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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-03-31 School Committee Minutes 207 READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MARCH 31 , 1986 Call to Order Chairman Cliff Allen called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7 : 30 p .m. on March 31 , 1986 , in the Parker Middle School Auditorium. All members of the School Committee were present , including newly elected member , Carol Lyons . Others in attendance were Superintendent Robert S. Wells, Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent, Mr. Ronald A. Winslow, Leonard D'Orlando, Principal of the Reading Memorial High School , Mrs . Zolubos , Assistant Principal at R.M.H .S. , Dr. John D. Delaney, Principal of the. Walter S. Parker Middle School, Albert A. Lahood, Principal of the Arthur W. Coolidge Middle School, Dennis Murphy, Principal of Birch Meadow Elementary School, Mary E. Flaherty, Media Specialist, Eileen Woods, Gifted and Talented Specialist, seven students from the Birch Meadow School, members of the various PTO-PTA organizations , parents , and a reporter from the Daily Times-Chronicle . Approval of Minutes of March 17 , 1986 On a motion made by Mr. Nissen, seconded by r . Coco,- the Minutes of March 17 , 1986 meeting were unanimously approved. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows : Bills April 4 , 1986 - General Expense - $37 ,295 .21 Payrolls April 3, 1986 - Teachers - $337 ,940 .66 March 28 , 1986 - Weekly - $ 29 ,889.27 April 4 , 1986 - Weekly - $ 29 ,889 .2 Citizens ' Input There was no citizens ' input. School Highlights Dennis Murphy, Principal of the Birch Meadow School , spoke of the program that would be presented by some of his students and introduced teachers , Eileen Woods, Gifted and Talented Specialist, and Mary E. Flaherty, Media Specialist. 208 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 31 , 1986 Mrs . Woods then showed slides to the School Committee explaining the project called the Artifacts Box. She stated there were over 240 participants, which included countries as far away as Germany, England, Paraguay, and Japan . One of the goals of the project was to broaden the student' s research resources beyond that of the encyclopedia. Another goal was to increase their investigative skills . Using 23 locally available artifacts, children in Grades 3 to 5 went on a hunt for a local historical landmark, a soil sample , a manufactured product, etc . When collected the children packed them with available sources for reference , and sent them on to their recipient who, in turn, sent their Artifacts Box to Reading Schools . Mrs . Woods stated the children used a variety of reference books to find the origin of the artifacts . Children had to think on a high level to identify origins , and had to be investigative. There was a good team effort between the 3rd and 5th grades. This program took place in all four elementary schools . The recipients were in Canada, Ohio, New Jersey, and New York. Mrs . Flaherty, Media Specialist , then showed slides of reference sources used by children at the Birch Meadow School . She explained children are given individual instruction on how to use these reference sources . Mrs . Flaherty stated that this program was incorporated with the REACT Program so that all students could benefit . The students learn how the information is arranged, use guide words , become familiar with study guides, learn special features that encyclopedias have and how to use them, and also learn index and map skills . After all these skills are taught, the students are taught practical application of this information. The students must consult with a large variety of reference resources in this program. Mrs . Flaherty felt the Artifacts Box was a very good way to apply these skills . The students designed their own Artifacts Box. Mrs. Flaherty had the seven students who participated in this program from the Birch Meadow School present their part of the project . The students participating were Bryan Farrow, Mark Giovanni , Joshua Nolan, Jill Imbriano, Patricia Osborne , Kristin Sanstad, and Philip Ciampa. The students also showed slides of clues they had listed to identify their own artifact. Mrs . Flaherty stated this program has provided her with a whole new way to stimulate the students who participate in these kinds of challenging projects . Mr. Cliff Allen thanked the students and teachers for their interesting presentation. Chairman Cliff Allen , at this time , introduced the newly elected member of the School Committee , Carol Lyons , to the Committee and audience. 209 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 31 , 1986 Basic Skills Testing Waiver Dr. Wells explained that the Education Reform Act had new regulations in regard to the Basic Skills testing, and this regulation interfered with the schedule of testing already in place in the school system. Although it was not a change in policy that was requested, the School Department was requesting a one-year waiver for testing 8th graders during the Spring of 1986 , and the School Committee felt that a second vote should be taken on the issue. A motion was made by Mrs . Philbrick , seconded by Mr . Coco , for purposes of a second vote, to approve the one-year waiver for testing of 8th Grade students in the Spring of 1986 , and the vote was unanimous . Absentee Verification System Dr. Wells explained this issue arose from a request that an Absentee Verification System be placed in the Reading Schools. He stated he had spent a lot of time since late November listening to parents , school administrators, and various PTA-PTO members, and had carefully prepared this proposal for the School Committee regarding the Absentee Verification System. Dr. Wells stated there has always been a verification system in the Reading Schools and he had, up until this time , no complaints about that system. He stated he realized in recent years there has been great concern about students getting to school safely, especially on the elementary level. Dr. Wells stated he had received documents that indicated to him that PTA' s in elementary schools would like a mandated verification system. He stated he had received communications from secondary and middle schools that requested they not be a part of a mandated verification system. This didn' t mean that these secondary schools didn ' t want any kind of electronic verification system, but would prefer to keep their present system on a voluntary basis . Dr. Wells stated his recommendation to the School Committee was that an Absentee Verification System be mandated for elementary schools , effective September 1 , 1986 , with the understanding, that if the cost for such a system is not picked up by other organizations in the schools , the School Department will absorb the cost . Dr . Wells indicated that the system presently at the Reading High School has been in place for approximately 10-12 years . He stated that people are not always aware that State Subsidies are based on average daily attendance , therefore , it was a cost effective measure for the High School to have an attendance system. At the High School, parents are called and are also required to send notes verifying absences . Dr . Wells stated this system and all present attendance verification systems at middle schools would remain in place. He also stated there were State Laws covering the keeping of attendance records in all schools . Dr. Wells stated that at any future time, if the secondary schools changed their minds and wanted to become a part of a mandated system, they could do so . Dr . Wells noted that in a survey of surrounding towns , only Woburn had a Absentee Verification System in Grades K-12 . 210 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 31 , 1986 A motion was made by Mr. Shannon , seconded by Mrs . Philbrick, that the School Committee adopt, upon the recommendation of the administration, a new Policy for a mandated Absentee Verification system for the Elementary Schools , as described in Enclosure 2b, dated March 31 , 1986 , and that the secondary schools attendance systems will be maintained on a voluntary basis . Mr . Coco requested an amendment to the main motion to change the language in the second paragraph to read , "such a system will be extended to any secondary school when a majority vote of the Executive Board of the school 's Parent-Teacher organization requests such a service from the School Committee. Mr. Coco felt this would prevent the necessity of polling all the parents in order for any secondary school to pick up the Absentee Verification System. Mr. Shannon felt a polling of the parents should take place in the event secondary schools wanted to adopt this attendance system, and that a majority vote of the Executive Boards of the Parent-Teacher organizations would not be sufficient. Mrs . Philbrick asked the Principals who were present to give their opinions of accepting a mandated program and whether they would like it to -be at their discretion to adopt this system. Mr. Jack Delaney, Principal of the Parker Middle School , stated that it was a past practice that PTO ' s and the administration of the schools work together . He felt there were a lot of questions regarding this system, how will it be staffed, etc. He felt this decision should be a shared one. Mrs . Philbrick felt the intent of the amendment was to leave the Policy in such a way that if one or more secondary schools would like to have the same system as the elementary schools , it wouldn't be necessary to write a new Policy. The only clarification would be who will be the one to initiate the change . Ms . Carol Lyons requested a clarification on the fact that originally this new Policy was to be requested on a town-wide basis . Now, it seemed to be restricted to elementary schools . At this point , Mr. Allen tried to clarify the issue for Ms . Lyons and indicated that the School Committee didn ' t want to make a change to present systems that seemed to be working , making a change just for the sake of change . At this time , Mrs . Langone , spokesperson for the PTA from the Joshua Eaton School asked to be recognized. She indicated that she had not had the benefit of reading the letters referred to by Dr. Wells from the middle schools , but it was her understanding from Mrs. Bernice Herrick, that the PTO at the Parker Middle School was very much in favor of a town-wide policy, only that they would like to maintain their system with volunteers. Mrs. Herrick stated that their PTO did want a mandated program; however, they also felt the system should be j maintained by the PTO , because of staffing reasons and budgetary limitations in the Town of Reading . 211 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 31 , 1986 Mrs . Langone stated the survey done at the Coolidge Middle School was only on the volunteer system and not on a town-wide system. She felt- if the parents had been given the option of a town-wide system, they may have responded differently . Mrs . Langone felt , therefore , a decision to have a mandated system should not be based on this type of survey. She felt a decision should be made on what is best for all. Mrs . Langone felt because of the fact that some schools would be exempt from the system, this opened the doors for liability issues . Mr. Albert Lahood, Principal of the Coolidge Middle School, said they had surveyed the parents and very few were interested in a volunteer system. He stated it would be very uncomfortable to make a decision for the families of the Coolidge Middle School when the survey indicated that there would be less than 50% participation. Mr. William Griset, a parent, asked to be recognized and stated he was concerned as a parent, and surprised to hear, what seemed to him to be a 180 degree turnaround. He stated he could see there was no longer any indication of a town-wide system, but only a motion proposed for an Absentee Verification System for the elementary schools, permitting it to be operated by volunteers. Mr. Griset felt this meant there would be no substantial change in the present system, thus , creating internal inconsistency. He felt having an Absentee Verification System was a very important safety issue . Mr. Griset stated he felt the School Committee should be the policy makers and do what they felt was necessary. He also felt that budget issues were irrelevant here and that no additional personnel would be needed to implement the Absentee Verification System, as the PTO's had already volunteered to start the program, if necessary. Mr. Jack Delaney, Principal of the Parker Middle School, felt their greatest concern was the cost to be incurred to run the system and also the time factor. He stated there was no history of problems with the present attendance system and there was also no momentum for change from those people who are affected by this Policy. Mr. Shannon felt there would be costs involved in adopting this system and also the need for a number of people to run the program on a given day. He asked for figures indicating number of calls per day at each school on the elementary level . The problem seemed to him to be arising out of one school that had a problem. Mr. Shannon stated he understood the Killam and Coolidge Schools didn' t have any interest in the new system. He felt the system should not be. mandated for programs that are presently working well, and that more figures on costs should be obtained before a decision is made. Mr. Ronald Winslow, Assistant Superintendent, then stated that the basic monthly costs for a telephone with a measured service within Reading would be $23 . 31 , . a private line installation would be $81.50 , telephones would cost approximately $39 .00 each, and recorders that would be attached to telephones would cost about $100.00 . 212 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 31 , 1986 Mr. Coco felt as Mrs. Langone did that the Policy, as presented, had some contradictory things about it. He suggested a change in the second paragraph. At this point Mr . Coco asked to withdraw his previous motion for an amendment . Mrs . Philbrick agreed to withdraw her second. Mr. Coco then requested that a new amendment be included leaving the first paragraph in place , but deleting the word "Elementary" , that the second paragraph be deleted in its entirety, and the third paragraph have the word, " Secondary" deleted before the word, " School" . Mr . Leonard D'Orlando , Principal of R.M.H .S . , felt that needs of students in elementary schools for safety, etc. were not the needs of students at the High School. Mr. D'Orlando felt the attendance system at the High School was a good one, despite what had been said. He felt parents should bear some of the responsibility for calling in absences , but that the High School could account for approximately 90% of their students on any given day. Mr. D'Orlando didn' t feel the secondary schools should be forced to implement a new system just because the elementary schools felt they needed a change. Carol Lyons seconded Mr. Coco's amendment to the original motion as stated above. Mrs. Kendra Cooper, a parent, expressed her concern with the language in the new Policy in regard to liability. Mr. Allen explained that with the Policy, with the new language changes , would provide for volunteers to be covered for liability in any activities related to maintaining this system. Mr. Nissen stated he was aware of safety concerns . He felt that the present system at secondary schools was working and that it should be left as is , and if parents wanted a change , they could come to the School Committee. Mr. Nissen felt that cost for phones was the least consideration, but costs that would be significant would be staff costs . He stated he thought it could possibly run into $2 ,000 or more . Mr. Nissen made a motion that the amendment be divided into separate parts , seconded by Mrs . Philbrick, it was agreed and voted unanimously. A vote was taken on the amendment offered by Mr. Coco, in regard to deleting the word "Elementary" from the first paragraph of the Policy on an Absentee Verification System. The vote was 2 to 4 to retain the wording as it was originally read. A vote was taken on the second part of the amendment to delete the second paragraph of the Policy, in its entirety. It was a 3 to 3 tie vote and the paragraph was retained. 213 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 31 , 1986 A vote was taken on the third part of the amendment to delete from the third paragraph, first line the word "Secondary" and in the third sentence of the paragraph to include the word "written" before the word "explanation" . It was 5 to 1 vote in favor of accepting this part of the amendment. A vote was taken on the original motion to accept the Policy on Attendance and Student Verification of Absenteeism, with approved amendment to the third paragraph, and the vote was 4 to 2 in favor . Mr. Allen requested that this new Policy be on the Agenda for the next meeting in order to take a second vote. Staff Appointments Dr. Robert Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent, presented a list of teachers who were being submitted for tenure. He indicated they had to be notified by April 15th. Dr. Munnelly stated that the Reading School Department has a strong system of evaluating their staff , especially, those who were eligible for tenure. His recommendation was that the people listed be appointed for their 4th year, which would be a tenure situation. Dr. Munnelly also pointed out that the salaries , as shown on the enclosure, were converted to the new salary step system. A motion was made by Mr . Nissen , seconded by Mrs . Philbrick , to approve for a 4th tenure contract those teachers listed on Enclosure B-3-a (1) . The vote was unanimous . Dr. Munnelly then presented a second list of candidates, with under 4 years of service, for re-appointment for the 1986-87 school year. This list contained the names of 24 teachers . Dr. Munnelly explained that Kathy Duffy, one of the teachers listed, would be re-appointed for 1 year, contingent on there being an opening at the beginning of the school year. He also indicated there may be two additional names brought in for reappointment at a later date. A motion was made by Mr. Nissen, seconded by Mr. Coco, to approve the re-appointments of those teachers listed on Enclosure B-3-a (2 ) for the 1986-87 school year . The vote was unanimous . Dr. Munnelly requested the re-appointment of three people in supervisory positions for the year 1986-87 . A motion was made by Mr . Coco, seconded by Mrs . Philbrick , to approve the re-appointment of the three supervisory personnel listed on Enclosure B-3-a ( 3 ) for the school year 1986-87 . The vote was unanimous . Dr. Munnelly then presented to the School Committee the names of two teachers whose contracts were not going to be renewed for the next 214 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 31 , 1986 school year due to declining school enrollments and lack of a sufficient number of students enrolling in their courses . Dr. Munnelly explained that these two individuals were both excellent teachers with many years in the Reading School system, but because they were lowest on the seniority list they were the people who would not be renewed. They are Mrs . Myrna Evans , Home Economics teacher at R.M.H .S . , and Stephen Arsenault, Industrial Arts teacher at R.M.H .S . Dr. Munnelly stated the administration would do all they could to see that these teachers are assisted in finding new positions and both are subject to recall . He stated they would be welcomed back , if the situation changes in Reading, or there were any personnel changes before the beginning of the next school year. A motion was made by Mr. Coco, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, to notify Mrs . Myrna Evans , Home Economics teacher at R.M.H.S. , and Stephen Arsenault, Industrial Arts teacher at R.M.H.S. , that they were the designated teachers in the reduction-in-force in their respective subjects because of their position on the seniority list for the school year 1986-87 . The vote was unanimous . Principal Search Dr . Wells informed the School Committee of the results of the administration's meeting with the public on Wednesday, March 26 , which was attended by approximately 50 people . He stated that, basically, the citizens and students wanted no changes and would like a candidate who would continue with the policies that Len D'Orlando has begun. He then read the names of five people he had appointed to the Screening Committee : Janet Burne , Noreen Scarpitto , William Carroll , all teachers at R.M.H.S. , Paul Guerrette, Principal of Killam School and Vincent Callaghan, Principal of the Somerville Vocational School, resident of Reading with children in the school system. Dr. Wells then requested that the School Committee indicate the two candidates they would be appointing, in order that the Screening Committee could be organized and begin to review the applications Dr. Wells had received. Cliff Allen offered the names of Mr . Bruce MacDonald and Ms . Ann Schofield as the appointees of the School Committee to the Screening Committee . On a motion made by Mr. Nissen, seconded by Mrs . Philbrick , it was unanimously voted to approve Mr. Bruce McDonald and Ms . Anne Schofield as the appointees of the School Committee to the Screening Committee for the search for a new Principal at R.M.H .S . Mr. Coco requested that the School Committee be allowed to interview the last three candidates selected before a final decision was made. Dr. Wells indicated that it must be an open meeting at which these interviews occurred, and requested that it not be the same night that he would give his recommendation. The policies and guidelines indicated that this had been the past practice and the consensus was that it would be continued. 