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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-07-11 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES JULY 11, 1988 CALL TO ORDER Chairman George Shannon called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Superintendent's Office at 34 Gould Street. All members were present except Stan Nissen. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly; Assistant Superintendents Lynn M. Bak and Ronald A. Winslow; Principal Guerrette - Killam School, Principal Papandreou - Alice M. Barrows School, Principal Davidson - Birch Meadow School and Principal Farnham - Joshua Eaton School; Gifted and Talented coordinators, Karen Rickershauser and Susan Wood; parents and a reporter from the Chronicle. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Carol Lyons made a motion to approve the Minutes from the June 20, 1988 meeting. Barbara Philbrick seconded that motion. The vote was unanimous. Richard Coco clarified the vote on the June 20, 1988 Approval of Minutes segement should read 5 -0 -1. APPROVAL OF RELEASE OF SELECTED EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES FOR 1986 Stan Nissen and Dr. Munnelly read over the 1986 minutes with an eye to recommending those segments of minutes for release to "open" status. The listing prepared by Mr. Nissen, recommends release (RR) to the public file for a large number of segments of the 1986 Executive Session minutes. For those segments which the School Committee members recommend holding (H) in the executive session domain, these segments are listed with reasons for this recommendation beside each. Richard Coco made a motion to approve the release of the specified 1986 Executive Session minutes, as shown on Attachment B -1 -b, and represented as RR. Carol Lyons seconded that motion. The vote was unanimous. CITIZENS' INPUT There was no citizens' input. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrants for Bills and Payrolls were as follows: BILLS June 30, 1988 - Total - $ 20,935.75 June 30, 1988 - Total - $128,304.12 June 30, 1988 - Total - $ 53,795.96 SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 2 JULY 11, 1988 BILLS AND PAYROLLS (cont.): nrvnnr r o June 28, 1988 - Teachers - $1,250,383.75 June 14, 1988 - Teachers - $ 97,316.54 July 1, 1988 - Weekly - $84,499.29 July 8, 1988 - Weekly - $25,539.66 July 15, 1988 - Weekly - $22,314.79 SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly informed the School Committee of some events which have happened thus far this summer. They were: • The AIDS Task Force, led by members Mike Curran and Marc Alterio, presented an AIDS awareness workshop for the teaching staff of the Reading Public Schools on Monday, June 27, 1988. The presentation by Task Force members was augmented by members of the staff who will be working this summer on the design for teaching and the related curriculum development. Dr. Munnelly was pleased to report to the School Committee the school system's progress in addressing the AIDS health crisis. Dr. Munnelly publicly thanked the members of the AIDS Task Force who devoted two evenings to planning the workshop and also came to the workshop session to lend their presence to the Task Force's message that the AIDS crisis has to have a community -wide response. 0 Science honored science for Exc Science results teacher William Carne at the State House as teachers who are fina sllence in Science and Advisor will pick the this fall. of Parker Middle School was one of three Massachusetts lists for the Presidential Award Math Education. The President's 50 state winners and announce the Dr. Munnelly extended his congratulations to Mr. Carne. SUPERINTENDENT'S EVALUATION Chairman Shannon suggested the discussion on the Superintendent's Evaluation take place at the July 25, 1988 meeting, due to some members not having completed and returned their evaluation forms to him, which were due on July 1, 1988. Dr. Munnelly agreed with the Chairman on the change of date for this discussion. HORACE MANN PROJECTS FOR 1988 -1989 In terms of the agreement with the R.T.A., proposals for Horace Mann projects were solicited from the staffs of all Reading SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 3 JULY 11, 1988 HORACE MANN GRANTS - 1988 -1989 (cont.): schools. The State estimated the Town of Reading's allotment for the 1988 -1989 school year as $31,150.00. This will be the third year of the State's grant program and the "no more than two consecutive years participation" rule has affected the variety of w project submissions. Nevertheless, the screening committee had more project proposals than money, and some tough choices had to be made to prepare this set of recommendations. The list of proposed Horace Mann projects has to be submitted to the State before August 28, 1988, so Dr. Munnelly and Lynn presented the proposals to the School Committee for endorsement. There was a brief period of questions and discussion. Richard Coco made a motion to endorse the 1988 -1989 Horace Mann grant proposals, as shown on Attachment B -3 -a. The motion was seconded by Margaret Cowell. The vote was unanimous. GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAM ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION At this session, there was an active discussion of issues and ideas about Reading's Gifted and Talented program. Lynn Bak shared with School Committee members the results of the surveys she had,from teachers of grades 3, 4 and 5 at the four elementary schools, and the questionnaire sent to the parents of children in the program this past year. Principals from the four elementary schools were on hand to discuss with the School Committee their progress this past year with the Gifted and Talented program at their specified schools. Karen Rickershauser and Susan Wood, the Gifted and Talented Coordinators for the 1988 -1989 school year, were also present for the discussion in case there was any information they could lend to the questions School Committee members might have. Members of the School Committee were then asked to give their input and ideas to the shaping of the program for the 1988 -1989 school year. A lengthy period of questions and discussions began with highlights on the criteria of the program, whether they are too low and should they be raised? Identifying and exciting the "under achieving" child with high aptitudes, clarification of Type I, II and III activities, decreasing the number of children in the program, but at the same time increasing the staff and time allotment for the children in the program, dropping the R.E.A.C.T. name and simply calling the program the Gifted and Talented program, the need for more thorough screening of children entering into the program, and finally, the need to get a better and greater response from teachers at the elementary level on how they feel this program is succeeding or failing in terms of the children. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 4 JULY 11, 1988 GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAM ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION (cont.): The Committee again reminded administration of the Progress Report for November. The Committee also requested an August report from Ms. Rickershauser and Mrs. Wood on the Confratute they are attending on July 18, 1988 for two weeks at the University of Connecticut on the Renzuli method. Chairman Shannon thanked the principals, parents, Karen and Sue for being present at this discussion and for their input on the Gifted and Talented program. BUSINESS MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Winslow briefed School Committee members on a few business affairs. They were as follows: BIDS Tabulations were done on the bids submitted to replace the floor tile /carpet at the Birch Meadow School. Mr. Winslow recommended Haven Floor Covering Center to the School Committee as the lowest bidder. Richard Coco made a motion to approve the recommendation of Mr. Winslow and have Haven Floor Covering Center of Reading, Massachusetts replace_ the the /carpeting at the Birch Meadow School in the amount of $4,325.00, and as shown on Attachment C -2 -b. The motion was seconded by Margaret Cowell. The vote was unanimous. Dr. Munnelly took the opportunity to mention that a discussion on the carpeting of schools will be put on a future agenda. Mr. Winslow also recommended to the School Committee that Stanley Roofing out of Magnolia, Massachusetts be awarded the re- roofing job for the Hawke's Field House, being the lowest bidder. Carol Lyons made a motion to approve the recommendation of Mr. Winslow and have Stanley Roofing out of Magnolia, Massachusetts replace the roof at the Hawke's Field House in the total amount of $201,400.00, and as shown on Attachment C -2 -b. The motion was seconded by Barbara Philbrick. The vote was unanimous. RETIREMENTS - RESIGNATIONS Mr. Winslow wanted School Committee members to be informed and acknowledge the following retirements and resignations. RETIREMENTS Mr. John Miller - 33 years as a Reading employee; Mrs. Hilda Ahlstrom - 14 years as a Reading employee; Mrs. Alberta Kingsley - 26 years as a Reading employee. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 5 JULY 11, 1983 RETIREMENTS (cont.): Mr. Winslow extended his thanks to these people for their excellent years of service to the Reading Public Schools. RESIGNATIONS Mr. Mr. Ms. Ms. Ms. Ms. Herbert Noel; Kenneth Sanders; Paula Proctor; Maria Galise; Joanne Garlich; and Barbara Trumene. Dr. Munnelly informed the Committee that a new state legislative statute removes the 30,000.00 cap on retirement, and Reading teachers need not pay taxes on monies withheld for retirement purposes. These changes will force revisions of our current payroll process. SUBSTITUTE DAILY RATE To clarify the record, Mr. Winslow would like the School Committee to approve the already budgetted increase for the substitutes' daily rate. The increase would be from 46.00 to 50.00. Barbara Philbrick made a motion to approve an increase for substitutes from 46.00 to 50.00. The motion was seconded b Margaret