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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-09-12 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 12, 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. Also Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly; Assistant Superintendents Lynn M. Bak and Ronald A. Winslow; R.T.A. President Peter Greene; secondary principals; Art Director, Sue.'. -::. Wheltle; Art teacher Bill Endslow; Art students from the High School; Coolidge Middle School and Parker Middle School; parents and a reporter from the Chronicle. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Barbara Philbrick made a motion to approve the Minutes from the August 29, 1988 meeting. Margaret Cowell seconded that motion. ..3 The vote was 4 -0 -1, with Mr. Coco abstaining due to not being in attendance on the 29th. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrants for Bills and Payrolls were as follows: BILLS: September 6, 1988 - General Expense - $80,924.65 September 12, 1988 - General Expense - $29,797.24 P A V R n T.T.S September 8, 1988 - Teachers - $361,143.34 September 2, 1988 - Weekly - $ 23,895.58 September 9, 1988 - Weekly - $ 26,580.17 CITIZENS INPUT There was no citizens' input. SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS Dr. Munnelly welcomed Art Director, Sue Wheltle to the School Committee meeting. Sue was present to discuss Art and t COM REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 SEPTEMBER 12, 1988 Architecture, which is an actual course being offered in the secondary and elementary schools of Reading. Jeff McManus, a high school Art Student, spoke briefly on his model house, which was created in Peter Wood's three - dimensional Art class. Jeff explained the sequence of development to his final product. Sue then introduced Bill Endslow, Art teacher at Coolidge Middle School, who in turn introduced three of his Art /Architecture students. The group explained a project they participated in pertaining to the drawing of houses, imaginary and real. Sixth Grade Students from Parker Middle School explained their project on Russian architecture, and their creations during that study. There was a period of questions and comments. The School Committee and Dr. Munnelly thanked everyone for attending and presenting their projects to the members and public, with special thanks to Sue and Bill Endslow. SUPERINTENDENT'.S REPORT (1) Reading has heard from the U.S. Department of Education that the White House Ceremony honoring Barrows as an outstanding elementary school will take place on September 15th. Three representatives are the maximum allowed to attend the ceremony. Dr. Munnelly has asked School Committee Chairman George Shannon, a parent of a Barrow's student as well as chairman of our School Committee, to head Reading's delegation. Principal, Charles Papandreou as the educational leader.of the school and teacher, Claire Flynn, as a faculty - chosen representative, will also go to Washington to receive the honors on behalf of the Reading and Barrows community. With the School Committee's concurrence, Dr. Munnelly would like to cover costs with funds from the school committee expenditure accounts and professional development expense accounts. (2) The Department of Public Health has determined that there is a high concentration of lead in Reading's drinking water. Because of this, the Department feels it is necessary and beneficial to test the water for lead in the Public Schools. The firt test done showed a high level of lead in the Schools' water, but confirmed this was due to the water sitting in the pipes for the summer recess. The suggestion was made to turn on all water facilities at all schools for 5 to 10 minutes every morning. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 SEPTEMBER 12, 1988 REPORT OF LIAISON Dr. Munnelly had recommendations for appointments to School Improvements Councils. As of this meeting, the Committe heard only from two holdover volunteers. It thus was the recommendations of the administration that both volunteers, Ms. Laurie Miller and Mrs. Sophie Beninati, be re- appointed to their respective schools, with a search to continue for volunteers for the other five schools. Barbara Philbrick thanked and made a motion to re- appoint the two hold -over volunteers for the S.I.C. for each of their respective schools. The motion was seconded by Carol Lyons. The vote was unanimous. REPORT OF LIAISON Mr. Coco raised issues with the School Committee about municipal space planning and these may have implications into Town Meeting warrant concerns. For the School Committee's information, on September 26th, Dan Ensminger from the School Committe Space Needs Task Force and Chairman of the Community Development and Planning Committee of the Town will give the School Committee a