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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-01-30 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES JANUARY 30, 1989 CALL TO ORDER Chairman George Shannon called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present with the exception of Carol Lyons, Richard Coco and Student Representative, Matt McGee. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendents Lynn M. Bak and Ronald A. Winslow, and Donald Allen, Finance Committee Chairperson and a reporter from the Chronicle. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrants for Bills and Payrolls were as follows: BILLS: February 6, 1989 - General Expenses - $90,534.80 PAYROLLS: February 3, 1989 - Weekly $52,674.12 CITIZEN'S INPUT Reading Citizen Susan Sciortino, a parent from the Birch Meadow School, asked if the schools employed someone familiar with the skills of the Heimlich Maneuver. Chairman Shannon advised that he would explore the inquiry and respond. SUPERINTENDENTS REPORT COOLIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Dr. Munnelly shared with the School Committee and the audience that the Coolidge Middle School has been selected as a State finalist for the Exemplary Secondary School Recognition Program. Finalists names have been advanced to the U. S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. by Commissioner Reynolds. The administration and School Committee extend their congratulations to Coolidge students, parents, and faculty. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 KILLAM SCHOOL JANUA�?I_' 31 ,,a3" Dr. Munnelly attended a luncheon with the Commissioner of Education honoring the Carnegie Schools of Massachusetts. Represented at the luncheon were representatives of the Education Committee of the General Court, teachers, parents, and principals from schools all over the Commonwealth and representatives of the Killam School Improvement Council. Dr. Munnelly and the School Committee congratulated Killam School for being singled out as a "leadership site" by the state officials. OLD BUSINESS BUDGET FY90 Budget information on dues of the Superintendent, School Committee and High School were discussed by Dr. Munnelly. He also provided a summary of Professional Development Funds and classroom space. Chairman Shannon directed the Administration not to make any decisions regarding carpeting until all members of School Commit- tee are present for further discussion. A break in the discussion of the Budget FY90 was made at this time for the presentation of school nursing. SCHOOL NURSING Dr. Munnelly introduced the presenter of the P.T.O. Nursing Concerns Committee, Kendra Cooper and members Lesley Lougee and Joyce Driscoll. An overview demonstrated nurses per ratio of students in Reading and other communities was presented. The groups °recommendations were as follows: • Two new full /time nurses • Yearly evaluation of hours • In the absence of a nurse, a Health Aide should cover the Health Room • Health policies and procedures should be clearly described in the school handbook • CPR /Heimlich Maneuver training should be offered yearly to all school personnel • Nurse /Parent communication whenever a child goes to the Health Room • During overload periods substitute nurses should be hired to maintain adequate student /nurse ratios. • Nurse /Teacher communication of understanding of health conditions common to the ages of each school's students • Update School Nurse job description • Adopt written health policies • Health Advisory Committee should be established The School Committee and Administration complimented the committee for the valuable information they provided and commended the present nursing staff. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 JANUARY 30, 133'x+ INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS On the issue of staffing Dr. Munnelly recommendations were as follows: • Add three teachers to elementary staff for increased enrollments • Add one nurse to permit staff of four to serve seven buildings- Estimated cost: $19,500 • Add one Curriculum Specialist /Administrative Assistant to elementary school - Estimated cost: $42,000 • Additional Extracurricular Program at RMHS and Musical Directors at Middle Schools - Estimated cost: $ 9,000 • Add additional two weeks time to elementary secretaries who presently work a 39 week year - Estimated cost: $ 4,000 • Add 1/5 time asbestos Control Assistant - Estimated cost: $ 4,000 Stan Nissen moved that the School Committee accept recommendations as outlined, eliminating the Curriculum Specialist /Administrative Assistant, reducing the Salary Budget by $42,000. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. gWTM TEAM Dr. Munnelly updated information on the Boys' Swim Team issue. Budget information included the rental of the Northeast Regional Pool for approximately 25 team members, 2 hrs. per day for 77 days with the cost of a custodian and supplying half of the cost to each swimmer for a swim suit, total approximate cost was $6,000. School Committee members will consider a vote on this issue when more particulars are available. NEW BUSINESS WARRANT ARTICLES The School Committee approved five special articles for the Annual /Special Town Meeting Warrant. They were as follows: Stan Nissen moved to place on the warrant the Article to transfer the care, custody, management, and contract of the Pearl Street School, land and buildings, from the Reading School Committee to the Board of Selectmen, Town of Reading, or take.any action with respect thereto. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Stan Nissen moved to place on the warrant the Article for the purpose of hiring an architect to design and prepare plans and specifications for Birch Meadow School and Joshua Eaton School, and whatever else is necessary for the implementation of providing space needs as determined by the School Building Committee; such appropriation to include all costs to complete the purpose of this article, all monies to be expended under the direction of the REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 JANUARY 30, 1989 Reading School Committee, or take any other action with respect thereto. Estimated cost $15,000. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Stan Nissen moved to place on the warrant the Article for the .. purpose of initiating compliance with the requirements of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act. Such appropriation to include all engineering and industrial hygiene fees and all cost to remove asbestos in the Reading Public Schools as described as PRIORITY 1 in the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act Manage- ment Plan for Reading Public Schools. Estimated cost $195,000 Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Stan Nissen moved to place on the warrant the Article for the purpose of relocating the portable classroom from the Pearl Street School site to the Eaton School site; such appropriation to include all engineering fees and preparation costs required to complete the purpose of this article, all monies to be expended under the direction of the Reading School Committee, or take any other action with respect thereto. Estimated cost $26,000 Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Stan Nissen moved to place on the warrant the Article for the purpose of relocating the Office of the Su erintendent of Schools from 34 Gould Street to the RMHS. Such appropriation to include all engineering fees and preparation costs, remodeling costs, and moving expenses required to complete the purpose of this article, all monies to be expended under the direction of the Reading School Committee or take any other action with respect thereto. .t.., Estimated cost $200,000. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. The School Committee directed the Administration to change the Article for the purpose of remodeling the Guidance area of the Reading Memorial High School, to enclose five privacy counseling rooms, at an estimated cost of $21,000, to the FY90 Budget. RENTAL WAIVER Upon the recommendation of the Administration: Barbara Philbrick moved to waive the rental of the Field House for the bi- annual Understanding Handicaps fundraiser, a Rosenshontz Family Concert, for Friday, March 10, 1989. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. BUDGET FY90 On the recommendation of the Administration: Stan Nissen moved that the School Committee adopt FY90 Draft #3 School Budget reducing the Salary Budget by $42,000; modify the budget per Third Round proposal dated January 27, 1989 ; and delete one copier replacement equipment at RMHS. Margaret Cowell ,. seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 JANUARY 30,1989 AWARD OF BID FOR TRANSFORMERS On the recommendation of the Administration: Stan Nissen moved to accept the bid from Transformer Service Inc. be rewarded the transformer replacement project at the High School. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was un- animous. COOLIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL SKI TRIP On the recommendation of the Administration: Stan Nissen moved to waive the Sunday policy for Coolidge Middle School to schedule a ski trip on Sunday, March 5, 1989. In case of inclement weather, reschedule on Sunday, March 12, 1989. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. ADJOURNMENT At 11.00 p.m., Barbara Philbrick made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Stan Nissen. The vote was unanimous.