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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-10-03 School Committee MinutesIt , ,, 14 READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS READING, MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES CALL TO ORDER OCTOBER 3, 1988 Chairman George Shannon called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present except Richard Coco and Carol Lyons. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak, members of the Parker Middle School and a reporter from the Chronicle. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Stan Nissen moved to approve the Minutes from the September 26, 1988 meeting with the following corrections: change Harrison to Herrick on page 4, and add Margaret Cowell in place of reference to Kendra Cooper also on page 4. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was three in favor with Barbara Philbrick abstaining. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrants for Bills and Payrolls were as follows: BILLS: October 3, 1988 - General Expe -nse - $68,896.58 PAYROLLS: September 22, 1988 - Teachers - $373,417.56 September 16, 1988 - Weekly - $ 42,294.63 September 23, 1988 - Weekly - $ 44,686.72 September 30, 1988 - Weekly - $ 49,429.24 CITIZEN'S INPUT Kendra Cooper noted the above minute correction. SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS Principal Jack Delaney introduced members in the Parker Middle School faculty. Staff members Joan Clifford, Ellen Howland, Bill Cowles and Mary Abegg presented the Parker faculty's plan for enhancing students' higher level thinking skills including; the planning proposal that was presented to the entire staff in May, 1987; the plan for workshops and consultant inservice that was conducted in the 1987 -88 school year; and the implementation plan developed by the Steering Committee for the present school year. A brief question and comment period followed including the sharing of the student learning that teachers have observed since the organization of this program. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 2 OCTOBER 3, 1988 Committee members thanked the Parker Staff for their effors and encouraged the continuation of the thinking skills theme at the school. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT LION'S DEN Dr. Munnelly reported that at the RMHS football game on Saturday, October lst, Carol Lyons and Mark Piechota received, on behalf of the Reading Lion's Club and the Parent Boosters, the key to the Lion's Den that was recently completed at RMHS. Dr. Munnelly publicly thanked the Lions and the Boosters for such a wonderful contribution. School Committee members concurred. MASSACHUSETTS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS Dr. Munnelly will be participating in a panel discussion on program assessment at the annual Joint Meeting of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents on Friday, November 4th, 1988. NEW ENGLAND ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES Dr. Munnelly shared his plans to chair a visiting team to Burncoat Middle School in Worcester, MA. The team representing the New England Association of Schools and Colleges will conduct an evaluation of the school as a part of the accreditation process from October 16 through October 19, 1988. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT COUNCILS Dr. Munnelly has asked the League of Women Voters to assist in seeking out School Improvement Council Members. They have agreed to take action on volunteers to date. Stan Nissen moved to appoint Peggy Commito to Joshua Eaton School and John Davidson to RMHS as the School Committee's representatives to each respective School's Improvement Council. Marqaret Cowell seconded that motion. The vote was unanimous. BIRCH MEADOW FENCE Superintendent Munnelly mentioned receiving a letter from the Birch Meadow Safety Committee regarding negotiations for a fence and informed the Committee that he will seek to acquire a five foot high fence which would be installed five feet closer to the property line. OLD BUSINESS SUPERINTENDENT'S GOALS Dr. Munnelly shared with School Committee members his goals for the 1988 -89 school year. They are as follows: 1. To strengthen school programs and curricula; SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 3 OCTOBER 3, 1988 2. To make school and school system improvement a major and on -going focus of the Reading School Committee; and 3. To continue to grow as an effective Superintendent of Schools. SCHOOL COMMITTEE GOALS Chairman Shannon stated that with only four of the six members present, he would prefer to discuss the School Committee's goals at the next meeting of the committee scheduled for October 24th. UPDATE ON TEACHER NEGOTIATIONS Dr. Munnelly shared with the Committee that in light of the recent unsettled agreement with the R.T.A., Attorney Alan Drachman would be available to meet with the School Committee in the upcoming Executive Session for an update and a briefing. NEW BUSINESS Regarding the Asbestos Management Issue, Dr. Munnelly shared with the Committee the importance of a thorough study of the status of this capital planning issue and the financial implications for the School Committee and the town. Chairman Shannon suggested that a sub - committee be formed to meet with the administration and the environmental firm to lay out a variety of financial options for responding to the asbestos found in the schools. Stan Nissen moved that the School Committee name a sub - committee to address asbestos management and ca tial planning consisting of two members to be designated by the Chair, Mr. Winslow, Larry Moore, and Dr. Munnelly. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. In the absence of members present, Mr. Shannon will allow time until the next meeting for volunteers to come forward for the sub - committee. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS School Building Needs Studv Committee Margaret Cowell provided the Committee with an update on the elementary school building needs study including activities that have taken place, resources that have been tapped and a proposed timeline. Several meetings have taken place to date, with several more meetings being planned in early October finalizing the study committee's work. The results of the study will be made available at the October 24, 1988 meeting of the School Committee. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 4 OCTOBER 3, 1988 SCHOOLS BUSINESS MANAGER'S REPORT Parking Spaces In Mr. Winslow's absence, Dr. Munnelly shared with the Committee that as a result of School Committee vote last spring, all the schools' in the district now have clearly marked visitor's parking areas at their sites. Expense Accounts In an attempt to keep the Committee abreast of expenditures, Dr. Munnelly shared information regarding account activities as of September 30, 1988. Appointments Dr. Munnelly provided an update on the status of a Music Director with the hope that there will be a recommendation for the next meeting. Resignations Barbara Philbrick moved on the recommendation of the administration to accept the resignation of Don Mar, math teacher at Coolidge Middle School effective October 11, 1988. Stan Nissen seconded the motion, The vote was unanimous. Other Nancy Drane, student member, informed the Committee that this was her last meeting as RMHS's student representative. Dr. Munnelly and Committee Members expressed their appreciation to Nancy for her dedication and committment this past school year in attending and participating in the School Committee meetings. Chairman Shannon suggested that the Committee schedule its next meeting at RMHS to meet with the Student Advisory Council. ADJOURNMENT At 8:45 p.m., Stan Nissen moved to adjourn to Executive Session for purposes of discussing strategies for bargaining with union personnel. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with each member votinq in the affirmative.