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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-12-06 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES DECEMBER 6, 1988 In lieu of Highlights, Charles Papandreou, Principal of the Alice M. Barrows School, conducted a tour of the "portable" classroom with the School Committee, Superintendent Dr. Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendents Lynn M. Bak and Ronald A. Winslow. School Committee members thanked Mr. Papandreou for sharing information regarding the new addition. CALL TO ORDER Chairman George Shannon called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:50 p.m. in the Cafeteria of the Alice M. Barrows School. All members were present with the exception of Barbara Philbrick and Matt McGee, Student Representa- tive. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendents Lynn M. Bak and Ronald A. Winslow, Directors Sue Wheltle and Jack White and a reporter from the Chronicle. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Richard Coco moved to approve the minutes from the November 7, 1988 meeting. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrants for Bills and Payrolls were as follows: BILLS: December 12, 1988 - General Expenses - $138,890.90 n r vn ^r r c1 _ November 17, 1988 - Teachers - $373,018.51 December 1, 1988 - Teachers - $422,042.92 November 18, 1988 - Weekly - $ 51,743.31 November 23, 1988 - Weekly - $ 52,494.44 December 2, 1988 - Weekly - $ 65.993.60 December 9, 1988 - Weekly - $ 51,133.73 SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly reported on the following issues: RMHS STUDENTS ART DISPLAY Doric Hall at the State House recently displayed art work by eleven RMHS students. Senator John Brennan arranged the REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 DECEMBER 6, 1988 exhibition and a reception for parents and students held on Monday, November 29th. Student contributors representing Reading were: Matt Burne, Ron Carlino, Heather Christensen, Desi Conte,, Jennifer Corella, James Eddy, Patricia Keats, Christine Liberman, James Rea, David Rocheleau, and Charlotte Steeves. ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT REPORT Jack White, Athletic Director prepared a report of the successes of RMHS Interscholastic Athletic Teams. Congratulations were extended to the athletes who completed and received certificates for their performance in the sports program. MATH AND SCIENCE CONFERENCE Recently Parker teacher Dave Williams was a speaker at a Math and Science conference held at Lesley College. Dr. Munnelly shared our pride in Dave's leadership to the profession. COLLABORATIVE WITH TUFTS Dr. Munnelly reported to the School Committee that the Reading Public Schools are continuing to share in the international studies collaboration with Tufts University and shared a brochure for members to peruse. 1988 UNITED STATES SENATE YOUTH PROGRAM The State Department of Education has informed the Reading Public Schools that Andrew Larson, RMHS student, has been selected as -= one of the two alternates to the 1988 United States Senate Youth Program. School Committee shared their pride and congratulated Reading youth. OLD BUSINESS SCHOOL COMMITTEE GOALS George Shannon received goals that had been generated by committee members. Stan Nissen suggested a fourth goal be added to the Committee's goals for this school year: 4. To develop a plan to study short and long term space needs for the district. After discussion, Stan Nissen moved to establish all four goals in writing. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was REGULAR SESSION MEETING 3 DECEMBER 6, 1988 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUILDING NEEDS Dr. Munnelly shared with the Committee the plans that are underway to explore the opportunities of developing an Early Childhood Education Center in the FOCUS area of the RMHS campus. During the discussion George Shannon commented that a school committee member should serve on the planning committee if and when it is formed. ARTS REQUIREMENT AT RMHS After much discussion regarding Dr.,Munnelly's proposal for a fine arts requirement at RMHS, Richard Coco moved that the School Committee revise policy IKF to include an arts requirement of one course to be completed by students of the graduation class of 1993. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was five in favor, Stan Nissen abstained. NEW BUSINESS APPROVAL OF HOMEBOUND INSTRUCTION PLAN Upon the recommendatation of the Administration, Stan Nissen moved to approve the Home Instruction Plan for John Gatta for the remainder of the current school year. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. BUDGET FY'90 Assistant Superintendent Ron Winslow shared the Maintenance and Repair Needs of the School System as the preliminary step in the development of our 1990 budget. CAPITAL BUDGET A preliminary review of the five year plan, 1990 -95 was presented to the School Committee by Ron Winslow. Most of the projects proposed for 1989 have either been completed and /or are now in progress. School Committee consideration was asked for the new issues raised by Dr. Munnelly including: 1. Extend computer expenditures for 5 years at $35,000. 