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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-01-13 School Committee Minutes 163 READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading , Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 13 , 1986 Call to Order Chairman Allen called the School Committee meeting of January 13 , 1986 , to order at 9: 15 p.m. in the Central Office Conference Room. The School Committee had been in executive session prior to this time, and previous to that had met at 7:30 with the Selectmen to appoint a replacement for Mr. Lewis. Present at this public session were Chairman Allen, newly selected member Griset, and Messrs. Nissen and Shannon and Mrs. Philbrick. Mr. Coco was expected later in the evening. Also present were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. Visitors included Mr. Zerfas and the representative of the League of Women Voters and the reporter for the Daily Times Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of January 6 , 1986 On a motion by Mr. Shannon, seconded by Mr. Nissen the minutes were approved with one minor change. On page 2 the new Software program was corrected to Newsroom. The Committee voted 5-0 in support of the motion. Chairman Allen publicly welcomed Mr. Griset to the School Committee. Mr. Griset was appointed at the earlier joint meeting of the School Committee and Selectmen. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows: Bills January 17, 1986 - General Expenses $57, 298. 18 Payrolls January 17, 1986 - Weekly $29 ,764.89 Citizens ' Input Mr. Zerfas asked if the Citizens' Advisory Committee is still active. Mr. Zerfas remembered from his early service that there was a big agenda. He was surprised that group ran out of issues. Mr. Allen felt there was not enough interest and CAC members were overworked. The seat belt issue was probably the last issue. Mr. Allen' s judgment is that the CAC ceases to exist. 64 -) READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 13 , 1986 New Business Early Childhood Education Superintendent Wells brought to the attention of the School Committee the observation that many people in the community wished to explore Early Childhood (Pre-School) Education services. He said that he was sensitive to the significance of quality pre-school education for such students as potential special education students and the children of working parents. Yet he said that he could not get excited about the school district' s reaching out to address additional community needs when our funding for present commitments is in jeopardy. Nevertheless, the Reading Schools should explore the issue and look at potential State Funding. To apply for discretionary grants under Chapter 188, we need to have an advisory council consisting of a principal , teacher, parent, members of local resource agencies, and;;. others with experience in the care and education of young children.:.. It is his suggestion that the School Committee agree to form an Advisory Council, that it designate the Superintendent to appoint the members , and that the Advisory Committee meet and report back in three months. After discussion Mr. Nissen moved , seconded by Mr. Shannon that the Superintendent be authorized to appoint an Advisory Committee in early childhood. It was approved unanimously by a vote of 5-0. Policy Approval Dr. Wells offered a review of the policy in the payment of substitute teachers. The policy would affect salary for long term and replacement substitute teachers. The policy change would pay long-term substitutes who work more than 10 days in one classroom twice the daily substitute rate retroactive to the first day. Under the policy, the School Committee would vote a B-1 rate for the replacement teacher in the event of an extended absence by a teacher. On a motion by Mr. Shannon, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick , the School Committee voted , on the recommendation of the administration , a first policy vote approval of draft policy GCEA. The vote was 5-0. Information and Proposal The January 2 enrollment report was discussed briefly by the School Committee. There are no unanticipated changes. Dr. Munnelly added that this year the school officials are having great difficulty in locating and registering kindergartners for September, 1986. An enrollment of 250 is expected from census projections , yet even extra- ordinary search procedures have only brought about the registration of 180 students. The administration will keep the School Committee informed on developments. 165 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 13 , 1986 Cafeteria statement for November Mr. Winslow explained that the year-to-date line of $2, 758 in the Cafeteria operation so far will soon be corrected. A typographical error on state funds resulted in a reduced state reimbursement for all communities -- Reading included. Legislature Bulletin The MASC Bulletin confirms that changes to Chapter 188 will insure Reading about $22,000 in payment for upgrading teacher salaries to $18 ,000. Appointments Dr. Wells recommended that the School Committee approve the appointment of Robert Quinn as Assistant Principal at Reading Memorial High School . Mr. Quinn , presently a guidance counselor/psychologist at Parker Middle School is the top choice of Principal D'Orlando and the Superintendent from among 27 candidates. Dr. Wells predicted that Quinn would be a successful and effective school administrator. On a motion by Mr. Nissen, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick , the School Committee appointed Robert Quinn to the assistant principalship at Reading Memorial High School at a salary differential of 1. 