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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-09-26 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION SEPTEMBER 26, 1988 CALL TO ORDER Chairman George Shannon called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 8:15 p.m. in the Lecture Hall of the Reading Memorial High School on Oakland Road. All members were present except Barbara Philbrick. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly; Assistant Superintendents Lynn M. Bak and Ronald A. Winslow; R.T.A. President Peter Greene; members of the fourth grade faculty at Joshua Eaton School, parents, a reporter from the Chronicle, and members of the Killam School /Community. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Richard Coco made a motion to avorove the Minutes from the _Se_mtember 12, 1988 meeting. Stan Nissen seconded that motion. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS BILLS September 19, 1988 September 26, 1988 October 3, 1988 PAYROLL September 16, 1988 September 23, 1988 September 30, 1988 September 22, 1988 CITIZEN'S INPUT General Expense $69.782.82 General Expense $53,707.10 General Expense $68,896.58 Weekly $ 42,294.63 Weekly $ 44,686.72 Weekly $ 49,429.24 Teacher's $373,417.56 There was no citizen's input. SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS Mr. Farnham introduced members of the fourth grade faculty at Joshua Eaton School. Staff members Carol Livingston, Michaelene Gaffney, Michael DeLong and William Nichlasson discussed how they integrated science, language, art and literature in a year -long project using the Town Forest. Booklets made by the children were shared with School Committee members. A brief question and comment period followed. 3CII00L CO`IMITTEE `fINUTES _2 SEPTEMBER 26, 1983 The School Committee and Dr. Munnelly thanked the Eaton teachers for attending and presenting the results of their integrated approach to learning. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT (1) George Shannon spoke to the School Committee members and audience about a recent ceremony in Washington which honored the Barrows School as a school of excellence. Approximately 250 other schools received the honor from President Reagan and Mr. Shannon said it was a very positive experience overall. The overall goal of improving education was presented by officials at the ceremony as a result of the efforts of state and local governments, not the Federal government, and Mr. Shannon agreed that local initiatives were the best hope for improving schools. Barrows principal Charles Papandreou was presented by the U.S. Office of Education with a large white flag of honor, which will be flown along with the American flag in front of Barrows. (2) Lead tests. Further lead testing by the Board of Public Works on September 6 proved that the practice of flushing bubblers and faucets each morning in the schools eliminates any possible threat of lead contamination. We will cooperate with the local water department to carry out ongoing testing. (3) Radon tests. Dr. Munnelly reported that after testing all schools for the presence of radon, there are no locations where radon is a concern. George Shannon recommended more testing in the winter. 1988 SEPTEMBER STUDENT ENROLLMENT Dr. Munnelly distributed the enrollment worksheets of September 16, 1988. Also included was the elementary class size report. The elementary numbers of 1654 is exactly the same as projected last spring. However, Dr. Munnelly pointed out that many of the school by school and grade by grade sizes had changed. ENROLLMENT PROJECTIONS The agenda item was taken out of order for Dr. Dan Ensminger, a citizen and parent and member of our Elementary School Building Needs Study Committee, who presented some enrollment projections he prepared based on school district by residence. His presentation included overhead charts and graphs and pointed out possible changes that will affect overall enrollment. A booklet of the charts` was made available to the School Committee and school administration. Dr. Munnelly thanked Dr. Ensminger for all his efforts and Richard Coco suggested that the School Committee use his information, stored on computer, for future years. ,.� SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES __3 _ SEPTEMBER 26, 1988 KILLAMYCARNEGIE STUDY Paul Guerette and some of his planning committee gave the School Committee an overview of what they will be ahead for this year with the Carnegie study. He introduced the other members of the committee that were present. The highlights of a Killam school program of cultural exchange with a museum in Tokyo were presented as an example of the Killam school vision. A period of questions and discussion with the planning committee followed. Karen Macari, an active parent contributor, spoke about why she supports the Carnegie program. The Committee thanked Paul Guerrette and the members of his planning committee for sharing their progress. SUPERINTENDENT'S GOALS FOR 1988 -1989 Dr. Munre.11y did not have his evaluation of goals ready this week, and will present them next time. ASBESTOS REMOVAL PLANNING A letter from the contractor for asbestos inspection was distributed to the School Committee that explained why they cannot meet our timelines for filing the report. George Shannon made a motion to request a deferment at least to _October 30, 1988 but no later than Mav 9, 1989 from the Federal governr..ent. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. UPDATE ON NEGOTIATIONS PROGRESS George Shannon read the letter that was sent to all teachers by the Superintedent and School Committee dated September 23, 1988. It served as the School Committee's report of progress. Richard Coco mentioned the comparison of surrounding towns' salaries and emphasized the need to keep the negotiating out of the med-'a's focus. A period of discussion followed. Peter Greene, President of the Reading Teachers Association expressed his displeasure at the idea of the School Committee's position being sent by letter to all teachers. He felt this bypassed the negotiating team and may be an unfair labor practice. cm SCHOOL C0MMITTEE MINUTES 4 SEPT'E`IBER 26, 1988 Bernice Harrison, a parent in attendance, noted the credibility and worthiness of the teachers in the Reading Public School System. BIRCH MEADOW EASEMENT AND FENCE A developer has approached the Town's Planning Board to create a residential subdivision in the wooded area to the rear of Birch Meadow School. The subdivision road will exit on Forest street. The developer will be required, in order to improve water and sewage flow, to hook in with . the water and sewer main at Arthur B. Lord Drive. This is called "looping ". Such looping will require an easement over the Birch Meadow School property. Mr. Nissen made a motion to grant an easement to the developer of Birch Meadow Estates to construct a waterline in exchange for a chain link fence, material and height to be negotiated along the border of Birch Meadow property. Also added to the motion by Mr. Nissen was that the underground water pipes be restored after finishing. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was nnanimnnc The Birch Meadow parents and P.T.O. Safety Committee have asked that a fence be erected between the new development and the school. Kendra Cooper presented an informal map and photo study of the area to be fenced in. She requested a motion that the easement area be finished by the developer, i.e., not left in partial completion in an unsafe state. George Shannon recommended that the group bring their concerns to the Administration instead of putting the request into motion. Dr. Munnelly thanked the Parent's Committee at Birch Meadow for their involvement. CARPETING POLICY Dr. Munnelly wanted the School Committee to consider the issue of carpeting in the elementary schools. Each year a limited number of classrooms are retiled to replace 25- 30 year -old tile. Principals and teachers believe that carpeting creates a better learning environment and suggest we replace the with carpet when we redo a classroom floor. Paul Guerrette presented the advantages of having carpeting in school. He cited the quiet atmosphere carpeting provides, and the benefits of children being able to sit on the floor. Ronald Winslow provided the School Committee with the pros and cons of carpeting in regards to costs. A brief discussion by School Committee members followed. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 5 SEPTEMBER 26, 1988 Margaret Cowell suggested that teachers from the various schools in Reading present their feedback on carpeting versus the floors. Mr. Nissen suggested that the Committee contact other districts that have used carpet instead of tile. SPECIAL EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCTION GRANT The Reading Special Education Deparment has received a grant of $21,156 from the Massachusetts Department of Education to provide educational services to preschool Special Education students. The grant will fund tuition of Spe =ial Education students at private schools, and pay for training for the people who work with the youngsters. FALL ACTIVITIES OF HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND Dr. Munnelly shared with the School Committee the dates of the marching band performances and band competitions RMHS will be participating in for the 1988 fall season. The issue of rent to expand band income and admission fees was discussed, and this issue wi.1 again be discussed at a future meeting. %k" , SCHOOL LUNCH APPROVAL Margaret Cowell made a motion for the annual vote of acceptance of a free and reduced price lunch Dolicy. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. RESIGNATIONS The resignations of Daniel Barter, girls gymnastics coach, and Barbara Fowler, Reading METCO Coordinator, were accepted. The Committee asked that a special thank you not a be sent to Coach Barter. . APPOINTMENTS Stan Nissen made a motion on the recommendation of administration to approve the appointment o: Joseph Finnegan and Robert Mooney as Math Club Advisors at Reading Memorial High School, salary to be negotiated. Carol Lyons seccnded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Stan Nissen made a motion on the recommendation of administration to approve the appointment of David Bunten to the post of Extra- curricular Music at Reading Memorial High School, salary to be negotiated Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 -1, with Mr. Coco expressing reservations. Carol Lyons made a motion on the recommendation of the Superintendent's office to appoint Carol A. Angelo to the position SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 5 SEPTEMBER 26, 1988 of Confidential Secretary to the Assistant Superintendent and to the School Committee as of October 11, 1988. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. ADJOURNMENT At 11:00 p.m. the School Committee unanimously voted to adjourn and go into Executive Session.