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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-07-07 School Committee Minutes 269 READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING JULY 7, 1986 MINUTES Call to Order Chairman Cliff Allen called t h7.3regular cneJuly 7 ,f 1986 Reading - School Committee to order Superintendent' s Conference Room at 34 Gould Street. All members of the School Committee were present, with the exception r Shannon who arrived late. Others in attendance were Su Rober_ t tendent, Dr. Robert S. Wells, Asst. Superintendent, Dr. Munnelly, Asst. Superintendent in Charge of Business, Mr. Ronald Winslow, Principal of R.M.H.S. , Dr. Mark M. Piechota, a p are and a reporter from the Daily Times-Chronicle. Ao royal of Mi nutes of June 17, 1986 A motion was made by Mr. Nissen, seconded 17b 1986, and the ck to ao•rove the Minutes of the Meetin• of J une i vote was unanimous. • 1- ---A1.21- 111s- Warrants ills ayro for bills and payrolls were approved as follows: . Bills June 27, 1986 - General Expense 7 -- $48,869.3,862.37 June 30, 1986 - General Expense Pays - Weekly Weekl - $52,041.95 July 3, 1986 - June 27, 1986 - 18,9- 18 , 42.81 y 9 1 4 2.8 July 11, 1986 - Weekly 112,738 .82 July 10, 1986 - Teachers - Citizens' Input Mrs . Kendra Cooper, a parent, asked to be recognized and minutes of questioned why she was unable othe ladministr the a reasonable the last meeting, as she had g iven amount of time to respond. her notes land indicated that it took at 1 then they are least 2 days to transcribe the until drafts h n they ey are not available. Cliff Allen noted that in the pa but that of the minutes have not been available to the public, could be changed. He asked if Mother timer other than tonighte minutes of the last meeting at any Mrs. Cooper replied she had a night had meeting Dr. Wells to obtain taain rn minutes in the past on the indicated that in a letter he had received from the Middlesex 270 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 7 , 1986 County D. A. 's office, they had stated that minutes are made upon creation, but also stated the committee must lhave�adequate st time thto transcribe the minutes into readable form. r anyone could tape record the meetings, if they wished. He stated it was his belief that minutes were not official until they had been voted upon. Mr. Nissen asked if he was correct in stating that a citizen would have to request each set of minutes individually. Cliff Allen stated yes, that was his understanding. Visit by Dr. Mark Piechota Dr. Wells stated that Dr. Piechota had only been on the job for a to few weeks and was here to meet the rl Committee brdand give a brief summary of his impressions of school system perhaps discuss some at Reading Memorial A gh School a priorities in the next few years Dr. Piechota briefly spoke about his experiences his initial impression. days in the school system. He stated from school, and he felt he felt Reading had a very strong, privileged to be here. He stated he had spoken to a few people from the town, and he had sent a note to every teacher that he would be available to speak to them anytime during the summer months . Dr. Piechota felt in his first year he would like to get and to know the total program, for the lop ext 5 years. faculty stated community a sense of priorities this could be accomplished Dr r Piechota individual spoketalks about also the though small group possiblity of a number of release days for teachers to meet an discuss these priorities, and that he would also like to meet with students and PTA's. Dr. Piechota indicated he was interested in developing a a curriculum that addressed the needs of all the students, taking g to look at the community lbeing with the getting they are a know the student body and sure part of the school, and also he felt that staff development was very important. Dr. Piechota noted that in a report he had read recently, there were listed was to them. He teaching more that the instruction format Dr . emphasis should be placed on this portion of teaching. Piechota stated it had been his experience that teachers were very responsive to this type of program, and most were interested in becoming not just good, but excellent teachers. Cliff Allen•askked Dr . Piechota if he had met with the Department Heads as yet. stated he had only met with them briefly, but opedit C to meet with h000l.agCliff to Al t Allen then thanked Pi echo programs for taking the High Scho time from his schedule to come to the meeting. Policy on Pre-School Education Dr. Munnelly stated this Policy, Enclosure B-2-a, reflected the 271 1986 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 7, changes that the School Committee had requested in the wording at the last meeting. He noted the administration had no further changes to make and was recommending the approval of the policy on a second vote. A motion was made by Mrs. Philbrick, ePreaSChool Education,• KC� approve, on a second vote, the Policy on and the vote was unanimous. Dr. Wells stated he would like to take a look at the Principal Selection Policy at some future meeting, in order that any changes the committee felt should be made, could be accomplished before another vacancy occurred. Mr. Nissen suggested that members of the committee review the policies, tabulate their ideas, and then discuss them with the administration perhaps at the meetings on August 25th. ted Cliff Allen then noted that a few years ago, . tNigroohadycreated a 1-person sub-committee and asked if perhaps, be reconsidered and that a 2-person committe might be established. He stated this could be put on the agenda for the next meeting. Bids - Roofs of Eaton and R.M.H.S. Cafeteria Mr . Winslow discussed the bids, as indicated Enclosur to d ethe 3-a, for roofs at Eaton and R.M.H.S. Cafeteria. bidder for the two roofs was South Roofing Corp. , South Boston, Ma. , in the amount of $112,300. Mr. Winslow indicated that the Bonding total for the Eaton roof was $90,000, and as the bid was in the amount of $ the Obid for R Ma H.S. Cafeteriar $ Roof was $38,3600 He also noted that and was to be paid from FY86 funds. A motion was made by Mr. Nissen, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, to approve the low bid of the South Roofing Corp. ,$38,000 n . , of which as indicated d on Enclosure B-3-a, in the amount $112,300.00, be taken from FY86 funds, to repair the roofs at Eaton School and R.M.H.S. Cafeteria. Mrs. Philbrick asked if it was necessary for one person to repair both roofs, was there any reason for this? Mr. Winslow stated the bid specifications were prepared in that manner in order to from obtain better prices. He indicated expense in bgdding the contractors , that a great part these jobs was getting their equipment to the site; the closer they are, the better the price. A vote was taken on the motion and it was unanimous) ao.roved. Recognition and Honors by Staff (Summer 1986) Dr. Munnelly stated this year had been an especially excellent one 272 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 7 , 1986 and that many honors had come to the teachers of Reading . He listed some of the teachers and the grog a s they would uld be participating in during the summer months. the tuitions for participation in these programs were paid for by the colleges or institutions and also some teachers are given a stipend . He stated it was an honor for them to be selected, as most of the roudgto have so many competitive , administration from the Reading p School was very p System. Use of High School Stadium Field by Community Teams Dr. Wells explained to the the School Committee that this item was on the Agenda due to a discussion Ron Winslow had had with a citizen who had expressed concern about the condition of the High School field and its use by community teams. He stated that the Dr. Wells stated coaching staff had also expressed some concern. he had spent approximately 20 minutes at the field that day, and, he felt it had never been in better condition. He stated Larry Moore happened to be there when he was there , and Larry also agreed the field was in good shape. He noted this year has been particularly good for growing grass due to the amount of moisture this area had been experiencing . Dr . Wells stated he did the tconditions which taken a d beating Thanksgiving he damage the weather conditions to have been successfully repaired. Mr . Coco asked what the current policy was for the use of the field. Mr. Winslow stated, at present, it was at the discretion of the Superintendent. Dr. Wells then stated, he felt that the H. S. field was now in very good shape and would continue to remain so. Police Safety Car Proposal Dr . Wells explained to the School Committee that the Buick Division of this region was offering to loan a car to the Police Department, on a collaborative policy, with the School Department, which stated they would use the car only for educational purpoaes and safety needs and that it would not be used as a patrol Dr . Wells noted that the Safety Officer in the Police Department has done an excellent job on police/school issues that required a liaison person. He stated that Chief Marchand was very anxious to get this car for use by the Safety Officer, as they o had aLo take his car away from him because of their need for a p at Wells stated the only thing required of the School Committee was it to authorize the Superintendent to statedetheocar that the car is used by the Safety would cost nothing, the only expense would be for the insurance. Dr . Wells indicated Chief Marchand stated they have an amount in their budget to cover this cost. A motion was made by Carol Lyons , seconded by Mr . Shannon , to authorize the administration to accept the offer of a Police • 273 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 7 , 1986 Safety Vehicle from Crest Buick's Regional Division. The vote was unanimous. RTA/RSC Contract Signing Dr . Wells stated that finally after 6 months the above contract had been signed by Cliff Allen and the RTA President and that he would get copies to the School Committee as soon as they were printed. Resignations Dr . Munnelly stated he had received a letter of resignation from Marguerite E . Grimes , Math teacher at the High School , for purposes of retirement to become effective Sept. 13, 1986 , and the administration was recommending acceptance. A motion was made by Mrs . Philbrick, seconded by Mr. Shannon, to accept the resignation of Mrs. Marguerite Grimes, Math teacher at R.M.H.S. , for purposes of retirement, effective Sept. 13, 1986 . The vote was unanimous. Appointments Mr. Ronald Winslow stated that the administration was recommending Walter Spaulding , 264 Forest Street, Reading, as Maintenance Trainee . Mr . Winslow stated Mr . Spaulding had worked in the Reading School System since 1981 . A motion was made by Mrs . Philbrick , seconded by Mr. Nissen, that Walter Spaulding, 264 Forest Street, Reading, be. appointed Maintenance Trainee, effective immediately. The - vote was unanimous . Mr. Winslow then stated the administration was recommending that Daniel Deschenes, 14 Pinewood Rd. , Wilmington, be appointed to the position of Custodian and assigned to the Joshua Eaton School, on the 12 Noon to 8 :00 p.m. shift, at the Custodian I minimum annual salary rate of $17 ,203 .94 as per the contract, to be effective as soon as possible. A motion was made by Carol Lyons , seconded by Mr . Nissen , to appoint Daniel Deschenes , 14 Pinewood Rd. , Wilmington as Custodian. at the Joshua Eaton School assigned to the 12 Noon to 8 P .M. shift, at the Custodian I minimum annual rate of - $17 ,203 .94 as per contract, to become effective as soon as possible. The vote was unanimous. Dr . Munnelly then stated the administration was recommending that Mrs. Marguerite Grimes be appointed to the two-fifths math position now available at the Reading Memorial High School effective Sept. 14, 1986 . Dr . Munnelly stated Mrs . Grimes had 274 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 7, 1986 been teaching math in the Reading School System for many years, and this position would not affect her retirement which had been approved previously. In answer to a question by Mr. Shannon, he stated there were no benefits connected to this position. A motion was made by Mr. Nissen , seconded by Carol Lyons , to approve the appointment of Mrs. Marguerite Grimes to the two-fifths math position at R.M.H.S. . effective Sept. 14, 1986, and the vote was unanimous. Dr . Munnelly then read a list of four appointments he was recommending to the School Committee for positions as listed on Enclosures E, E3, and E4 as follows: Ms. Sandra A. Wheeler Guidance/Psychologist Birch Meadow 136 Nonantum St. , Contract #2 M+30-5 $26,099 Brighton, MA Eugenia S . Ware, Ph.D. Guidance Psychologist . Coolidge/Parker 65 Dudly Street (Replacing Mrs. Vangeli) Middle Schools Cambridge, MA New Sched. Rate Ph.D-5 $28 ,411 Mrs. Alice F. Pedersen Library/Media Spec. Barrows School Sheffield Rd. (Replacing Ms. Hoover Winchester, MA who is on LOA) New Sched. Rate M-3 $23 , 511 Peter E. DiSalvatore Physical Education Birch Meadow 6 Winchester Drive (Replacing F. Muccio Lexington, MA who is on 1-yr. LOA) New Schd. Rate B-5 $23, 976 Christine N. Copeland Physical Education R.M.H.S. British Colonial Bldg. (Replacing V. Bartlett) $21,639 No. 4, Apt. 19 New Amesbury, MA A motion was made by Mr. Nissen, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, to on approve the above appointments d E4, for the School Year 1986-87.as 1Theev to Enclosures E, E3, was unanimous. William Webb Grievance Dr . Wells informed the School Committee that he had received a decision from the Arbitrator in the William Webb Grievance. He stated that the Arbitrator had denied the grievance of the RTA and found in favor of the Reading School Department. Dr. Wells stated that there would be recommendations coming to the School Committee shortly for appointments to the positions of Director of Music, the Data Processing position, a math position, and 2 elementary positions. He indicated that because of the need 275 1986 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 7 , to get these positions approved early , it would probably be necessary to establish another meeting date in July, otherwise good candidates could be lost . After some discussion , it was decided that Tuesday, July 22nd, would be the best date for this meeting. A discussion followed regarding the examination of the School Committee policies . Cliff a dlgasiclSkills Poli High shouldobe Principal Selection Policy reviewed. He felt that the Screening Committee for the Principal Selection should include a member of the School Committee and a person from the Central Office. Dr. Wells thought that CthefPolicn revision should also include input from Principals. stated he would also welcome any proposed language changes that community members might wish to make and perhaps have 2 members of the committee acting as a clearinghouse and come back with their recommendations. Mrs. Philbrick ' agreed and , hoped that the administration would give their input also. Cliff Allen stated perhaps this could be accomplished committee could meeting on August 25th, and at that meeting, be more specific in addressing these concerns. Dr. Wells suggested that the book be reviewed a section at a time, as had been done in the past. At 8 :55 p.m. , on a motion by Mr. Shannon, seconded by Ms . Lyons , it was voted unanimously to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing Bargaining and Negotiations. Respectfully submitt��po Robert S. WeIIs, Secretary,