23% of the Masters' maximum and that this appointment be accepted as soon as a replacement can be secured. During the discussion, Mr. Shannon asked that in the future the resumes of finalists be shared with the School Committee so that members can get a sense of the quality of the field of applicants before taking a final vote on the Superintendent' s recommendation. Mr. Coco arrived at this point in the meeting. The time was 9 : 55 p.m. The Committee voted 6-0 on the recommendation of the Administration to appoint Mr. Quinn assistant principal at Reading Memorial High School . Leaves On a motion by Mrs. Philbrick, seconded by Mr. Nissen, the School Committee voted to grant to Marian Nihan, an I. L.A. , a leave of absence. On the recommendation of the Administration, the leave of absence will be until May 12 , 1986 , but if no substitute can be engaged for that specific time period , the leave will be for the remainder of the year. 166 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 13 , 1986 Charter Commission Request for School Committee Opinion Mr. Allen has been asked by the Charter Commission to consider the advantages of odd-numbered committee size. Apparently the Attorney General is advising the Commission to plan odd-numbered committee sizes into the Charter Proposal. The Commission wants School Committee opinion and asked Mr. Allen to bring the collected opinions for a Tuesday, January 14th meeting. The School Committee members were polled. All felt the number 6 was very workable. If an odd number were to be selected, 5 School Committee members favor a School Committee of seven while 1 favors a School Committee of five . Budget Review Dr. Wells gave the School Committee a written report with information to questions raised by School Committee members at the previous budget meeting. He also offered a series of suggestions for reduction in the budget. This will include the removal of the van replacement from, the proposed operating budget. A discussion of the van led to a further discussion about the proposed town-wide position of HVAC repairman-. Mr. Nissen observed that, if we can rely on the recent consultants report, the costs of a salary for such a position will be offset by a reduction in budgeted HVAC items. Dr. Wells reminded the School Committee that the town would receive $22,000 from the State to offset the costs of the $18,000 minimum salary and that the first of two Professional Development payments fro. the State during 1986 would be $173 ,000. Mr. Nissen moved to apply the money from the first 2 of 4 Professional Development Payments to offset the 1987 budget costs. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Philbrick and was approved 6-0. Dr. Wells was asked if declining enrollment would free up staff positions. He thought that 2, possibly 3 positions , would be reduced. He estimated the budget impact at $60,000. In a discussion of the METCO tuition monies, it was determined that the $96 ,000 was already accounted for in the budget totals. Mr. Nissen then moved that the School Committee present to FinCom a budget incorporating staff reductions and other available funds to show a 5. 5% increase ($630 , 000 ) over 1986FY budget. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Philbrick. In the discussion Mrs . Philbrick said she could support the motion since the major cost reductions have been made, and the only changes she felt obliged to make are small items which wouldn' t affect the big picture. Mr. Shannon agreed, noting that all cuts from this point on would decrease services and programs. 167 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 13 , 1986 The motion to submit a budget with 5.5% increase passed 6-0. The School Committee began a discussion of priorities for consideration in the event of drastic cuts. Mr. Nissen started a list by mentioning non-mandatory bussing, summer school , intramurals, interscholastic athletics , art and music and other extracurricular activities. He said we must be prepared for the impact on the public if cuts in student services are serious. Mrs. Philbrick mentioned maintenance costs, specifically elimination of all painting and no repairs of tiles , lockers, etc. Mr. Shannon said it would be best to set priorities. For him Art and Music are higher in priority than Athletics. Mr. Griset doesn' t want to see cuts in services. Mr. Allen noted that flexibility was needed, and that, for example , "our decision on graduation requirements may necessitate a summer school. " He reminded the audience that the budget just voted had no major improvements and no major cuts. Dr. Wells was asked to develop some targets and be ready when the School Committee came back for further budget discussion. At 11 : 00 p.m. , Mrs. Philbrick , seconded by Mr. Shannon, moved to go into Executive Session to consider strategies for bargaining and negotiating. On a roll call , each member voted affirmatively. Respectfully submitted, /61;4■-1(72._ ‘?1,44— Robert S. Wells, Secretary