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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-02-01 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts - - -- - MINUTES FEBRUARY 1, 1988 CALL TO ORDER Chairman George Shannon called the regular meeting of the Reading School Ccmmittee to order at 7:30 p.m. on February 1, 1988 in the cafeteria of the Birch Meadow School. All members with the exception of Cliff Allen were present. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly; Assistant Superintendents Lynn M. Bak and Ronald A. Winslow; Principal Richard Davidson; Teacher John Babine; PTO Chairperson John Carpenter-and Representatives of the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Ms. Lvcns, seconded by Mr. Coco to a_ovrove the Minutes of the meeting of January 25, 1988. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS Nome were presented. CITIZENS INPUT Principal Richard Davidson welcomed the School Committee to Birch Meadow School and then introduced PTO Chan: erscn John who shared with the Committee the activities to date and planned activities of the Birch Meadow Parent Teachers Organization. There was no other citizens input. SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS Dr. Munnelly introduced Principal Richard Davidson who introduced fifth arade teacher, John Babine. Mr. Babine presented the School Committee with the project he and his class has developed focusina on the 200th Anniversary of the Constitution and the learning opportunity it has offered his students. Mr. Babine presented a videctape entitled, "Revolutionary Heroes, Birch Meadow, 1776 ", and then introduced four of his students: Alison Peabody, Gareth Spor, Joe Nunes, and Joe Terilli, who portrayed the famous Americans on the tape. The students then made statements recardina their learning experiences they gained as a result of this process. Mr. Babine came to a close by showing an overhead of the skill areas addressed in this project and the transfer of learning_ that had taken place. questions and answers followed. Chairman Shannon, on behalf of the School Committee, thanked the presenters for their school highlights and cornended their initiative. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly shared with the School Committee information recardina Reading's participation with the Fletcher School of Diplomacy at Tuft's to develop a grant for $70,000 to establish an international education resource center. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES _ 2 FEBRUARY 1, 1988 OLD BUSINESS BUDGET FY 1989 JOINT MEETING OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND BOARD OF SELECTMEN. Dr. Munnelly introduced Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, who introduced members of the Board of Selectmen and members of FinCom Mr. Hechenbleikner proceeded to review the Budget Forecast worksheet with the School Committee and then turned the discussion over to Selectman Russell, who provided the Committee with the budget constraints being faced by both the school and non-school services. Questions and a lengthy discussion followed which included the School Committee defending the budget from an educational need perspective. Members of the Reading School Committee emphasized that further cuts from the present proposed school budget will impact the quality of services and programs being offered in our schools. It was suggested that a subcommittee involving representatives of the School Committee, t=e Board of Selectmen and FinCom be formed to study the issue of revenue raising and how to address the present level of need with the limitations of monies. The committee would also enhance the levels. of communication and understanding among the respective groups. The session concluded with Mr. Shannon thanking the Selectmen and FinCo members for attending the meeting and discussing our collecti':e concerns. - BUDGET FY 1989: PREPAR.TIONS FOR PUBLIC HEARING Dr. Munnelly shared wit: the Committee the Budget Booklet to be presented on February 8, 1988 at the Public Hearing scheduled at the Killiam School Library. The Committee discussed the distribution of the booklet to the public, and suggested that Dr. Munnelly provide the audience with justifica = ion for expenditures and indicate areas of focus. Strategies for the presentation were also discussed. It was emphasized that the proposed budget needs to be disseminated to the public for awareness and information purposes. INFOR_MI TION P-ND PROPOS:=S REPORT FROM K: SC ON NE,W EDUC?^ =0N BILLS Dr. Munnelly reviewed legislation that recently was adopted and signed into law. The legislation included provisions in the Vocational Education Bill, the School Building Assistance Bill and the Education Reform Bill, which addresses expanded funding for the Horace Mann Teachers, a new program recognizing Educational Achievement (REACH), Grants for Carnegie Schools, Improving School Performance Grant, and Teacher Minimum Salaries. Dr. Munnelly also shared with the Committee that Reading is in- eligible for support urzer the Ecual Educational Opportunity Grant (EEOG) of the State due to the present funding level and Reading's "ability -to -pay" index and state fo=ulas. PLANNING FOR FEBRUARY 29TH MEETING Dr. Munnelly announced plans for a joint meeting of the four area �- School Committees on January 29, 1988. The meeting will introduce area School Committees :o the Interactive Television Project developed in collaboration with t ^e University of Lowell. Reading will host the ll I I READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES PLANNING FOR FEBRUARY 29TH MEETING (cont.), 3 FEBRUARY 1, 1988 Reading and North Reading School Committees on February 29, 1988 at Reading Memorial High School. SCREENING COMMITTEE REPORT Mr. Nissen updated the School Committee on the progress to date of the Screening of the Assistant Superintendent. A date change was requested by Stan Nissen to reschedule the School Committee interviews of the three finalists to February 22, 1988 rather than the original February 16, 1988 date that was scheduled, to allow Dr. Munnelly additional time to review each of the finalists' credentials and allow more flexibility to scheduling visitations. The School Committee agreed. George Shannon, on behalf of the Committee, extended thanks and appreciation to Mr. Nissen and members of the Assistant Superintendent Screening Committee for the time and effort they offered to the important process. SUPERINTENDENT'S EVALUATION Mr. Nissen raised the issue of available time for the committee to complete and collate the member's individual evaluations of the Superintendent. Members agreed to have their assessments completed by February 8, 1988. RE-z_GN T1n,- Mr. Nissen moved to accent the resignation of Jill Pelunis, Speech Teacher for Reading Public Schools, effective January 18, 1988. Seconded by Mr. Coco. The vote was unanimous. APPOINTMENT Ms. Lvons moved to acooint Caroline A. Smith as Confidential Secretary in the Su=erintendent's Office to Step I salary schedule of $17,017 plus $1,874 as School Co;n <it tee Secretary totaling $18,891. Seconded by Mr. Nis:.en The vote was unanimous APPOINTMENT OF LIAISON CCM�MITTEE WITH SELECTMEN AIND FINCOYM Chairman_ Shannon solicited Cc ittee volunteers to serve on a joint committee with Reading Selectmen and FinCom members to further discuss our budget issues and concerns. Mr. Coco and Mr. Shannon offered to represent the School Committee. ADJOUR!,,71VENT At 9:56 p.m., there being no further business, Mrs. Philbrick moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Coco. The vote way unanimous.