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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-03-27 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES CALL TO ORDER MARCH 27, 1989 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 including Matt McGee, Student Representative. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendents Lynn M. Bak and Ronald A. Winslow, and a reporter from the Chronicle. Chairman Shannon welcomed the new committee member, Mary Williams to the Reading School Committee. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Carol Lyons moved to approve minutes from the March 6, 1989 meeting Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was all in favor with Margaret Cowell abstaining. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrants for Bills and Payrolls were as follows: BILLS: April 3, 1989 - nnvRnr.r.c- General Expense - $53,713.29 March 23, 1989 - Teachers - $384,292.08 March 10, 1989 - Weekly - 52,805.97 March 17, 1989 - Weekly - 51,345.42 March 24, 1989 - Weekly - 51,441.67 March 31, 1989 - Weekly - 48,735.98 CITIZEN'S INPUT Reading Citizen Kendra Cooper, requested the School Committee to share an open letter signed by 223 Reading citizens regarding the school nurse. Chairman Shannon advised that this issue would be addressed during the review of the Budget for FY90. Reading Citizen Bruce Hitchcock, unsuccessful School Committee candidate, thanked the administration and committee members for their input in the election process and offered his services to serve on future school related study committees. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS MARCH 27, 1989 Principal Richard Davidson introduced staff members from the Birch Meadow School; Lois Murphy, Carole Davis, Susan Tsiatis, and parent Lorraine Iacopucci, who shared their recent celebration of Black History Month. Students from Kindergarten through Grade 5 were involved in the activities that included all aspects of the curriculum from reading and writing about important black historical figures to the integration of black culture into our art and music curriculum. A short video of the students from Madison Park High School in Roxbury displayed the excitement in- volved with this event. Earcelle Wilkerson, METCO director, also shared his interest in this cultural presentation and praised the Birch Meadow School for sharing "Black History Month" with their staff, students and parents. Carol Lyons, on behalf of the School Committee Members and the audience, thanked members of Birch Meadow School /Community for sharing this enriching experience. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT ARTICLES BY PARKER STUDENTS Dr. Munnelly congratulated Parker Students for the articles published recently in the Computer Society Newsletter. I MUSICAL The musical "Bye Bye Birdie" will be presented the weekend of March 24th, by the High School Music Department. Dr. Munnelly j invited the School Committee to view this musical presentation. VISITOR Dr. Munnelly invited Representative Geoff Beckwith to join the School Committee members for a discussion of State Education funding. Representative Beckwith shared that in the past the standard of 5% or 6% revenue would be rolled over into programs, since this did not happen within the previous two fiscal years it has created some of this year's crises. Most hard hit will be cities and towns, human services, schools and education, local aid, and environmental issues. The House Ways and Means Committee has cut $582,000,000 from the Governor's package for level funding to local aid. This will effect the Gifted /Talented, METCO, Horace Mann, and EBO program monies. Representative Beckwith stated that Reading will suffer less in FY90 than other communities that depend heavily on EEOG money to fund their education systems. Chairman Shannon thanked Representative Beckwith for his presence and his input at this important budget time.. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 MARCH 27, 1989 OLD BUSINESS REVISED POLICY STATEMENTS Stan Nissen moved to approve the language for the policy regarding PROPOSED SCHOOL RULE - SMOKING ON CAMPUS as outlined in enclosure B -3 -a dated March 23, 1989. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Stan Nissen moved to approve a second vote on the revised Policy IGDD, PUPIL PARTICIPATION IN ACTIVITIES SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAYS as outlined in enclosure B -3 -b, dated March 6, 1989. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. HIGH SCHOOL BAND TRIP George Shannon requested clarification regarding the proposed band trip. Mike Finnally, President of the Parent Band Organization; John Giacobbe, Music Director; and Mark Piechota, Reading Memorial High School Principal answered questions raised by committee members. Dr. Munnelly suggested that an academic year music performance schedule should be presented to the School Committee before the start of the new academic year. Carol Lyons moved to reconsider the vote of March 6, 1989 regarding the high school band trip to Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was uanani.mous. Further discussion continued, with Reading Citizen Susan Nelson, Treasurer of the Parent Band Organization adding her input regard- ing the four new officers to the organization and the need to improve communications with committee members, faculty, music director, parents, and the administration for further direction. Carol Lyons moved to approve the May Festival trip, for the Reading High School Band to Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote-was unanimous. BUDGET FY90 - REVIEW The Administration would like to discuss the FY90 Budget at the next School Committee meeting on April 3, 1989. Dr. Munnelly would like to fine tune the budget further. Stan Nissen volunteered to represent the School Committee at the next Executive Session of the Finance Committee. NEW BUSINESS ASBESTOS REPORT ADOPTION Dr. Munnelly shared the revised draft of a plan for asbestos removal and control in compliance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act. This document reflects the spacing of financial decisions discussed in the budget process and the plan we submitted as an article to Annual Town Meeting. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 MARCH 27, 1989 Stan Nissen moved that the School Committee submit the asbestos control plan as prepared by Hy eia Inc Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. UPDATE OF RENTAL FEES Assistant Superintendent Ron Winslow shared the proposed fees for use of school facilities for other than regular school purposes with the School Committee and audience. After a review of B4b, Page 2 under the Field House - Reading Memorial High School, the proposed schedule of rental charges for a 4 hour period or less were changed to read as follows: Main Floor- Single Event -per use $150.00 Non - profit local organization w /150 spectators or less Non - profit local organization $300.00 more than 150 spectators Out -of -town or private organization $600.00 or religious use Carol Lyons made a motion to approve the proposed fees for use of facilities, including the changes made on Page 2 of B4b Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was five in favor with Stan Nissen opposed. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS BASIC SKILLS RESULTS The Administration shared the results of the Reading Students 1988 Basic Skills Test, reporting that the students were doing well. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION REPORT Dr. Munnelly shared that the state has invited Reading to submit application for another year of Early Childhood funding. Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak introduced Leslie McGovern, Early Childhood Coordinator; Robin D'Antona of REAP; and Charlotte Harlan, who serves as co -chair of the Early Advisory Coommittee; to the School Committee and audience. At this time Assistant Superintendent Bak stated we are preparing for a fourth year of funding. Leslie McGovern spoke of the progress -the program has made for achieving the objectives of this year's grant. Robin D'Antona commented on the needs of the day care community and the family day care providers. Assistant Superintendent Bak encouraged the collabortive effort and applauded the program for being a model program for three years. PLANNING FOR TOWN MEETING Dr. Munnelly advised that Town Moderator Dustin has requested to be informed of the names of the School Committee members taking the lead on each School Committee report or article. They are as follows: REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 MARCH 27, 1989 Chairman George Shannon - under Article II - the presentation of Exemplary Teacher Awards to William Carne and Anna Normand - O'Brien. Margaret Cowell - Article II - Report of Progress on Elementary School Additions. Carol Lyons - Article III - Report of Progress on Plans to Relocate Portable now at Pearl Street to Eaton School. Barbara Philbrick - Article VII - Transfer Pearl Street School to Selectmen. Carol Lyons - Article XI - Relocation of Superintendent's Office to RMHS. George Shannon - Article XII - Asbestos Work. PERSONNEL STAFF RENEWALS On the recommendation of the Administration: Stan Nissen moved to approve Page 1 of D1 for staff member recommendations 4th, Tenure, Contracts for the 1989 -90 school year, with the exception of Marguerite Grimes. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Carol Lyons moved to approve Page 2 of D1 as listed for re- appointment to staff of 3rd and 2nd year 1989 -90 contracts. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Barbara Philbrick moved to approve Page 4 of D1 as listed for candidates not to be re- appointed to staff for the'1989 -90 school year. Stan Nissen seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Stan Nissen moved to approve Page 3 of D1 recommendations for 1989 -90 as follows: Mark M. Piechota, Principal - Reading Memorial High School, Contract #4; Patrick Schettini, Assistant Principal - Reading Memorial High School, Contract #4; Richard E. Davidson, Principal - Birch Meadow School, Contract #3; and John Giacobbe, Director of Music, Contract #2. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. RESIGNATIONS On the recommendation of the Administration: Carol Lyons moved to approve the resignation of Irene Martinoli, Math teacher at Coolidge Middle School, who has been on a leave -of- absence for child- rearing purposes, effective at the end of the 1988 -89 school year. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 MARCH 27, 1989 Carol Lyons moved to approve the resignation of Aurora Thompson, school psychologist at the Middle Schools, effective at the end of the 1988 -89 school year. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Carol Lyons moved to approve the resignation of Bonnie Katz, Art teacher at RMHS, effective at the end of the 1988 -89 school year. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Carol Lyons moved to approve the resignation of Karen Oppel, Seem IH teacher at the Killam School, effective at the end of the 1988 -89 school year. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. On the recommendation of the Administration: Stan Nissen moved to approve Virginia Cramer, fourth grade teacher at Killam School, absence for maternity leave effective Friday, April 7, 1989, the last two weeks in June and a child- rearing leave during the 1989 -90 school year. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Carol Lyons moved to approve a leave -of- absence to Laura Nash as Consulting Teacher of Computer Education at Parker Middle School for the 1989 -90 school year. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. ADJOURNMENT At 11:45 p.m., Chairman George Shannon recommended we adjourn and meet April 3, 1989 to address the FY90 Budget and other issues. Margaret Cowell moved to adjourn the meeting and meet again on April 3, 1989. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.