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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-02-29 School Committee MinutesEM READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUAnY.29, 1988 At 7:35 p.m. the Special Meeting of four school. committees, Reading, North Reading, Wakefield and Lynnfield commenced via the interactive television. Reading and North Reading School Committees met at Reading Memorial High School in the Inter- active T.V. Studio and Lynnfield and Wakefield School Committees met at Wakefield High School. Present from Reading were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly; Assistant Superintendent Ronald A. Winslow; A.V. Director from Reading High, Joseph Cain; Ronald Howland, an English teacher at Reading High; and also one of the teachers teschincT a poetry class. via the interactive t.v.; and reporters from the Chronicle. Dr. Sally Dias, Superintendent of Schools for the Town of Lynnfield, gave a brief introductory statement on why she thought this program would be beneficial for the students. She reflected on the idea of "a program which brings us together." She emphasized the point that through this interactive program, courses presently being dropped from school curriculums due to lack of enrollment, could be salvaged and taught to all four school districts via this t.v. program, thereby giving students more and better opportunities to learn creatively. Ron Howland and Joanne Cosentino of Wakefield, both English teachers and presently teaching a course via the interactive t.v., gave the two audiences ideas on how the interactive t.v.. concept works as a whole. A tape clip of one of -Ms. Cosentino's t.v. classes was shown. The discussion was then turned over to the two audiences for their questions or comments directed to the two teachers highlighting on what they felt were the programs strengths or weaknesses. Directors Don introduced fro Field Services development of audiences his the state, as menting with t Peirson and Maureen McDevitt were then m the University of Lowell's Center for and Studies and the role they play in the this program. Mr. Peirson shared with the research and experiences with other schools around well as around the country, who are also experi- his idea. Ms. McDevitt was any in -depth questions from the audience on hand to answer concerning costs, maintenance of the equipment, the sizes of the interactive t.v. classes and the types of courses which could be offered with this program. The meeting concluded with Superintendent Frank O'Donohue of North Reading commending the basis of this program as a whole, and Superintendent Stephen Maio of Wakefield thanking everyone for their support, especially the University of Lowell. ................ . READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts MINUTES FEBRUARY 29, 1988 CALL TO ORDER Chairman George Shannon called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 9:10 p.m. in the Lecture Hall of Reading Memorial High School. All members were present. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnellv; 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 Carol Lvons, to approve the Minutes of the meeting of _ecruary 22, 1988. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS Warrants for bills were approved as follows: BILLS: March 7, 1988 - General Expense - $52,998.03 CITIZENS INPUT There was no citizens' input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly introduced three items for the School Committee's attention: (a) The new AT &T phone system has been installed at the high school. The report is it is working well and virtually all technical problems have been worked through. Overall, the faculty feels the system is an improvement. (b) Coolidge Middle School reported that for the second year in a row it is the recipient of_a $500.00 grant from the Danforth Foundation and Principal's Center at Har7ard Graduate School for their Global Education propcsai entitled, "E.m anding the Geography Center ". Dr. Munnelly commended the members of that proposal for their good initiative, strong efforts and time in preparing for that project. (c) Jack Delaney, Principal at Parker Middle School, is part of a National Middle School Education Program being conduced in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Delaney will also be making a presentation at that conference. Dr. Munnelly extended his congratulations to Dr. Delaney, and is proud of the work he has done in that field. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 2 FEBRUARY 29, 1988 OLD BUSINESS Interview with Jeff Young, Assistant Superintendent Candidate Dr. Munnelly was asked by Chairman Shannon to introduce to the School Committee and members of the Superintendent's Search Committee, the third and final candidate for the Assistant Superintendency. After a brief overview by Dr. Munnelly, Jeff Young of Waban, Massachusetts was then asked to make an introductory statement on behalf of himself. Mr. Young discussed with the School Committee members his experiences with Brookline District Shools; his credentials; why he thought he would be beneficial to the Town of Reading's educational system; what he would change; how he would implement those changes; what his likes and dislikes were with his experience at Brookline district with personnel, students, etc.; and how he would best handle Reading's educational body on a whole. School Committee members then directed questions to Mr. Young. Dr. Munnelly and the School Committee then turned the discussion back over to Mr. Youna for any questions or comments he may have had for the members. Mr. Shannon then thanked Mr. Young for his articulate and candid answers to the auestions posed by the School Committee. The interview was then concluded. Reactions and Comments Dr. Munnelly then solicited comments or questions from the members on each of the three candidates. Each member then gave their brief evaluations of the three and highlighted on each of the three finalists strengths and weaknesses. Dr. Munnelly then thanked the School Committee for their support during this evaluation time and their comments on each of the candidates. Dr. Munnelly also mentioned he would like to have the Screening Committees come together and meet with him to draw up a set of guidelines to be followed for future screening committees. Dr. Munnelly suggested the date of April 4, 1988 to have this subject put on the agenda and discussed. NEW BUSINESS Lions Club Proposal Dr. Munnelly introduced Mr. Winslow to explain the Lions Club/ Boosters Chub proposal. The two clubs would like to work in collaboration with one another to tear down the present "Boosters shack" at the Reading Memorial High School's varsity football field. The new building will be of cement block and in the same location as the old shack. The building will be 44' x 24' and will provide for the food service area, ticket sales, storage for football and track equipment and for lavatory facilities. The clubs would like to start on the work as soon as weather is permitting. Mr. Nissen made a motion to approve the Lion /Booster Club proposal, seconded by Cliff Allen. The vote was unanimous. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 3 FEBRUnRY 29, 1988 NEW BUSINESS (cont.) - Salary Policy for Assistant Superintendent Dr. Munnelly then opened for discussion the salary proposal to be made to the new assistant superintendent when appointed. Dr. Munnelly handed out a sheet showing various salary ranges of secondar :` principals in town and other assistant superin- tendent salaries out -of -town. Dr. Munnelly reminded the members that the price range of high forties to mid- fifties was stated in the advertisement and should be taken into consideration. Mr. Nissen moved to set salary at $55,000.00 for the first sixteen months (covering the period March of 1988 to June 30, 1989). During the ensuing discussion, Mr. Allen, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, offered an amendment which.would set the salary at $52,000.00. The amendment was defeated by a 2 -4 vote of the Committee. The School Committee then took up the main motion and approved it unanimously. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS School Committee's Annual Report Dr. Munnelly thanked Carol Lyons for her job on the School Committee's Annual Report for 1987. Her expediency in getting the job done was appreciated. A few of the topics discussed in this year's report: Dr. Wells' resignation, grant awards for Joshua Eaton and the high school, formal reviews of reading, foreign language and business, the elementary report card review, the AIDS Task Force being established and the search for a new Assistant Superintendent. Kindergarten Brochure Dr. Munnelly thanked everyone involved with the creation and production of the new Kindergarten Brochure to be given to all parents or new residents when their children approach the age to enter kindergarten. The brochure will be helpful in any questions parents may have about the procedure to get their child into local kindergarten schools. LEAVES Mr. Nissen moved to accept the motion to extend sick time leave for Phvllis Winkler, of the cafeteria staff. Seconded by Carol Lyons. The vote was unanimous. OTHER BUSINESS Budget 1988 The School Committee will meet with the FinCom to discuss the budget on Tuesday, March 1, 1988 at Town Hall. Dr. Munnelly advised that balances in accounts such as P.L. 874, insurance claims, and rentals would provide sufficient monies SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 4 FEBRUARY 29, 1988 OTHER BUSINESS (cont.) Budget 1988 (cont.) to start the federally- mandated asbestos study during this fiscal year. The School Committee by consensus agreed to inform the FinCom of this new information. ADJOURNMENT At 11:35 p.m., a motion by Mr. Coco, seconded by Mr. Nissen, the School Committee voted unanimously to adjourn.