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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-02-18 School Committee Minutes 181 READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES February 18 , 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 18 , 1986 , in the Superintendent ' s Conference Room at 34 Gould Street . All members of the Reading School Committee were present. Others in attendance included Dr. Robert Wells, Superintendent, Ronald Winslow, Assistant Superintendent , and Mark Pillsbury, a reporter from the Daily Times-Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of February 10 , 1986 The Minutes of the February 10 , 1986 meeting were approved by a motion by Mrs . Philbrick , seconded by Mr. Nissen. Bills and Payrolls There were no warrants for bills and payrolls . Citizens ' Input There was no citizens ' input. Budget FY87 Chairman Cliff Allen gave a brief overview of the two meetings held last week with the Finance Committee at which Dr. Wells, Dr. Munnelly, Ron Winslow , George Shannon and William Griset were present . Items that were discussed on Thursday for School Committee ' s consideration were percentages and questions relative to contracts. Questions that were raised were duly noted. One issue raised was the Committee ' s position on a maintenance specialist that would be hired and shared by other departments to handle heating and other HVAC maintenance requirements . Chairman Allen explained that from the information received they had no position on this issue . Other issues regarding salary, etc . , were discussed in great detail . The School Committee felt after a great deal of discussion and some revisions on dollar figures on the expense side, they were presenting a budget which was reasonable and would maintain the status quo. He noted that a cost was going to be tagged to maintain our educational system. 182 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 18 , 1986 • Although the proposed budget is 5 . 4% over the prescribed 0% increase , the School Committee felt very strongly regarding their ability to present the rationale for their presentation. The Fin Com expressed an opinion that the School Committee made a good - .prese.ntati.on .but,...in order to remain consistent, voted to le-vel fund' the school budget . However, it was detailed to us that Fin Com projects further discussions on allocation of State Funds during the first week or two of March and the first budget they will. consider will be the school budget. They are aware of our - deadlines and have an accurate picture of our budget as it stands. Mr . Shannon made some comments on the fact that he felt the School Committee has given Fin Com a fine presentation . Mr . Shannon wasn' t clear that Fin Com knew this was a rock bottom budget which they were given,and hoped there wouldn' t be a shortfall because of this . Dr . Wells commented that he felt things were going well and that School Committee members did a fine job with presentation under :; the leadership of Cliff Allen: Cliff Allen thanked Dr . Wells for supplying- and verifying some very specific figures so there would be no misunderstanding • regarding what he was trying to convey. Mr. Allen asked that his opening comments at meetings be attached to the minutes of the meeting. School Improvement Council Report Dr. Wells stated that late Friday he got the last report from the _ School Improvement . Council and was prepared to distribute them to- the School Committee. At the next regularly scheduled meeting , the- School Committee could take what action they wished. The only action the School Committee can take is to veto the items . Cliff Allen wanted this subject on the agenda for the next meeting . • Mr. Shannon recommended that the School ' Committee discuss this item. His recollection was that in the past the School Committee had decided they would take a specific vote on these items. This was before they had set up the Councils , and when they were first looking at the law. Cliff Allen stated that anyone who wanted- to make a motion of any sort in regard to this particular decision , could do so at the next meeting . Mrs . Philbrick asked what the REACT Program was. The response was it was the gifted and talented program. 183 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 18 , 1986 Mr. Shannon had a question concerning the Parker Middle School. Mrs . Philbrick was on that committee'. She stated they planned to have assemblies that will have persons come into school and be in residence . Schedule has not yet been set, but that is the way the money will be spent. Dr . Wells explained that the regulations state if the School Committee is going to veto something they do it at this point in time so that the School Improvement Council would know if they had a deleted item to act upon. Mr. Shannon stated, therefore , the regulation requires that they get involved in the planning stage. Dr . Wells agreed and stated these rules and regulations are supposed to protect the state funds from abuse. He also stated reports and audits would be done via the Town Treasurer , Town Auditor , and, each and every principal who, by law, are the Chairman of each and every school council. School Committee Policies Dr. Wells asked whether the School Committee wanted to give their second vote on the two policies regarding the Moment of Silence and Hazing. Stated last vote was unanimous so he didn ' t foresee any problems with these policies. A motion was made by Mr. Nissen and seconded by Mr. Shannon to accept the policy JP, as amended, in regard to Hazing , and it was passed unanimously. A motion was made by Mr. Nissen and seconded by Mrs. Philbrick , to accept the policy JQ , as amended , in regard to a Moment of Silence , and it was passed unanimously. Evaluation of Superintendent Chairman Allen stated that because of Mr . Griset ' s recent appointment to the School Committee, it was agreed he would not take part in this mid-year evaluation and therefore , members participating would be 5 instead of the normal complement of 6 . Chairman Allen stated that he and Mrs . Philbrick reviewed the evaluation at her home and agreed they fell within the superior range . Dr. Wells has had the opportunity to read and react to the evaluation and had received input from both Mr. Allen and Mrs . Philbrick. Chairman Allen asked for any further comments on the evaluation . Stated he would like to bring the Committee ' s attention to the statement on the next to last page under the Objectives' portion made by one of the the Committee Members and hoped it was a true reflection on what has transpired so far during this year . This statement noted that this past year the Superintendent and the School Committee accomplished much, especially in regard to getting the Budget through the Town Meeting in April and negotiations this Fall . 184 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 18 , 1986 Chairman Allen asked Dr . Wells if there were any comments he would like to make . Dr . Wells answered in the negative and said he thought- in general the process was a good one. There were one or two items which he disagreed with , but didn ' t know anyone who graded their own papers . Therefore , he accepted the process and also the results . Reading High School Break-in Mr. Winslow stated they have a running check of all of the schools through the custodians assigned on a rotating basis to check the schools on Saturdays , Sundays and Holidays . A report dated 2/15/86 was done by Gerry Intonti at the High School . When he came into the school about 8 :30 a.m. on that day he went through his list . He discovered there was a break-in and immediately called the Police Department. Inspector Saunders responded to the call and went through the building and found the cafeteria had been broken into. Someone broke a window by the custodial room at the of the building, and went up through the corridors from the.:, lower floor. They went through the cafeteria, entered the commons , forcing that area open , broke the window in the teacher' s dining area, then broke the coke machine , knocked off two locks in that room, the locks in the fast food area and broke refrigerator locks and freezer locks . They took food items : approximately 15 cases of tuna fish (the large size cans ) , packages of hamburgers , and various other items . The locksmith has been brought in to estimate the cost of repairing locks and he secured the area. Mr . Winslow also discussed two spray paint incidents which had happened recently on the outside walls . School administrators did not feel that the break-in and paint incidents were related. It has been an ongoing problem at the schools , but much improved compared to a few years ago. Executive Session On a motion made by Mrs .Philbrick and seconded by Mr. Coco, the School Committee , on a roll call vote , voted 6-0 to go into Executive Session for matters concerning bargaining and negotiations . Respectfully submitted, Robert S. Wells, Secretary