Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-06-17 School Cimmittee Minutes 69 • READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES JUNE 17 , 1985. . Call to Order Chairman Allen called to order a regular meeting of the Reading School Committee on June 17 , 1985 , at 7 : 31 p. m. , in the Central Office Conference Room. All members were present, as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. During the course of the meeting there were over 30 visitors including Reading Memorial High School Principal Leonard D'Orlando, his Assis- tant Principal Allan Alson, Joshua Eaton School Principal Donald Farn- ham, Birch Meadow School Principal Dennis Murphy, Mr. Paul Graveline, Birch Meadow School reading teacher, Mr. Terry Woody, RMHS English Department Chairman, Mr. Ronald Howland, RMHS English teacher, Mr. Peter Hichborn Parker Middle School English Department Chairman , Mr. Jeffrey Cryan, Coolidge Middle School English Department Chairman, Mr. Everett Blodgett , RMHS chemistry teacher , and representatives of R. E .A. P. (Reading Extended-Day Activity Program) Task Force , the Wellington School ( formerly Red Sneakers) , and the Daily Chronicle . Approval of Minutes of June 3 , 1985 On a motion by Mr. Coco, seconded by Mr. Shannon, the minutes of the meeting of June 3 , 1985 were unanimously approved. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows : Bills June 14 , 1935 - General Expense - $39 ,146 . 52 June 21 , 1985 - General Expense - $36 ,308. 66 Payrolls June 13 , 1985 - Teachers - $327 , 132 . 63 June 14 , 1985 - Weekly - $27,607.79 June 21 , 1985 - Weekly - $40 , 102 . 35 June 21 , 1985 - Teachers - $1, 082,344. 60 Citizens ' Input There was no citizens' input. School Highlights A fifth grade "Propaganda" unit, part of the reading program at the Birch Meadow School , was the subject of "School Highlights. " Principal Dennis Murphy introduced reading teacher Mr. Paul Graveline 70 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 17 , 1985 and students Meaghan Quinlan, Amy Wettergreen , Glen Abbott and Jeremy Piper, who made the presentation. Mr. Graveline said that in line with the System' s goal of promoting higher thinking skills , and because children are exposed to so much advertising by the media , it was decided that they should study propaganda , in order to be able to recognize and analyze it . The students were assigned to watch television commercials, write their own on - assigned and unassigned subjects - products , causes and charities, etc. , rate them in terms of propaganda techniques , and look for "loaded" words. They were also assigned to listen to news broadcasts so that they would realize that some news is shaded with propaganda. Each of the four students spoke on different propaganda techniques , i. e. , the "plain folk" approach, "testimonial and mud-slinging, " "everybody is doing it, or bandwagon" commercials, and "transfer" - suggesting a message without stating it. A videotape of a commercial produced by the fifth grade students was shown. On behalf of the School Committee , Chairman Allen thanked all who participated . Exemplary Teacher Awards Dr . Wells announced that the process of selecting two exemplary teachers for honors and recognition has been completed. One High School teacher and one elementary teacher will be honored at the opening of the June 24th Town Meeting. Chairman Allen will present plaques and checks to the teachers on behalf of the School Committee and the Berger Family. A brochure on the teachers contribution to education will be distributed at that time. In addition they will be honored at another ceremony when all teachers of the System gather for their opening-of-school meeting. Bids - Walk-In Freezer Mr. Winslow explained why only one of the four firms who received bid specifications for a walk-in freezer submitted a hid. He said one firm did not because of vacations coming un, another refused to obtain the necessary bond, and the third was not interested. He noted that the freezer will be located at Reading Memorial High School , will be paid for from cafeteria profits , and will make it possible to save money by being able to purchase and store larger quantities of perishable foods . Mrs. Philbrick questioned whether cafeteria profits could be used to reduce the price of milk by five cents. Mr. Winslow replied that the school lunch program will be facing drastic reduc- tions in subsidies in the future. Mr. Nissen moved , seconded by Mr. Shannon, and it was voted unanimous- ly that , on the recommendation of the Administration , the School Committee award the contract for a walk-in freezer to Hub Refrigera- tion , at $ 12 , 681 . 30 . Mr. Winslow noted that there will be some 71 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 17 , 1985 additional expense for electrical work in installing the freezer . Bids - Milk Mr. Winslow briefly recapitulated the bids on milk for the school cafeterias, and recommended the aggregate low bidder - H. P. Hood. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon, and it was unanimously voted , that, on the recommendation of the Administration the School Committee award the contract for milk in school cafeterias to H. P. Hood , aggregate low bidder, for milk products and straws as enumerated on Document B-3-a-2 ( 1) . Bids - Ice Cream One bid only was received for ice cream products and Mr. Winslow explained that H. P. Hood would not bid because Paul' s Distributors is a distributor for their products , and West Lynn Dairy , who also received bid specifications, chose not to bid. He added that firms sometimes do not bid because their inventory of freezers, which they must supply if awarded the contract, is low. Mr. Coco moved , seconded by Mr. Shannon, and it was voted unanimously, that , on the recommendation of the Administration, the School Commit- 1 tee award the bid for supplying ice cream products to Paul ' s Distribu- tors at prices enumerated on Document B-3-a-2 (2 ) . Bids - Bread and Rolls Mr. Winslow noted that bidders utilizing United States Department of Agriculture flour were usually able to bid at lower prices . He recommended awarding the contract for Items 1-8 to LePage Bakeries (using USDA flour) , and for Items 9-11 to Mello' s Bakeries. Mr. Nissen moved , seconded by Mrs . Philbrick , and it was voted unanimously that , on the recommendation of the Administration, the School Committee award the contracts for Items 1-8 to LePage Bakeries and Items 9-11 to Mello' s Bakeries at prices enumerated on Document B-3-a-2 (3 ) . Bids - Custodial Supplies Mr. Winslow said that he would like to hold off on Items 11 and 12 , pending receipt of samples and Items 8 and 9 ( floor finishes) pending testing of the products. He added that in all cases low bidders were being recommended. Mr . Nissen moved , seconded by Mrs . Philbrick , and it was voted unanimously that , on the recommendation of the Administration , the School Committee award contracts for custodial supplies , Items 1-7 , 10 , 13 , and 14 at prices enumerated on Document B-3-a-3 . • 72 READING SCHOOL COMMITTTEE MINUTES JUNE 17 , 1985 Continuance Of Bus Contract Mr. Winslow went over bus contracts of many towns in this area and other information on continuance of the bus contract, as written in the Superintendent' s Memorandum. He recommended continuing the contract with North Shore Bus Company, which would be going into its fifth and final year , rather than rebidding , as he believes that exercising this option would save the School Department about $ 120 ,000. Continuance of the contract would mean a rate of $109 per bus per day, with Kindergarten at $ 129 per bus per day, up from $99 and $119 , respectively. Mr. Nissen moved , seconded by Mrs . Philbrick , and it was voted unanimously to exercise the option to continue one more year - the final year of the contract - with the North Shore Bus Company. Wellington School - Approval of Program Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon , and it was voted unanimously,' on the recommendation of the Administration, that the School Committee. approve for the Wellington School an extension of grade 4 , so that it is approved, along with grades 1-3 , until June 1987, and approve grade 5 for one year. During a brief discussion preceding the above vote , Mrs. Philbrick expressed concern that the Superintendent, in his Memorandum, had stated that the School ( formerly Red Sneakers) minimally meets the criteria. Dr. Wells said the reason is that , because of the number of students , they do not have separate grades, but instead have "spread grades. He added that the Administration has suggested that this year the School Department receive evidence of the School ' s testing, program. Chapter I Proposal Dr. Munnelly said that , basically, the Administration is recommending the same program as last year, with one change because of the number of ADC students in the Coolidge Middle School area . A language arts/math program will serve students at Killam and Birch Meadow Schools , a language arts supplementary program at Coolidge Middle School (Parker has been the target middle school for the past few years) , and a language arts/reading tutoring center. will be in Reading Memorial High School. He added that the program will be in operation for 140 school days. Mr . Nissen moved , seconded by Mrs . Philbrick , and it was voted unanimously , on the recommendation of the Administration , that the School Committee approve the submission of the 1985-36 Chapter I Proposal as delineated on Document B-3-d, in the amount of $44 ,838 . Reading Extended-Day Activities Program Members of the Reading Extended-Day Activities Program (REAP) Task • 73 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 17, 1985 Force were present to discuss a proposal for renting some of the space in Reading Memorial High School to be vacated by fall for the program 1 they plan to initiate in September. Spokesperson for the Group was Mr. George Hines. He briefly went over the proposal presented to the School Committee prior to the meeting , stating that REAP is interested in renting rooms 159A, 159 , 157 and 155 . He said that the group. started as a result of a survey conducted by the local League of Women Voters , which established a need for day care. Mr. Hines said it was his understanding that the School Committee has taken a position that they will lease space under certain restrictions and requirements, and that REAP would like to know if their program meets those standards. He added that they expected 40 children to be in the Program this year, although it is felt that this meets only 25% of the need. Mr. Hines noted that the REAP Program is based on the requirements of the Office for Children, including their space requirements. REAP plans to contract privately with the North Shore Bus Company to pick up morning Kindergarten students and elementary students at their schools and transport them to the High School and to pick up afternoon Kindergartners at the High School and bring them to their respective schools. Parents will bring morning Kindergartners to the High School and pick up all children from the High School by 6:00 p. m. There will be monitors on the bus. Parents need not enter the School when dropping off the five or so children in the morning as there will be greeters to take the children from the cars . At this point Mr. Nissen moved , seconded by Mr. Shannon , that the School Committee agree to negotiate a lease with the REAP Task Force for Rooms, 155 , 157, 159 and 159A. At the close of the discussion below, the motion was withdrawn. Chairman Allen said there seems to be a growing question in other parts of Town Government , as apparently the Selectmen are concerned about some Boards and the Senior Citizens' Center still housed in the Community Center, which is in the process of being sold. He added that although the conditions of the sale originally were to allow the senior citizens to remain in the building , the Selectmen now may need to find another site for them as well as the Boards now housed in the Community Center. The Chairman added that the two portables are "still up in the air, " and he does not know how successful the School Committee would be in attempting to rent them when the Selectmen will only allow a one-year lease. Chairman Allen said the Committee has not had time to address the recent concerns of the Selectmen , and that perhaps Town Government should take care of itself first. It was noted the Committee has a meeting scheduled with the Selectmen on June 20th. Mr. Hines said, that as a veteran of the Reading Space Committee , he understands the Committee' s dilemma , but thought that the REAP, being an education-related program, would be a more compatible tenant for the space in the High School . Chairman Allen felt it would be ill advised at this point to make a 74 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 17 , 1985 motion to rent and then find later that they might not be able to do it. Mr. Hines noted that REAP does not have much time if they are to start the program in September. Mr. Nissen expressed concern about putting an " indefinite hold" on the process , adding that "history doesn ' t show that three days after a meeting with the Board of Selectmen we will have an answer. " Mr. Nissen said he would like the School Committee to go on record as supporting the Program and making rooms available, or at least make the rooms available conditionally if not needed by the Selectmen. Mr. Coco said he was sympathetic to their needs but believed that out of courtesy the Committee should first listen to the Selectmen. He agreed with the Chairman that Town Government should take care of itself first. Mr. Shannon said that he felt that whatever group is eventually con- sidered for the High School space that the School' s Administration should be given the opportunity to state whether or not they felt it would be compatible to their operation. Some discussion evolved around a motion, made at the April 9th School . Committee meeting, which specified after-school use for the surplus space in the High School. Mr. Hines said they had wrestled with the problem of including Kindergartners but concluded that there was a definite need. Some members of the Committee felt Kindergartners should not be in the High School while it was in session because of the "after school hours" stipulation in the motion. Others felt this was open to interpretation. Dr. Wells said although he was surprised that the Selectmen didn' t know earlier of the extra space in the High School , they have now asked very specifically that the School Committee not take any action until after the Selectmen made a formal request. He added that it is his undertstanding that their needs will be brought before the School Committee in the near future. He also said he thinks the Selectmen are talking about more space than the School Department has available. The Superintendent added that he would like to help REAP but also feels the Committee must first listen to the Board of Selectmen. Chairman Allen suggested the Committee hold a meeting on June 24th be- fore the Town Meeting convenes. It was agreed that this meeting would be held and that the agenda will deal with use of the High School sur- plus space and activities which might be allowable during the day. Language Arts Curriculum Report Dr. Munnelly introduced Mr. D'Orlando and Dr. Alson, Principal and Assistant Principal , respectively , of Reading Memorial High School , Mr. Woody, RMHS English Department Head , Mr. Cryan , Coolidge Middle School English Department Head, Mr. Hichborn , Parker Middle School English Department Head , and Mr. Farnham, Joshua Eaton School Prin- cipal , stating they would give a report on the language arts/English curriculum. Also present was Mr. Howland , who will succeed Mr. Woody when his resignation becomes effective at the close of the school 75 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MI':TJTFS JUNS 17 , 1985 year. Each spoke on the grade levels with which they are concerned , referring frequently to a written report distributed to the School Committee prior to the meeting. The presentation was based on developments of the last three years, including the self-evaluation of the Department (at the High School. level) which preceded the evaluation for accreditation of RMHS. The speakers talked about test scores, the emphasis on improving students ' writing , the process-writing method being used , the stress on quality writing in all subject areas , how grammar, punctuation, etc. are in- tegrated into the curriculum, types of literature read and analyzed, and the continuity of the language arts/English curriculum from one grade level to the next. It was brought out that three Reading teachers were invited to take part in the writing program at the University of Massachusetts. These teachers have trained students to assist other students in examining and revising their writing and these students are available at certain times in the School Library to help their peers. The University has designated certain schools which are using the process method of teaching writing and will advertise this throughout the State and refer teachers to these schools to observe their writing program. Reading Memorial High School is one of the schools designated by the University of Massachusetts as a "demonstration site. " A question and answer period followed , with School Committee members particularly interested in instruction methods for writing. Chairman Allen thanked all involved for their very comprehensive report. Basic Skills Improvement Resort The results of this annual year' s Basic Skills Testing were discussed and compared to last year' s results. Dr. Munnelly noted that results were strong in nearly every area, and that the: Administration is con- tinuing to work on some areas. He added that Reading' s standards are among the highest in the Commonwealth and Reading students , in large numbers , demonstrate basic skills competence. Awarding of Bid Contracts d;:ring Summer Months Dr. Wells said that many goods and projects are advertised for bid during the summer months an that in the last few years there has been an understanding that if the low bid is acceptable the Administration may award the contract , with the School Committee approving it at their next meeting. Mr. Nissen moved , seconded by Mr. Shannon, that the School Committee accept the following practice during the summer months : If the low bidder is acceptable , that the Administration accent the same and the School Committee will note such for the record at their next meeting . If the need arises to accept a bidder other than the low bidder, a special emergency meeting will be called for the purpose of selecting an acceptable bid. The motion carried on a 5-1 vote , with Mr. Coco casting the dissenting vote. 76 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES Ji1NE 17 , 1985 Appointments Mrs. Philbrick moved , seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was voted unani- mously, on the recommendation of the Administration, to appoint the following candidates: Mrs. Margaret E. Pugh, 15 High Street , Merrimac, to be assigned to the Coolidge and Parker Middle Schools as a reading specialist at the M-9 Step on the Salary Schedule. Mr. Peter V. Gugger, 198 Allen Road, Billerica , to be assigned as a one year replacement for Mrs. DeSalvo in the FOCUS Program, at Step M-7 of the Salary Schedule. Mr. Scott Garman, 1037 Fairground Road, Xenia, Ohio, to be assigned as a physical education teacher at Reading Memorial High School, as a one year replacement for Mr. Myslicki , at the B-1 Step. Mrs. Sharon Patterson, first contract , to be assigned as an elementary,' classroom teacher on Step B-7 , at the Alice M. Barrows School , where` she has been serving as a replacement for Mrs. Woods since March. Mrs. Pauline Harootian, third contract , Step B-8 , as an elementary teacher at the Joshua Eaton School , where she served as a replacement for Mrs. Jamison this spring. Reappointments Mr. Coco moved , seconded by Mr. Shannon, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, to reappoint all persons ,. . except Mrs. Cynthia Jamison, listed on Document E, at the Contracts , Salary Schedule Steps and Assignments as enumerated on said Document . Resignations Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, to accept the resignation of Mr. Michael Spaulding as Data Processing Supervisor, effective June 5 , 1985 . Leaves Mrs . Philbrick moved , seconded by Mr . Shannon , and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration , to grant leaves of absence as follows : To Mrs . Catherine M. Powell , on maternity leave since April 22nd from her position as Kindergarten teacher at the Killam School , a child- rearing leave for the 1985-86 school year. To Mrs . Martha ,Chappell , first grade teacher at the Killam School , a child-rearing leave from the end of her maternity leave to the end of the 1985-86 school year. 77 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 17 , 1935 Reorganization At this point Chairman Allen handed the gavel to Dr. Wells, who called for nominations for School Committee Chairman for the 1985-86 year. Mr. Nissen nominated Mr. Allen, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick. There being no other nominations , Dr. Wells called for a vote and Mr. Allen was unanimously reelected Chairman for another year. Chairman Allen then opened the floor for nominations for Vice Chair- man. Mr. Coco nominated Mrs. Philbrick, seconded by Mr. Shannon. There being no other nominations , the Chairman called for a vote and Mrs. Philbrick was unanimously reelected Vice Chairman for another year. Executive Session - Adjournment - At 11 : 40 p. m. Mr. Shannon moved , seconded by Mr . Coco, that the Committee enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing matters pertaining to bargaining and negotiations. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. The Committee remained in executive session until it adjourned at 12: 15 a. m. Respectfully submitted, • Robert S. Wells, Secretary