Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-06-06 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES JUNE 6, 1988 ,, CALL TO ORDER Chairman George Shannon called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:40 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Superintendent's Office at 34 Gould Street. All members were present except Carol Lyons. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly; Assistant Superintendents Lynn M. Bak and Ronald A. Winslow; Senator Buell; Representative Geoff Beckwith; members of the Special Education Parent's Advisory Council; R.T.A. President Peter Greene and R.T.A. members; parents and a reporter from the Chronicle. APPROVAL OF MINUTES There were a few revisions to the Minutes of the May 23, 1988 meeting. They were as follows: • Barbara Philbrick noted a date change on the Minutes of the Reading School Committee and the various screening committees. Please note that the correct date should read May 9, 1988 and not May 23, 1988. • Mr. Coco wanted to explain his reasoning for abstaining on the approval of the Northern Essex Community College satelite campus being here in Reading due to the lack of in -depth information in regards to the idea, and there was no formal proposal submitted by the college to the School Committee. • Mr. Shannon wanted it noted that a date for a formal Gifted and Talented report was set at the May 23, 1988 meeting for November of 1988. He also wanted to have mentioned for the record the fact that the Gifted and Talented paragraph neglected to state the lack of approval or support by School Committee members for the administrations' proposals for that program's 1988 -1989 school year. Stan Nissen motioned to approve the Minutes from the May 23, 1988 regular meeting, with the stated changes. Seconded by Margaret Cowell. The vote was 4 -1 with Barbara Philbrick abstainina due to her absence at that meetina. Stan Nissen also motioned to approve the Minutes from the May 9, 1988 meetinq between the School Committee and the various screening committees, with the stated date change. Seconded by Margaret Cowell. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrants for Bills and Payrolls were as follows: BILLS: June 6, 1988 - $92,767.87 June 13, 1988 - $133,252.15 MINUTES BILLS AND PAYROLLS (cont.) PAYROLLS: �A June 2, 1988 - Teachers - $368,170.04 June 3, 1988 - Weekly - $ 52,962.12 June 10, 1988 - Weekly - $ 45,615.19 CITIZENS' INPUT There was no citizens' input. YOUNG AUTHOR'S PROGRAM JUNE 6, 1988 Dr. Munnelly introduced Reading Director, Ed Sacco to the School Committee, to present the representatives to the Young Authors Conference held at the University of Massachusetts on May 19, 1988. Ed, together with teachers Adele Pekins from Barrows; Maureen Collins Rea of Joshua Eaton School; Irene Montigny from Barrows; and Christine Redford of Eaton; and students Vijay Sankarian, Sarah Meehan, Jessica Tansey and Megan Lavoie presented their books or briefly summarized their stories, and told about their experiences at that Conference. Parents were also invited to the meeting to share in their child's report. In all, 330 entries were submitted by Reading students. A period of questions and answers followed. Dr. Sacco thanked all students, teachers and administrative faculty for their involvement and support. Dr. Sacco noted a special thanks to Sue Wheltle for her help in binding these books for the students. Dr. Munnelly and Chairman Shannon then thanked the students, teachers and Dr. Sacco for their impressive and entertaining presentations. Before moving on, Nancy Drane spoke briefly on the current issue of "Impressions" distributed to all School Committee members at the meeting. Ms. Drane also highlighted some of the upcoming features to be presented at later meeting dates. Mr. Shannon complimented on the professionalism of the issues being distributed by this year's "Impressions" staff. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly informed the School Committee of some "current events ". They were as follows: • Two students were selected for participation in the "Art All State Festival" held the weekend of June 4, 1988 at the Worcester Art Museum. They were Dom Cacciapuoti, Jr. and Tom Lawn, both Juniors at Reading High. • There have been complications in the electrical Joshua Eaton School brought on by the electrical storms The underground lines between the school and the street and replacement lines laid in to a new box. There will large cost (in the vicinity of $10,000 - $15,000) assoc repairs. wiring at the of last week. need to be dug out be a fairly iated with the • The Reading Track Team celebrated 17 years of undefeated dual meet victories with a party at Coolidge last week. All runners from the past teams of Coach Hal Croft were invited, as were parents and fans of Reading track. A huge turnout honored coaches and athletes responsible MINUTES 3 JUNE 6, 1988 SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT (cont.) for this amazing achievement. It was pointed out by Principal Mark Piechota that most of the athletes responsible for the 150th win were not even born when the streak was started in 1972 -73. A patch noting the occasion was attached for each member of the School Committee. Dr. Munnelly, as well as Mr. Shannon, extended their compliments and congratulations to coaches and athletes alike for this outstanding track achievement. SPECIAL EDUCATION DISCUSSION Dr. Munnelly informed