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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-06-26 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES CALL TO ORDER JUNE 26, 1989 Chairman George Shannon called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:45 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present with the exception of Carol Lyons, Mary Williams and Student Representative Matt McGee. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendents Lynn M. Bak and Ronald A. Winslow, and several members of the community. APPROVAL OF MINUTES No minutes for approval were presented. BILLS & PAYROLLS The warrants for Bills and Payrolls were as follows: BILLS: June 30, 1989 - General Expense - $59,888.87 June 30, 1989 - Weekly - $75,607.56 CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen's input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly announced that our National History Day students did well in competition in Washington, D.C. Nancy Drane and her team won first place with their Norman Rockwell presentation. Julia Mark's presentation was well received on the middle school level. Julia is an eighth grade student at Parker Middle School. REGULAR SESSION MEETINGS 2 JUNE 26, 1989 OLD BUSINESS EVALUATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT The Superintendent provided the School Committee with a written end -of- the -year activity summary reporting progress on his personal evaluation for the 1988 -89 school year. The report was discussed briefly and will be considered by the School Committee as it prepares its evaluation of the Superintendent. This public evaluation will take place at the July 10th meeting of the Reading School Committee. POLICY ON DRUG FREE WORKPLACE The School Committee discussed the draft policy on a Drug Free Workplace and affirmed its agreement with the content of the policy. Dr. Munnelly reported that he consulted with all employee organizations and they are in agreement with this policy. Mr. Nissen moved to approve the POLICY ON DRUG FREE WORKPLACE as outlined in enclosure B -2 -b dated June 23, 1989. This is a second vote on this policy. Mrs. Cowell seconded the motion. The School Committee voted unanimously to adopt this policy. NEW BUSINESS REVISION OF POLICY ON PEDICULOSIS Recently, Reading and neighboring communities have experienced an outbreak of pediculosis (also known as head - lice). Our existing policy has not been updated in the last few years. On the advice of our nurses and our Pupil Services Director, Dr. Alexanian, an addition to the policy was presented to the School Committee for consideration. The insertion to Guidlines for Returning to School states that parents of exposed children should be notified, but does not alter the existing rules that a school nurse or private physician will determine readmittance to school. Mr. Nissen made a motion to approve the policy as outlined in enclosure B -3 -a dated June 26, 1989 on a first vote policy. Mrs. Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 POLICY ON EMPLOYEES WITH HIV INFECTION JUNE 26, 1989 The POLICY ON EMPLOYEES WITH HIV INFECTION (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) was presented to the School Committee for their consideration. The policy is similar to policies recently adopted by the Reading Selectmen - persons who are not at risk to themselves or others can continue to work and will not be discriminated against due to their handicap. There will be no invasion of privacy. Dr. Munnelly stated that, to his knowledge, no person employed by the Reading Public Schools is infected with AIDS. The School Committee discussed and agreed to vote on the policy. Mrs. Philbrick moved to accept the policy as outlined in B -3 -b dated May 31, 1989 on a first vote policy. Mrs. Cowell seconded the motion and all members voted in the affirmative. APPROVAL OF BIDS The School Committee, on a motion offered by Mrs. Philbrick and seconded by Mrs. Cowell voted to award, each to the low bidder the following cafeteria bid items: Milk West Lynn Creamery $68,574.71 Ice Cream Paul's Distributor 13,077.50 Paper & Plastic J. Stone Paper Co. 4,379.05 The vote was unanimous. Mr. Nissen moved to accept bakery items 1 -7 as listed on the enclosure B -3 -c from Country Kitchens and items 7 and 8 from LaRonga Bakery. Mrs. Philbrick seconded the motion Bread and Rolls Country Kitchen Bread and Rolls La Ronga Bakery $ 4,688.00 3,312.00 The vote was unanimous to accept both bids from the aggregate low bidder. ASBESTOS REMOVAL After a discussion about the bid process, which has been the source of a protest, the School Committee awarded the Asbestos Removal contract to S.C.S. Environmental Services, Inc. for $139,161. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 JUNE 26, 1989 The motion was made by Mr. Nissen and seconded by Mrs Philbrick The vote was unanimous. The School Committee voted this award after hearing from Town Counsel, Ted Cohen, and Assistant Superintendent Winslow that the protest claim was not a substantial violation of the bid process. ARCHITECT SELECTION Dr. Munnelly informed the School Committee that he has found the references and financial bid of the Design Partnership of Cambridge to be the best among all final architectural groups and will be acting to begin a process. The Superintendent will be entering into the contract with this firm to design the renovations of the Birch Meadow and Eaton schools. The firm will develop a design and do the renovations for the lump sum fee of $32,000. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS END -OF -YEAR REPORT OF ADULT EDUCATION AND NORTHERN ESSEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE COLLABORATIVE Mark Alterio, Director of Adult Education, was present to report a very positive first year for the collaborative with Northern Essex Community College (N.E.C.C.). John Peroni and Naomi Sherzer of N.E.C.C. joined Mr. Alterio in his presentation and expressed their satisfaction that the past year has been mutually beneficial and rewarding to both the Reading community and N.E.C.C. It was requested, by Mr. Alterio, that the instructors of this self- sustaining program be awarded a 5% increase for the 1989 -90 year. Mr. Nissen made a motion that Mr. Alterio's request be honored and the instructors would receive a 5% pay raise for F.Y. 89 -90 and Mrs. Cowell seconded the motion. All School Committee members were unanimous in their support. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 JUNE 26, 1989 BRIEFING: EBO AND TEACHER EVALUATION Assistant Superintendent Lynn Bak gave an overview of the EBO process. EBO is a process of determining school -wide and "'`' individual goals for educators in the Reading Public Schools. This process is useful, and appears to be rewarding for both teachers and building principals. It is a valuable way to assess progress and professional development. Assistant Bak shared with the Committee the history and philosophy of the E.B.O. process instituted into the school system in 1976, and introduced principals Dr. Mark Piechota, Dr. Jack Delaney, and Mr. Charles Papandreou. The three principals spoke about the supervisory process for guiding and motivating educators through leadership and support. Dr. Piechota addressed the E.B.O. process: roles, responsibility and professional development. Mr. Papandreou outlined the process as a whole, and Dr. Delaney concluded the E.B.O. report as he discussed the general format and content in this evluation process. A discussion followed the presentation. Chairman Shannon, speaking for members of the School Committee, praised the principals for their presentation and quality of the supervisory process which the EBO process represents. PLANS FOR SUMMER SCHOOL 1989 Ak Assistant Superintendent Lynn Bak, on behalf of Jeff Cryan, gave an overview of the Summer School program. This program conducted annually under the auspices of the Reading Public Schools will commence on June 27th. Approximately three hundred youngsters are enrolled in this five week course. APPROVAL OF RED SNEAKERS /WELLINGTON SCHOOL PROGRAM UNDER COMPULSORY EDUCATION A recommendation was made by Assistant Superintendent Bak that based upon the review of the written curricular along with the "snapshot" obtained through a visitation to the school, it is the recommendation that the school be granted school committee approval for a five year period for the grades K -6. Assistant Superintendent Bak visited the school with Principal Richard Davidson and teachers. It is their oppinion that the school meets at least minimal standards for compulsory schooling requiements. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 JUNE 26, 1989 � Mr. Nissen moved to grant approval to Red Sneakers /Wellington School and Mrs. Philbrick seconded. The motion passed with all School Committee members voting in the affirmative A GOVERNOR'S ALLIANCE AGAINST DRUGS GRANT PROPOSAL Assistant Superintendent Lynn Bak sought approval for a grant to be filed for substance abuse education with the Governor's Alliance Against Drugs. Money earmarked for Reading totals $15,735. Mr. Nissen made a motion to submit a proposal for $15,735 to the Governor's Alliance for the 1989 -90 school year, Mrs. Cowell seconded the motion and the School Committee was unanimous in their support. SCHOOL COMMITTEE ANNUAL REORGANIZATION AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS Dr. Munnelly thanked Chairman George Shannon for the two years has has spent as Chairman of the School Committee. In accordance with. School Committee policy the Chairman turned the gavel over to Superintendent Munnelly for purposes of electing a new Chairman of the School Committee. At this time, nominations were accepted for a School Committee member to be elected to assume the position vacated by Mr. Shannon. Mrs. Philbrick nominated Vice Chairman Stan Nissen to be School 4 Committee Chairman for 1989 -90. Mrs. Cowell seconded the motion and the Committee unanimously agreed to close nominations Mr. Nissen was acclaimed Chairman of the School Committee for 1989 -90. Dr. Munnelly presented the gavel to Mr. Nissen. The Committee then decided that a Vice Chairman will be elected at the next meeting on June 10th due to the absence of School Committee members Mary Williams and Carol Lyons. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 JUNE 26, 1989 PERSONNEL On the recommendation of the Administration: 'o Robert Seeley was appointed Instrumental Music teacher at Coolidge and Parker Middle Schools replacing three part time instrumental teachers. Mrs. Eileen Riley was appointed Computer Education teacher at Parker Middle School as a one year replacement for Laura Nash who is on a leave of absence. The motions were made by Mrs. Philbrick and seconded by Mrs. Cowell and all members of the Committee were in accord. Mr. Shannon offered a motion to appoint Kathy Monte'unas Acting Department Head of the English Department forme year. Mrs. Cowell seconded the motion and the members of the School Committee voted unanimously on the recommendation. Assistant Superintendent Bak notified the Committee that Dorothy Wood a social studies teacher at Reading Memorial High School will be a one year replacement for Camille Visconti in the guidance department. Catherine Butler has been appointed to the secretarial position at Parker Middle School and Carol Tribou will be the new receptionist at Reading Memorial High School. Mrs. Philbrick made a motion to accept both appointments and Mr. Shannon seconded her motion All Committee members were in agreement. ., ADJOURNMENT At 10:45, Mr. Shannon made a motion to adjourn into Executive Session. Mrs. Philbrick seconded the motion. All of the following members voted in the affirmative. Mrs. Cowell Mrs. Philbrick Mr. Shannon Mr. Nissen Respectfully Submitted Robert I Munnelly, Ed. 0. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee