HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-11-15 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Reading, Massachusetts
Regular Session Minutes November 15, 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 George Shannon, who was delayed,
and Carol Lyons. Also present were Superintendent Robert J.
Munnelly; Assistant Superintendents Lynn M. Bak and Ronald A.
Winslow; FinCom members; a reporter from the Chronicle and members
of the community.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Margaret Cowell moved to approve the minutes from the November 6,
1989_ meeting. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote
was unanimous.
BILLS AND PAYROLL
There were no bills and payroll.
CITIZEN'S INPUT
There was no Citizen's Input.
OLD BUSINESS
HOME SCHOOLING PROGRAM RECOMMENDATION
Dr. Munnelly stated he would be talking to Town Counsel Ted Cohen
and would have a firm recommendation on a home instruction program
requested by a Reading family at the December 18th School
Committee meeting.
REVIEW OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAM PLANS
Stan Nissen reported on the November 8th FinCom Meeting at which
the FinCom endorsed $2,914 million for elementary school renova-
tion by a 4 -3 -1 majority. The school committee decided to submit
the cost estimate of the full scale project $5,478,700, for both
Birch Meadow and Eaton Elementary Schools at Town Meeting. Mr.
Nissen encouraged that the town could accomplish the project by
taking advantage of School Building Assistance Bureau funding
which will amount to 66 percent of the total cost of the project.
Application for this funding must be submitted prior to July 1,
1989.
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Regular Session Minutes
INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS
CAFETERIA REPORT
F
November 15, 1989
Assistant Superintendent Ron Winslow shared the September 1989
cafeteria statement, noting that food costs have been slowly
rising. A major concern to the school lunch program is the
limited amount, and in some cases the lack of available basic
commodities through the government program. As an example, the
purchase of cheese through this program is 25 cents a pound and
was not available for the first time this year. The purchase cost
from private vendors is $2.00 a pound.
A suggestion recommended by Mr. Winslow and Cathy Cook, Food
Service Director; to help keep the school lunch program self-
supporting would be to increase the selling price for a carton of
milk to 30 cents from 25 cents, effective January 1990. This will
generate approximately $7,200 in additional revenue.
Another recommendation to be considered in September 1990, is to
increase the Type A lunch from $1.00 to an amount to be determined
at the end of this school year, and the School Committee to vote a
subsidy of some amount such as the amount of the 1990 -91 raises
for the staff.
NEW BUSINESS
BUDGET '91
EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF THE SCHOOL
For comparison purposes Dr. Munnelly shared the 1990 -91 statement
of educational needs of the Reading Public Schools with last
year's needs. He emphasized that 1989 -90 was a year of progress,
even though financial difficulties with the Town and State were
obvious and that more development is needed. He underlined that a
budget is a financial plan for addressing an educational plan; and
we do not want anyone to lose sight of the educational needs of
the system. The educational needs for FY91 were presented in
chart form.
FINANCIAL EXPENDITURE DATA ANALYSIS
Dr. Munnelly reviewed the financial expenditure data as of June
1988 including the Special Education information prepared by Pupil
Personnel Director Dr. Alexanian.
Dr. Munnelly explained that the data Reading and other communities
submitted to the State this summer reflecting the FY89 expenditure
is being compiled by the State as per pupil comparisons and will
be available in February 1990.
Regular Session Minutes 3 November 15, 1989
PROGRAM APPROVAL
CHANGES IN HIGH SCHOOL COURSE SELECTION BOOKLET
Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak introduced Susan Wheltle,
Art Director, who shared with the School Committee the Proposed
Fine Arts Course Selection Guide for 1990 -91. Ms. Wheltle
explained that beginning with the class of 1993, students will be
required to take four credits in the Arts to meet graduation re-
quirements. The fine arts courses which fulfill the requirement
include: Visual Arts, Photography and Design, Theatre and Dance,
and Music.
Discussion followed. The School Committee gave approval to the
Proposed Fine Arts Section for Course Selection Guide, 1990 -91.
Chairman Nissen along with other members of the School Committee
stated that they support this change for the high school course
selection booklet.
PPPqnWMPT
APPOINTMENT: BUSINESS MANAGER POSITION
Dr. Munnelly informed the School Committee that he was recommend -
ing Warren Hopkins, RMHS business education teacher, as the next
School Department Business Manager. Mr. Hopkins previously served
for six years as Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Business
in Swampscott.
Discussion regarding.Mr. Hopkin's transition from his position as
a teacher and assistant hockey coach to the business manager's
position would be gradual and part -time, starting soon after
Thanksgiving.
Dr. Munnelly recommended a level of salary which will be negotia-
ted between Mr. Hopkins and the School Committee.
On the recommendation of the Superintendent:
George Shannon moved to appoint Warren Hopkins, 105 Norfolk Ave.,
Swampscott, subject to negotiations to the Business Manager's
Position of the Reading Public Schools. Barbara Philbrick
seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.
ADJOURNMENT
At 9:00 p.m., George Shannon made a motion to adjourn. The motion
was seconded by Barbara Philbrick. The vote was unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted
Robert J. Munnelly, Ed. D.
Superintendent Of Schools
Secretary To The School Committl -<