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Home My WebLink About1989-12-04 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES DECEMBER 4, 1989 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Stan Nissen called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7 :02 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present with the exception of Tom Fuller, Student Representative. Also present were Superinten- dent Dr. Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendents Lynn M. Bak and Ronald A. Winslow, Members from the Finance Committee, and a reporter from the Chronicle. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Carol Lyons moved to approve the minutes from the November 15, 1989 meeting. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote •s C —!1 BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrants for Bills and Payrolls were as follows: BILLS: December 8, 1989 - General Expenses - $54,287.63 PAYROLLS: November 16, 1989 - Teachers - $409,435.86 November 30, 1989 - Teachers - $397,311.94 November 17, 1989 - Weekly _ - $ 52,596.12 November 22, 1989 - Weekly - $ 57,094.69 December 1, 1989 - Weekly - $ 69,230.70 December 8, 1989 - Weekly - $ 54,287.63 CITIZEN'S INPUT Reading Citizen Kendra Cooper questioned if there was a written procedure for the Administration to follow if a student has been physically or psychologically abused. Dr. Munnelly replied that there was nothing in writing, and if attention were ever needed to such circumstance, that each incident would be addressed on an in- dividual bases. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT SECONDARY SCHOOL RECOGNITION PROGRAM DECEMBER 4, 1989 ` Dr. Munnelly congratulated Principal Al Lahood and the faculty of the Coolidge Middle School on the selection as one of the eleven national outstanding schools nominated for the 1988 -89 Secondary School Recognition Program. Massachusetts nominees will be recognized at a ceremony held at the Massachusetts Department of Education on December 7, 1989. READER'S DIGEST AMERICAN HEROES IN EDUCATION AWARDS A nomination essay was shared by Dr. Munnelly, who along with Reading Memorial High School Principal Mark Piechota named the two high school assistant principals Robert M. Quinn and Patrick A. Schettini for acknowledgement as "educational heroes" in a recognition program sponsored by Reader's Digest and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. As a community we can take pride in their accomplishments. INSERT ITEM Stan Nissen informed the audience of the recent passing of Robert Wells, the former superintendent of the Reading Public Schools. A Memorial Service will be held on December 13, 1989 at the Old South Church in Reading. Chairman Nissen requested a moment of silence. NEW BUSINESS ACCEPTANCE OF ARNOLD BERGER'S GIFT Dr. Munnelly requested that the School Committee vote to accept the donation of funds for computer equipment from Arnold Berger to Reading Memorial High School. Barbara Philbrick made a motion _to accept the donation of funds for computer equipment, as described on insert B3a. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Members of the School Committee publicly thanked Mr. Berger for his generosity. PLANNING FOR ELEMENTARY BUILDING PROGRAM 1990'S (ROUND II) George Shannon questioned, for instructional purposes, to have it clarified as to what group would present Proposition 2 1/2 for a bonding issue on the Town Meeting ballot. Dr. Munnelly answered that it would be the Board of Selectmen. Dr. Munnelly spoke in regard to the lack of confidence voters have in the state funding renovations for the Town's schools and that the task at hand is to find a way to get Town officials to join the School Committee in developing a realistic funding plan to do what needs to be done. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 DECEMBER 4, 1989 He stated he would like to continue progress by keeping Pearl Street in mind as commercial property. He shared a correspondence from St. Agnes offering their school building on Woburn Street for rental purposes and noted that we need to find a solution of space needs by the first of September 1990. Further discussion followed with a need to review other alterna- tives, such as moving the Kindergarten grades or possibly grades 5 or 8 to the high school. Chairman Nissen asked the Administration to explain a preference of course of action by February 1990. Marcaret Cowell made a motion to set aside a date in January 1990, for a School Committee Special Meeting, to reassess priorities for elementary program space in response to a Reading Town Meeting In- structional motion. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was five in favor with one abstention. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS EARTH DAY 1990 Dr. Munnelly stated that he has been meeting with a committee of concerned citizens regarding local recycling issues and the edu- cation of our younger generation. A town -wide, school system wide celebration of Earth Day 1990 is in the early stages of planning. MASSACHUSETTS GLOBAL EDUCATION PROJECT Dr. Munnelly informed the School Committee that the Massachusetts Global Education Project has developed a new alliance with the National Geographic Organization to advance the cause of geography education. He added that he will lend his name and position to a fundraising effort in Reading for continuation of the series they have been giving. (Reading's goal is $3,000 to $5,000) MASSACHUSETTS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE ALERT Dr. Munnelly requested the school committee to give support for a legislative tax increase to support state funds for education. Carol Lvons moved to direct a letter of support to our legislative representatives that funds deleted from state educational programs be restored and that a copy of the letters be sent to the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES DECEMBER 4, 1989 COURSE OF STUDY ADDITIONS - READING MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak shared with the School Com- mittee the plans to institute two new courses at Reading Memorial High School in September, 1991. A College Study Skills course will be offered to college bound Juniors and Seniors to enhance .their study habits and an Honors World Issues course will be offered to Seniors as the fourth requirement in the program focusing on contemporary world issues of today. BUDGET FY 1991 Superintendent Munnelly presented a lengthy discussion to the School Committee describing the budget scenarios in plan for FY 1991 school year. Explanation was shown through visual overheads of the FinCom's and Town Manager's projected availability of $14.3 million for schools for the coming year. Dr. Munnelly explained the "Maintenance of Quality Budget ", Draft #1 to the School Committee. This scenario contains all the anticipated expenses for a normal budget year. Included in this budget were negotiated salary increases of 6 to 71, level funds for instructional supplies, a cut of curriculum and staff develop- ment- totaling 25 %, Special Education expenses as projected to cover increased enrollments, and Foreign Language and Music needs. Under the $16,982,956 budget regular day expenses would increase 22.5 %, special needs 54 %, athletics 12 %, salaries 7.8% for an overall total increase of 11.8 %. Dr. Munnelly proceeded to present an outline for a deep cut budget which would pare down the "Maintenance of Quality Budget" ($16,982,000 budget) to a $14,360,000 budget, which is the FinCom estimate of available funds. He presented five categories reflecting reductions and in programs and staff to meet the $2,600,000 short fall as follows: • Eliminate all expenses not essential $988,000 • Reduce athletic programs $ 63,000 • Reduce per pupil expense allotment $100,000 • Cut non - teaching support and supervisory staff $5801000+ • Cut essential teaching staff in priority/ cut programs in priority $790,000+ Extended discussion by the School Committee of this budget dilema also led to consideration of the options for a Proposition 2 1/2 override. School Committee asked Superintendent Munnelly to con- tact employee unions to see if they would reopen negotiations for the purpose of reconsideration of already- negotiated salary in- creases. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 DECEMBER 4, 1989 ADJOURNMENT At 10.00 p.m., Margaret Cowell made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of negotiation of salary for the new Business Manager's position. The motion was seconded by George Shannon. The vote was unanimous. Respectfully Submitted Robert I Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee