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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-02-22 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts MINUTES CALL TO ORDER FEBRUARY 22, 1988 Chairman Georqe Shannon called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Superintendent's Office at 34 Gould Street. All members were present. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly; Assistant Superintendent Ronald A. Winslow; members of the Superintendent's Search Committee;and a reporter from the Chronicle. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Mr. Coco, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, to approve the Minutes of the meeting of February 8, 1988. The vote was 5 -1, with Mr. Allen abstaining because of his absence from the meeting. BILLS AND PAYROLLS Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows: 11 1 BILLS February 22, 1988 - General Expense $54,351.97 February 29, 1988 - General Expense $36,669.73 T)avunT.T.c February 25, 1988 - Weekly - $365,784.85 February 26, 1988 - Teachers - $ 36,168.72 CITIZENS INPUT There was no citizens' input. INTERVIEW WITH DR. ELIZABETH TIERNEY Dr. Munnelly was then asked by Chairman Shannon to introduce the first candidate for the Superintendency, Dr. Elizabeth Tierney. After a brief overview by Dr. Munnelly, Dr. Tierney was asked to make an introductory statement on behalf of herself. Dr. Tierney discussed with the School Committee members her experiences with Berkshire Farm Union Free School and a few other educational experiences with other schools in the New York area; her credentials; why she thought she would be beneficial to the Town of Reading's educational system; what she would change; how she would implement those changes; what her likes and dislikes were with past experiences with personnel, students, etc.; what she felt was a failure and what she considered a success from her past experiences; and how she would best handle Reading's educational body on a whole. School Committee members were then allowed to ask questions directed to Dr. Tierney. cm READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 2 FEBRUARY 22, 1988 INTERVIEW WITH DR. ELIZABETH TIERNEY (cont.) Dr. Munnelly and the School Committee then turned the discussion back over to Dr. Tierney so she could ask any questions she might have to the members. Chairman Shannon then commended Dr. Tierney on her candor in answering the Committee's questions and the interview was concluded. There was then a short recess before the second candidate was brought in. INTERVIEW WITH MS. LYNN BAK Open Session reconvened at 8:32 p.m. by George Shannon. Dr. Munnelly then introduced Lynn M. Bak to the School Committee and to the public. Dr. Munnelly stated Ms. Bak had made strong contributions to Reading and its educational system during her three months here. The discussion was then turned over to Ms. Bak to make her introductory statement. Ms. Bak discussed her experience and credentials with the School Committee, highlighting on herself as a leader in the education field. Ms. Bak emphasized communication being a basic need for all schools and faculty in Reading, and a stronger need for professional development and curriculum development. Another of Ms. Bak's emphasis was on "collective and collaborative decision making." The discussion was then turned back over to the School Committee for their questions and comments. At the completion of the members' questions, Ms. Bak was asked if she had any questions or comments for the School Committee, at which time she made her final statement and the interview was concluded. Dr. Munnelly then concluded both interviews with the subject of when the third and final candidate would be interviewed. The date of Monday, February 29, 1988 at the Lecture Hall in Reading Memorial High School after the regular School Committee meeting. Postponement of the appointment date was decided on March 7, 1988. A short recess then proceeded. OLD BUSINESS Budget FY1989 - Review of Report of SubCommittee. Chairman Shannon, Mr. Coco and Dr. Munnelly reported their results of the SubCommittee meeting involving members of the School Committee, FinCom, the Board of Selectmen and the Town Manaaer. The Sub- Committee talked of cutting the budget another $100,000.00. The reaction of the majority of the School Committee members was that the budget is at a "bare bones" point and should not be cut any further. Mrs. Philbrick brought up the point that if another cut was to take place, it would not be an internal cut, rather an external cut, one which everyone would be able to see. Dr. Munnelly pointed out also that the Committee had done a good job of getting the budget to the point it is at now. Dr. Munnelly then informed the School Committee members that a shortfall in the Special Educaton portion of the budget could possibly be absorbed into the budget and no transfer of monies from FinCom would be necessary. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 3 FEBRUARY 22, 1988 NEW BUSINESS Waiver of Energy Fees for Sp. Ed. Recreation Program. Spinning Wheel, the Special Education Recreation Program, has asked the School Committee to waive the energy fees for the time spent at the Birch Meadow Elementary School during their eight week basket- ball program on Saturday mornings. Dr. Munnelly's recommendation to the School Committee was since the service is a public one, the members should consider the waiving of the energy fees. However, ,--.he custodial costs for those Saturdays could not be absorbed. Carol Lyons made a motion to approve the waiving of the energy fees, seconded by Cliff Allen. The vote was unanimous. Basic Skills Report. Dr. Munnelly reported to the School Committee that overall, Reading pupils had fared very well on their Basic Skills testing. Around 98% of Reading students demonstrated minimum capability. He noted that the number of students not meeting minimum standards were considerably lower than the State's average numbers. These children were also known by teachers and administrators to be receiving some kind of special help for their basic skills. No Special Education children were exempted from the test taking. Appointment of Townsperson to Committee to evaluate Asbestos and Transformers Bids. Dr. Munnelly suggested to the Committee the idea of appointing a committee especially for the evaluation of Asbestos and Transformers Bids. Mr. Coco suggested that persons with some expertise should be sought. Dr. Munnelly suggested a Mr. David Goodemote and a member from the Town's D.P.W., perhaps Mr. Redford could be considered. The deadline for the Asbestos evaluation is October with a report from all schools to be given to the State. Dr. Munnelly suggested some time this summer for the Transformers. APPOINTMENTS Mr. Nissen moved to accept the motion to appoint Ms. Sherry Braude as the new flute teacher effective February 22, 1988. Seconded by Mrs. Philbrick. The vote was unanimous. Mr. Nissen moved to accept the motion to appoint Ms. Barbara Fowler as the new METCO Coordinator effective March 21, 1988. Seconded by Mrs. Philbrick. The vote was unanimous. Mr. Nissen moved to accept the motion to appoint Ms. Karen M. Schweihs as the new Speech and Language Therapist effective February 23, 1988.. Seconded by Mrs. Philbrick. The vote was unanimous. RESIGNATIONS Mr. Coco moved to accept the resignation of Mr. Donald Tapley, Custoaian, effective February 19, 1988. Seconded by Mr. Nissen. The vote was unanimous. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 4 FEBRUARY 22, 1988 At 10:45 p.m., a motion by Mr. Coco, seconded by Mr. Nissen, the School Committee voted unanimously to adjourn. W: ,,