215 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 31 , 1986 Financial Reports Mr. Winslow, Assistant Superintendent in Charge of Business , then reviewed the Account Balances , Expense and Salary Accounts , and Cafeteria Statements with the School Committee. He indicated that the School Department, according to the report, had expended 66 . 87% of their Budget. Mr. Winslow stated cafeteria reports indicated the loss figure was down to $135 .20 for the year. He stated that in November this figure was $5 ,000, due to an error made by the Department of Education in the School Lunch Program, and that Catherine Cook had done an excellent job of balancing this loss . Last month showed a profit of $1,818 .59 , which indicated the year would end with a small profit. Mr . Winslow also indicated that there had been a transfer of $49 ,000 from the Metco Fund to the Teachers ' Salaries account. Dr. Wells stated he would have a report of unencumbered balances for the School Committee at its next meeting. Conservation Teacher of the Year Award Dr. Wells acknowledged that he had nominated Dave Williams to receive this award and made note of the enclosure of a letter from the the Massachusetts Audubon Society indicating a selection would be made in early April . Travel Allowances Dr . Wells spoke to the School Committee of a memorandum received from John Agnew, Executive Secretary for the Town of Reading, indicating an increase in travel allowance from $ . 16 per mile to $ . 19 per mile effective July 1 , 1982 . This was to clarify some questions there were on this subject at the last meeting. Communication from Bus Driver Dr. wells read a letter from a bus driver who had recently taken a group of Reading students on a field trip, complimenting the Town on the students ' courteous behavior. Collaborative-In-Service Program Dr . Munnelly explained the policy of the Four-Town Collaborative to the members of the School Committee . He indicated that the Committee is presently advertising for a Study Director for the project team who would likely be a staff member of one of the four towns . Dr. Munnelly explained that the organization is run mainly by teachers with input from and in conjunction with colleges, and business fields who are interested in teachers . He stated Digital as one of the firms supporting this teacher center and supplying help and training for people in computer usage in schools. Dr. Munnelly said the purpose of this project was to improve the quality of education and that the four towns involved would like it to be supported by outside funds and not be dependent on school budgets. 216 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 31 , 1986 Resignations Dr. Wells spoke of a letter received from Jim Roth, Director of Music in Reading Schools , requesting an unpaid leave of absence from his position from September 1 to November 30 , 1986 and also submitting his resignation, for the purposes of retirement, effective November 30 , 1986 . He stated Mr . Roth had been a staff member in the Reading School System for approximately 28 years and it was with regret he was recommending the acceptance of Jim Roth' s resignation. A motion was made by Mr . Nissen , seconded by Mrs . Philbrick , to approve the request of James L. Roth, Director of Music, for an unpaid leave of absence from September 1 to November 30 , 1986 and also accept his resignation from his position, for purposes of retirement, effective November 30 , 1986 . The vote was unanimous . A motion was made by Mr. Coco, seconded by Mr. Shannon, to accept the resignation of Mrs . Elizabeth B. Klaiman from her position as reading teacher at the Joshua Eaton School, effective June 30 , 1986 . The vote was unanimous. Appointments A motion was made by Mrs . Philbrick , seconded by Mr. Shannon, to approve the appointment of David Mallette, as Custodian at the Barrows 1 School, at Step One , effective April 1 , 1986. The vote was unanimous . Executive Session At 10 : 35 p .m. , a motion was made by Mr . Nissen , seconded by Mrs . Philbrick to go into executive session for purposes of discussing secretarial negotiations . The vote was unanimous. Return to Open Session At 10 : 55 p .m. the Committee returned to open session in order to discuss a change of date for the previously scheduled April 7th School Committee meeting. Af r Tuesday,discussion,19t was decided that the meeting would be held At 11 :00 p.m. , a motion it was unanimously adjourn made voted. Mr. Shannon, seconded by Mrs . Philbrick and Respectfully submitted, /141041"‘A tt).edY Robert S. Wells, Secretary