Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-08-31 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, MA School Committee Meeting Regular Session Minutes August 31, 1989 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Stan Nissen called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:30 p.m., August 31, 1989, in the Superintendent's Conference Room at 34 Gould Street. All members of the School Committee were present. Also present were Superin- tendent Robert J. Munnelly; Assistant Superintendents Lynn M. Bak and Ron Winslow; FinCom Chairman Bill Burditt; other FinCom members; parents; and a reporter from the Chronicle. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Carol Lyons moved to approve the minutes from the July 24, 1989 meeting. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was all in favor with Mary Williams abstaining. BILLS AND PAYROLLS BILLS: July 24, 1989 - $46,313.68 July 31, 1989 - $36,362.53 August 14, 1989 - $20,768.12 August 21, 1989 - $51,628.89 August 28, 1989 - $58,928.86 September 5, 1989 - $163,942.51 PAYROLLS August 10, 1989 - Teachers - $113,151.57 August 24, 1989 - Teachers - $119,587.57 August 4, 1989 - Weekly - $26,296.86 August 11, 1989 - Weekly - $31,818.80 August 18, 1989 - Weekly - $22,344.28 August 25, 1989 - Weekly - $25,254.02 CITIZENS' INPUT Chairman Nissen asked if there was any Citizen's Input. Reading resident Kendra Cooper questioned if there would be time for Citizen's Input during the discussion of budget. Chairman Nissen stated he would recognize citizens to give input as time permit- ted. Regular Session Minutes 2 August 31, 1989 SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly stated that all of Reading's schools are ready for the arrival of 3700 students. Most of the buildings have received the proper clearances for a safe environment from friable asbestos or PCP contamination. The schools are clear of radon and water is regularly tested for lead leaks. He added that many teachers have been working on summer curriculum projects and Horace Mann assignments. The expected elementary enrollment of 1699 students shows an average class size of approximately 25 students. School Committee Members discussed the Kindergarten classes at Birch Meadow and Eaton. Dr. Munnelly explained that the plan is to equalize the students between Birch Meadow and Eaton. OLD BUSINESS BUDGET 1989 -90 Stan Nissen provided the audience some background for the figures School Committee has been requested to cut from the budget. The figure, that was received today, to be cut from the Town's overall budget is $797,000. The School Committee portion of that amount is 40% making our figure $238,800. If the town votes a trash fee, our figures would be reduced to $134,800. Dr. Munnelly provided the rationale that would give support to his specific suggested cuts. He stated new programs and services should not be added at this time because we may not be able to fund them into the next budget. The major focus should be on a regular day's program and instruction. Dr. Munnelly felt we could respond to the budget cut concerns by dividing it into four tiers and sorting the cuts into two scenarios. Scenario One being the deep cuts and Scenario Two the cuts based on a trash fee. He went on to explain the following four tiers: .Tier One - includes funds now available or funds that could be raised early; cuts that should be made now and on into the future; and program additions in FY90. .Tier Two - includes funds raised with more difficulty and postponements of equipment and materials. .Tier Three - includes cuts in services not central to in- structional mission. .Tier Four - includes deep cuts central to instructional mission. Regular Session Minutes 3 August 31, 1989 Chairman Nissen informed School Committee members that suggested cuts for both Scenarios would be presented to the FinCom on Tues- day night. This information would go into the Warrant report for Town Meeting. Dr. Munnelly explained the ideas on the sheets that were passed out to School Committee with the projected cuts for both scenarios. The figures are somewhat higher based on the original amount requested. He went on to explain the cuts if the trash fee is instituted, including fees, equipment and salaries, and Tier One items. He continued to explain the scenario including deep cuts. These items represent ideas for cuts from Tier One, Two and Three levels; fees /funds, expenses - including $1,000 of standardized testing at the high school level and $2,000 from the arts program, also several maintenance and equipment items; and salaries. Discussion was opened up to School Committee Members. The question regarding $7,000 for staff development and the areas it would effect was explained by Dr. Munnelly as areas including summer salaries, such as the monies expended this summer on Elementary Science Development, Social Studies K -12 evaluation, Early Childhood Program Development Project, AIDS Curriculum, World Studies Content Development, Gifted /Talented In- service, and Writing Lab Activities. The 2300 account is monies used to hire consultants, work shops - such as AIDS. It also includes the stipend for Elementary Curriculum Chair people, the publication and distribution of the goals booklet, and the prepartion of materials for curriculum evaluation. The curriculum coordination services of $20,000 represents monies from a plan that Assistant Superintendent Bak had presented that included Science, Health, and Computer programs. A contract for the Science program has been finalized. Each School Committee member discussed the priorities they felt should be considered to keep within the budget. The swim team, nurse, arts program, extra curricular activities and a broader based fee that would include all students in an activities fee were some of the main issues considered. George Shannon questioned why the figures were changing on a daily basis and FinCom Chairman Bill Burditt explained that they had based the figures on an estimated Town tax figure and not a firm figure. At Town meeting the vote will be on a bottom line figure that the School Committee votes on. Carol Lyons presented 195 signatures from parents of students from the Killam and Birch Mea- dow schools in support of the nurse position. Regular Session Minutes 4 August 31, 1989 Chairman Nissen asked for citizen input that would bring up items not already discussed. Resident Mr. Van Magness commented on the Athletic revolving account, substitutes' salary rate, swim team and summer school and stated that all of the committees are going to have to come up with a long range plan as schools will never survive on a fee plan alone. RTA President Peter Greene discussed the problems of collecting from students who do not participate in activities. Carol Lyons moved to change the Athletic User Fee into a Student Activities Fee for Grades 6 -12. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. Discussion continued regarding all the fees in the system and establishing a family cap. Carol Lyons modified her motion to read to collect $30,000 in Student Activity Fees starting at the Middle School level. The vote was two in favor and four oDDosed. The motion did not carr Carol Lyons moved to eliminate the $15,000 Athletic Fee as shown on the pink sheets. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. Further discussion regarding cuts described on the pink sheets. The vote was 2 in favor 4 0220sed. The motion did not carry. George Shannon moved that the School Committee vote to cut monies totaling $238,800 that reinstates the nurse, swim team, program support for the arts and extra curricular activities; that the School Committee give the administration the discretion of cuttin the remaining $3,519 from the list of cuts presented, Scenario #1 Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was five in favor, one opposed. Barbara Philbrick moved that the School Committee vote to cut monies totaling $134,800 that reinstates the nurse & extra curricular activities. The School Committee moved the administra- tion have the discretion of cutting the remaining $3200 from the list of equipment and salaries as presented, Scenario #2. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was five in favor, one opposed. NEW BUSINESS PROPOSED MEETING CALENDAR - FALL 1989 Stan Nissen suggested we add two additional meetings to the enclosed fall and winter School Committee schedule, October 16th and November 15th. Dr. Munnelly also added that a way for us to deal with the flow of the meetings would be to start at 7 p.m. instead of 7 :30 p.m. Stan Nissen suggested three meetings a month unless more are needed and to target on a specific time schedule. Regular Session Minutes 5 August 31, 1989 AGENDA CALENDAR 1989 -90 Stan Nissen suggested that School Committee members review the enclosed calendar with Dr. Munnelly privately and bring their comments back to the next School Committee meeting. He also noted that a delegate be appointed to represent the committee at the MA Association of School Committees, meeting in Hyannis on November 9, 10, 11, and 12. Mr. Shannon will be attending a panel with Dr. Munnelly one day and will not be staying for the entire time. SUPERINTENDENT'S GOALS Dr. Munnelly expressed that the Reading Schools are well on the way towards excellence. The six goals he has set for himself are: .to continue his support for extension of the impact of Professional Development and Curriculum Improvement; .to continue to support school- based, school- identified ways to improve; .to promote the need to add to existing school buildings - Eaton and Birch Meadow; .to review policy for developing long -range strategic plan- ning; to explore ways to integrate special education youngsters into the regular education classes; and .to keep the focus on the budget for FY91. " CURRICULUM GOALS BOOK Due to the late hour it was suggested that we review the Curricu- lum goals book at the next meeting. RESIGNATIONS On the recommendation of the Administration: Barbara Philbrick moved to accept the resianations of Jennifer Aborn as a Music Specialist at Killam and Coolidge Schools and of Mary Breed as Physical Education teacher at Coolidge School and as Head Field Hockey Coach effective August 31, 1989. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. APPOINTMENTS Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak discussed a request for a leave of absence from Sharon Patterson, Grade 2 teacher at the Barrows School. It was decided to discuss this further in Execu- tive Session. Regular Session Minutes 6 August 31, 1989 On the recommendation of the the Administration: A Carol Lyons moved to appoint Robert Seeley to the 20sition of Reading Memorial High School Jazz Director with a stipend to be determined after negotiation with the School Committee and RTA have been completed; Stacey Katz to the position of French/Spanish teacher at Coolidge Middle School at the rate of Master's Level, Step 1; Jodie Dobkowski to the position of Physical Education teacher at Coolidge Middle School at the rate of Bachelor Level, Step 1; Elena Pavlos to the position of Elementary Music Specialist at Ki.11am and Birch Meadow Schools at the rate of Master Level, Step 1; and Leslie McGovern as the Early Childhood Education Coordinator under the Chapter 188 Grant. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Also on the recommendation of the Administration: Barbara Philbrick moved to appoint Laura Gibbons as Head Field Hockey Coach for 1989 -90 school year at a Sport Rate A, Step 1. The vote was unanimous. ADJOURNMENT At 10:45 p.m. George Shannon moved to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of negotiations and terms of a request for a leave of absence and following this exchange to return to regular session. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. RespF,Jtully Submitted Robert J. Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, MA School Committee Meeting Regular Session Minutes August 31, 1989 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Nissen called the Regular Session meeting of the Reading School Committee back to order at 11:35 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Superintendent's Office at 34 Gould Street. All members were present. Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly and Assistant Superintendents Lynn M. Bak and Ronald A. Winslow were also present. LEAVE OF ABSENCE Administration and School Committee members discussed Sharon Patterson's request for a one year leave of absence. Dr. Munnelly shared that Ms. Patterson has requested this leave due to unpre- dictable poor health. She also requested special case considera- tion that includes: she be a priority sub paid at a rate of $75 per day; her health insurance benefits be continued while on leave. Margaret Cowell moved to accept a one year leave of absence for Sharon Patterson with the conditions stated in the Superintendent's memorandum contingent on health insurance and contingent on an agreement from the RTA that this does not set precedence. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. ADJOURNMENT Barbara Philbrick moved to return to Executive Session for Admin- istration Negotiations and not to return to regular session. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Respectfully Submitted Robert J. Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee