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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-10-24 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS READING, MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES CALL TO ORDER OCTOBER 24, 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. Also in attendance were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak, Assistant Superintendent Ronald A. Winslow, members of the Coolidge Middle School, members of the Elementary School Building Advisory Council, members of the Student Advisory Council, a reporter from the Chronicle and Charles Catalfamo from the Reading Finance Committee. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Barbara Philbrick moved to approve the Minutes of October 3, 1988. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was four in favor with Carol Lyons abstaining. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrants for Bills and Payrolls were as follows: BILLS: 6, 1988 - Teachers - $361,587.24 October October 11, 1988 - General Expenses - $ 61,908.40 October 17, 1988 - General Expenses - $100,731.99 October 24, 1988 - General Expenses - $239,849.19 October 31, 1988 - General Expenses - $133,490.79 PAYROLLS: October 6, 1988 - Teachers - $361,587.24 October 20, 1988 - Teachers - $367,143.04 October 7, 1988 - Weekly - $ 51,235.63 October 14, 1988 - Weekly - $ 49,050.73 October 21, 1988 - Weekly - $ 48,375.15 October 28, 1988 - Weekly - $ 51,734.24 SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS Principal Al Lahood together with staff members Robert Mingolelli, Robert Dinwoodie and Jennifer Aborn introduced the audience to students Beth Plansky, Sharon Boornazian and Annette Cail. All are involved with the Integrated Learning Project related to the "Dulcimer" musical instrument. After an informative summary of the steps and skills used to create this instrument, a demonstration was provided by the staff and students. School Committee members thanked the presentors for the fine performance and for sharing information regarding the Coolidge project. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 2 OCTOBER 24, 1988 SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT STUDENT'S OF THE QUARTER Dr. Munnelly shared with the School Committe and the audience the names of the fifteen "Students of the Quarter" who are being recognized for their achievements and contributions at Reading Memorial High School. Jeffry Guttadauro '91 Keith Curtis 190 Kevin Mocklin '90 Victoria Griffin '91 Nicole Wardwell '91 Beth Monroe '89 Lisa Dennehy '89t Carol Fuller '89t Heather Foley 189 Marcy Hewitt 189 Nicholas Marra 189 Christopher Bell 189t Rene Bergeron 190t Pamela Newhall '89 John Ciaccio 189 Paul Chisholm '89 STANDARD & POOR & MOODYS English Award Social Studies Award Mathematics Award Science Award Foreign Language Award Business Award Technology Education Award Home Economics Award Visual Arts Award Athletic Award Music Award Physical Education Award Service Award Leadership Award Dr. Munnelly shared information with the Committee regarding his participation in the town government -wide visit by the bond rating companies, Standard and Poor and Moodys. Each of the firms sent a representative who toured town facilities and reviewed the conditions as part of the plan to upgrade Reading's bond rating. PEER COACHING /STAFF DEVELOPMENT Superintendent Munnelly informed the Committee that Bob Quinn and Pat Schettini will present RMHS's approach to Peer Coaching at the Regional Teacher Sharing Conference sponsored by the Northeast Consortium for Staff Development. He also shared that Lynn Bak had made a presentation to the Consortium's Fall meeting regarding Reading's Staff Development Efforts and Summer Curriculum Work. NEGOTIATIONS Stan Nissen made a statement about the progress in negotiations. He spoke about the unfair newspaper coverage. Negotiations, between both parties, have been going on for four months behind closed doors and printing only the Teacher Association's side, failed to tell the complete story. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 3 OCTOBER 24, 1988 OLD BUSINESS GOALS OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE Chairman Shannon orally shared with the Committee their goals for this school year. Stan Nissen suggested the goals be placed in writing and finalized at a future meeting. The goals discussed were: 1. To establish a policy for the annual review of School Committee policies and to conduct a workshop /orientation to explain any questions /concepts /goals and policies for new members serving on the committee. 