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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-07-15 School Cimmittee Minutes 81 READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES JULY 15 , 1985 Call to Order Chairman Allen called a regular meeting of the Reading School Commit- tee to order on July 15 , 1985 , at 7:30 p. m. , in the Central Office Conference Room. Mr. Shannon was absent due to an out-of-town busi- ness commitment. Mr. Lewis arrived at 7:41 p. m. Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendent Munnelly were also present but Assistant Superintendent Winslow was on vacation. There were eleven visitors during the course of the meeting including Food Services Director Miss Catherine 'Cook, eight representatives of Reading Extended-Day Activities Program (REAP) and a representative of the Daily Chronicle. - Approval of Minutes of June 17 and June 24, 1985 On a motion by Mrs. Philbrick, seconded by Mr. Coco, the minutes of School Committee meeting of June 17 , 1985 were unanimously accepted with the following correction: On page 6 , the sixth paragraph will read, "Chairman Allen suggested the Committee hold a meeting on June 24th before Town Meeting convenes. It was agreed that this meeting would be held. " Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, to approve the minutes of the School Committee meeting of June 24 , 1985. The motion carried on a 3-0 vote . Mr. Nissen abstained because he was not present at that meeting. Mr. Lewis had not yet arrived. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows : Bills June 28, 1985 - General Expense - $31 ,939.93 June 30, 1985 - General Expense - $37 ,434.73 June 30, 1985 - General Expense - $61,215 . 39 June 30, 1985 - Cafeteria Revolving Account - $4 ,341. 35 July 19, 1985 - General Expense - $32 ,614 .19 Payrolls June 28, 1985 - Weekly - $42 , 608 . 13 July 5 , 1985 - Weekly - $18 ,707.02 July 11, 1985 - Teachers - $101 ,549 . 51 July 12, 1985 - Weekly - $15 ,473.49 July 19 , 1985 - Weekly - $15 ,730.03 Citizens' Input There was no citizens' input. 82 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 15 , 1985 Memorandum of Agreement - School Committee , Board of Public Works and Recreation Committee Chairman Allen told the Committee that Mr. Barker, Chairman of the Board of Public Works, had asked that the School Committee consider including the Varsity Field and Track in the Memorandum of Agreement between the School Committee, Board of Public Works and Recreation Committee. Dr. Wells said that Mr. Winslow had consulted with Mr. Moore , Super- visor of Buildings and Grounds , and he was most agreeable to this request. The Superintendent said that the Administration recommends including the Varsity Field and Track in the Memorandum of Agreement. He added that the DPW has a larger gang-mower to use on the fields. "Our people have been very pleased with this Agreement," he- said. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was unanimously voted to continue the Memorandum of Agreement between the School Committee, Board of Public Works and Recreation Committee with the Varsity Field and Track no longer exempt. Central Purchasing Possibilities Chairman Allen said Mr. Barker had asked him recently if there could be an investigation of central purchasing, mentioning particularly paper supplies and motor vehicle tires. He added that, as indicated in the Superintendent' s Memorandum, there has been discussion of this possiblity at a recent meeting of Town Department Heads. Dr. Wells noted that at the Department Heads' meeting he had learned that the School Department is the only one which bids office supplies, adding that other Departments are going to check on the amount they use. He recommended that the Administration look into the possibility of some central purchasing and report back to the School Committee in two-three months. He noted that bulk purchasing is dependent to some extent on storage capabilities. It was agreed that the Administration would look into the matter and report back to the School Committee in two-three months. Executive Session At 7: 45 p. m. Mr. Nissen moved , seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, to enter into a brief executive session to discuss matters affecting bargaining and negotiations. The motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote. The Committee returned to open session at 7 :54 p. m. Surplus Space Issues Dr. Wells said that since the last time REAP representatives had met with the School Committee , some of its representatives had met with him and Mr. D'Orlando, Principal of Reading Memorial High School , for further discussion. He added that it was a very productive meeting, and since that time REAP representatives had also looked at the Pearl Street School, where there are three classrooms which could be rented. Dr. Wells said REAP is aware that the Board of Selectmen have some space needs , although the specifics of their needs are not yet known. 