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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-04-15 School Committee Minutes 217 READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES April 15 , 1986 Call to Order Chairman Cliff Allen called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7 :35 p.m. on April 15 , 1986 , in the Superintendent's Conference Room at 34 Gould Street. All members were present with the exception of Mr . Stanley Nissen and Mr . George Shannon. Others in attendance were Superintendent, Dr. Robert S. Wells , Asst. Superintendent, Dr. Robert J. Munnelly, Asst . Superintendent in Charge of Business, Mr. Ronald Winslow, Principal of the Killam School , Paul Guerrette , Members of the Killam P .T .O , neighbors in Killam School area, Robert Pace and M. Manasian, Mrs. Kendra Cooper, Mrs. Langone, parents , and a reporter from the Daily Times-Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of March 31 , 1986 On a motion made by Mrs . Philbrick, seconded by Mr. Coco, the Minutes of the March 31, 1986 meeting were unanimously approved. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows : Bills April 18 , 1986 - General Expense - $65 ,693 .83 Payrolls April 17 , 1986 - Teachers - $338 ,523 .22 April 11 , 1986 - Weekly - 28 ,009 .63 April 18 , 1986 - Weekly - 29 ,483 .76 Citizens' Input There was no citizens ' input . Policy Vote - Absentee Verification Dr. Wells stated that this was to be the second vote on the School Committee Policy KBA on Attendance and Student Verification of Absenteeism, and accompanying Administrative Guidelines , which had been given first approval at the last meeting . A motion was made by Mrs . Philbrick , seconded by Mr. Coco, to approve on a second vote the Policy KBA on Attendance and Student Verification of Absenteeism and Administrative Guidelines as outlined in enclosure B-2-a, and the vote was 4 to 0 in favor. 218 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES April 15 , 1986 Mrs . Kendra Cooper, a parent, asked to be recognized. She requested that the new Policy and Administrative Guidelines be read . Cliff Allen then read the Policy for all who were present. Mrs. Cooper then questioned the installation of separate phone lines for the verification system. It was explained to Mrs . Cooper, by Dr . Wells, that at the Birch Meadow School there was a problem with not having a separate phone line and important calls on other matters could not get through . He stated although there would be separate lines ,there might not necessarily be new phones put in the schools. He stated that in a discussion with Mrs . Langone, member of the Joshua Eaton P.T .O. , that the parents felt the need to have a dedicated line for this system, and the administration also felt this necessary because of having to contact substitute teachers , etc. Mr. Allen stated that he felt citizens were concerned about a Policy being adopted for this system and that a firm Policy had now been approved. He stated that the specific guidelines for administering this Policy were not debatable , it -was to be determined by the schools . Dr. Wells noted that the administration did not state they were going to add another separate telephone line, but, merely that the Absenteeism Verification System would be tied to a dedicated line, not a hunter line. Dr. Wells stated that this system would be installed as cost effectively and efficiently as possible, and that the New England Telephone Company and another telephone specialist were evaluating the School Department telephone system and would make recommendations for improving the system. Motions for Town Meeting Dr. Wells stated that for the second year in a row, the Operational Budgets of all Town Departments are going to come under an Omnibus Article at Town Meetings , with each and every department presenting their own Special Articles . The School Department has three Articles , which have to do with a Bonding situation. He stated that Article 24 for the purchase of two vehicles , was , at this time , irrelevant because at a meeting with the FinCom, Mrs . Philbrick, representing the Chairman at the meeting , told the FinCom she felt the School Committee would agree with their recommendation that the vehicles come under the Operational Budget . This was one of the items that the School Committee had to vote on tonight. Cliff Allen read Article 22 , that the sum of $60 ,000 be raised, by borrowing under Chapter 44 of the General Laws , for the purpose of remodelling certain areas of Reading Memorial High School, and Article 23 , that the sum of $90,000 be raised by borrowing, under Chapter 44 of General Laws , for the purpose of replacing the roof at the Joshua Eaton Elementary School. Mr. Allen then called on Mrs . Philbrick to explain to the Committee what was discussed with the FinCom in regard to Article 24 . 