dr. Munnelly, in the absence of School Committee liaison Carol Lyons, updated the School Committee on happenings of the AIDS Task Force group. The Superintendent stated that three representatives of the high school's Peer Leader Group met recently with members of Reading's AIDS Task Force and are in the process of drawing up a specific proposal for AIDS education that will be presented to the School Committee in February. SCHOOL COMMITTEE SCHEDULE - WINTER /SPRING '91 Dr. Munnelly shared the schedule of School Committee meetings planned for January - July 1991, with the addendum of a January 2, 1991 meeting to continue FY92 budget discussions. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 DECEMBER 17, 1990 UPDATE ON JANUARY 2, 1991 - TEACHER INSERVICE DAY Assistant Superintendent Bak shared each individual school's activities that have been planned for Teacher In- Service Day on January 2, 1991. Each plan as presented will focus on professional growth and development opportunities for Reading staff. Ms. Bak advised that due to budget restraints in planning a large district scaled in- service program as in the past, this year's focus will be on individual building initiatives. UPDATE OF GRANTS RECEIVED Assistant Superintendent Bak shared information regarding the acquisition of grant monies that have been received throughout the District. Ms. Bak shared that six grants have been received. Four of the grants were awarded through the State's Commonwealth Inservice Program, one grant from the Northeast Consortium for Staff Development and a final grant from the Fine Arts Collaborative. Ms. Bak noted that during these difficult times, it is most refreshing to work with a Reading staff who continues to desire professional growth. OTHER Dr. Munnelly shared that an understanding about the riffing language in the contract of the Reading Aides Association has been - reached and recommended that the School Committee vote to ratify this language for inclusion into the present contract. Barbara Philbrick moved to ratify the Reading Teacher Aides agreement as recommended by the Superintendent. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Dr. Munnelly stated that the Town Manager has reached a settlement with the Town Employees over the Health Insurance costs. The Superintendent recommended that the School Committee vote to endorse the settlement. Barbara Philbrick moved on the recommendation of the Admininstra- tion to ratify the Health Insurance Agreement for all units. James Nallv seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. PFRgnNNFT, REQUEST FOR LEAVE -OF- ABSENCE Assistant Superintendent Bak shared that Patricia Avolio, Grade 6 English language arts teacher at Parker Middle School has requested a Leave -of- Absence for the remainder of this school year. On the recommendation of the Administration, George Shannon moved to arant a leave -of- absence to Particia Avolio from her Language Arts position at Parker Middle School beginning on January 7, 1991 to June 30, 1991. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 DECEMBER 17, 1990 OTHER FY92 BUDGET BUSINESS Chairman Nissen requested that further detail and costs for the Focus Program be provided for by the Administration at the next School Committee meeting. ADJOURNMENT A motion to adjourn was made by George Shannon at 10:35 p.m. James Nally seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Respectfully Submitted Roberti. Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee U*