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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-10-02 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts School Committee Meeting Regular Session Minutes October 2, 1989 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Stan Nissen called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7 :05 p.m., in the Superintendent's Conference Room at 62 Oakland Road. All members of the School Committee were present; except Mary Williams and George Shannon, who arrived at a later time. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendents Lynn M. Bak and Ronald A. Winslow, a reporter from the Chronicle and members of the community. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Margaret Cowell moved to approve the minutes from the September 25, 1989. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unani- mous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS BILLS October 10, 1989 - $90,933.62 pavunr.r..q September 5, 1989 - Teachers September 6, 1989 - Weekly CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no Citizen's Input. OLD BUSINESS DAMAGED BOOK POLICY $415,223.70 $ 48,629.52 Dr. Munnelly presented the draft for the Policy on Lost or Dam- aged Books for a second vote. Carol Lvons moved to approve the Policy on Lost or Damaged Books as described in enclosure B2a. Margaret Cowell seconded the mo- tion. Citizen Kendra Cooper questioned the guidelines of what constitutes a damaged book as compared to a book of normal wear. Mr. Nissen explained the guidelines are directed by the adminis- tration and the vote was not for the guidelines but for the policy. The vote was unanimous. Regular Session Minutes -2- October 2, 1989 NEW BUSINESS HORACE MANN GRANT AWARDS 1989 -90 Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak shared the modifications of the 1989 -90 Horace Mann Grant Awards. She stated the original figure of $15,000 was cut again in August to the amount of $8,519 thus reductions were necessary to each application. Barbara Philbrick on the recommendation of the administration moved to grant the total figure of $8,519 as described on en- closure B3b for the 1989 -90 Horace Mann Grant Awards. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT Dr. Munnelly invited Principal Donald Farnham of the Joshua Eaton Elementary School to introduce . other members of the Elementary School Building Committee. Those present were School Committee Representative Margaret Cowell, Principal Richard Davidson, Marthanne Pressey, Robin D'Antona, Robert Grasso and Roger Sanstad. Architect Neal Leavitt of the Design Partnership of Cambridge pre- sented preliminary drawings of the designs for additions and re- novations of the Birch Meadow and Eaton Elementary Schools. Arch- itect Dave Finney, also from Design Partnership, explained essen- tial and bare project costs as shown on the prepared handout. It was noted that Reading is eligible for 66% state reimbursement if we have a completed construction application on file with the state by June 30, 1990. The School Committee was receptive to the design as shown for both schools. They requested an itemized list of each item on the Cost Estimate Summary sheets before they can proceed and discuss vari- ables and plans. Noting that the next Town Meeting is on November 13th it was suggested that the committee fine tune their information so discussion may begin at the-next School Committee meeting on October 16th. Principals Richard Davidson and Donald Farnham thanked the Committee and the Architects for their very productive and consciencious effort. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S SUB - COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN LANGUAGE Dr. Munnelly applauded the written report prepared by the sub- committee and turned this section of the meeting over to sub- committee member Barbara Philbrick, who shared the status of the Latin program and ideas to strengthen the Foreign Language program. Committee members present were Principal Mark Piechota, Chair; Principals Jack Delaney, Al Lahood and Richard Davidson; and teacher Gina Healy. Regular Session Minutes -3- October 2, 1989 The presentation focused on the work of the committee and the options Reading could pursue for the Foreign Language program. •.MA Mark Piechota and Gina Healey provided the School Committee with the following committee work: 1. to develop a global /cultural approach so as to give stu- dents a larger perspective of world studies; 2. to extend the Foreign Language down to the 6th grade as an exploratory phase and in the 7th and 8th grades con- centrate on a choice of one language and continue through high school; 3. to develop a total immersion program for students in grades K -2 where only a foreign language is spoken; 4. and to offer.Russian to high school juniors. George Shannon and Stan Nissen thanked the committee, Gina Healey and Joan Clifford for the effort offered to this proposal. Dr. Munnelly stated we will be discussing the Foreign Language program proposal at future School Committee meetings. DPPCnMMPT On the recommendation of the administration: Carol Lyons moved to appoint Claire Flynn as Assistant Principal at the Alice M. Barrows Elementary School for the 1989 -90 and 1990 -91 school years. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. George Shannon moved to appoint Carole Palumbo as a Music Spe- cialist at the Barrows Elementary School and the Coolidge Middle School, at the rate of Master's Level, Step 3. Carol Lyons second- ed the motion. The vote was unanimous. Carol Lyons moved to appoint Edward Leyden as the Head Girls' Basketball Coach at a Sport Rate Category A, Step 4 and Dana Hodges as a Boys' Swim Coach at a Sport Rate Category A, Step 2. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. ADJOURNMENT At 10:00 p.m. Chairman Stan Nissen requested a motion to adjourn. Barbara Philbrick made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by George Shannon. The vote was unanimous. Respectfully Submitted Robert J. Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Comrm