Cowell. The vote was unanimous. TERMINATION Mr. Winslow asked the School Committee to approve the termination of Mr. B. Hartshorn, who is a probationary employee (custodian), but is not available for work, to be effective immediately. Richard Coco made a motion to approve the termination of Mr. B. Hartshorn, on the recommendation of administration, to be effective immediately. The motion was seconded by Barbara Philbrick. The vote was unanimous. SALARY ADJUSTMENT Dr. Munnelly recommended to the School Committee that Virginia Stanley, Secretary to the Superintendent of Schools, be given a one -time merit award of $1,500.00 reflecting her extraordinary effort in extending the effectiveness of the Superintendent in his first year. The transitions of the office due to the need to recruit a new assistant superintendent, to carry on the usual responsibilities of the office, to institute new communication linkages such as earlier board agendas and memoranda, Between- Meeting- Notes, Superintendent's Reports and meetings with Task forces such as AIDS, Special Ed, and Building Needs almost all year long, have placed a special burden on the secretary, and she has responded magnificently. She has been especially helpful in keeping "communication" standards high (e.g. answering every SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 6 JULY 11, 1988 SALARY ADJUSTMENT (cont.): inquiry to the Superintendent promptly and directly and helping the Superintendent keep up with the work of the office while maintaining a visible presence in the schools). A feature of Dr. Munnelly and Virginia's work together are the hundreds of well presented letters she has prepared. In Reading, with her help, people were thanked appropriately by the Superintendent and testimonials submitted on behalf of our many award - winning teachers were ready in timely fashion. Mrs. Stanley deserves recognition for her efforts this year, and a salary merit award would provide that recognition. There was a brief period of questions and discussion. Barbara Philbrick made a motion to approve the recommendation of the Superintendent for a salary adjustment for Mrs. Virginia Stanley in the amount of $1,500.00. The motion was seconded by Carol Lyons. The vote was unanimous. REPORT ON STAFF DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE GRANTS 87 -88 Lynn introduced the Professional Development Grant packet showing a synopsis of last year's grant applications, various grant resources available to teachers and, finally, the 1988 -1989 grant applications and some of the individuals' in -depth plans /ideas. There was a brief period of questions. GUIDANCE REPORT - COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES Dr. Munnelly enclosed two reports for the review and information of School Committee members and public on Reading Memorial High School's 1988 graduating class college acceptances. There was a short period of questions and discussion. RESIGNATIONS Carol Lyons made a motion to approve the recommendation of administration on the resignation of Mrs. Debra Wohlfahrt, kindergarten teacher at Joshua Eaton, effective August 31, 1988. The motion was seconded by Margaret Cowell. The vote was unanimous. Carol Lyons made a motion to approve the recommendation of administration on the resignation of Ms. Mary Frances Lanouette, Latin teacher at Reading High, effective August 31, 1988. The motion was seconded by Margaret Cowell. The vote was unanimous. Carol Lyons made a motion to approve the recommendation of administration on the resignation of Mr. Peter J. Valeska, Social Studies teacher at Reading High, effective August 31, 1988. The motion was seconded by Margaret Cowell. The vote was unanimous. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 7 JULY 11, 1988 RESIGNATIONS: Carol Lyons made a motion to approve the recommendation of administration on the resignation of Mrs. Lynne Cameron, teacher at the Killam School, effective August 31, 1988. The motion was seconded by Margaret Cowell. The vote was unanimous. LEAVES Barbara Philbrick made a motion to approve the recommendation of administration for the extended leave of absence for Mrs. Barbara Ann Lanney, English teacher at Reading High, covering the summer months and the 1988 -1989 school year. The motion was seconded by Carol Lyons. The vote was unanimous. APPOINTMENTS AND RE- APPOINTMENTS Richard Coco made a motion to approve the recommendation of administration and approve the appointments /re- appointments, as shown on Attachments F, Addendum F, and Addendum F (2) for the 88 -1989 scho year. The motion was seconded by Margaret Cowell. The vote was unanimous. Mr. Shannon abstained on the appointment of Mrs. Kathleen Daly, appointed to Middle School Reading Specialist position. Therefore, the vote on that appointment was 5 -0 -1. Lynn then gave a brief summary of what positions are still available in all of the schools to date. ADJOURNMENT At 10:40 p.m., there being no further business in regular session, the Committee voted to enter into Executive Session by a roll call vote.