Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-02-10 School Committee Minutes 175 READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 10 , 1986 Call to Order Chairman Cliff Allen called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7: 30 p.m. on February 10, 1986, in the Super- intendent's Conference Room at 34 Gould Street. All members of the Reading School Committee were present. Others in attendance included Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Winslow and Munnelly. Present also were High School Principal Len D'Orlando, High School Assistant Principal Zolubos, High School Math Department Head Peter Moscariello, as well as Mr. Zerfas, three parents, a member of the League of Women Voters and a reporter from the Daily Times-Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of January 27, 1986 The Minutes of the January 27, 1986 meeting were approved by a motion - by Mr. Shannon, seconded by Mr.* Nissen. - Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows : Bills February 14, 1986 - General Expense - $47,575.56 • Payrolls February 14, 1986 - Teachers - $495,088. 88 February 14, 1986 - Weekly - 28,477. 33 Citizens' Input Ms . Kendra Cooper, parent at Birch Meadow, spoke on liability of volunteers in the absentee verification program. She had been in receipt of a response from Mr. Winslow about the liability of volunteers, and felt she had been given an ambiguous opinion. She asked for clar- ification of the liability coverage for volunteers. Mr. Coco, School Committee liaison to the Law Committee, asked that Ms. Cooper write to the Law Committee and ask the more specific ques- tion by which a clear-cut answer can be garnered from the Law Com- mittee and the Town Counsel. School Highlights The School Committee heard a school highlights' presentation from Reading Memorial High School Assistant Principal Maureen Zolubos about the school's extracurricular program. Using slides depicting various club, athletic, intramural, and activity programs at RMHS, Ms. Zolubos described the wide range of opportunities for leadership and service which students participate in. Among the activities which were 176 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 10 , 1986 mentioned were: the gym show, Students Against Drunk Driving, Studen' Government, Globe Santa, school beautification projects inside and out , side the building, band, newspaper and yearbook. 1 Chairman Allen commented that he hears much about the rich assortment of programs from the personal experience of having two high school youngsterE On behalf of the School Committee, he thanked Ms. Zolubos for her pres- entation. Graduation Requirements - RMHS In his opening remarks, Principal Len D'Orlando reviewed the recent national reports on the reform of education which speak to increased graduation requirements. The Massachusetts Board of Regents also up- graded standards for admission to state colleges. In Reading, the most recent report of the New England Association accreditation com- mittee recommended the upgrading which was voted last year. One requirement for additional years of study was made for math and for science, and the requirement of taking a year of American History was changed to the "passing" of American History. Principal D'Orlando voiced his hesitation about raising standards fur- ther to "passing" math and science rather than just "taking" math and science. He was not sure that there would be substantial improvement and was concerned lest there be complications and unfairness. Math Department Head Peter Moscariello was concerned that a "pass" requirement would encourage students to enroll in easier courses where there was a sure "pass" rather than a challenging math course. He cited the example of students in college prep classes who were in jeopardy of not passing, and thus complicating their graduation time- table, yet students in level four basic math classes could pass three years of individual math and never come close to the competence of the students who were in difficulty in the college prep level. The School Committee debated the value of a philosophy which required courses for graduation but didn' t require passing grades. Ms. Philbrick said, in this case, the School Committee must consider educational issues not economic ones. Mr. Griset suggested a three year "take" requirement with 2 years "pass" requirement as a way to deal with both sides of the philosophic concerns. Mr. Coco offered the following prepared statement: "Since to some extent I have to take responsibility for this evening' s discussion concerning graduation requirements at RMHS I felt it would be helpful to state briefly some of my reasons. To start we are all aware of the Nation at Risk report issued two years ago by the U S Department of Education which raised some very important issues related to the quality of education in America and areas of needed improvements. The results of that report have been very extem_ . _. 177 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 10, 1986 discussed, the recently passed Chapter 188 legislation by the Massa- chusetts legislature being just one of the many visible results. What the "AT RISK" report set out to do and what has been the thrust of educational changes made since its release have been to strengthen and improve not only the course content of subjects offered in all our schools nationwide, but to tighten up graduation requirements. It must be stated up front that it is not my intent to suggest that the Reading schools have any major problems. The fine work that our administrators and teachers have done and continue to do has been well publicized, the honors awarded to Parker Middle School, for example, are clearly indicative of the excellent quality of the total Reading school program. However, there is always room for additional improvement and that is what I hope the committee will address tonight. Specifically mathe- matical requirements for graduation from RMHS. It is I believe out of character with the desire to improve and strengthen the educational process in any school system but specifically in Reading to not insist (that) a student be required to earn a passing grade in a math or science course taken to meet basic graduation requirements. Our policy requires a student to take three years of math and 2 years of science but does not insist that passing grades be achieved. It is in strength- ening this area that I seek the committees support. It has always been the goal of both this committee along with the ad- ministration to insure that all of our graduates are well prepared for whatever their post graduation plans entail. To meet our own goals , we must be willing to set high expectations for all our students at all levels, whether the student is college bound or simply preparing to enter the workforce after graduation. It is for these reasons that I am advocating the change to our policy IKF graduation requirements - Reading Memorial High School by adding the words "and pass" to the appropriate sentences of sections of that policy. " Mr. Coco made a motion, seconded by Mr. Shannon, to change policy IKF on graduation requirements by adding the words "and pass" to the ap- propriate sections of the policy. In the ensuing discussion, Dr. Wells asked the School Committee to consider the views of the High School educators who almost to a person do not at this time advocate a "take and pass" requirement for math and science. Mr. Nissen voiced the comment that the School Committee should not change policy if there was no problem. Right now, he said, there appear to be no shirkers and he prefers students to take the chal- lenging courses. Mr. Allen agreed, saying "There was not much logic in making change if no change was needed. " Ms. Philbrick wants to see the school consider an arts requirement, and as part of a larger study, would postpone acting on the "take and pass" issue now, adding "but this is not a closed issue. " Mr. Griset would wait for 18 months before acting on the "take and pass" issue. 