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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-05-20 School Cimmittee Minutes 57 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 20, 1985 Call to Order Chairman Allen called a regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order on May 20, 1985 at 7:36 p.m. , in the Central Office Conference Room. Mrs. Philbrick was unable to be present as she was out of town. All other members were present, as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendent Munnelly. Assistant Superintendent Winslow was on vacation. There were approximately nine visitors including Director of Art Susan Wheltle, Director of Music James Roth, Mrs. Barbara Mellin, Chairperson of the Reading Arts Council, Reading Memorial High School students Scott Rogers and Matthew Hincman and representatives of the Finance Committee and the Daily Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of May 6, 1985 On a motion by Mr. Coco, seconded by Mr. Shannon, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the meeting of May 6, 1985. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows: Bills May 17, 1985 - General Expense - $44,167. 75 May 24, 1985 - General Expense - $37,930.04 Payrolls May 16, 1985 - Teachers - $323,108.04 May 17, 1985 - Weekly - $26,325.24 May 24, 1985 - Weekly - $26,811. 38 Citizens' Input There was no citizens' input. School Highlights School Highlights featured the many behind-the-scenes contributions of teachers, volunteers, students and people of the community in the production of the opera, "Noye's Fludde," co-sponsored by the Reading Public Schools and the Reading Arts Council. Mrs. Wheltle said that while Mr. Roth was in front of the stage directing the Opera few were aware of the work going on behind the stage and the months of preparation that went into designing and constructing the stage, making posters, and designing and making costumes and the 98 animal masks. She then showed slides of the stage as it was constructed in the gym, telling about how it was designed, painted and built, and a videotape showing students making the animal masks. She noted the work involved in pairing the masks and transporting them to the gym and also in pairing them after each of the three public performances. 5.8 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 20, 1985 Mrs. Wheltle said she and Mr. Roth wanted to involve as many in the community as possible and many groups responded, such as Creative Arts for Kids, the Old South Bell Choir, LaPierre School of Dancing, etc. In all, she added, Noye's Fludde took a year of preparation. High School students Scott Rogers and Matthew Hincman spoke briefly, the former telling about his experiences helping make masks and working as a stage hand, and the latter about watching the production come together and working on lighting effects. Mrs. Wheltle expressed her pride in the students who took part in the Opera and its preparation. Mrs. Mellin added praise for the talented music and art staff members who worked with the students. Chairman Allen thanked those involved in the presentation. Mr. Coco commended Mrs. Wheltle and Mr. Roth for involving so many in the School System, as well as the entire Community. Designer Selection Policy (Second Vote) Dr. Wells said the Administration will have Administrative Guidelines for the'` Designer Selection Policy ready by June 10th. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was voted unanimously to approve, for second and final vote, Policy DJCA - Designer Selection Policy. Renewal of Coaches for 1985-86 Dr. Wells said it was important to reappoint coaches for the 1985-86 school year by name even though salaries could not be included in the vote at this time. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, to reappoint coaches by names and rates as shown on Document B-3-a. Renewal of Department Heads and Non-Athletic Differential Positions Dr. Wells noted that differentials for department heads and assistant principals at the High and Middle Schools are set by negotiations. Mr. Shannon moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, to reappoint High School Department Heads, and Middle School Assistant Principals, Department Heads, Audio Visual Coordi- nators, Treasurers, and Math Club Advisors, as delineated on Document B-3-b. METCO Proposal Dr. Wells explained that Dr. Munnelly has been working with METCO Coordinator Russell Hill in preparing the 1985-86 proposal. Dr. Munnelly added that the proposed budget is based on a 7.8% increase the State said to use, adding that exact figures are not possible now because teacher negotiations are not com- plete and the transportation contract has not yet been awarded. 59 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 20, 1985 In answer to questions from the School Committee Dr. Wells said that the METCO program started in 1968 with six students and that there are now 102 students in the program, adding that Reading was one of the first ten towns to participate in the Program, which now involves 35 towns. Mr. Lewis questioned the benefits of the Program and cost to Reading. Dr. Wells said that originally it was felt that it would be good for Reading students to have contact with other ethnic and cultural groups. Dr. Munnelly added that it brings about $96,000 to the Town, and that without the Program it would probably be necessary to redistrict and reduce the teaching force. Mr. Coco and Mr. Shannon expressed the opinion that the METCO Program should be reevaluated and goals reexamined. Chairman Allen said that if there came a time when the Committee felt the Program should be suspended, it should be phased out gradually. Dr. Wells said that he hoped that a METCO student who has been in the Reading School System for eleven years would not be denied the right to graduate. Mr. Nissen felt that to delay the vote for two weeks and base a vote on so quick an evaluation would not be right. He added that he is satisfied with the Program but would not object to an evaluation as long as this vote is not helt up for it. Mr. Nissen then moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon, that the School Committee approve, on the recommendation of the Administration, the METCO budget as shown on Docu- ment B-3-c, totaling $261,694. During discussion of the motion Mr. Shannon questioned whether a "de facto voucher system" was being created and expressed concern about the 7.8% increase. Dr. Munnelly said they could request more money from the State, if necessary, as they had in the past when there was a shortfall. Mr. Coco then amended the motion, seconded by Mr. Shannon, adding that the Pro- gram will be reevaluated in the fall by the Committee to ascertain what its goals are and how they are being met. The amendment carried by unanimous vote. The main motion, as amended, carried by unanimous vote. Massachusetts Middle Level School Administrators Association Dr. Wells announced that Dr. John Delaney, Principal of the Parker Middle School, is the recipient of the Edmund Fanning Outstanding Educator Award, which was presented to him by the Massachusetts Middle Level School Administrators Association at their annual Spring Conference in Sturbridge on May 16th. Dr. Wells said he attended the award ceremony and that it was very impressive, with about 1,000 educators present. He added that Reading is fortunate to have Dr. Delaney in its School System. ,airman Allen asked Dr. Wells to convey the congratulations of the School Committee to Dr. Delaney. Castle Junior College Letter Dr. Wells said he had received a letter from Sister Sheila Garvey, R.S.M. , President of Castle Junior College in Windham, New Hampshire, informing him that Miss Lisa Hebert, a senior at R.M.H.S. had received the highest score - 60 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 20, 1985 98 percentile - on a College Board assessment examination the College uses to determine scholarship winners, and that another senior, Miss Catherine Joyce ranked in the 80 percentile on the same examination and did very well on the shorthand and typing tests. The letter stated that both students were also among the top scorers in the business skills placement tests and that their performance on the shorthand and typing tests indicates that they have received an excellent business preparation at Reading Memorial High School. Progress Report - Collaborative Educational Efforts Speaking about the three multi-community projects in which the Reading School System is participating, Dr. Wells said that Proposition 22 and declining enrollments had forced the Administration into exploring collaborative efforts with other towns. He noted that one of the major concerns was the decline in the High School population, per se, in that eventually advanced placement courses could not be offered because of the small student enrollment, adding that Lynnfield and North Reading have already faced this dilemma, as smaller systems. Dr. Wells said they have been talking with the University of Lowell about net- working, and that he has been attending the Middlesex League Collaborative meetings. He added that when Proposition 21 forced cutbacks in athletics the Middlesex League Administrators joined together to work on solutions, which, in turn, led to high school staff members getting together and working on recommendations to superintendents regarding computer literacy and other areas. Dr. Wells said the brief report sent to the School Committee was an indication of what the Administration was attempting to do, and that the more complete reports distributed during the meeting were to be studied for in-depth dis- cussion during the summer months. Dr. Munnelly spoke briefly about the three collaborative projects, saying that for one the Superintendents and High School Principals from Lynnfield, North Reading and Wakefield have spent the year exploring the feasibility of a collab- oration which would share students in order to retain valuable curricula options for students in the four Towns. Describing the second project, he said the same four School Systems have had five-person teams meeting with consultant Romeo Marquis to explore multi-district teacher in-service and learning resource centers. Mrs. Eunice Mosher, now on leave of absence from R.M.H.S. , has taken the lead in developing a proposal for a collaborative modeled after the French River Teacher Center (Worcester area) , and which may have the active support of Digital Corporation and Lowell University. He said that for the third project Middlesex League Superintendents have had a corps of people examining the appli- cation of computers in secondary schools and the value of joint courses and joint in-service training. Resignation Dr. Wells read a letter of resignation from Athletic Director R. Gilbert Congdon, who also teaches two High School mathematics classes. Following a brief discussion of the letter, Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon, and it was voted unanimously that the School Committee accept the resig- nation of Mr. R. Gilbert Congdon as Athletic Director, effective at the end of the school year, and that this resignation separates him from the Reading School Department. 61 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 20, 1985 Appointments Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon, and it was voted unanimously that, on the recommendation of the Administration, Mr. Ronald N. Howland be appointed to the position of Head of the English Department at Reading Memorial High School, effective September 1, 1985. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon, and it was voted unanimously that, on the recommendation of the Administration, Mr. Samuel E. Baker be appointed for one year as FOCUS Coordinator (replacing Mrs. Joan DeSalvo who will be on a leave of absence for the 1985-1986 school year) , effective September 1, 1985. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon, and it was voted unanimously that, on the recouuuendation of the Administration, Mr. Thomas F. Hoffrage be appointed to the post of Assistant Principal/Intern at the Barrows School for a two-year period, starting September 1, 1985. Executive Session At 9:20 p.m. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, that the Committee enter into executive session to discuss matters pertaining to bargaining and nego- tiations and the personal reputation of a School Department employee. The motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote. Return to Open Session - Ratification of Cafeteria Union Contract The Committee returned to open session at 10:35 p.m. Chairman Allen announced that the Committee had voted to ratify the Agreement with the Cafeteria Employees (AFSCME, Council 93) . He then asked Mr. Coco, as Chailuian of the Negotiations Subcommittee, to report on the Agreement. Mr. Coco said the major points of the three-year contract were a 5% increase per year, one additional holiday, longevity payment categories will increase $20 in the second year of the contract and $10 in the third year (no increase the first year) , and a $5 increase in the uniform allowance for the second and third years (no increase in the first year) . Change in 1985-86 School Calendar Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon, and it was voted unanimously to modify the 1985-86 school calendar by having schools close at noon on Good Friday and have one less day of school at the end of the school year, i. e. , the last day of school for students will be Wednesday, June 25th, and for teachers, Thursday, June 26th. Change of School Committee Meeting Dates - Adjournment The Committee decided to change the June meetings previously scheduled for June 10th and 24th to June 3rd and 17th. The meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Robert S. Wells, Secretary