2. To establish a book of minutes, which would be located in the public library, for public access and information. 3. To review and determine the role of Foreign Language in the school system. NEW BUSINESS REPORT OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUILDING NEEDS - ADVISORY COMMITTEE Committee member Margaret Cowell highlighted the Space Needs Report with members of the Advisory Committee offering additional comments. A question and answer period followed regarding space needs, changes, renovations and recommendations that the committee's work had focused on. Chairman Shannon publicly thanked members of the committee for the quality and delivery of a fine report. Committee members were as follows: James Stager Stanley Robinson Jody Costello Brian McMenamin Karen Macari Daniel Ensminger Lillian Cutter Margaret Cowell Robert Munnelly, Superintendent of Schools Stan Nissen moved that the administration be instructed to prepare a warrant to be filed at Fall town meeting to create a legally designated school building committee to carry out a long range building plan. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 4 OCTOBER 24, 1988 INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS Dr. Munnelly asked Matt McGee, President and School Committee Representative, to introduce the newly elected Student Advisory Council for 1988 -89. They are: Kerry Buckley Nancy Drane Thomas Fuller Jennifer Gregorio Alyssa Irving Valerie Matoushek Luke McPherson Michele Melchionda Matt Prudente Lisa Pustorino Greg Selvitelli Keith Walsh Chairman Shannon asked the, council if they would like to share their concerns with the committee. A number of issues surfaced, including smoking and the best way to approach a "non- smoking" criteria knowing that the freshmen of 1989 will be prohibited from smoking on school grounds. Discussion also included educating students at a younger age regarding the hazards of substance abuse. Chairman Shannon thanked the Council for attending the session and encouraged meeting on a more frequent basis. PROPOSED RULE CHANGES ON STUDENT SMOKING AT RMHS Assistant Principal Bob Quinn provided the Committee with RMHS's plan to move towards a "smoke -free" school. It is being planned to explore an educational approach, rather than a punitive measure as the best direction for the student smoking policy at the school. A peer support system, staff from the Heart and Cancer Associations and local hospitals will be asked to provide their input and support. WAIVER OF SUNDAY POLICY Dr. Munnelly recommended that the School Committee waive the Sunday Policy to allow the RMHS band to participate in the Woburn Halloween Parade on October 30, and- the Band Competition Grand Finale at Boston University on November 6. Mike Finley, President of Band Parents, shared with the committee the recent support by band parents to waiver the Sunday Policy for performances. Barbara Philbrick made a motion to waive the Sunday policy for these performances. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 5 OCTOBER 24, 1988 PERSONNEL ACTION APPOINTMENTS Barbara Philbrick made a motion on the recommendation of the administration to approve the appointment of John Giacobbe to the _position of Music Director for the Reading Public Schools at a salary of Master's Max. plus 1.16 effective October 25, 1988. Stan Nissen seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Carol Lyons made a motion on the recommendation of the administration to ap2r ove the appointment of Earcelle C. Wi kerson to the position of Metco Coordinator for the Reading Public Schools at a salary of Master's level, Step 7 effective_ November 2, 1988. The motion was seconded by Margret Cowell. The vote was unanimous. Stan Nissen made a motion on the recommendation of the Administration to approve the appointment of Marie E. Tomasello to the position of replacement Math teacher at the Coolidge Middle School for the remainder of the 1988 -89 school year at the salary rate of Bachelor's, Ste2 1, effective October 25, 1988. The motion was seconded by _Barbara Philbrick. The vote was unanimous. STIPEND FOR JAZZ BAND Committee Members discussed RMHS Jazz Band and the stipend that was being requested by David Bunten, BandDirector, to carry out the responsibilities of the group. It was decided that the new Music Director should become familiar with the situation and, within a reasonable amount of time, forward a recommendation to the Administration for School Committee action. ADJOURNMENT At 10.15 p.m., Stan Nissen made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session for purposes of discussing strategies of bargaining with union personnel The motion was seconded by Margaret Cowell. The vote was unanimous.