178 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 10 , 1986 Principal D' Orlando reminded the School Committee that he has con- sistently stood for a strong academic program incorporating in his tenure such standard raising changes as honors sequences and re- quired semester exams. The vote on the motion by Mr. Coco resulted in 1-Affirmative (Mr. Coco) and 5-Negatives. Lease Renewal - Solo-Pak Building Mr. Winslow reported that 'the lease for the premises at 34 Gould Street between Solo-Pak Corporation and the Town of Reading requires a written notice of the intent of the lessee to exercise the option of extending the lease for a period of six months under the existing conditions. The present one year lease expires May 17, 1986 - an extension would expire November 17, 1986. If the School Department is to remain in this location after November 17, 1986, it will be necessary to negotiate a new lease startingin May of 1986. I have been advised that Solo-Pak intends to increase the rent to an annual rate of $12, 000 up from $8,474.40. This translates to $4.29 per s. f. vs the present rate of $3. 03 per s. f. The lease also con- tains a tax escalation clause and the lessee pays a share of the cost of snow removal. Action on this matter is required prior to March 15 , 1986 and I am recommending that the School Committee authorize the Administration to meet with Solo-Pak and negotiate a new lease for a minimum of one year with an extension of six months. This would assure the School Committee of the present location until November 17, 1987. It might be prudent at this time to consider a two or three year lease also. " Mr. Shannon moved, seconded by Ms. Philbrick, that the School Administration negotiate a 2 year and 6 month agreement at the rate equal to or less than the $4. 29 per sq. ft. rate mentioned by Mr. Winslow. It was voted unanimously. Legislation Requiring School Committee Policy (1) Hazing Assistant Superintendent Munnelly reviewed the new state law pro- hibiting hazing, and offered a draft school committee policy for consideration. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon, that the School Committee accept policy draft JP as enumerated in memorandum B-3-b (1) for a first-vote approval. Mr. Nissen accepted a typographical correction for "request" to "report" on the administration position of the department. 179 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 10 , 1986 Mr. Coco offered an amendment to the Administrative Guideline which would- have any report of hazing addressed to the School Committee. On a vote, the amendment was defeated, 1-Affirmative to 5-Negative. The main motion, as corrected, was approved 6-0. (2) Silence in the Schools Dr. Wells reviewed the new state law on a moment of silence each morning in the schools. Dr. Wells intends to implement the policy systemwide commencing February 28. Mr. Nissen offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Shannon, to grant "first vote" approval to policy draft JQ. Mr. Nissen, seconded by Mr. Shannon, moved to add the following amendment to the policy draft: "This policy shall become invalid if Chapter 690 is ruled unlawful or unconstitutional. " The amendment passed with 4 in favor = 2 opposed. The main motion as amended passed unanimously. Teacher Sharing Conference Six Reading teachers made presentations about their programs at a regional Teacher Sharing Conference attended by 400 teachers recently. The conference was sponsored by the Northeastern Consortium for Staff Development. The teacher presenters included: Jay Dumas of Parker Middle School on the "Math Counts" program. Eileen Woods on Reading' s Gifted and Talented program R.E.A.C.T. Pam Chomsky-Higgins, Wendy Small, Elaine Hondorf and Jean Maloney- Stewart on Killam' s Literature Program. The members of the School Committee voiced their pride in this solid contribution by Reading teachers. Assignments for the Athletic Director A memo from Principal Len D' Orlando explained some of the assignments the full-time Athletic Director carries out at Reading Memorial High School (See attached exhibit C-2) . Shut-Down of Community Center A memo from Town Executive-Secretary Agnew disclosed plans for the closing of the Community Center. Dr. Wells informed the School Com- mittee that on a related matter, the use of the portables at Pearl Street School, he and Mr. Agnew will attend a meeting with State 180 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 10 , 1986 Department officers at the Department of Education Office in Quincy Tuesday morning. Articles for Town Meeting The School Committee asked Mr. Winslow to submit the written articles for Town Meeting action covering bonding of the roof, declining en- rollment renovations and vehicles. Financial Accounts Account balances were reviewed. On a question about School Improve- ment monies, Dr. Wells said the process is complete at all schools except Birch Meadow, the payment will arrive shortly, and at the next meeting the various spending plans will be available for School Committee review. Appointments . On a motion by Mr. Shannon, seconded by Mr.' Nissen, the School Com- mittee appointed Virginia Conway of 97 Mooreland Road, Melrose, Mass. , as Secretary to the Superintendent of Schools at a salary rate of $8. 47 per hour and including $1700 for School Committee meeting work. The vote was unanimous. On a motion by Ms. Philbrick,' seconded by Mr. Nissen, the School Committee appointed Jean Dickson, 23 Fayette Street, Beverly, as Counselor/Psychologist at the two middle schools for the remainder of the year at the M+30-9 salary rate. ' The vote was unanimous. Other Mr. Allen sought a volunteer to do the School Committee' s annual report since Mr. Shannon has an additional assignment from the Chairman. Mr. Nissen will do the 1985 report. Executive Session On a motion by Mr. Shannon, seconded by Ms.' Philbrick, the School Committee, on a roll call vote, voted 6-0 to go into Executive Session for matters concerning bargaining. Respectfully submitted, Robert S. Wells, Secretary