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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-03-25 School Cimmittee Minutes 35 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 25, 1985 Call to Order Chairman Allen called a regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order on March 25, 1985, at 7:37 p.m. , in the Central Office Conference Room. All members were present except Mr. Nissen, who arrived later in the evening. Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendent Winslow were present, but Assistant Superintendent Munnelly was out of State on business. The Chairman welcomed newly elected School Committee members Mr. Wayne M. Lewis and Mr. George J. Shannon. There were nine visitors, including Mr. Albert Lahood, Principal of the Coolidge Middle School, Coolidge physical education teachers Mrs. Claudia Bowe and Mr. Walter Fitzgerald, Mr. Marc Alterio, Director of Physical Education, Coolidge students Derilyn Kenney and David Savio, and represen- tatives of the Finance Committee, League of Women Voters, and the Daily Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of March 4, 1985 Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the School Committee meeting of March 4, 1985. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows: Bills March 15, 1985 - General Expense - $131 ,083.29 March 22, 1985 - General Expense - $45,096.96 March 29, 1985 - General Expense - $24,560.28 Payrolls March 21, 1985 - Teachers - $324,199.67 March 22, 1985 - Weekly - $28,258.83 March 29, 1985 - Weekly - $28,643.45 Citizens ' Input There was no citizens' input. School Highlights This portion of the meeting highlighted the gymnastics, tumbling and dance part of the physical education program at Coolidge Middle School. Principal LaHood introduced the members of his staff and students present, as well as Mr. Alterio, and spoke briefly about "Gymnastics 1985", presented at the School last year, noting the weeks of preparation on the part of the students and staff members. A videotape was shown which featured not only the Gymnastics Exhibition but the practice sessions in which students prepared for it by doing warm-ups, floor exercises and routines on the balance beam, uneven bars, rings, and parallel bars. 36 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 25 , 1985 Mrs. Bowe noted that 35 students participated in the Exhibition, doing routines which they had originated themselves. Mr. Fitzgerald added that High School physical education teacher Thomas Myslicki and some of his students came to Coolidge daily to help, on a volunteer basis, and said he was impressed by the ■ way High School students have taught the younger students over the years. Mr. Alterio pointed out that gymnastics were only a representative part of the yearly physical education program, noting that staff members were very willing and enthusiastic and that there is great emphasis on enjoyment of physical edu- cation. After students Derilyn Kenney and David Savio answered several questions from the School Committee, Chairman Allen thanked all who participated for their interesting presentation. Budget Review Dr. Wells explained that when the Chairman met for the second time with the Finance Committee(FinCom) they were told the expense budget was $81,434 more than the FinCom's guidelines but that he later received a letter from FinCom Chairman Russell Graham saying his Committee was in error. Mr. Winslow added that since then the FinCom has taken a vote and their figure is now in agree- ment with the School Committee's figure. Dr. Wells noted that this figure includes funds for Kalwal windows at Coolidge Middle School. Chairman Allen called for a motion to clarify the matter before it goes to the Town Meeting. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon, and it was voted unanimously that the School Committee approve for presentation to Town Meeting the amount of $2,047,824 for the expense portion of the budget. Portables - Pearl Street School Dr. Wells said that the School Committee had voted some time ago to transfer the control of portables to the Board of Selectmen, adding that the Selectmen have not rented either the single portable at the Library or the two at the Pearl Street School. He continued, saying that the School Department, under an agree- ment with the Selectmen, is now renting the Pearl Street School because every- one had agreed that it is better to have the building used than to close it. Dr. Wells said that now the Central Office is receiving inquiries about renting the portables which, he added, are more attractive to rent than the School itself. Last fall Chairman Allen and Dr. Wells approached the Selectmen about returning control of the portables to the School Committee. Dr. Wells said a more recent talk with the Selectmen resulted in a letter to the School Committee which essen- tially stated that they would not consider signing a lease for more than a year because they believe the portables would be an ideal location for senior citizen activities when the Community Center is sold. He concluded by recommending that the School Committee either decline the Selectmen's offer or request that they consider a long-term arrangement. 37 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 25, 1985 Chairman Allen said he would like, if the Committee is agreeable, to solicit further input from the Selectmen, adding that there may be other space available that would be suitable for a senior citizen drop-in center. He felt that if the Selectmen don't want to consider a lease for a longer term than a year then they should deal with the portables. Mr. Coco asked if the School Committee could rescind its vote. Dr. Wells replied that this would be a matter for the Town Counsel to decide, adding that he was not sure if the Selectmen voted to accept the portables. The consensus of the Committee was that Chairman Allen would contact the Selectmen asking that they reconsider and make the portables available with "no strings attached." Subcommittee Appointments Chairman Allen made the following bargaining and negotiations subcommittee appointments: Secretarial/Clerical Union - Mrs. Philbrick and Mr. Lewis; Custodial Union - Mr. Nissen and Mr. Shannon; Cafeteria Employees Union - Mr. Coco; and Reading Teachers Association - Chairman Allen and Mr. Coco. Recreation Committee Request Dr. Wells noted that the annual request from the Recreation Committee to use school facilities for their summer program had been received, adding that School Committee and Recreation Committee have worked well together over the years and that he recommended granting the request. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously that the School Couuuittee honor the request of the Recreation Committee and allow them to use school facilities as outlined in the letter dated March 12, 1985 (exhibit B-3-b) . R.M.H.S. Surplus Space Plan Dr. Wells said that after discussing surplus space at the High School with Mr. Winslow and Principal Leonard D'Orlando, he recommended that six classrooms be closed as of September 1985. These rooms would be locked, the thermostats turned as low as possible and they would no longer need custodial services. He added that exceptions could be made if the space could be rented. Specifically Dr. Wells recommended Rooms 151, 153, 155, 157, 159, and 159A be closed, but requested the right to amend this recommendation with the understanding that although they may be different rooms, a minimum of six rooms would be closed. Dr. Wells added that if the Co«miittee decided to close an entire wing, Mr. D'Orlando would have to make major adjustments on the first floor. Dr. Wells also pointed out that although the building housed 2,000 in 1965, that was before the advent of the Chapter 766, METCO, Title I and Focus Pro- grams, which make it unfair to use 2,000 as the capacity of the building now. 38 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 25, 1985 . Mr. Winslow said he had received a quotation, over a year ago, of $117 per thermo- stat to adjust them so they could be turned down to 35 degrees instead of 55 degrees. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was voted unanimously that the Committee accept the recommendations of the Superintendent to close six rooms in Reading Memorial High School, without holding him to the specific rooms listed above. Teacher Award Dr. Wells stated that Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Berger wish to establish two annual awards - to be known as the Arnold and Dorothy Berger Exemplary Teaching Awards - to out- standing Reading teachers. They also will establish two scholarships to be awarded annually through the Reading Scholarship Foundation. He added that this year Mr. and Mrs. Berger would make cash awards, apart from the trust they are establishing. Dr. Wells noted that Mr. Berger, a long-time Town Meeting member, is well known for his philanthropy, citing banners donated by him to the High School Field House as one example. Dr. Wells said Mr. Berger had sought his help on the selection process for the teacher awards. He said he in turn sought information from the Town of Lexington,. which makes similar awards, and found it is done through the Superintendent 's Office. He suggested a committee, to be chaired by Dr. Munnelly and made up of teachers at various levels and some citizens. On the subject of where the awards would be made, Dr. Wells said the Scholarship Foundation is not interested in having them made at their Awards Night. Other suggestions were discussed, but no consensus was reached. It was noted that a plaque would accompany each award. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously that the School Committee accept with much gratitude and appreciation the trust to fund the Arnold and Dorothy Berger annual award to an exemplary teacher or teachers in the Reading School System. Mr. Coco added that he felt this is a very worth- while endeavor on the part of Mr. and Mrs. Berger, and Mr. Shannon reiterated his feelings. Cafeteria Statement Mr. Winslow recapitulated the Cafeteria Statement for the month of February, noting that five years ago percentage of participation in the school lunch program was in the 20's and that now it has almost doubled. He attributed this to the efficiency of the Food Service Director. He added that the program is self-supporting now, whereas in the past it was partially subsidized from the tax levy. Mr. Coco asked if he had any projections from Miss Cook about federal subsidies. Mr. Winslow said she believes they will be even lower next year. Cafeteria Evaluation Report - R.M.H.S. and Coolidge Middle School Mr. Winslow reported that the AIMS (Assessment, Improvement and Monitoring System) review of the lunch programs at Reading Memorial High School and Coolidge Middle School, conducted to assure compliance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's requirements, resulted in a positive evaluation. 39 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 25, 1985 Communication from Northeast Regional Education Center At the Chairman's request, Dr. Wells read a letter from the Northeast Regional Education Center Director, Katherine I. Best, giving her congratulations on two of Reading Schools (the High School and Parker Middle School) being selected by the U. S . Department of Education as outstanding. She wished them luck on their final evaluation visits and hopes Reading will receive one of the "distinguished school" awards. School Committee Evaluation Policy Chairman Allen briefly went over a sample policy for school committee self- evaluation which Dr. Wells had sent out prior to the meeting and another one distributed at the meeting. He asked that the Committee members study them in preparation for discussion at a future meeting. Tentative Spring and Summer Schedule Noted for the record were the tentative spring and summer schedule of School Committee meetings and an addendum distributed at the meeting. Resignations Dr. Wells read a letter of resignation from Mr. Terry M. Woody, head of the High School English Department, who is planning to move to Hawaii. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Mr. Terry M. Woody as teacher and head of the High School English Department, effective at the end of the school year. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Mrs. Rita McGrail, secretary in the Pupil Personnel Office, effective March 11, 1985. Leaves Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, to grant a leave of absence without pay for the 1985-86 school year to Mrs. Joan DeSalvo, Focus teacher, to pursue professional and educational goals. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, to grant to Mrs. Margaret-Mary Daily Bramley, teacher of a learning and behavioral class at Barrows School, an ex- tension of her child-rearing leave through the 1985-86 school year. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, to grant to Mrs. Nancy Bryant, first grade teacher at Barrows, an extension of her child-rearing leave through the 1985-86 school year. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, to grant to Mrs. Norma Degel, Health 40 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 25, 1985 Clerk, a maternity leave of absence to start May 13, 1985, through the end of the current school year. 1 Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, to grant a twelve-day sick leave extension to Mr. Ralph Marden, custodian at Birch Meadow School. Appointments Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommen- dation of the Administration, to appoint Mrs. Sharon A. Patterson as a third grade teacher at Barrows School (to replace Mrs. Eileen Woods) for the remainder of the current school year at Step B-6, pro-rated - $17,667 - retroactive to March 18, 1985. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, to appoint Mrs. Pauline P. Harootian, as a first grade teacher at Eaton School (replacing Mrs. Cynthia Jamison) for the remainder of the current school year at Step B-7, pro-rated - $18,507 - retroactive to March 18, 1985. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was voted unanimously, on the of the Administration, to appoint Mr. James McCann as girls tennis coach on the first step of the B Sport Category of the Athletic Differentials - $1,000. Executive Session - Adjournment At 9:37 p.m. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon, to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing matters pertaining to bargaining and negoti- ations, and the physical condition of an employee. The motion carried on a unani- mous roll call vote. The Committee remained in executive session until it adjourned at 10:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ;475-6,C14 We406- Robert S. Wells, Secretary