School Committee members and the public that special education costs are rising in an explosive fashion statewide, and with this strain comes a re- examination of what can be done given the fact that Proposition 2h effectively caps all expenditures, including special education. Many groups are studying the problem, and the direction most turn to is the Massachusetts Legislature, which over the years has shaped the mandated nature of special education programs. The legislative process is seen by many as the key way to make changes. On that note, Dr. Munnelly introduced Representative Geoff Beckwith and Senator Buell to School Committee members and the public to brief the Committee on some of the bills and to conduct a follow - up discussion, at which time Reading may voice its views on special education. Representative Beckwith and Senator Buell each spoke briefly on the State's position regarding special education, and voiced som o of their own opinions and ideas. Sandy Trainor, President of P.A.C. 766, spoke on behalf of some of her members stressing the need for special education children to be put into non - restrictive classes before they are lumped into the restrictive classes. She also voiced opposition to transporting these children to out -of -town schools. These children, she insisted, are Reading community members and should be allowed the right to establish roots and friends in Reading, rather than transporting them to multiple and various school districts. She impressed the idea to stop thinking of these children as special education children - no special education teachers or tutors, but put them into the regular classrooms with a regular classroom teacher and students. Dr. Munnelly then spoke briefly on the various avenues School Committee members and the public alike, could refer to pertaining to the bills and recommendations posed by the Superintendent's Association on Special Education. North Reading, Dr. Munnelly noted, had an interest- ing idea of recommending the State to pay for any and all Special Education costs. Mr. Coco and Mrs. Trainor were in agreement that if the State were to take full responsibility for these children, it would totally transfer any and all responsibility from the community and its members. The community is the basis for where responsibility for Special Education must start, and only the specific communities will be able to initiate necessary changes for the Special Education programs within their town. Senator Buell and Representative Beckwith each spoke briefly again, mostly in response to Sandy Trainor's statements. There was a period of questions and discussion. Chairman Shannon and Dr. Munnelly MINUTES 4 JUNE 6, 1988 SPECIAL EDUCATION DISCUSSION (cont.) then thanked the legislators for their time and informational answers to questions produced by P.A.C. 766 and the School Committee alike. Dr. Munnelly then asked Mrs. Trainor to give a short synopsis on what is happening with the Parent's Advisory Council for Special Education this year, and more specifically, at their monthly meetings. Mr. Shannon and Dr. Munnelly then thanked Sandy Trainor and P.A.C. 766 members for their opinions, ideas and for their informative update on current events with their group. CAFETERIA LUNCH PRICES The School Lunch Program has been operating at a break -even point or better for the past seven years. The last time the cafeteria appeared in the "Tax Levy Budget" was in 1978. Seven years ago, in September of 1981, the School Committee set the price of a Type A meal at .85 for students and $1.50 for teachers. This year, 1988, because of the increase in labor costs, the dwindling supply of government commodities and the general increase in supplies, we project a deficit of approximately 1 %. Next years projection, based on current price structure, indicates a deficit of just under 3% or $15,255.00. In an effort to keep the cafeteria on a self- paying basis, Cathy Cook has recommended that the price for a Type A meal be increased to $1.00 for students and $2.00 for staff. Mr. Winslow concurred with the recommendation of Cafeteria Director Cathy Cook, and asked for the approval of the School Committee to raise the price of the Type A meal effective September, 1988. Mr. Coco motioned to approve the recommendation of Assistant Super- intendent Winslow and Cafeteria Director, Cathy Cook, with only one alteration; Type A meals for students be increased from .85 to .00, but the administrations' lunches be increased from $1.50 to $2.50, and not 2.00. Seconded by Barbara Philbrick. There was a period of questions and discussion. Stan Nissen moved to amend Mr. Coco's motion and set the prices of the Type A meal back to the recommendation of Mr. Winslow and Cathy Cook, which were: an increase for students from .85 to 1.00; and an increase for faculty from $1.50 to $2.00. Seconded by Margaret Cowell. The vote was unanimous. BIDS Mr. Winslow introduced the bid tabulations for custodial supplies and cafeteria supplies. Mr. Winslow requested that the School Committee approve the custodial bids, as shown and circled on Attachment B -2 -c, with the exception of Item #3, due to the circled item not being the lowest custodial supply bid, and Mr. Winslow would like to investigate. Stan Nissen motioned to approve the custodial supply bids as circled and shown on Attachment B -2 -c, with the exception of Item #3, which is under further investigation. Seconded by Margaret Cowell. The vote