83 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 15 , 1985 The Superintendent then recommended that the School Committee permit REAP to lease Rooms 159a, 159 , and 157, a total of 1,896 square feet at $4.50 per square foot - $8 ,532 per year. He added that this would permit the Selectmen to use .Rooms 151, 153 , and 155 , a total of 2 ,112 square feet if they wish to use it in "as is" condition. He noted that toilet facilities must be shared and parking leaves much to be desired. He also noted that he had just found out that the Selectmen would like to use six rooms. On the subject of parking facilities, Dr. Wells said Mr. D'Orlando was concerned about safety when parents brought their young children to the High School in the morning, although REAP thinks there would not be more than five or six children. Chairman Allen noted that at the last meeting with REAP there was the issue of a previous vote by the Committee that limited use to after- school hours. He asked Dr. Wells if that has been resolved and he replied that it had not . Mr. Nissen noted that if the Committee chooses to take other action the previous vote is not an issue. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted that the School Committee recommend to the Board of Selectmen that a lease be signed with Reading Extended-Day Activities Program for Rooms 159a, 159 and 157 in Reading Memorial High School - a total of 1,896 square feet, at $4.50 per square foot, or $8,532 per year. In answer to questions from Mr. Coco on starting time and snow days, a REAP representative said the Program would start at 8:00 a. m. and would be cancelled on days when school is cancelled for inclement _weather. Following the discussion and vote on the above motion, Mr. Nissen said he would like to go on record as being totally opposed to locating Town Government Offices in the High School or any other school. He said that whenever strangers appear in a school they are challenged, therefore having Town Government in an active school would create a situation where strangers are expected and the Administration of the school would lose control. He added that the possibility of someone who should not be in the school wandering around could create problems. Mr. Coco said he thinks Town Government should be in Town space. Bids - Computer Science Center Dr. Wells recapitulated the bids for the Computer Science Center - to be located in the High School , noted that they came in $13 ,652 more than had been budgetted for this project, and requested authorization to make up this difference from unexpended FY85 funds. Dr. Wells recommended that $ 13 , 652 be expended from FY85 funds and that the low bidder be awarded the contract. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted, that, on the recommendation of the Administration, Ferrazzanni Construction Company, Inc. , of Reading, the low bidder, be awarded the contract for constructing a Computer Science Center at Reading Memori- al High School for $94,252. 84 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 15 , 1985 Bid - Oil Burners Dr. Wells spoke briefly on bids to furnish and install oil burners at Parker Middle School , recommending the low bid, which came in $4 ,655 under budget. Dr. Wells noted that this project was recommended in the energy audit and may be 60% reimbursed by the State. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was unanimously voted that, on the recommendation of the Administration, the contract for furnishing and installing oil burners at the Parker Middle School be awarded to the low bidder, Combustion Service Company of New England, in the amount of $19 ,345. Cafeteria Breakfast Program Chairman Allen introduced Miss Catherine Cook, Food Services Director, who spoke about the school lunch breakfast program at the High School, recommending that it be discontinued but that the snack bar - a la carte service - be continued. She said that only 14 students were now eligible for the federally-funded breakfast program, instituted at RMHS in 1977 under a mandate that required a school district to participate if over 100 students were eligible for free or reduced- priced meals. She stated that the program is not cost efficient because of the inordinate amount of record keeping required , and that each breakfast is being subsidized in the amount of $.12 by other programs, adding that the proposed reduction in federal reimbursement will increase this deficit substantially. Miss Cook said that while an average of only 84 participate daily in k the breakfast program, consisting of a choice of three items , i .e. , juice , cereal, donut, coffeecake and milk, an average of 210 partici- pate daily in the a la carte breakfast program. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was unanimously voted that, on the recommendation of the Administration, the School Com- mittee approve the discontinuation of the school lunch breakfast program at Reading Memorial High School as of September 1985. Mr. Coco noted that at the last meeting he had commented on the price of milk being $.25 in the schools when the School Department paid only $ . 12 for it. Miss Cook explained that the cost of labor involved in serving milk at meals , plus milk breaks at the elementary schools , cleaning the milk chests daily and keeping records, coupled with the cost of straws and napkins , brought the cost of each serving to $ . 22. Town Data Processing Advisory Board Chairman Allen said the School Committee had been requested to furnish the Town Clerk with the name of the person appointed to represent them on the Town Data Processing Advisory Board. Dr. Wells noted that Mr. Winslow and Mr. Spence, Director of Data Processing for the School Department , had been serving as School Committee representatives with the understanding that they represented only one vote. He said that unless a member of the Committee could serve on this Board he recommended reappointment of Mr. Winslow and Mr. Spence. 85 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 15 , 1985 Mr. Coco noted that he had served on this Board but could not continue because the meetings are held in the afternoon, during, his working hours. He then suggested, and the other members agreed, that Mr. Winslow write a memorandum to the Committee after each meeting of the Data Processing Advisory Board. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was unanimously voted to reappoint Mr. Winslow and Mr. Spence to represent the School Com- mittee on the Town Data Processing Advisory Board and that a memo- randum be given to the School Committee after each meeting. Middle Schools - Change in School Day Schedule Dr. Wells said the main reason he was recommending a change in the Middle Schools schedule was not educational , but a matter of bus schedules, especially effecting the Birch Meadow School. After a brief discussion of bus schedules, Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted, on the recommendation of the Administration, that the School Committee change the starting time to 8 :00 a. m. and the closing time to 2 :15 p.m. for both Middle Schools, rather than 8:15 and 2:30. Removal of Teacher for Conduct Unbecoming and Other Good Cause Dr. Wells said he had consulted the Town Counsel on the matter of dismissal of a teacher and was now recommending the dismissal of William G. Webb, a teacher at the Birch Meadow School. He continued, saying the Massachusetts General Laws state that a 30 day notice, exclusive of vacations, must be given for a dismissal hearing . Dr. Wells then requested that the School Committee start the process for the dismissal of Mr. Webb for inefficiency , incapacity , conduct unbecoming a teacher, insubordination, or other good cause and authorize the Chairman to sign a statement of charges if Mr. Webb or his attorney ask for one. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted that the School Committee of Reading, Massachusetts, acting pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 71, Section 42 and all other relevant authorities will take a vote on October 8, 1985 on whether to dismiss William G. Webb as a teacher in the Reading Public Schools for inefficiency, incapacity, conduct unbecoming a teacher, insubordination, or other good cause. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was unanimously voted that the School Committee delegate to the Chairman the responsi- bility of submitting a written letter of charge or charges to William G. Webb if one is requested by him or his Attorney. Financial Statements Noted for the record were the following financial statements : Cafeteria Statement for the month of June, Account Balances as of June 30 , 1985 , and Salary and Expense Accounts as of June 30 , 1985 . Mr. Coco inquired of Miss Cook as to whether she knew about upcoming changes in Federal subsidies for the School Lunch Program . She replied that it depends on Congress , where a decision will probably be 86 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 15 , 1985 made in August, but that it appears that a 60% loss in subsidies can be expected. She added that she believes the Program can survive one more year without raising prices. Dr. Wells noted that a major mistake in the encumbrances was found on the computer printout late Friday and will be corrected by the next meeting. Chairman Allen asked if $1,624. 