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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-11-07 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS READING, MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Chairman George Shannon called the School Committee to order at 7:35 Conference Room. All members were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Bak and Ronald S. Winslow, members reporter from the Chronicle. NOVEMBER 7, 1988 regular meeting of the Reading p.m. in the Superintendent's present. Also present were Assistant Superintendents Lynn M. of the Killam School and a Before the meeting agenda began, Chairman Shannon publicly stated that the School Committee negotiations team had made arrangements with the RTA team to continue meeting in an attempt to resolve issues towards a settlement of the teacher's contract. The meeting was planned for Tuesday, November 8. He also stated that the Committee was continuing to bargain in good faith. The Committee had been awaiting the teacher's response to its proposal for binding arbitra- tion to be considered by the Teachers Association. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Barbara Philbrick moved to approve the Minutes from the October 24, 1988 meeting. Dr. Munnelly noted the addition to page two. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was five in favor with Richard ' Coco abstaining. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrants for Bills and Payrolls were as follows: BILLS: November 7, 1988 - General Expense - $94,605.16 November 14, 1988 - General Expense - $69,718.18 PAYROLLS: November 3, 1988 - Teachers - $363,876.98 November 4, 1988 - Weekly - $ 51,027.24 November 10, 1988 - Weekly - $ 52,269.80 CITIZEN'S INPUT Peter Green conveyed the Reading Teacher Association's desire to continue talks with the School Committee. Mary Marfione presented a signed petition from the Reading parents requesting negotiations resume. Paul Chisholm, RMHS Senior Class President and Vice President of Student Council represented the students' request that negotiations be reinstated. On behalf of the Committee, Chairman Shannon appreciated the citizens' input and also encouraged their views. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 NOVEMBER 7, 1988 SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS Principal Paul Guerrette accompanied by fifth grade staff Dave Dolan, Joe Buckley and Becky Flaherty and students from Killam School, shared their recent study of the election process. David Dolan commenced presentation of the program and then turned the program over to students Stephen Belanger, Peter Carroll, Megan Marfione, Sarah Pearson, Jessica Rush and Brian Walker. The students explained the election process and their project, including the sharing of original posters with slogans the classroom students had created. The posters represented the two presidential candidates, the steps involved in electing a president, and the voting procedure. The School Committee commended representatives from the Killam School for selecting such an important project to study and for sharing their work with the committee. NEW BUSINESS REAP PROPOSAL FOR BEFORE - SCHOOL PROGRAM PILOT The REAP Proposal was presented to the School Committee by Dr. Munnelly. Roberta D'Antona, REAP Executive Director, was present to address questions and concerns regarding the logistics of the proposal and the partnership that is being recommended. The proposal called for a pilot program at Eaton and Killam for before school day care, from 7 a.m. till classes begin, with a progress report in two or three months. A discussion period followed. Stan Nissen moved to propose a before school day care at Killam and Eaton as a three month Pilot Program. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Ms. D'Antona was thanked by the School Committee for sharing information and for her fine presentation of this proposal. ADJOURNMENT At 8:10 p.m. George Shannon made the motion to adjourn to Executive Session for purposes of discussing bargaining strategy. Stan Nissen seconded that motion. All members, as listed, voted in the affirmative: George Shannon Barbara Philbrick Stan Nissen Richard Coco Carol Lyons Margaret Cowell REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 NOVEMBER 7, 1988 CALL TO ORDER Chairman George Shannon called the regular meeting of the School Committee back to order again at 9 :15 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Superintendent's Office at 34 Gould Street. All members present for the first session were present for the second session. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS GIFTED AND TALENTED UPDATE Dr. Munnelly introduced the Gifted and Talented Coordinators Karen Rickershauser and Susan Wood, who provided an update of the Gifted and Talented Program, including literature that school faculty, students, and parents have received, the ideas and projects students have become involved with, and the enthusiasm with which the program is being received. Committee members extended an appreciation of the updated material finding the information very helpful, and thanked Ms. Wood and Ms. Rickershauser for the progress report. FINE ARTS REQUIREMENT Dr. Munnelly discussed the exploration RMHS was doing of implementing a fine arts requirement into the curriculum. Principal Mark Piechota, Guidance Department Head Jane Darveau and Art Director Sue Wheltle shared the information and thoughts of the Arts Requirement. A graphic reqarding student schedules, a proposed listing of arts courses, and a survey of successful art requirements at nearby and similar schools was explained for review. School Committee members and Dr. Munnelly thanked the staff for presenting initial information on the fine arts requirement and agreed to continue discussion in the future. OLD BUSINESS PEARL STREET RECOMMENDATION Dr. Munnelly recommended that the School Committee turn over Pearl Street School to the Selectmen at a future date in the 1988 -89 school year. Discussion followed. Stan Nissen moved that the School Committee resolve that Pearl Street School be turned over to Selectmen as soon as sufficient space has been identified and created at other existing schools. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. PERSONNEL ACTION RESIGNATIONS Stan Nissen made a motion on the recommendation of the administration to accept Larry Moore's resignation as Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, effective December 1, 1988. Richard Coco seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. The School Committee commended Larry Moore's professionalism on the job and thanked him for his service. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 NOVEMBER 7, 1988 APPOINTMENTS SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE Richard Coco made a motion on the recommendation of the administration to approve the appointment of David Berndston, to the School Improvement Council at Killam School and Elizabeth Vanasse, to the School Improvement Council at Parker School. Stan Nissen seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. The Committee shared its appreciation of volunteer community members to these school committees. GYMNASTIC COACH Richard Coco made a motion on the recommendation of the administration to approve the appointment of Alan D. Beaulieu as Gymnastic Coach for Reading Public Schools at a Sport Rate Category A Step 1 for the remainder of 1988 -89 school year. The motion was seconded by Barbara Philbrick. The vote was unanimous. DIRECTOR OF JAZZ BAND Barbara Philbrick made a motion on the recommendation of the administration to appoint Dave Bunten, Director of the Jazz Band for the remainder of the 1988 -89 school year. The motion was seconded by Richard Coco. The vote was unanimous. ADJOURNMENT At 10:55 p.m., Margaret Cowell made a motion to adjourn back to Executive Session for purposes of continuing discussing startegies of bargaining with union personnel. The motion was seconded by Barbara Philbrick. The vote was unanimous.