was unanimous. MINUTES 5 JUNE 6, 1988 BIDS (cont.) For cafeteria supplies, they were as follows: Mr. Coco motioned to approve the recommendation of Mr. Winslow that H. P. Hood, Co., being the lowest bidder, supply milk for Reading Public Schools in the amount of $59,450.40. Seconded by Barbara Philbrick. The vote was unanimous. Mr. Coco motioned to approve the recommendation of Mr. Winslow that Paul's Distributors, being the lowest bidder, supply ice cream for the Reading Public Schools in the amount of $12,770.25. Seconded by Barbara Philbrick. The vote was unanimous. Stan Nissen motioned to approve the recommendation of Mr. Winslow that Country Kitchen and LaRonga Bakeries, being the lowest bidders, supply bread and rolls to the Reading Public Schools. The vote was unanimous. DISCUSSION OF REVISION TO SUPERINTENDENT'S AND ADMINISTRATION'S SELECTION POLICY Mr. Shannon suggested that, with approval of all other members, some action and discussion take place at a later meeting date on this subject. All members agreed. NORTHERN ESSEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE ., Dr. Munnelly introduced Marc Alterio to the School Committee to briefly discuss his participation in the collaborative Agreement between Northern Essex Community College and Reading's Adult Community Education program, and the college's expansion to Reading as a satelite campus. Questions and discussions followed between the School Committee members and Mr. Alterio focusing on the preliminary Agreement handed out to all members at the meeting, and the specifics enclosed in that Agreement. Mr. Coco wished it to be noted in the Agreement that the receptionist's salary be alloted and taken from the 8% gross tuitions. Mr. Nissen motioned to approve the undertaking of a "pilot" program with Northern Essex Community College and Reading's Adult Education Program, as specified on Attachment B -3 -d, with the stated change and with the understanding that further negotiations will be pending._ Seconded by Barbara Philbrick. The vote was 3 -2 with Mr. Coco and Mr. Shannon abstaining due to the lack of a formal and definite proposal being submitted to the School Committee, and the lack of sufficient funds to cover anv emeraencv situations (i.e. computer/ rinter breakdown). UPDATE ON SPECIAL EDUCATION TASK FORCE Ms. Bak gave a brief synopsis on what was happening to date with the Special Education Task Force she and Dr. Alexanian are members of. She informed the Committee of the responsibilities of the Task Force, how often the Task Force meets, the issues being discussed, their long -range plans, interaction with P.A.C. 766. She also informed the Committee that when a formal report has been finalized, it would be submitted to the School Committee. MINUTES 6 JUNE 6, 1988 ELEMENTARY ENROLLMENTS Dr. Munnelly gave School Committee members an update on the elementary enrollments for the 1988 -1989 school year. There was a period of questions and discussion, primarily focusing on the spacing needs issue and whether or not it will be necessary to open more classrooms in the future with these projected enrollments. ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR BUSINESS REPORT Mr. Winslow shared with the School Committee some of his ideas for the near future. They were: • Recommend to improve the custodial and maintenance services, re- distributing the staff; Give clerical help to the Director, Larry Moore, in lieu of an attrition replacement. Custodial standards at Reading High can be maintained even as a reduction of one custodian takes place. • There was a brief update on the Transformer situation to date with the Light Company. Options are being written and will be submitted to Mr. Winslow and to the School Committee as soon as they are completed. • The HVAC grant application was submitted. Mr. Winslow should be hearing back from the State in July sometime. • A Lease at the Pearl Street School is in the works with the -, Fafard Company. Fafard is starting a company that will produce hot meals for senior citizens. Cooking will take place in the basement of Pearl Street. • There was a brief discussion on where Reading stands competitively with surrounding -areas concerning lunches and the prices thereof. APPOINTMENTS AND RE- APPOINTMENTS Stan Nissen motioned to approve the recommendation of administration to appoint Mr. Yves Deniz& to the position of METCO Academic Instructor effective September 1, 1988. Seconded by Margaret Cowell. The vote was unanimous. C 4. .., .. N14---- to re-appoint Claudia Corcoran to the position of Grade 2 teacher at the Joshua Eaton School to replace Mrs. Chanpell tor the 1988 -1989 school year. Seconded by Margaret Cowell. The vote was unanimous. RESIGNATIONS Stan Nissen motioned to approve the recommendation of administration on the resignation for purposes of retiring, from Robert Dunbar, effective the end of the present school year. Seconded by Margaret Cowell. The vote was unanimous. ., *k , 1 MINUTES 7 JUNE 6, 1988 I OTHER BUSINESS • Dr. Munnelly reminded all School Committee members that graduation is at Reading High /Hawke's Fieldhouse on Sunday, June 12, 1988 at 2:00 p.m. All members should attend. Barbara Philbrick, due to her absence at the May 23, 1988 meeting, voiced her opinion on the still unresolved Gifted and Talented program for 1988 -1989. ADJOURNMENT At 10:35 p.m., there being no further business in regular session, the Committee unanimously voted to go into Executive Session.