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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-06-19 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES CALL TO ORDER JUNE 19. 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 with the exception of Student Representative Matt McGee. Also present were Superinten- dent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendents Lynn M. Bak and Ronald A. Winslow, FinCom Member Willard Burditt and Diane Williamson, Secretary to the Superintendent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Margaret Cowell moved to approve the minutes from the June 5, 1989 meeting. Stan Nissen seconded the motion. The vote was unani- mous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS BILLS: June 26, 1989 - General Expense - $93,220.11 PAYROLLS: June 23, 1989 - Teachers June 23, 1989 - Weekly CITIZEN'S INPUT $1,307,563.94 $ 57,879.07 Citizen Leslie Lougee inquired if there would be time given for citizen input after the Budget had been discussed. She was ad- vised by Chairman Shannon that time would be available. COOLIDGE GIFT ACCEPTANCE Dr. Munnelly introduced citizen Arnold Berger and Al Lahood, Principal of the Coolidge Middle School, to the audience. A gift from Arnold Berger for the aquisition of networked computers and printers has been donated to the middle school writing workshop. The gift, supplemented by funds from the school system's regular computer equipment account and P.T.O., will permit every student to learn word processing, and carry out English writing assignments beginning this fall. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 JUNE 19, 1989 Stan Nissen moved to officially accept the gift of money for computer equipment from Mr. Berger for the Coolidge Middle School. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. The School Committee and the Administration publicly thanked Mr. Berger for his generous gift. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly shared recent achievements of two of Reading's teachers. Marc Alterio, Director of Physical Education is one of six recipients in the nation who received special recognition by the American Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Recently at the National Convention in Boston, Marc presented an award for his leadership of Reading's outstanding physical education program and for his efforts at fostering the goals of the association in his role as recent State President of the City and Town's Administrators of Physical Education in Massa- chusetts. Also, Judy Donovan, a science teacher at Reading Memorial High School, received the Critical and Creative Thinking Award for Academic Excellence at the Spring 1989 Convocation of the Boston University of Massachusetts. Congratulations were extended from the Administration and School Committee to both of these outstanding teachers for their achievements. STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL Dr. Mark Piechota briefed the School Committee on the Student Advisory Council's activities since the last School Committee Session and shared activities now in the planning stage for the next school year. Some of the issues to be addressed will include the parking situation since the Superintendent's Office will be located at the high school next year. Other issues of smoking, automobiles, senior pass program, skip day, along with a health food menu will also be part of the 1989 -90 student advisory activities. The Committee looks forward to working with the Student Advisory Council next year and thanked Dr. Piechota for his update. OLD BUSINESS BUDGET FY90 - ADOPTION OF FINAL BUDGET Dr. Munnelly shared with the Committee and audience his list of recommendations for budget cuts in FY90. Discussion followed on how this could be accomplished. Stan Nissen moved to modify the recommended reductions for the budget with the exception of the nurse position as described in enclosure B2a by $29,213. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 JUNE 19, 1989 Several citizens discussed ways they felt the budget could be adjusted so the nurse position could be added. Leslie Lougee presented each School Committee member with a breakdown of the adjustments they felt could be made. Mr. Burditt, FinCom Member added that there would not be state funding and could not anticipate any deferring. Kendra Cooper suggested a cut back in Professional Development money. Stan Nissen moved that the budget be modified by postponing the electroplating of lockers at the High School and charging an athletic user fee as described in enclosure B2a. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. Discussion followed with the majority of school committee members not in favor of an athletics user fee. The vote was two in favor and four opposed. Stan Nissen moved to eliminate the $7,000 for the electroplating of lockers at the high school, $3,000 from the Birch Meadow and other school maintenance accounts, and $1,400 for the high school exterior lighting Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Since the School Committee, at this point, has voted $40,000 in reductions, finding an additional $8,000 in reductions was the task of the School Committee. Stan Nissen suggested further w review of the budget and discussion to continue at a later meeting. Wjll ",, REAP LEASE On the recommendation of the Administration: Stan Nissen moved to accept the 1989 -90 proposed rental rate of $5.75 per square foot for REAP. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS UPDATE ON CURRICULUM COORDINATION K -12 Assistant Superintendent Bak shared the update of the K -12 curriculum activities that have taken place in the past 15 months. Each Curriculum Chair was then introduced and shared information regarding each of their respective committees and their leadership training activities this past year. Present were: Elia Dangelmaier Marnik and Claire Flynn, Language Arts; Lauren Stevenson and Ginny Quinn, Health /Physical Education; Tom Hoffrage, Arts; Chris Redford, Math; Barbara McLain, Social Studies; Joe Buckley, Computers; and Dave Williams, Science. Ms. Bak finalized with the projection of curriculum processing for a 5 year plan, Cycle I and II for grades K -12 and the formal curriculum evaluation format that will be utilized in assessing curriculum districtwide.. MUSIC - GUIDELINES AND OVERVIEW Dr. Munnelly introduced John Giacobbe, Director of Music, to the School Committee and the audience. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 JUNE 19, 1989 Mr. Giacobbe shared the proposed music performance guidelines adding that the Fine Arts requirement was a positive step in preparing all our students for cultural and creative expectations beyond high school. In the elementary grades the study of the Orff concept and the Studio /Production for the general music program for 1989 -90 was discussed. For the middle schools, he shared suggestions for the instrumental program. Mr. Giacobbe also shared the tenative activity calendar for the 1989 -90 school year. Many parents spoke in regard to the proposed instrumental program and the proposed music calendar. George Shannon complimented Mr. Giacobbe for a very informative presentation while Dr. Munnelly invited more guideline and calendar input from the committee, as well as, the audience. NEW BUSINESS RENEWAL OF COACHING AND DEPARTMENT HEAD POSITIONS On the recommendation of the Administration: _Stan Nissen moved to reappoint the Coaches as outlined on enclosure D1, dated June 6, 1989. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. ro Stan Nissen moved to appoint the Department Heads as outlined on D1, dated June 9, 1989. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. HIGH SCHOOL EASEMENT Dr. Munnelly advised the School Committee of the easement of property known as 65 Longfellow Road, Reading, MA. Stan Nissen moved to approve in concept an easement for the property known as 65 Longfellow Road, Reading, M.A. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Dr. Munnelly stated he will have Ted Cohen structure the easement to insure that long range protection of the Town's interest will be considered. BUSINESS MANAGER'S REPORT Assistant Superintendent Ron Winslow shared the Cafeteria Statement and the Bid Tabulation FY90 for the Custodial Supplies: Stan Nissen noted an error on the Cafeteria Statement and wanted to address this issue at the next School Committee Meeting. Stan Nissen moved that the School Committee award the custodial supplies as described in D -3, dated June 19, 1989, subject to the correction of any errors. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATIONS On the recommendation of the Administration: JUNE 19, 1989 Stan Nissen moved to appoint Catherine E. Woods, to the position at Killam School as Special Ed. SEEM DD teacher at the rate of Masters Level, Step 2; to reappoint Ellen J. Howland, to the position of English teacher at Parker Middle School at the rate of Bachelor Level, Step 7; to appoint Michele M. Pahl to the position of Grade 5 at the Killam School at the rate of Master Level, Step 1; to reappoint Gregg G. Beimler, to the position of Social Studies at Parker Middle School at the rate of Bachelors Level +30, Step 2; and appoint Joan McKinnon, to the position of Grade 4, one year replacement teacherat Killam School at the rate of _Bachelors Level +15, Step 1, effective the beginning of the 1989 -90 school year. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous with Mary Williams abstaining. Carol Lvons moved to appoint Camille Visconti to the position of Acting Department Head for Guidance at Reading Memorial High School effective September 1, 1989 at a Department Head Compensation of Step 1. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. RESIGNATIONS On the recommendation of the Administration: Stan Nissen moved to accept the resignation of Gloria Rosenthal, teacher of Enqlish at Coolidge, for the purpose of retirement, effective August 4, 1989. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Stan Nissen moved to accept the resignation of James White, as coach of the Reading Memorial High School's Girls. Varsity Soccer team effective immediately. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. ADJOURNMENT At 11.25 p.m. Stan Nissen moved to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of the architect for the elementary school additions Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Carol Lyons Stan Nissen Barbara Philbrick Margaret Cowell George Shannon Mary Williams