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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-01-19 School Committee Minutes<, READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 19, 1988 CALL TO ORDER Vice - Chairman Stan Nissen called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:30 p.m. on January 19, 1988, in the Media Center at the Killam Elementary School. All members with the exception of George Shannon and Cliff Allen were present. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly; Assistant Superintendents Ronald A. Winslow and Lynn M. Bak; Principals Paul Guerrette, Richard Davidson; Teachers /Specialists, Jean Maloney- Stewart, Mary Boyle, Lois Murphy, Elaine Hondorf, and Beth Delforge; Killam P.T.O. President Mary Ellen Ray; and a reporter from the Chronicle. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Mrs. Philbrick, seconded by Ms. Lyons, to approve the Minutes of January 11, 1988. The vote was three in favor with Mr. Coco abstaining as he was not in attendance at the last meeting. BILLS AND PAYROLLS Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows: Bills January 25, 1988 - General Expense - $64,884.54 Payrolls January 22, 1988 - Weekly - $46,712.63 CITIZEN'S INPUT Mary Ellen Ray, P.T.O. President, welcomed the School Committee to the Killam School. There was no other citizen's input. SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS, KILLAM SCHOOL - JAPANESE EXCHANGE Principal Paul Guerrette gave an overview and history of the Killam School artwork exchange with Japan. He introduced Beth Delforge, Killam Art Specialist, who illustrated pieces of student art for the committee and shared with the committee the plans Killam School is preparing for displaying "A Day In the Life at Killam School" which is to be part of a summer museum display in Tokyo. Elaine Hondorf, Media Specialist, then proceeded to discuss along with her visit to Japan, a videotape explaining life , in a Japanese elementary school brought to the Killam School as a gift from Kanzo Hirasawa, from the Museum of Ohta -Ku, Tokyo. Mrs. Hondorf also discussed the logistics of the videotaping Killam School is preparing for Japan. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 2 JANUARY 19, 1988 The School Committee thanked the Killam School staff for the fine presentation and wished the school luck and success with their upcoming exchange. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly reported on two grant awards Reading Public Schools have received from the Cultural Education Collaborative. Through the efforts of Mary Hichborn, Coolidge School will have artist Judy Black in residence, while Barry Low has arranged the Lenox Brass Quintet to be at Reading Memorial High School. Dr. Munnelly acknowledged the efforts of both Mrs. Hichborn and Mr. Low and thanked them for arranging such quality programs for our schools. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS - KINDERGARTEN PRESENTATION The new curriculum guide was presented by Kindergarten Committee members to the School Committee. Lynn Bak, Interim Assistant Superintendent introduced the program presenters and provided an overview of the agenda. Principal Paul Guerrette provided the committee with the history of the revision process and the philos- ophy and rationale of the program. Jean Maloney- Stewart, Reading Specialist, proceeded to inform the committee of the program goals and concepts. The thematic approach of the program and examples of student work were described and illustrated by Kindergarten teacher Mary Boyle. Lois Murphy, Kindergarten teacher then pro- ceeded to show the committee a slide presentation of Reading Kindergarten students interacting with the whole language program. Mr. Guerrette then discussed with the committee the role of parents in the Kindergarten curriculum and the future work of the primary grade staff. During his closing remarks, Mr. Guerrette solicited the input of the School Committee in developing a parent brochure to be disseminated at Kindergarten screening. Questions and discussion followed. The School Committee thanked the members of the Kindergarten Committee for the presentation noting that it was very informative and thorough. Dr. Munnelly also extended a special thank you to the Kindergarten Committee for their commitment and effort in producing the guide. OLD BUSINESS Budget 1989. A presentation requesting the funding of facility lighting at the high school football field was made by community members, Mr. Medlock, Mr. Price, Mr. Selvitelli, and Mr. Berger. The approximate cost of the project totals $40,000. The inter- ested community members asked the School Committee to consider submitting for Town bonding of the costs of the lighting which would be repayable from the dedicated monies from gate receipts to athletic functions. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES OLD BUSINESS (cont.) 3 JANUARY 19, 1988 It is anticipated that the lighting availability would increase attendance generating additional gate receipts. This request would not affect the funding of the regular school budget. Questions and discussion followed the presentation. As a result, the School Committee requested further information regarding this proposal for the next committee meeting. Budget 1989, Swim Team. A request to the School Committee estab- lishing a high school interscholastic swim team was made by parent, Mr. Kevin Flatley. The approximate start -up costs of the team would be $11,000. Parents, Mr. Gillis, Ms. MacDonald, Mr. Holbrook, Ms. Cooper, and Ms. Sweeney spoke on behalf of the re- quest and shared their support. The School Committee requested that Athletic Director Jack white and swim team supporters provide further information for the next School Committee meeting regarding questions and issues that were raised. The parents were thanked by the committee for their interest. Mr. Nissen thanked the parents for their input. Budget 1989. Dr. Munnelly reviewed with the School Committee the suggested budget cuts on Draft #3, item #6, dated January 19, ., 1988, totaling $145,756, increasing the budget by $503,104 or 3.8 %. Dr. Munnelly strongly emphasized that the present budget supports the educational needs of the district and should be defended on that premise. Further cuts would jeopardize the quality of pro- grams and instruction in our schools. Mrs. Philbrick raised the issue of identifying a defensible budget and recommended that more than a "barebones" budget be presented to the Town. Mr. Nissen recommended that Draft #3 not be cut in its entirety, but individual items be addressed according to need. It was requested that Dr. Sacco be available at the next committee meeting to discuss the request for a Reading Teacher at Reading Memorial High School. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 4 JANUARY 19, 1988 Mr. Nissen then suggested that individual committee members list . items to be discussed for possible retention. Identified were the: Reading Teacher at Reading Memorial High School - $28,888 Gym Floor at Coolidge Middle School - $15,000 By consensus, the committee agreed to retain these items in the budget. Dr. Munnelly reminded the committee that the capital budget re- quests will need to be addressed as the budget process continues. At the next meeting, the committee agreed to adopt a budget in- cluding the capital budget requests. NEW BUSINESS The Birch Meadow School Improvement Council submitted its proposal of expenditures totaling $3,450 for School Committee approval. A motion was made by Mrs. Philbrick, seconded by Mr. Coco, to en- dorse the recommendations of expenditure as presented by the Birch Meadow School. The vote was unanimous. ACCOUNT BALANCES The committee acknowledged the account balances and expense re- ports and the Cafeteria statements for the month of November 1987. APPOINTMENTS A motion was made by Mrs. Philbrick, seconded by Mr. Coco, that the School Committee make the following custodial appointments: Coolidge Middle School Benjamin M. Hartshorn, beginning Step as per contract effective January 19, 1988. Reading Memorial High School Kenneth A. Sanders, beginning Step as per contract effective January 20, 1988. he vote was unanimous. ADJOURNMENT At 11:50 p.m., there being no further business, Mr. Coco moved to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick. The vote was unanimous.