3. Space remodelling at Elementary Space remodelling at Secondary 5. Central Office Relocation 6. Energy re�ate�c projects 18. Asbestos 19. Transformer Replacement REGULAR SESSION MEETING 4 DECEMBER 6, 1988 GYMNASTICS COACH POSITION Having received notification by the administration requesting additional staffing for gymnastics, Stan Nissen made a motion that an additional gymnastic coach is necessary to carry out goals of our program as long as the joint girls and boys squads exceed 35 students. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. WAIVER OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE POLICY Dr. Munnelly recommended that the School Committee waive the Sunday policy to allow the RMHS band to play at the Reading Tree Lighting Ceremony and approval of the RMHS ski trip. Barbara Philbrick suggested that in the future those dates that have been historically waived be brought to the attention of the School Committee early in the season. Stan Nissen made a motion on the recommendation of the administra- tion to waive the Sunday policy for the band to participate in the Reading Tree Lighting Ceremony and to approve the Ski Trip being planned by RMHS. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was all in favor with Richard Coco abstaining on the RMHS Ski 4 Trip. Stan Nissen made a motion, for one time only, to waive the fundraising policy for the pointsettia fundraising project of the Reading Band Parents. Richard Coco seconded the motion. The vote was none in favor, 6 opposed. Richard Coco moved that the School Committee advise parent groups and principals of the policy of fundraising by Reading students. Barbara Philbrick seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. APPROVAL OF AUSTIN PREP PROGRAM Dr. Munnelly recommended that the instructional program at Austin Prep School Grades 6 -12, be approved by the School Committee under the School Attendance Statutes of Ch. 76, S.1, of the General Laws of the Commonwealth for a five year period. Barbara Philbrick made a motion to accept the recommendation of the administration. Margaret Cowell seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. REGULAR SESSION MEETING 5 DECEMBER 6, 1988 APPROVAL OF SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS After review of the School Improvement requests submitted, a lengthy discussion focused on the intent of the monies. Committee W"0 members raised a concern that the funds should be directed toward the needs of the schools, and if professional development of staff was a priority that the school budget should reflect that need. It was suggested that the School Committee convey to School Improvement Councils their expectation and guidance for expenditure in future school years. Stan Nissen moved to approve the School Improvement Council requests for expenditures. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was uananimous. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak shared the results of the grades 4, 8 and 12 Massachusetts Educational Assessment Program. The Administration and School Committee were very pleased with the results and applauded the professional staff of the Reading Public Schools for their efforts. BUSINESS REPORT Stan Nissen moved that Assistant Superintendent Ron Winslow directly negotiate for a full size pickup truck within the budget. Carol Lvons seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. The School Committee received the Cafeteria Statement for the month of October 1988 as presented by Mr. Winslow. Regarding the issue of floor covering, it is the recommendation of the Administration to install carpet versus tile on floors needing repair. Stan Nissen suggested the Administration, for purposes of the budget, place this item on a future meeting agenda. PERSONNEL ISSUES RESIGNATION Richard Coco moved on the recommendation of the Administration, to accept the resignation of Barbara Leslie 3rd grade teacher at Birch Meadow, effective January 3, 1989. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. The Committee also recognized the contributions Mrs. Leslie has made to Reading youngsters in her eighteen years of service to the Reading Public Schools. REGULAR SESSION MEETING 6 DECEMBER 6, 1988 LEAVE The Committee received information regarding Special Ed teacher Cara Gannon's maternity leave from February 27 through April 24, 1989. ADJOURNMENT At 11:15 p.m., Richard Coco made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session. The motion was seconded by Barbara Philbrick. All of the following members voted in the affirmative: Stan Nissen Margaret Cowell George Shannon Barbara Philbrick Carol Lyons Richard Coco REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 DECEMBER 6, 1988 CALL TO ORDER At 12:03 a.m. Chairman George Shannon called the regular meeting of the School Committee back to order in the Cafeteria of the Barrows School. RTA CONTRACT Stan Nissen moved to accept the RTA contract. Richard Coco seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. ADJOURNMENT Stan Nissen made a motion to adjourn from Regular Session at 12:05 a.m. Carol Lyons seconded the motion. The vote was un-