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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-01-14 School Cimmittee Minutes 7 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 14, 1985 Call to Order A regular meeting of the Reading School Committee was called to order by Chair- man Allen on January 14, 1985, at 7:30 p.m. in the Central Office Conference Room. All members were present as well as Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. There were approximately 50 visitors during the course of the meeting, includ- ing High School Principal Mr. Leonard D'Orlando, Guidance Director and Advisor to the Student Advisory Committee Mrs. Rena Mirkin, Mrs. Susan Robison, staff member who is advisor to Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) , Barrows School Principal Mr. Charles Papandreou, teachers Mrs. Eileen Woods, Mr. Herbert Baron, Mrs. Eileen Litterio and Miss Claire Flynn, and several of their students , Killam School Principal Mr. Paul Guerrette, members of the Student Advisory Council and SADD, and representatives of the Finance Committee and the Daily Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of January 7, 1985 Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. MacDonald, to approve the minutes of the meet- ing of January 7, 1985. The motion carried 5-0, with Mr. Nissen abstaining because he was not present for the meeting. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows: Bills January 18, 1985 - General Expense - $74,973.67 Payrolls January 18, 1985 - Weekly - $27,294.13 Citizens' Input There was no citizens' input. School Highlights For this portion of the agenda the academic spotlight was on the Junior Great Books Program of the Barrows School. Principal Papandreou said that in the Spring of 1983 reading teacher Mrs. Nancy Powell and classroom teacher Miss Claire Flynn attended the Great Books Basic Leader Training course and, in turn, trained other members of the staff, The Program was instituted during the 1983-84 school year as a supplement to the reading program. It is used as a vehicle to utilize interpretive skills and discussion, since the writings contained within the program have outstanding literary merit and lend themselves to varied interpretations. A question and answer type skit about the Program was presented by third grade students Benjamin Collins, Robert Sansom, Suzanne Foley and Emily Lund, fourth 8 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 14, 1985 graders Jae Guttadoro, Owen McDonald, Catherine Hedberg and Michael Shannon, and fifth graders Kerrie Stakem and Anna Monroe who are editors of the school news- paper, "Barrows Highlights''. After several questions from School Committee members, Chairman Allen thanked all who participated in the presentation. Student Advisory Couuuittee Dr. Wells said he had met recently at the High School with members of the Student Advisory Committee, SADD, and other interested students and they had talked at length about the issue of drugs and alcohol in Reading. He noted thatothe reason this subject came up when he met with the students was that he had recently received a letter from Governor Michael Dukakis expressing concern about drugs and alcohol in the schools. He added that the students had expressed a desire to discuss the subject further with the School Committee and to inform them about a recent survey on drinking and driving conducted at the High School by SADD. Dr. Wells said he had also discussed this issue with Police Chief Marchand and got the impression that because of the High School leadership and SADD activities the Chief does not think the problem is a critical one in Reading. Students present were Patricia Callaghan, President, Lisa Rotondo, Bill DeCoste, Kenneth Lento, and Richard Byron, of the Student Advisory Committee, Cynthia Kevorkian, representing SADD, and John Haratunian of the Student Council. The students discussed the results of the recent SADD survey about drinking and driving while under the influence, and pointed out that SADD does not "preach" against drinking but instead concentrates their efforts against driving while drinking. The survey results were posted prominently in the High School. SADD members said they have invited parents to a meeting Thursday night, adding that perhaps it might help if there was another program for parents, such as an advisory committee. Chairman Allen asked if there was special emphasis given at "prom" time and asked about the SADD Contract. Mrs. Robison said the contract is passed out to seniors, but not just before prom time. She said the contract, in essence, was an agreement between students and parents that if the student is drinking he/she will call the parent for advice or a ride and that the parent will furnish transportation with no admonition at that time. She added that it was notable that during the past few years many Reading students have made arrangements to be transported at prom time, and that there is a definite change in peer pressure, which is a real plus. Mrs. Mirkin pointed out that the High School staff is very sensitive to these issues and that they give students a lot of information without adopting a preaching posture. She mentioned as an example a recent twelve-hour program by the North Shore Alcoholism Council offered at the High School. Students also discussed the High School Decisions Courses which, among other topics, discuss drugs and alcohol. Several students expressed the opinion 9 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 14, 1985 that this type of information should be incorporated into the middle school curriculum. Although there is a peer tutoring program, which has been coordinated by "735" to train senior high students to talk to younger students about these issues, several students said they felt the teachers had a greater influence on the students and would be more credible than the older students. One student noted that while the schools could give information she felt moral values were learned in the home. Chairman Allen, in summing up the discussion, said the students had made some viable suggestions, adding that those relating to curriculum would be discussed at a later date. He thanked the students for coming and said he hopes many parents attend the Thursday night SADD meeting. Proposed Gifted and Talented Program Dr. Wells said that a timetable has been set up for instituting the proposed gifted and talented program and the Administration would like to advertise for a teacher for this program as soon as the School Committee approves it. He noted that everyone was aware of the economic constraints facing the School Department, adding that whatever in-service programs are given should include the entire staff. Dr. Wells went on to tell the School Committee that the proposed program is patterned after the Revolving Door Model for the Gifted and Talented, designed by Dr. Joseph S. Renzulli, a nationally recognized expert in the field. He added that it was a non- elitist program, using multiple criteria for identifying students, rather than just I,Q. He then turned the presentation over to Mr. Guerrette, Chairman of the Gifted and Talented Committee, and Dr. Munnelly. Mr. Guerrette introduced and thanked his Committee made up of Elementary Principals Dennis Murphy, Donald Farnham and Charles Papandreou and teachers Mary Flaherty, Birch Meadow, Carol Livingston, Joshua Eaton, Eileen Woods, Barrows, and Eileen Gagnon, Killam School, noting that they had been meeting on a regular basis since appointed in the Fall. Dr. Munnelly, with the aid of charts and diagrams, then went over the proposed pro- gram, stating that it would enrich the entire student body, and explaining the enrichment triad approach to learning activities, the use of the resource room in each elementary school, the role of the Revolving Door Model Resource Room Specialist, mentor program, talent pool, and criteria for selecting students for the program. He emphasized that the major learning location for gifted and talented students will be in the regular classroom, thus necessitating close cooperation between the Revolving Door Model (RDM) specialist, classroom teachers and other special- ists. The RDM specialist normally would spend one day a week in each elementary school. Dr. Munnelly said the Gifted and Talented Committee recommended the use of multiple criteria in identifying the anticipated 20% of grades 3-5 students who will be in the talent pool. He said eight areas will be studied and considered in designating students for talent pool status. Aptitude and Achievement Test Scores for students will be examined. All students in the top 25% of the class in ability (1) , 10 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 14, 1985 achievement overall (2) , total reading (3) , and total mathematics (4) , will be given nominated status. Teacher nominations for students who have demonstrated excep- tional talent or performance in learning (5) , motivation (6) , creativity (7) , and leadership (8) , will be solicited. Students who are nominated in at least two areas will be designated as gifted and talented. Dr. Munnelly said the Administration hopes to have a pilot program during the Snring semester, with the full program in place in the Fall of 1985. Following a discussion of the proposed program Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was voted unanimously that the School Committee adopt the Program for the Gifted and Talented as proposed on Document C-2. FY86 Budget Preparation The Committee resumed budget deliberations started at the last meeting, beginning with the 5300 series - fixed charges. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. MacDonald, and it was voted unanimously that, for purposes, the Committee approve for the FY86 Budget the amount of $10,275 for fixed charges (5300 series) - rental of Central Office space at 34 Gould Street, including cost of snow removal. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was voted unanimously, that for preliminary purposes, the Committee approve for the FY86 Budget the amount of $900 for private school transportation (6900 series) . Mr. Winslow recapitulated the 7200 series, noting that the increase of $63,120 was largely attributable to an item of $57,200 to replace the fiberglass windows at Coolidge Middle School with Kalwal windows, which would decrease fuel consump- tion. Chairman Allen noted that this project could be tied in with the proposed roof replacement at that School. Also discussed briefly $40,000 earmarked for partitioning the middle floor of A Wing in the High School. Mr. Winslow said that this is part of the overall plan to condense the High School Mr. Nissen remarked that $40,000 for partitioning is one the Committee might keep in mind if deletions must be made in the budget later. Mr. MacDonald moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously that , for preliminary purposes, the Committee approve for the FY86 Budget the amount of $151,120 for building improvements and alterations (7200 series) . The 7300 series was discussed at length. A motion by Mr. Coco to remove $5,000 from the total by halving the amount earmarked for word processors for the High School and Central Office failed to gain a second. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick and it was voted unanimously that, for preliminary purposes, the Committee approve for the FY86 Budget the amount of $59,131 for purchase of new equipment (7300 series) with the understanding that the Committee will receive more information on this budget category from the Administration. 11 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 14, 1985 Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was voted unanimously that, for preliminary purposes, the Committee approve for the FY86 Budget the amount of $103,670 for replacement of equipment - instructional and non-instructional - (7400 series) . Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Macdonald, and it was voted unanimously that, for preliminary purposes, the Committee approve for the FY86 Budget the amount of $3,700 for the regular day school tuition (9100 series) . Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. MacDonald, and it was voted unanimously that, for preliminary purposes, the Committee approve for the FY86 Budget the amount of $28,000 for vehicle purchases (7600 series). The Committee agreed at this point that they would continue the preliminary expense budget deliberations next week. Mr. Winslow reported on his meeting with an official of the Municipal Light Depart- ment (MLD). He said the Killam School, along with other large electricity users, had a "C" rated meter, which means the reading is multiplied by a certain factor. Last March the MLD discovered it was using the wrong multiplier and, since this error was corrected the cost of electricity for the Killam School has been about doubled. This, along with using the 15% (over FY84) increase advised by the Finance Committee, resulted in an increase of $31,579 for electricity costs in the FY86 expense budget. There was some discussion about whether the School Committee agrees with the 15% increase in the Finance Committee guidelines, however, no vote was taken on the utility services item of the proposed FY86 Budget. Mr. Winslow will bring to the next meeting a breakdown of electricity costs for this year and last. Executive Session - Adjournment At 10:49 p.m. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, to enter into executive session to discuss matters pertaining to bargaining and negotiations. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. The Committee remained in executive session until it adjourned at 11:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Robert S. Wells, Secretary