report on enrollment projections he has prepared. The data has implications for a great deal more than elementary space needs. Mr. Richard Coco would like the support of the School Committee to possibly prepare a Warrant to be placed on the meeting of September 26, 1988, to be discussed, and he so moved his proposal. The motion was seconded by Margaret Cowell. The vote was unanimous. SUPERINTENDENT'S GOALS - 1988 -89 Dr. Munnelly prepared a draft of goals which the School Committee would take under consideration as part of his annual evaluation process. Dr. Munnelly discussed his notion of moving Reading Schools "Towards Excellence ", and the idea that excellence is not a plateau of level of performance, but a process without established ends. He stressed the necessity of developing concensus to help carry out programs to new and higher leaves of effectiveness and service, and the A,B,C's of his strengthening of school programs and curricula and making school and school system improvements a major and on -going focus of the Reading Public Schools. There was a lengthy period of discussion. ,. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 SEPTEMBER 12, 1988 Chairman Shannon suggested by next meeting all members should have their individual goals prepared and send them either to himself or Dr. Munnelly at Central Office. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AT READING HIGH Dr. Piechota, Principal, Bob Quinn, and Pat Schettini, Assistant Principals at Reading High, presented the School Committee with their Professional Development ideas for Reading High for 1988 -89. Pat Schettini discussed "Teacher Sharing Days ". This idea proposes the gathering of teachers to meet together one day per month for an allday, roundtable discussion on students who tend to be less motivated and underachieving at Reading High. There was a period of questions and discussion. Bob Quinn then discussed "Peer Coaching ". This proposal will promote teachers to share instructional experiences and to support one another in their efforts to provide the best possible education for Reading High Students. It will enable teachers to see their teaching through another pair of eyes and to analyze their instruction through those other eyes. There was another period of questions and discussion. Finally, Mark Piechota discussed the "Instructional Excellence Program ". This idea will be overseen by Richard Strong, a nationally known instructional consultant, for a ten -month course, "Instructional Strategies for Critical and Creative Thinking ", which will enable teachers to recognize and capitalize on thier strengths and expand their repertoires of instructional stategies. There was a lengthy period of questions and discussion. Chairman Shannon requested that Pat Schettini gather any feedback from teachers involved in all proposed professional development ideas and relay them back to the Committee on a future agenda date. The Committee thanked Mark, Bob and Pat and congratulated them on their innovative ideas for professional development at Reading High. SECONDARY CURRICULUM COORDINATION For the past three years, the principals and department heads at Reading's three secondary schools have been meeting and placing REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 SEPTEMBER 12, 1988 heightened emphasis on multi - school coordination and articulation of curriculum. Principals and department heads meet as a group regularly and as subject- matter teams frequently to sharpen instructional effort. All secondary teachers meet with their subject matter colleagues a number of times each year. To discuss their progress and ideas with the School Committee were Peter Moscariello, Math Department Head at R.M.H.S., Peter Hichborn, English Department Head at Coolidge, Principals Jack Delaney, Al Lahood, and Mark Piechota. Mr. Hichborn started with his ideas and progress with the English curriculum and Mr. Moscariello followed with the Math Department's. There was a lengthy period of discussion. CURRICULUM EVALUATION PROCESS The assessment of curriculum and its impact receives on -going attention in the Reading Public Schools. The annual in -depth looks at curriculum have been in place for almost a decade. Distributed was a handbook describing some of the processes which make evaluation a central part of Reading's approach to quality. The School Committee should review this policy and practice every couple of years on improvements. Mr. Nissen raised a question about the role of the School Committee in the evaluation process. He felt he was a "spectator" at the Art Evaluation. So, to facilitate discussions, Lynn Bak, Sue Wheltle and some of the principals and department heads from all schools were present to initiate a roundtable discussion about evaluation and everyone's role in particular and specified evaluations. There was a lengthy period of questions and discussion. The School Committee thanked everyone for their time and input in this discussion. ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM COORDINATION Instead of the planned discussion of a stipend being approved for Elementary Curriculum Coordination Committee leaders, Ms. Bak gave School Committee members an update and an outline of goals for this program in the 1988 -1989 year. Meetings for this committee officially start this Wednesday, September 14, 1988. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 SEPTEMBER 12, 1988 . -- Mr. Nissen felt that since the School Committee is in the height of bargaining with the R.T.A., the subject of a stipend should be discussed in Executive Session and with the R.T.A. later on. The subject was agreed to be discussed again in Executive Session. GUIDANCE CALENDAR Dr. Munnelly was pleased to make available to the School Committee and Public the 1988 -1989 guidance calendar. It is a great idea for students and parents, and it is now being initiated now in many other high schools. BUSINESS MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Winslow updated the School Committee on some projects taking place in the School System to date, such as: the moving of the Portable Classroom; replacement of the Transformer; the asbestos plan; painting at various schools done in- house; the upkeep of grounds; the repair of the boiler at R.M.H.S.; the installation of boilers at Reading High and Parker for domestic for hot water; and the repair of the roof on the Hawke's Field House. Mr. Winslow also reported that in addition to these major projects, the schools were refurbished during the summer by the custodial staff. Floors were washed and waxed, desks and chairs washed, lighting fixtures washed, shined, and all other tasks required to prepare the schools for the return of the students. Although the timing was close on the the floors installation, all was ready when the students returned on September 8, 1988. Cathy Cook, Cafeteria Director, reported the effects of the increase of the lunch to one dollar ($I) has met some resistance at the secondary level. Elementary grades are comparable to last year while the middle schools and high school show a resistance of about 5% at this stage. She expects to regain the loss over the next three or four weeks. ENROLLMENTS WORKSHEET UPDATE Dr. Munnelly distributed the Enrollments Worksheets for Reading Public Schools for the 1988 -1989 school year. The high school was slightly higher than expected, the elementary schools were right on and the middle schools were off by 4 or 5. cow REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 SEPTEMBER 12, 1988 REQUEST FOR WAIVING OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE SUNDAY POLICY Reading Memorial High School's marching band has been invited to play in a Winchester Centennial Parade on Sunday, September 25th. It is Reading's plan to carry our Fall band weekend performance schedule which calls for appearances at all home games and the Thanksgiving game at Stoneham, and two band competitions on Saturday afternoons when our football team plays away games. This Winchester date is on a weekend during which a game or competition is planned. Accordingly, Dr. Munnelly recommended that the School Committee policy on on Sunday events be waived. Also, the High School Senior Class desires to hold a fundraising car wash on Sunday, September 18. An earlier planned Saturday date for the fundraiser cannot be worked out by the class officers. Dr. Munnelly recommended and Mark Piechota requested that the Sunday policy be waived for this event, too. LEAVES It was noted for the record that Linda Dumais, Grade 3 teacher at the Barrows School, will officially begin her maternity leave on Monday, October 3rd. She expects to return to her classroom on Monday, November 28, 1988. Barbara Philbrick made a motion on the recommendation of the administration to approve a one -year leave of absence from her position as a teacher aide at Barrows. The motion was seconded by Margaret Cowell. The vote was unanimous. APPOINTMENTS Stan Nissen made a motion on recommendation of administration to approve the appointment of Lisa Dorval as Flute Specialist /Instrumental teacher for the 1988 -89 School year. The motion was seconded by Margaret Cowell. The vote was unanimous. Richard Coco made a motion on recommendation of administration to approve the appointments of Dennis Ebert, custodian to Parker Middle School, and Elizabeth Vinesse, secretary to Birch Meadow School. Barbara Philbrick seconded that motion. The vote was unanimous. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 8 SEPTEMBER 12, 1988 ADJOURNMENT At 10:40 p.m. the School Committee unanimously voted to adjourn and go into Executive Session. -r,