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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-04-05 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES APRIL 5, 19$8 CALL TO ORDER Chairman George Shannon called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Superintendent's Office at 34 Gould Street. All members were present except Nancy Drane. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly; Assistant Superintendents Ronald A. Winslow, and Lynn M. Bak; and a reporter from the Chronicle. APPROVAL OF MINUTES There was a correction from the approval of the March 28th meeting, please note that Margaret Cowell abstained from the vote. Carol Lvons moved to approve the Minutes from the March 28, 1988 meeting, seconded by Margaret Cowell._ The vote was 5 -1 with Richard Coco abstaining. BILLS AND PAYROLLS Warrants for bills and payrolls were as follows: BILLS April 11, 1988 - General Expense - $44,999.55 PAYROLLS April 7, 1988 - Teachers - $361,237.15 April 15, 1988 - Teachers - $363,771.19 April 8, 1988 - Weekly - $ 48,303.30 April 15, 1988 - Weekly - $ 50,669.17 CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen's input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Further awards have been garnered by the staffs of Reading Schools. Dr. Munnelly wanted to extend his pride and share with the School Committee and the public the latest honors: Jane McKenzie has been named Massachusetts Music Teacher of the year; Beth Delforge was selected as Massachusetts Art Teacher of the year; and Marc Alterio has been elected President of the City and Town Administrators of Physical Education. Chairman Shannon extended congratulations to each of the recipients on behalf of the School Committee, and noted a continuation of how well the staffs are doing. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 2 APRIL 5, 1988 OLD BUSINESS Space Issues Dr. Munnelly informed the School Committee that the Selectmens' vote to advise indefinite postponement of the article relating_ to Pearl Street School now takes some of the urgency off the Town Meeting issues. Peter Hechenbleikner has informed Dr. Munnelly, and through Dr. Munnelly the School Committee, that the Light Company is consid- ering purchasing the present Town Hall. The discussion then continued with the use of the yellow booklet prepared in February of 1988 specifically for space needs planning. The three focus areas of discussion were: Relocation of the Superintendent's Office; Space needs of Elementary Schools; and The various options of the Central Office pertaining to remaining at Gould Street, moving to Pearl Street or moving to Reading Memorial High School (the front of the building or to the FOCUS area.) An architect's plan was presented by Dr. Munnelly for the School Committee to review relating to the renovations to the FOCUS area. Mrs. Philbrick suggested costs be brought in for the next meeting. Discussions and dialogue followed. Mr. Nissen moved to approve that administration initiate action to locate the Central Office to the FOCUS area of Reading Memorial High School. Seconded by Carol Lyons. A short discussion followed. The final vote was 5 -1. Mr. Nissen also moved that the School Committee request the sum of $200,000.00 from the Town Meetin , or a sum based upon an estimate from the administration for Town Warrant. Seconded by Carol Lyons. The vote was unanimous. Preparation for Town Meeting Dr. Munnelly was asked by Town Moderator Dustin for the names of the School Committee members who will be spokespersons for the Warrant Articles submitted by the School Committee.. Carol Lyons volunteered her services for the subjects of relocation of Central Office and asbestos, Mr. Coco for the transformer warrant and Barbara Philbrick for the roof. Mr. Winslow will prepare and help the volunteers with their information and projected costs. NEW BUSINESS School Safetv Zones Peter Hechenbleikner has found a need to respond to parent initiatives in regards to two of our elementary schools to consider the funding of caution lights and signs proclaiming school zones for all four of the elementary schools. Dr. Munnelly has been informed that this subject has been placed on an article in the "Special" Town Meeting. The money would come from reserve funds in this year's budget. Dr. Munnelly informed the School Committee costs may be in the vicinity of $35,000.00 and has the active support of all the principals. Richard Coco moved that the School Committee go on record to support the effort of the Town Manager for the installation of School Zone signs for SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 3 School Safety Zones (cont.) APRIL 5, 1988 Reading Schools and consider identifying the Birch Meadow area as an entire School Zone. Seconded by Carol Lyons Stan Nissen moved to delete reference to Birch Meadow as an entire School Zone. Seconded by Barbara Philbrick. The vote was 4 -2, with Mr. Coco and Ms. Lyons opposing. All School Committee members were in favor of the motion to support the Selectmen's motion to have School Zones designated. School Calendar Dr. Munnelly reviewed with the Committee the three proposed draft calendars, and asked for any feedback through solicitation of different constituencies. A discussion followed. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS School Committee Liaison from the Board of Selectmen Dr. Munnelly informed the School Committee that the liaison from the Board of Selectmen would be Paul Landers. Dr. Munnelly suggested that the School Committee may want to invite Mr. Landers to attend a future School Committee Meeting to let him get a feel for what is taking place now with the Committee. APPOINTMENTS Dr. Munnelly recommended that Sharon Patterson not be renewed for the 1988 -1989 school year due to questions with her medical com- plications. The committee will review the recommendation. RESIGNATIONS Stan Nissen moved to accept the resignation of Kathy Melconian effective the end of the present school year. Seconded by Barbara Philbrick. The vote was unanimous. OTHER BUSINESS Richard Coco moved that administration designate four parking spaces at each school for visitors. Seconded by Barbara Philbrick. A discussion followed. The vote was 5 -1, with Stan Nissen in opposition. STATEMENT OF ASSURANCES Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Barbara Philbrick, and the School Committee unanimously voted to approve the fiscal year 1989 Statement of Assurances for all applicants for State and Federal funds, admini- stered by_ the State Department of Education and to aut orize t e Chairman and the Superintendent of Schools to sign on behalf of the School Committee. I SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 4 APRIL 5, 1988 ADJOURNMENT Barbara Philbrick voted to move into Executive Session with the possibility of returning to open session. Seconded by Carol Lyons. V- ;.'.