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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-01-04 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts W -4 SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES January 4, 1988 CALL TO ORDER Chairman George Shannon called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:30 p.m. on January 4, 1988, in the Superintendent's Conference Room at 34 Gould Street. All members with the exception of Richard Coco were present. Also present were the Superintendent Dr. Robert J. Munnelly; Assistant Superintendents Lynn Bak and Ronald Winslow; Principal Jack Delaney of Parker Middle School; teachers Dave Williams, Ann Robleski, Jane Clancy, Jack Kelliher. Principal Paul Guerrette; Lee Zorabedian; Gifted /Talented Program Coordinator Kathy Melconian; Nancy Hoover, Barrows Media Specialist; Matthew Pothier,grade 4 student Barrows School; Todd Griset, grade 5 student Killazm School; and a reporter from the Chronicle. A *joticn was mac'.e 1--,• .'rs. rhilbrick, seconded by Cliff Allen to anurove the minutes of December 21. Mr. Nissen suggested two changes: first, note in the minutes that Mr. Shannon came to the meeting and assumed the Chair during the discussion of the Assistant Superintendent selection processs Second the January 5th meeting of the Selection. Committee will be an open meeting at which time the Selection Committee will decide which candidates will be interviewed. The Selection Committee approved the minutes with the suggested changes unanimous.with Carol Lyons abstaining. BILLS AND PAYROLLS Bills and payrolls were approved as follows: Bills January 11, 1988 General Expense .$47,465.68 Pavrolls January 8, 1988 Weekly .$58,962.52 CITIZENS INPUT Kendra Cooper brought to the attention of the School Committee the need to have volunteers to video school committee meetings. k0 The present manpower is limited. Chairman Shannon made note of the request and thanked Mrs. Cooper. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 2. January 4, 1988 SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS Principal Jack Delaney of Parker Middle School and the sixth grade team of teachers described the interdisciplinary study of the "Living Constitution" which was carried out earlier this year. Teachers who spoke were Dave Williams, Ann Robleski, Jack Kelliher. Chairman Mr. George J. Shannon thanked them for the very creative contribution, to the curriculum. GIFTED /TALENTED Superintendent Munnelly discussed the Gifted /Talented Program being offered in Reading. Assistant Superintendent Bak reviewed the agenda for the Gifted /Talented Program; she then Proceeded to introduce individ- uals who were presenting that evening. Principal Paul Guerrette discussed the history of the program and reviewed with the committee the Citizens Advisory report and the Advisory and Task Force report of the Advisory Committee on the Giften /Talented. Program. Program Co- ordinator Kathy Melconian discussed the Renzulli Triad Model and Reading's w adaptation to that model. Nancy Hoover, Barrows Media Specialist followed with a slide presentation illustrating student work. Parent= Lee Zorabedian at the Eaton School presented a project display of student work. The program concluded with presentations by the Barrows School grade 4 student Matthew Pothier and grade 5 Kiilam School student Todd Griset. The School Committee thanked the -Particiaants for such a fine presentation and acknowledged the efforts of those who have made the program a success. BUDGET Superintendent Munnelly reviewed the 1989 preliminary budget. Dr. Munnelly discussed each issue at length. The budget reflects pro- posals by experienced program managers and principals in support of the educational program for the 1988 -1989 school year. The budget closely matches the system's maintenance and educational needs pre- sented to the School Committee in December. The requests were not reduced by the Superintendent for this first run - through of the budget. As presented, the budget reflects a 7% increase without anticipated raises in staff salary which are being negotiated. The summary totals are as follows: FY89 % Total Regular Day Expense $ 2,021,163 17.6 Total Special Needs Expense 811,712 72.3 Total Athletics Expense 104,608 26.2 Total Expense $ 2,937,483 29.20 Total Salary 11,221,565 2.4% Grand Total $14,159,048 7.0% The Committee raised questions to clarify items in the budget and made plans to continue the deliberations at the January 11 meeting. Due to the identified time requirements for the budget the following dates were agreed upon for continuing the budget process: January 25, budget ready for Town Manager February 8, Public Hearing READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 3. January 4, 1988 BARGAINING It was agreed that for the next meeting Mr. Shannon will be selecting School Committee members to serve on the subcommittee for Cafeteria and Custodial Bargaining. PROGRAM APPROVAL FOR THE ALLIANCE HOUSE The Alliance House, 190 Main Street, Reading, submitted a request to the Reading School Committee for program approval. State regulations require Alliance House to submit their educational curriculum and program to the local education agency for review and approval. Based upon a review and site visitation conducted by Interim Assistant Superintendent Lynn Bak and Director of Special Education Dr. Alex Alexanian, it was recommended that the Reading School Committee approve the curricula and educational program of the Alliance House as appropriate in meeting the compulsory school attendance requirement of Chapter 76, Section 2 of Massachusetts State Law. A motion was made by Mr. Nissen, seconded by Mr. Allen, the vote was unanimous. STUDENT ARTWORK FROM U.S.S.R. The School Ccmmttee recognized the communication from Joan Morse Librarian -Media Specialist at Reading Memorial High School regarding the display of student art work from the U.S.S.R. from January 11 -15 in the district. LEAVES Irene K. Martinoli, Math teacher at Coolidge Middle School requested leave for the remainder of the current school year, 1987 -1988. Ms. Lyons moved to accept Ms. Martinoli's request for leave, seconded 1-v Mr Nissen. The vote was unanimous. APPOINT:dyNTS The school Committee made the following long term substitute appointmen- Birch Meadow School Mrs. Susan C. Tsiatis Library Media Specialist Reading Memorial High School Jeannie M. Donovan Art Teacher Coolidge Middle School Ms. M. Denise Crowe Math Teacher ADJ0UR'NM -ENT 1/5/86- 6/28/88 B -1 $21,269. Pro -rated 2/1/88- 6/28/88 M -1 $22,829. Pro -rated 1/5/88- 6/28/88 B -1 $21,269. Pro -rated There being no further business, Mr. Allen moved to adjourn the meetin seconded by Mr. Nissen. The vote was unanimous.