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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-03-07 School Committee Minuteslw� _.. READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER MARCH 7, 1988 Chairman George Shannon called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:40 p.m. in the cafeteria of Alice M. Barrows School. All members were present. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly; Assistant Superintendents Ronald A. Winslow and Lynn M. Bak; and a reporter from the riirnn i e- i,= APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Carol Lyons, seconded by Cliff Allen, to approve the Minutes of the meeting of February 29, 1988. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows: BILLS March 14, 1988 - PAYROLLS March 4, 1988 - March 10, 1988 - CITIZEN'S INPUT General Expense Weekly Teachers - $130,852.68 $ 47.025.56 $357,825.05 Mr. Charles Papandreou, Principal of Barrows School, welcomed the School Committee on behalf of himself, as well as for the Barrows community, including the P.T.A. Board present. SUPERINTENDENT'S AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly extended his congratulations to the Reading Memorial High School's "Students of the Quarter ". The names of the students and the award received by each were read off for the viewing audience, and Dr. Munnelly informed the members that congratulatory notes would be sent to each individual. Dr. Munnelly informed the School Committee that Barrows School is one of six chosen from the U. S. Office of Education being recognized as one of America's Excellent Schools. Mr. Papandreou thanked everyone involved with that decision for their support and recognition. School Committee members and Dr. Munnelly then said their final and formal farewell to Mr. Cliff Allen, and commended him SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 2 MARCH 7, 1988 SUPERINTENDENT'S AND SCHOOL COMMIT'TEE'S REPORT (cont.)- for his seven years of support and hard work on that Committee. Dr. Munnelly then awarded Mr. Allen a plaque, a Reading High banner and t -shirt for all his years of service. Mr. Allen was then thanked by his colleagues for his cooperative efforts and his outstanding abilities brought to the School Committee in past years. SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS Principal Papandreou and members of his faculty, through the coop- erative efforts of Lee Roberts of the Council on Aging, presented their. "It's Good to Care" program. This program was initiated in the Fall of 1987 by fifth grade students and staff, and has been a continuing service for the elderly of our community. Peter Water- man and Jill Cronan, both fifth grade students at Barrows, shared with the School Committee their elderly friends and the activities and experiences shared with them. The program highlights on a strengthened appreciation and understanding of senior citizens in our community. Mr. Shannon then thanked the students and faculties for their participation in this project and wished them the best of luck in their continuing efforts. OLD BUSINESS Appointment of Assistant Superintendent Dr. Munnelly then recommended Ms. Lynn M. Bak for the vacant position of Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Personnel. Dr. Munnelly felt that Ms. Bak has been, and will continue to be, a strong and active participant in the education of Reading students for a long time to come. Cliff Allen motioned to approve the recommendation of Ms. Lynn M. Bak to the position of Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Personnel, effective immediately. Seconded by Mrs. Philbrick. The vote was unanimous. NEW BUSINESS Space Issues - Preliminary Discussions Dr. Munnelly then asked the School Committee members and the public to refer to the booklet of preliminary ideas and for the full scope of our spacing needs and problems. He felt by combining all the issues into one booklet, the plan of attack would be to take all the issues into consideration as one group. Some central topics which were touched upon are: Pearl Street School, the re- location of the Central Offices, the managing and readying of our schools for the 1990's and the year 2000, and the additional space which would be needed with the 10% increase in enrollment foreseen for elementary schools and the space which would be needed to facilitate that increase. Dr. Munnelly closed the discussion with the emphasis that this was only a preliminary discussion and the subject will be put on a future agenda for more in -depth discussion. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 3 MARCH 7, 1988 INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS Elementary Curriculum Coordination Proposal Dr. Munnelly introduced Lynn M. Bak to give an explanation of the Elementary Curriculum Proposal to the School Committee members. The basis of this program is to substantially involve teachers in curriculum decisions and coordination. Lynn broke down the proposal into groups showing what the curriculum committees would be, Indivi- dual Committee Representatives, the composition of the committees, when the meetings for these committees would be held, stipends, priority areas to be studied,and the responsibilities of these committees on a whole. Lynn added that none of the proposed plan was set in concrete, and she would be more than happy to review and discuss any modifications the School Committee members might have. HORACE MANN TEACHER PROGRAM 1986 - 1987: Final Report Dr. Munnelly presented the School Committee with the Horace Mann Teacher Program final report. A booklet, which is the compilation of all the teachers'ideas for the proposal, was prepared and distributed at the meeting. Dr. Munnelly also noted that there is a reference book available for the use of all staffs. 1987 - 1988: Overview Dr. Munnelly then showed the School Committee members a completed overview of the 1987 -1988 projects. Final evaluation of these projects should be completed by mid -year of the next academic year. Dr. Munnelly stated that the Horace Mann Teacher Program is a very positive project, has been a worthwhile experience for those involved and there are some really good contributions to education being made to the students of Reading. Dr. Munnelly feels this program is a key way to recognize and reward teachers. Cafeteria Statements Dr. Munnelly introduced Mr. Winslow to share with the School Committee members the cafeteria statements. The discussion was then opened for questions and comments from members. APPOINTMENTS Summer School Director. Mr. Nissen motioned to approve Mr. Jeff Cryan as Summer School Director, effective immediately. Seconded by Cliff Allen. The vote was unanimous. Mr. Coco motioned to approve Mr. Donald W..Owen as Custodian at Reading Memorial High c oo , effective March 8, 1988. Seconded by Mr. Nissen. The vote was unanimous. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 4 MARCH 7, 1988 LEAVES Mr. Nissen motioned to approve Irene Martinoli's request for a one -year extension of child - rearing leave of absence. Seconded by Mr. Coco. The vote was unanimous. Mr. Nissen motioned to approve Martha Chappell's request for an extension or child- rearing leave of absence for the 1988 -1989 school year. Seconded by Mr. Coco. The vote was unanimous. Mrs. Philbrick motioned to approve the leave -of- absence for personal reasons request of Mr. Donald Welford. Seconded by Cliff Allen. The vote was unanimous. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Shannon commented briefly on the FinCom meeting that took place on March 1, 1988. He felt it had been a very productive and well- conducted meeting. All round, the meeting had been very positive and the budget was passed. Dr. Munnelly added his congratulations to Debbie Murray for her Teacher of the Year award. She was commended last Friday by the Massachusetts Association of Physical Education, Health and Recreation, and will be presented the official award at a state convention this week. ADJOURNMENT At 9:25 p. m., a motion by Mr. Coco, seconded by Mr. Nissen, the School Committee voted unanimously to adjourn.