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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-09-25 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts School Committee Meeting Regular Session Minutes 25 September 1989 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Stan Nissen called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:06 p.m., in the Superintendent's Conference Room at 62 Oakland Road. All members of the School Committee were present except Mary Williams, who had notified Mr. Nissen that she expected to be late for the meeting. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendents Lynn M. Bak and Ronald A. Winslow; several Band Parents, a reporter from the Chronicle, and members of the community. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Nissen asked that the last half of the sentence on page 4, line 8 be deleted as an inaccurate observation. By consenses, the School Committee agreed and Carol Lyons moved to approve the minutes from the Auqust 31, 1989, as changed, and the September 11, 1989 meetings. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. All members were in accord. BILLS AND PAYROLLS BILLS September 18, 1989 September 25, 1989 October 2, 1989 PAYROLLS $41,346.90 $106,815.66 $302,443.72 September 15, 1989 - Weekly - $ 48,237.30 September 21, 1989 - Teachers - $403,034.93 September 22, 1989 - Weekly - $48,936.09 September 29, 1989 - Weekly - $51,298.90 CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no Citizen's Input. SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS Director of Art, Susan Wheltle described to the School Committee the collaboration between the Reading Public Schools, the Hudson Public Schools, and the DeCordova Museum in Lincoln, MA. All seventh graders in the two school systems will be involved in a program with the museum to study Public Sculpture and its growth in America. The study will begin with the traditional public displays in the Boston Public Gardens; the contemporary at MIT and will include the sculpture gardens at the DeCordova Museum. The program is expected to commence later this week. Funded largely ($18,000) by one of the few Art and Humanities grants awarded this year, a contribution will also come from our "Program Support for the Arts." Carol Lyons thanked Mrs. Wheltle on behalf of the School Committee for her continued initiative in seeking grants and obtaining available funds to advance the art programs in the Reading Public Schools. Regular Session Minutes -2- 25 SEPTEMBER 1989 SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Superintendent Munnelly shared the latest enrollment and class size figures with the School Committee. Average class sizes through Grade 8 are 22 per class with 18 to 27 as the range of actual classes. A high school report will be presented early in October. OLD BUSINESS ATHLETIC USER FEE A fee will be assessed to students at Reading Memorial High School who participate in interscholastic sports. The fee must be paid before the 7th week of active participation in each sport. The revised policy JJA was accepted on a second vote. The motion made by George Shannon was seconded by Marqaret Cowell. The vote was unanimous. BUS USER FEE The policy on Bus Ridership reviewed by the Committee at the last two meetings was presented for a second vote. The motion to accept the policy was made by George Shannon. Barbara Philbrick seconded. The vote was unanimous. A letter will be sent to parents of students at Reading Memorial High School from the Administration notifying them of the policies which will go into effect immediately. If a situation of family hardship exists, consideration will be given following guidelines established by the State using free -or- reduced - school -lunch eligibility. SCHOOL COMMITTEE GOALS Seven topics for the School Committee to consider as goals for the 1989 -90 school years are: Budget: Retain Teaching Staff Examine Music K -12 Re- evaluate the Gifted and Talented Program Long Range Planning Examine the Future Role of the High School: Academic Emphasis and Comprehensive Emphasis Policy Book Review Support Elementary School Building Program A motion was made by Carol Lyons that: seven topics be adopted by the School Committee as listed for goals for the 1989 -90 school year and be used to guide School Committee activities during the year. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion and the Committee agreed unanimously. Regular Session Minutes -3- 25 September 1989 NEW BUSINESS APPROVAL OF EDUCATIONAL SPECIFICATIONS Chairman Stan Nissen introduced Joshua Eaton Principal Don Farnham who is Chairman of the School Building Committee. Margaret Cowell is the School Committee liaison on this Committee. At present, plans to add six classrooms to the Birch Meadow and Eaton schools are in progress. Mr. Farnham stated that due to consideration of budgetary constraints, a conservative approach to the additions and renovations has been taken. The rooms are being planned with a "two - fold" purpose. The design will permit them to be used for art and music centers if the rooms are not required for classes in the future. Mr. Farnham cited the Ensminger Report as an ascending enrollment projection: Birch Meadow school will reach its peak in the next two or three years; Eaton's expected peak - 1997 -98. The architectural firm Design Partnership of Cambridge will have preliminary drawings to present to the