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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-12-22 School Committee Minutes 59 READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 22 , 1986 Call to Order Chairman Cliff Allen called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7 : 35 p .m. on December 22 , 1986 in the Superintendent' s Conference Room at 34 Gould Street. All members of the School Committee were present, with the exception of Mr. Shannon who arrived a few minutes late. Also present were the Superintendent, Robert S. Wells , Assistant Superintendents , Robert J . Munnelly, and Ronald A. Winslow, Paul Guerrette, Principal of Killam School, faculty members, Lynne Kasparian, Pam Chomsky-Higgins , Wendy Small , Jean Maloney-Stewart , and Media Specialist, Elaine Hondorf, parents , and a reporter from the Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of December 8 , 1986 A motion was made by Mr. Nissen , seconded by Mrs . Philbrick , to approve the Minutes of the Meeting of December 8 , 1986, and the vote was unanimous. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows: Bills December 26 , 1986 - General Expense - $20 , 238 . 82 January 2 , 1987 - General Expense - $17 , 392 . 11 Payrolls December 26 , 1986 - Teachers - $ 362,118.01 December 26 , 1986 - Weekly - $ 32,479.71 January 2 , 1987 - Weekly - $ 27,622.88 Citizens ' Input There was no citizens ' input. School Highlights Dr . Wells stated that Paul Guerrette , Principal of the Killam School , would give the School Committee an overview of the schoolwide Literature Themes at the Killam School , along with faculty members Lynne Kasparian, Pam Chomsky-Higgins , Wendy Small , Jean Maloney-Stewart, and Media Specialist , Elaine Hondorf . 60 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 22 , 1986 Mr . Guerrette stated that several members of the faculty were on the Literature Committee, and met once a week to plan activities and strategies to encourage reading at Killam School. He noted that they have monthly themes, and explained briefly how they were utilized by the classroom teachers who carried out the projects . He then introduced the members of the faculty who were present to speak about their portion of the most recent projects , "National Book Week" and "Knowing About Grandparents" . There was a slide presentation on each project showing the highlights of each of the above themes . Mr. Cliff Allen thanked the faculty and Principal Guerrette for an interesting presentation. Overview of Preliminary Budget (FY 1988 ) Dr. Wells stated that in keeping with the holiday season, he would present a general overview of the preliminary budget, and at the next meeting would have more specific information on budget items to present to the School Committee. He stated that the School Committee would be given a more detailed budget in booklet form, no later than December 31st. Dr. Wells noted that he would like to highlight a few areas where there were some significant increases . He noted that in the 4000 to 7000 series there was $176 , 000 worth of Priority Two items . Dr. Wells stated that he planned to have these items separated more specifically in the next budget summary, because the committee might feel that some of these items should be Priority One, and because of the fact that some of these items for repair of equipment , for instance , which now are Priority Two, perhaps would become Priority One items in the next year ' s budget . He noted that the total increase will then be considerably below the figure on the summary and would in fact bring the expense side of the budget down to the area of 12% to 14% . Dr . Wells then stated that the Salary Budget contained only the increases presently called for in the Salary Schedules for this year , and it did not contain any deletions or additions to the staff . He then noted that in the area of Special Needs there was an increase of 59% . Dr. Wells stated he felt there was little that could be cut out in that area because of the new rules and regulations , but he would try to explore other ways to handle it . He stated that perhaps there could be an agreement with the Finance Committee that some costs , such as tuitions , could be reduced in the budget , but if it were found that these funds were needed at a later time , that the Finance Committee would cooperate with the School Department in making these funds available . Dr. Wells stated that even though transportation costs would not increase because of bids , certain things were happening because of the increase of 40% that occurred this year, that is causing some overruns in transportation. He noted that if there e no n gas roximately Athletic $9 ,000. Dr. Wellsa stated there will Jack White , ov overru PP 61 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 22 , 1986 the Athletic Director had ewPth parentsakandsDre cutbacks , which had caused a lot of concerns Wells has felt were not practices . He enoted that there will Mr . White return to past p Special Needs this year , an overrun in transportation costs in because they were much higher than last y ear. again Dr. Wells stated these were tion would be areas ba�k with ncerna, mush more he stated the at the meeting . He also stated that he had detailed d budg et t Mr. Hechenbleikner, who had spoken with the Town Manager , requested that all budgets be in his hands by the third week in January. Dr. Wells requested that once the School Committee had a more detailed budget to review, that they call the office stating ommittee concerns with specific items, next in Sregard Cto these meeting , the data needed to answer items could be Wells felt to meet the needsgof could be presented that with the Town Manager on the community. He stated he had a meeting information on December 29th , to discuss the budget , and any received from him, he would pass on to the School Committee . Mr. Allen asked if there were any questions , and Mr. Coco stated he which 2 , was concerned with Items ao2be0spen Ponetextbooks . indicated a large de cease ial Need bud et . Mr. Allen stated this was oneg was Dr . Wells stated there of this that Principals had tOedRoom Allocation, and there most ess need money is in the Resource for special title purchases of textbooks for sp ecial needs He children, as they can use regular textbooks n there case 1.ittle also noted that in the Prototyp e reading done as they are another into reasonn for this decreainstruction. e ois that Munnelly stated that a year. there are more requests for audio and visual items this y Bid - Store Fixtures Mr . Winslow stated this equipment had gone out on bid as a result d of a Federal Grant that d been thebDistrabbtive Mr . Ed eVStore. aHe funds approved for fixtures stated that 4 sets of specifications and requests for bids had been sent to various companies ofa tdhe bidder bid the been pecifications He noted that the equipment approval of and therefore , the administration was recommending the approvt of DeStefano Studios , Inc. , of Woburn , $13 , 686 . 00 . to award A motion was made equ Mr. for /the Distribu by tive tive. Ed. Store to the the bid for store equipment Woburn , MA. . low bidder, D S e$13 S Odios , Inc. , 34 Commerce Way , in the amount • 62 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 22 , 1986 Mr . Nissen asked if the Grant was for a fixed amount and if the bid was within the expected price range , and Mr. Winslow indicated it was . (l Mr . Coco asked if there were any reasons why there had been only one bid received on this item and on the recent bids for telephone service and the chair lift. Mr . Winslow stated , when talking with other possible bidders , they had indicated that the amounts of the contract weren ' t large enough to make it worthwhile for the companies to bid on and also that some didn' t want to bother with Bid Bonds . He stated also that this request for bids had been advertised in the local papers and also in the Dodge Reports . A vote was taken on the original motion, and it was unanimously approved. Need for Authorization for Energy Grant Dr . Wells informed the School Committee that procedures for expending the Energy Grant which had recently been received called for a person to authorize contracts to carry out the approved project. He suggested that the Chairman of the School Committee be designated as this person, but reminded the committee that the Board of Selectmen still had final approval , although they had indicated they would go along with any approval made by the School Committee . He stated he would send a copy of the Minutes to the Board when they were completed. A motion was made by Mr. Nissen, seconded by Mrs . Philbrick , to designate the Chairman of the School Committee , Mr . Clifford Allen, as the person to authorize contracts in connection with the Energy Conservation Improvement Grant. The vote was unanimous . Resignation Dr . Munnelly informed the School Committee that he had received a letter of resignation from Cathryn Cremens Basbas , Assistant Principal and Physical Education teacher at the Joshua Eaton School , and also Varsity Field Hockey Coach at the High School , to be effective in thirty days or an earlier date , if a suitable replacement could be found, in order to accept the position of Chairperson of Physical Education for the Arlington Public Schools . He stated that although the administration was very happy and proud of Kate , they were sorry that she would be leaving the Reading School System. Dr. Munnelly stated there had been some internal interest indicated already , but the vacancy would be posted and advertised as required , with interviewing to occur right after Christmas . A motion was made by Mr. Coco, seconded by Mrs . Philbrick, that the resignation of Cathryn Cremens Basbas , Asst. Principal and Physical Eucation Teacher at the Joshua Eaton School and Varisty Field Hockey Coach at the High School , be accepted, effective in thirty days or earlier, if a suitable replacement could be found. The vote was unanimous . 63 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 22 , 1986 Appointment Dr . Munnelly stated that the Administration was recommending William D. Hinch , as the METCO Academic Instructor , replacing Keith . Jones, effective January 5 , 1987 at the rate of $20 , 160 , pro-rated. He stated that Mr. Hinch is a Graduate of Dartmouth College and has had experience as a Teacher/Counselor at S . Norfolk County Assoc. -Retarded Citizens , and at Dartmouth, in the Dept. of Psychology, as a Research Assistant . Dr. Munnelly stated they had a difficult time finding an acceptable candidate, but Mr. Hinch was highly recommended by former employers . He also noted that Mr. Hinch' s salary was funded from the METCO Grant . A motion was made by Mr . Shannon, seconded by Mrs . Philbrick , to approve the appointment of Mr. William D. Hinch , 3 Beaver Park Rd . , Framingham, as METCO Academic Instructor, effective January 5 , 1987 , at the rate of B-1 , $20 , 160 , pro-rated. The vote was unanimous. At 8 : 20 p .m. a motion was made by Mr. Shannon, seconded by Mrs . Philbrick , to go into Executive Session, in order to discuss an Agreement , but Mr. Allen stated it was possible they would return to Open Session in approximately 20 minutes to make an announcement in regard to this issue . The vote was unanimous. At 8 : 45 p .m. , after a proper roll call vote , the Committee returned to Open Session to announce that the Agreement on the Horace Mann Teacher Awards between the Reading School Committee and the Reading Teachers Association had been ratified. Dr . Wells then briefly described the series of negotiations that had begun last Spring on this Agreement and also what the Horace Mann Awards were for and how the teachers could apply. Cliff Allen stated he felt that there was a conflict with the Town Meetings on the next scheduled School Committee meeting on January 5 , 1986 . After a brief discussion, it was agreed to cancel this meeting and hold the next meeting on January 12 , 1986 as scheduled. At 8 : 55 p .m. , on a motion by Mr . Coco , seconded by Mr . Shannon , it was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting . 64