219 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES April 15, 1986 Mrs . Philbrick stated that at the meeting with FinCom, it was agreed that Bonding was necessary for such items as the remodelling and the new roof , but that it was not feasible to have Bonding for the purchase of vehicles . A motion was made by Mrs . Philbrick , seconded by Mr . Coco , to indefinitely postpone Article 24 , which had to do with the Bonding of the Vehicle, and it was voted unanimously. Mr. Winslow stated he would like the School Committee to keep in mind that, although they had taken the purchase of the vehicles off the Bonding , it did not reduce the need of the School Department to purchase new vehicles . Mr. Winslow stated it was not in the Operational Budget now, so it was out for this year. Mr. Coco stated he felt there should be a definite decision on what size vehicles the department would be buying. Mr. Winslow indicated that they had hoped to replace the one large vehicle, with two small, compact vehicles . He stated that having only one vehicle at the maintenance department to drop off employees at different work locations was time consuming and the administration felt that two smaller vehicles would be more efficient. Mr. Coco thought, due to budget constraints, two vehicles would be unnecessary, and that the purchase of only one vehicle should be considered . Killam School PTA Playground Equipment Project Dr. Wells explained the program that the PTO was proposing to upgrade the playground equipment at the Killam School and commended the PTO on the work they had done on this project. Dr. Wells referred the School Committee to the Enclosures C-1 , which indicated what types of equipment the PTO hoped to purchase . He stated that before any discussion on liability started, he wanted to make it clear that as soon as the equipment was installed, had been declared safe by the Supervisor of Grounds , and turned over to the School Department, it then became School Department property and would , therefore become the School Department 's liability . Dr. Wells then introduced Paul Guerrette , Principal of the Killam Elementary School . He introduced the PTO members , Cathy Boucher and Carol Perletz , who would explain Phase I of the PTO's plans for the playground . Cathy Boucher and Carol Perletz showed the School Committee pictures of some of the planting that been done in conjunction with the children during the year. This included plants and shrubbery, some of which had been donated by families , and trees which had been donated by the Town. She also indicated that the PTO had had two book sales and it was decided that the proceeds would go to the school for playground equipment, as the old equipment had become unsafe. 220 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES April 15 , 1986 The PTO members talked to people in Town and worked with the Physical Education Department regarding what type of equipment to purchase. There was a donation by a family of $1,000 for the equipment. It was decided to put in a wooden climber, an archway ladder, and a curve balance beam. They also hope to put in parallel bars, the triple level balance beam, an overhead ladder and chin-up ladders, and a fun box which would encourage collaborative play. The Physical Education Department agreed to give the children instruction on how to use the new equipment . The BPW has agreed to move old equipment from i.ts present location to a place nearer the new equipment, where it will be easier to watch the children at play. Mr. Coco questioned the PTO members about the proximity of the swings to the ballfield. Cathy Boucher indicated they had looked into that and although, it did not seem to be a safety problem presently, if it were to become one, they would probably install a 6 ft. high chain link fence at a cost of approximately $1,000. After some further discussion of - the PTO 's plan, Cathy Boucher requested that the School Committee accept their gift of the playground equipment and labor which they hoped to have installed this Spring. At this time, Mr. Bob Pace, neighbor in the Killam School area, asked to be recognized. He indicated he had submitted a letter to Dr. Wells expressing concerns of neighbors in the Killam School area on the PTO playground project. Mr. Pace wanted to indicate that the neighbors endorsed the Phase I project by the PTO, but wanted to be included in plans for Phase II . At this point, Mr. Guerrette , Principal of the Killam School, agreed to discuss Phase II of the project with the School Committee. It was agreed by School Committee members to vote first on Phase I of the PTO playground plans , before discussion on Phase II . Mr . Coco made a motion, seconded by Mrs . Philbrick , that the School Committee give permission to the Killam School PTO to proceed with installation of playground equipment as outlined . The vote was unanimous . Mr . John Hersey , member of the Killam School PTO , asked to be recognized to explain plans for Phase II with the School Committee. He indicated that Phase II would involve a contract with a playground architect, Mr. Robert Leathers , who would work with all the departments involved in this project, teachers, and the children in designing a more expanded playground area . He explained that after a 1-day session at the school with everyone involved, the design would be completed and approved and a fund raising effort would then begin. Mr . Hersey stated that the Killam community would construct the 221 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES April 15 , 1986 playground themselves. He stated that the PTO was there to get an endorsement to proceed with the design stage of this project, but the project was not going to proceed until late September or early October . At this time Mr. Manasian , a Killam School neighbor , asked to be recognized and asked for an expanded definition of what Mr. Hersey meant by the "Killam community" . He stated that if this project proceeded, it would be the most extensive playground in the Town. Cliff Allen stated that if the PTO were of a mind to plan a project, short of implementing it, he didn't feel that the School Committee had to take a vote to endorse the project. Mr. Allen stated the next step the School Committee would be involved in would be informational before implementation of Phase II , which would include , of course, some input from whoever was interested in the project. Mr. Coco stated that his concern was whether this project was being presented as a unit or as two separate phases. Carol Lyons stated that she had watched a program on T .V. showing some of this Architect's projects. She stated most of them were small well designed playground units , and if the neighbors could see some of these designs, their concerns might be alleviated. Mr. Manasian then stated that it was not the Killam children he was concerned with, but older children availing themselves of the playground area in the evening and other times during the week. He felt that recognition of the neighbors as participants would be an act of good faith on the part of the PTO. Mr. Paul Guerrette, the Principal of the Killam School, indicated he would see that the neighbors would be involved in the project. Cliff Allen then thanked everyone involved in the presenticn of the playground project. Pearl Street School - Decision on Future Use Dr . Wells noted that Cliff Allen had received a letter from John Agnew, Exec . Secy. of the Board of Selectmen, requesting that the School Committee re-affirm their authorization and vote the use of the Pearl Street School site as a Senior Citizens Drop-In Center . Dr . Wells stated that this had been voted on last December 23rd, at which time, permission was granted to the Board of Selectmen, contingent upon the Board of Selectmen gaining appropriate confirmation from the State Board of Education that the school could be fully reactivated in the event of increased enrollment in the Town. Dr. Wells stated the State Board of Education will not make any "ify" statements , but will only give judgments about things that are happening. Dr. Wells noted that verbally, he and Mr. Agnew were told this would jeopardize the school's use in the future, but the Board of 222 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES April 15 , 1986 Education will not put it in writing. Dr. Wells felt that because of this situation, the Board of Selectmen wanted the School Committee to delete the caveat. He stated the School Committee could relinquish control to the Town, which seemed to be the only other alternative at the moment. Dr. Wells indicated this would mean that if the School Department needed more school space in future years , a new school would have to be built at great expense to the Town. Mr. Coco asked if the School Committee could approve the use of the school as a Drop-In Center but still keep control of the property. He stated he also felt this was insurance against increased enrollment in the future. Dr . Wells stated this could be done , but even if the caveat is removed, it might be necessary to ask tenants occupying the school to relocate should it be necessary to reactivate it. Cliff Allen stated there was nothing that indicated, at the present time , that the school would be needed for at least 3 to 4 years minimum. Mrs. Philbrick stated she knew that the school would not be needed for the next 10 years . She stated what we really need to do is have a new motion with a caveat that in the event we need the school, we will need to ask all tenants, including Town tenants , to relocate, giving them reasonable notice. Mrs . Philbrick made a motion, seconded by Mr. Coco, to allow the Towr to relocate the Senior Citizens Drop-In Center at the Pearl Street Elementary School, with the understanding that if we need to utilize the school in the future, we would give tenants reasonable notice to relocate and that the Selectmen's Office apprise the School Committee of the final plans for the site prior to implementation. The vote was 4-0 in favor of the motion. Sale of Land - Oakland Road Dr . Wells explained the lots under discussion were contiguous to Reading Memorial High School on Oakland Road. He referred to maps that the School Committee had as Enclosures C-3 . Dr. Wells stated it was a decision for Town Meeting, but hoped that the School Committee would have a position on the issue. He stated he felt that Lots 54 to 48 and especially, Lots 25 to 32 ought to remain Town property . Dr . Wells stated that a number of problems would occur if homes were to be built on those lots ; such as , increase of traffic , and if small children were involved, the hiring of a Traffic Guard. Mr. Winslow stated that in 1979, the School Committee wrote to the Town requesting that they not sell certain parcels of land, particularly, the ones on Oakland Road that faced the High School , with the hope of creating a buffer zone and eliminating parking problems which the building of homes in the area could create . Mr. Winslow indicated those were the lots 48 through 54 , right across , the street from the High School. 223 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES April 15 , 1986 There was some discussion of the different lots on Enclosure C3 , the existence of paper streets, and the access to certain lots. Mrs . Philbrick asked which lots were the ones that the School Department controlled, and do we, in fact, control all the lots shown on Enclosure C-3? Mr. Winslow stated, that according to Ben Nichols, Land Bank Chairman for the community , and whom the Town Counsel consults , the only lots that are really dedicated to the School Department are Lots 22 , 23 , 24 , 34 , and 139 . The other lots were taken for the building of schools, by tax title or other reasons , but not utilized. This creates a legal technicality about who actually controls it. Land that is taken for tax title, although dedicated to schools , is different from land taken by eminent domain, for specific purpose of the School Department. Mr. Winslow stated that, therefore, the aforementioned lots could not be sold without the permission of the School Committee, but the other lots could be sold with a vote at Town Meeting. Cliff Allen offered the suggestion that the School Committee request that the Town retain the lots immediately across from the High School, but that Lots 58 through 62, be released. He also felt that Lots 25 through 32 and Lots 16 through 21 should be maintained for reason that there was a possibility these lots perhaps , at some future time , could be utilized to build a parking area . Cliff Allen also wanted the School Committee to make a strong statement about not releasing lots presently under their control. Mrs . Philbrick stated she agreed with holding on to Lots 48 through 54 , and releasing Lots 58 through 63 , but she felt there was no reason to hold on to Lots 16 through 21 . She stated also that although she might feel some justification to hold on to some of the lots between Spring Rd . and Tower Road, Lots 25 through 32 , that some of the back lots in this block could be released and, perhaps, also Lots 22 , 23, and 24 . Mr . Coco made a motion, seconded by Mrs . Philbrick, that the School Committee inform the Town that they had no objection to releasing Lots 58 through 62 , Lots 25 through 31 , and Lots 16 through 21 , as shown in Assessors Plat 112 , excluding Lots 48 through 54 and Lot 32 . The vote was unanimous . A motion was made by Mrs . Philbrick , seconded by Carol Lyons , to retain ownership of Lots 22 , 23 , 24 , 34 and 139 , subject also to clarification by Town Counsel. The vote was unanimous . Mr . Winslow stated he would contact Town Counsel as to the correctness of lots and status of ownership as provided by Mr. Nichols . Professional Development Fund Dr . Wells referred the School Committee to the copy of a check received from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts which represented the first of four payments to be received by the Town from this Fund. 224 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES April 15 , 1986 Lucretia Crocker Application Dr. Munnelly explained that he had received an application from Mary Ellen Flaherty, the Library Media person at the Birch Meadow School , under the Lucretia Crocker Program, which the administration would like the School Committee to endorse for submission to the State for consideration of a Fellowship. On a motion by Mr. Coco , seconded by Mrs . Philbrick , the School Committee endorsed the recommendation of the administration to submit to the State Board of Education, under the Lucretia Crocker Program,the application of Mary Ellen Flaherty entitled, "Just Community Approach to Character Development in the Elementary School" for consideration for a Fellowship. The vote was unanimous . Cliff Allen requested that Dr. Munnelly convey to Mary Ellen Flaherty their appreciation for her efforts. Progress Report - Major Vacancies Principalship - R.M.H .S.- Dr. Wells spoke about the Principalship vacancy at R.M.H.S . and noted that the cutoff date was April 25th. He indicated there were approximately 45 applications which had already been received and that he and Dr. Munnelly would be meeting with the Screening Committee the following Thursday afternoon, April 24 , 1986 to set up some ground rules and get the committee started on reviewing the applications . Dr. Wells stated that he would tell the committee he would like them to pick six finalists and give them some kind of time frame in which to make their decision. He also indicated he would arrange for them to have materials, meeting space, etc. , in order to hold their meetings when they had arranged a schedule. Mrs . Philbrick asked what the recommendations from the Screening Committee were based on. Dr . Wells indicated they would recommend on their resumes, applications , and personal interviews . If conditions were favorable, there would probably be some on-site interviews . He hoped this would be completed by mid-May. Dr. Wells stated that he assumed that the six finalists would be visited on site by himself. Mr . Coco asked Dr. Wells if the School Committee would be provided with resumes before he made his recommendations , in order that they are able to ask questions of the candidate. Dr. Wells stated that before he made his single recommendation, the School Committee could interview the finalists , but he would not be present . He also suggested that the Screening Committee could pass on to the School Committee what they felt were the strengths or weaknesses of the finalists . Football Coach - R.M .H . S . - Dr . Wells indicated to the School Committee that the concensus of the administration was that having a 1 varsity football coach who was also a faculty member would be more advantageous. He stated this had become a difficult task, as coaching 225 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES April 15 , 1986 has almost become an avocation. Dr. Wells stated after waiting, as long as possible, hoping to advertise for a teaching/coaching position , they were advertising for a coach in the Boston Sunday Herald and had also spoken with area Athletic Directors to give them any information about possible qualified candidates. Leaves Dr. Munnelly presented a request for an unpaid Leave of Absence from Eunice Mosher, Resource Room teacher, Coolidge Middle School , to be effective April 28, 1986 until the end of the school year, for reason that she had been appointed to the position of Director, Inter—Local Educational Collaborative. On a motion by Mr. Coco, seconded by Mrs . Philbrick, it was voted unanimously to grant an unpaid Leave of Absence to Eunice Mosher, Resource Room teacher, to be effective April 28 , 1986 until the end of the school year. Appointments Dr . Munnelly recommended the appointment of Reeva J . Meyer , as permanent substitute in the Resource Room for the remainder of the school year, replacing Eunice Mosher. On a motion made by Mrs . Philbrick, seconded by Carol Lyons , it was voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the administration to appoint Reeva J. Meyer as permanent substitute in the Resource Room, effective immediately and for the remainder of the school year. Resignations Dr . Wells read a letter from Mrs . Margo Vangeli , submitting her resignation as a teacher at the Coolidge and Parker Middle Schools, to be effective September 1986 . On a motion made by Mrs . Philbrick , seconded by Carol Lyons , it was voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Mrs . Margo Vangeli , teacher at the Coolidge and Parker Middle Schools , to be effective September 1986 . At 9 :40 p.m. on a motion by Mrs . Philbrick , seconded by Mr. Coco, it was voted unanimously to go into Executive Session for purpose of discussing Bargaining and Negotiations . At 10 :50 on a motion made by Carol Lyons , seconded by Mrs . Philbrick , it was voted unanimously to return to Open Session. At 10 :55 on a motion by Mr. Coco, seconded by Mrs . Philbrick, it was voted unanimously to adjourn. Respectfully submitted. 444..4' 40g) Robert'^`-ells, Secretary