School Committee at the next meeting on October 2. At this time, the cost of the additions will be discussed. In order for Reading to qualify for state reimbursement for the school additions and renovations (legislative statutes permit up to 66% reimbursement of the final costs) the School Committee gave its approval of the educational specifications. The motion to accept the educational specifications for the Birch Meadow and Eaton schools was made by Margaret Cowell George Shannon seconded the motion. All members of the School Committee voted in the affirmative. TOWN MEETING WARRANT ARTICLES Superintendent Munnelly and Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner drafted an article for Fall Town Meeting consideration regarding the bonding of additions /renovations to Birch Meadow and Eaton schools. After discussion, George Shannon made the motion to instruct the Selectment to place the article on the Town Meeting warrant. The motion was seconded by Margaret Cowell. The vote of the School Committee was unanimous. Regular Session Minutes -4- 25 September 1989 BAND PARENTS FUNDRAISING REQUEST µ The Band Parents Association, represented by Ken McKinnon, Susan Nelson, and Paul Feely requested the School Committee to waive School Committee policy KIA in order to conduct a door -to -door sale of poinsettia plants. The plants, to be delivered just before the holidays, represent the Association's major fund raising project for the year. Superintendent Munnelly commented on the goals of the Band Parents. The organization hopes to restock 20% of the uniforms each year and anticipates an annual contribution to the School Department of $3,000 to $5,000 to replace and maintain uniforms for band members at Reading Memorial High School. Following lengthy discussion, a motion was not offered and consequently no action to approve or disapprove the request was taken by the School Committee. Although supportive of this community fund raising endeavor, the School Committee suggested that alternative plans be considered to eliminate door -to -door solicitation by students. Barbara Philbrick made a motion to authorize the plant sale off school grounds in accordance with the policy. The motion was seconded by Margaret Cowell and passed unanimously. POLICY ON LOST OR DAMAGED BOOKS A revised policy on Student Debts was presented to the Committee for their consideration. The revision is due to the fact that the State Department of Education has stated that withholding of report cards is not permissable under state law. The new policy draft calls for unpaid student debts to be turned over to a collection agency. George Shannon recommended that the revised policy be accepted on a first vote. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. REVIEW OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE POLICY BOOK Stan Nissen announced that he will begin to review the A series of the School Committee Policy Book and recommend any changes to be made to existing policies. As this is one of the School Committee goals, he suggested the other members of the School Committee do the same and make recommendations at a future meeting. LUNCH POLICY VOTE State and federal agencies require an annual vote by the School Committee to accept State policy for determining eligibility for free meals and reduced price meals. George Shannon moved that the Committee vote approval of the contract and policy. Barbara Philbrick seconded. The vote was unanimous. Regular Session Minutes -5- 25 September 1989 PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS Recommendation to the School Committee was made to appoint Mrs. Nancy Cornell to position of School Nurse. Carol Lyons moved to appoint Nancy Cornell to position of nurse, effective immediately, on a one year contract to expire June 30, 1990 on Step 2 of the Nurse Salary Schedule. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. REDUCTION IN FORCE ACTION As part of the budget reduction, recommendation was made to the Committee that the position of Grounds Aide at Reading Memorial High School be eliminated. The contract with the Reading Aides' Association states that Reduction in Staff states that the aide to be riffed receive thirty days notice. Mr. Laurence Darling, the present Grounds Aide has worked for the School Department for ten years and has been an excellent part -time employee. The elimination of the position is due to necessary budget cuts. Carol Lyons moved that the School Committee eliminate the part -time position of Grounds Aide at Reading Memorial High School Mr. Laurence Darling will be notified by letter of the Committee's decision within thirty days. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS ABOUT RECENT TOWN MEETING Chairman Stan Nissen reviewed matters discussed at the recent Town Meeting for School Committee members who were not able to attend the meeting. He shared with the Committee that there was not very much support for the Committee's recommendation of a "trash fee." Mr. Nissen requested a motion be made to move into Executive Session to discuss matters of contract reviews, recommendations and approval of Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent contracts. Margaret Cowell offered the motion and Barbara Philbrick seconded. On a roll call vote, all members concurred and the meeting was adjourned at 8:54. Respectfully Submitted Robert J. Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee