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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-06-24 School Cimmittee Minutes 79 READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES JUNE 24 , 1985 Call to Order Chairman Allen called a meeting of the Reading School Committee to order on June 24 , 1984 , at 7 : 10 p. m. , in Room 127 of Reading Memorial High School. Members Mr. Lewis and Mr. Nissen were absent. All other members were present , as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. There were two visitors, one of whom was Mr. Leonard D'Orlando, Prin- cipal of Reading Memorial High School. Bid - Front End Loader - Tractor Mr. Winslow recapitulated the bids for a four-wheel drive tractor and selected attachments, as enumerated on Document B-1-a , recommending that the contract be awarded to C & J Lawnmower, Inc. of Wilmington, for a John Deere machine . He noted that while this firm was not the low bidder it was the only one which met the specifications, adding their hid was under the $ 14 ,500 allocated in the budget for this machine. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, to award the contract for a four-wheel drive tractor and selected attachments to C & J Lawnmower, Inc. , for the bid price of $14 ,444. Appointment - Athletic Director Dr. Wells spoke briefly about the process of screening and interview- ing candidates for the position of Athletic Director, recently vacated by Mr. Congdon. He said there were eight applicants , seven of whom were interviewed by a Screening Committee. Two were not recommended for further consideration and, after Dr. Wells narrowed the field to five applicants, they were interviewed by the Administration. There were applicants from within and outside of the Reading School System. Dr. Wells then recommended that Mr. John White , physical education teacher and football coach at Reading Memorial High School , be appointed to the position. It was noted that this would leave the High School without a football coach and Dr. Wells said Mr. D'Orlando was trying to contact Paul Soule, Assistant Coach , to ask if he would accept the position of i Acting Coach for one year. Mr. Shannon moved , seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, to appoint Mr. John White to the position of Athletics Director, effective immediately. During the discussion on the above motion, Mr. Coco referred to a memorandum from the Superintendent which recommended the hiring of a 80 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 24 , 1985 full-time secretary, to be shared by the Director of Athletics and the Director of Physical Education, and a trainer for each of the sports seasons, effective September 1 , 1985. He said he didn' t see how the School Department can afford adding staff , and that he did not agree with the recommendation. Dr. Wells said he was petitioned by 35-40 of the coaches , later met with them, and was convinced that these two additions should be made to the staff. He added that Reading is the only town in the Middlesex League which does not have the secretarial position described above. Mrs. Philbrick said she had wondered for some time why Reading does not have a trainer for all seasons , adding that she feels it necessary for safety reasons. Dr. Wells said the trainer' s salary would be about $4 ,000 and the cost of a secretary would be only half of a full-time secretary as there already is a half-time secretary. He added that he did not need a decision at this meeting. Mr. Shannon said that while in one sense he agreed with Mrs . Phil- brick , he was not sure where the funds would come from for the additional personnel. He felt the decision should be postponed until the July 15th meeting. Mrs. Philbrick asked if Dr. Wells could have firm figures on the cost factors of these positions by the July 15th meeting. Mr. Coco felt that any decisions on adding staff should be postponed until nego- tiations with the Reading Teachers Union are settled. Appointment - Maintenance Trainee Mr . Winslow recommended the appointment of David M . Meuse to the position of Maintenance Trainee for FY36 , in accordance with the Custodians' Contract . Mr. Coco moved , seconded by Mrs. Philbrick , and it was voted unan- imously, on the recommendation of the Administration , that the School Committee appoint Mr. David M. Meuse as Maintenance Trainee for FY86 , effective July 1st , for which he will he paid a stipend of $600 . Meeting with Selectmen About RMHS Surplus Space Chairman Allen reported briefly on the meeting with the Board of Selectmen regarding surplus school space the previous Thursday. He said that a strong attempt will be made by the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee to try to best utilize surplus space , adding that no specific motion was made. Dr. Wells added that the Selectmen need space but are waiting for Mr. Agnew to furnish more specific information. Adjournment By unanimous consent the meeting adjourned at 7 : 35 p. m.