HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-01-17 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Reading, Massachusetts
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
REGULAR SESSION MINUTES JANUARY 17, 1989
In lieu of Highlights, Mark Piechota, Principal of the Reading
Memorial High School, conducted a tour of the area at the front of
RMHS, a potential site for the Superintendent's Office.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman George Shannon called the regular meeting of the Reading
School Committee to order at 7:55 p.m. in the Lecture Hall of
Reading Memorial High School. All members were present with the
exception of Matt McGee, Student Representative. Also present
were Superintendent Dr. Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superinten-
dents Lynn M. Bak and Ronald A. Winslow, Charles Catalfamo from
the Reading Finance Committee and a reporter from the Chronicle.
BILLS AND PAYROLLS
The warrants for Bills and Payrolls were as follows:
BILLS
January 23, 1989 - General Expenses - $31,273.28
PAYROLLS
January 20, 1989 - Weekly - $52,010.02
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
EXCELLENCE AWARD
Superintendent Munnelly awarded Danielle Chareet and Christopher
Bell, Seniors at RMHS, an Excellence Award from the Massachusetts
Association of School Superintendents for 1989. The School
Committee congratulated both students for their distinguished
performance.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE CANDIDATE
Richard Coco announced that he would not be a candidate for School
Committee in the Spring election. Chairman Shannon expressed that
the members would miss his presence.
REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2
OLD BUSINESS
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE
JANUARY 17, 1989
«x- Chairman Shannon requested the Student Advisory Council to report
on the activities and topics they have been discussing with Dr.
Piechota, namely, misbehavior during Senior Week, skip day,
smoking in the building and vulgar language at sporting events.
The School Committee will consider steps to address the issues,
some of which may need new rules identifying policies or
i
guidelines.
AIDS CURRICULUM IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE
Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak briefed the School Committee
on plans for carrying out AIDS education this spring. Key people
involved in the implementation planning include: Jane Fiore,
Prevention Education Coordinator for the Reading Health
Department; Marc Alterio, Director of Physical Education; and Ted
Bryson and Dottie Wood, RMHS teachers. Building Principals and
two of the School Nurses have also contributed to the planning.
Meetings with parents will begin the first week of February.
Grade 3 -8 parents will be notified of these sessions. Plans also
included staff training which will commence in February. An
evaluation in the implementation will take place in late Spring.
PRINCIPALS' SALARIES FOR 1988 -89
Dr. Munnelly shared an overall positive report on principals'
performances.
Richard Coco moved to accept the proposed Principal Salary 1988 -89
Schedule as outlined. The motion was seconded by Barbara
Philbrick. The vote was unanimous.
BUDGET FY90
The Administration shared the Capital Budget Decisions with the
School Committee:
1. Five year Capital Plan
2. Asbestos Plan
3. Office for the Superintendent
4. Guidance Privacy
5. Principal's Office
6. Cost of Transportable Classrooms
7. Warrant Article; Elementary School Needs
Stan Nissen moved to accept the five year capital project outlay
plan with some minor amendments. The motion was seconded by
Marqaret Cowell. The vote was unanimous.
REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 JANUARY 17, 1989
Regarding Asbestos, Dr. Munnelly suggested a six year plan for
implementation.
1. Appoint a manager /supervisor, Michael Lombardo.
2. Maintain accurate records of all Asbestos in Schools including
employee records of training for EPA and DEQE.
3. Appoint a one day -a -week Asbestos Agent to keep records on
site including manuals, suits, breathing apparatus, etc.
4. Develop specifications for bids. Identify crawl spaces,
vacuums to clean the air and method to measure asbestos.
5. Staff attend two hours training, 4 -6 maintenance people 16
hours training.
6. Long range plan to be implemented as soon as possible.
Stan Nissen moved to accept the motion dated December 27, 1988 as
a planning asbestos document. Barbara Philbrick seconded the
motion. The vote was unanimous.
Discussion regarding other Capitol Issues continued, including the
necessary moving of the Superintendent's Office from its' Gould
Street location to either the Data Processing or FOCUS area of the
high school.
OPERATING BUDGET
Discussion regarding the following continued:
1. Transportation
2. Special Education - Placement potential of 31 -44 students.
3. Recommended cuts - $265,875.00
4. Athletic Budget
Richard Coco moved to accept and incorporate the first draft cuts,
dated January 17, 1989. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The
vote was unanimous.
STAFFING DECISIONS
Discussion regarding reductions of staff and additions to staff,
creating a balance out situation.
INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS
A proposed school calendar for 1989 -90, 1990 -91 and 1991 -92 was
presented to the School Committee for their review.
Calendar setting will be discussed at a future meeting.
REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 JANUARY 17, 1989
PERSONNEL ISSUES
On the recommendation of the Administration:
.. Stan Nissen moved to appoint Janet Levy as a Special Ed SEEM long
term replacement for Cara Gannon, who will be on maternity leave
of absence at the Birch Meadow School at a rate of Bachelor I,
Step one pro- rated, effective January 23, 1989. Richard Coco
seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.
ADJOURNMENT
At 11:35 p.m., Stan Nissen made a motion to adjourn. The motion
was seconded by Margaret Cowell. All members voted unanimous.