25 was the correct amount which will be returned to the Town from FY85 funds and the Superin- tendent replied that this amount is correct . He added that the Special Education Department had less private placements than anti- cipated, thereby leaving money in that account. School Building Assistance Commission Awards Dr. Wells informed the Committee that notice had been received from the School Building Assistance Commission of the approval of two projects - the Birch Meadow School roof and oil burner replacements at Reading Memorial High School. The State will pay 60% of the total cost, over a five-year period - $15,828 for the roof and $2,871 for the burner replacements . Dr. Wells added that it is hoped that approval will be received for the roof of the girls' gym at the High School , another burner replacement and , eventually, the Coolidge Middle School roof. Tentative Fall Meeting Schedule Noted for the record was the tentative fall meeting schedule of the School Committee, covering the period of September through December. "Improving School Board Performance" Article Noted for the record was an article co-authored by Mr. Romeo Marquis, President of Management and Leadership Systems, and Dr. Wells entitled "Improving School Board Performance Through In-House Training," which has been submitted for publication to the Massachusetts Association of School Committees Journal. Chairman Allen announced that he and Dr. Wells have been invited to participate in a panel discussion on "Improving Communications between the Administration and the School Committee ," at the annual joint meeting of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents to be held in November in Hyannis. Legal Memorandum - Attorney Allan Drachman Also noted for the record was a memorandum from Attorney Allan Drachman, the Committee' s labor counsel , regarding a recent Supreme Court Decision relative to the layoff of tenured teachers . Leaves Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted, on the recommendation of the Administration, to grant a paid medical leave of absence to Mr. Donald B. Garland, science teacher at the Coolidge Middle School, to November 1, 1985, with the understand- ing that he will retire as of that date. 87 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 15 , 1985 Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted, on the recommendation of the Administration, to grant a personal leave of absence without pay to Mrs. Carol Hale, second grade teacher at the Killam School, for the 1985-86 school year. Resignations Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was unanimously voted, on the recommendation of the Administration, to accept the resignation of Ms. Veronica Kenney, resource room teacher at the Coolidge Middle School, effective June 21, 1985. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was unanimously voted, to accept the resignations for purposes of retirement of Mrs. Patricia Baltier, secretary at the Killam School, effective August 30, 1985 and of Mr. Kenneth Meuse, custodian, as of the same date. Appointments Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted, on the recommendation of the Administration, to appoint Ms. Lynne Kasparian, 33 Lexington Avenue, Bradford, to a one-year con- tract, replacing Mrs. Martha Chappel at the Killam School, at the B+15 Salary Schedule, Step 8. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted, on the recommendation of the Administration, to appoint Ms. Ann-Marie Downing, 91 Whittier Road, Reading, to a one-year contract, replacing Ms. Veronica Kenny, as resource room teacher in the Coolidge `Middle School at the M-7 step of the Salary Schedule. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, that, on the recommenda- tion of the Administration, Mr. R. Gilbert Congdon be appointed to a 2/5 mathematics position at Reading Memorial High School , first contract, at the rate of M-12, with no benefits. The motion carried on a 4-1 vote, with Mr. Coco casting the dissenting vote. During the discussion of the last motion, Mr. Coco asked what ccurses Mr. White, Mr. Congdon' s successor as Athletic Director(AD) , would be teaching. Dr. Wells noted that the new AD was a physical education teacher. He then said that the arrangement with Mr. D'Orlando is that Mr. White be given two periods of meaningful work at the High School , but not necessarily teaching physical education. Mrs. Philbrick said she felt "two periods of meaningful work" was rather nebulous , especially in light of the suggestions Mr. Ccngdon made ( for upgrading the Department) before he resigned as AD. Dr. Wells said he had tried to point out that Reading is trying to make its AD do more than other communities do. Mrs . Philbrick then said she thought that along with hiring a new AD it was time to rewrite the job description. She added that she knew the position had been a 2/5 - 3/5 position and had assumed the job would be the same when the new AD was appointed. She expressed sur- prise at finding out the new AD is not going to teach, but do meaning- ful work. Dr. Wells noted that the job description said the AD will be given a teaching assignment of some sort. Dr. Wells added, "Our own Director of Physical Education said the other day that as soon as 88 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 15 , 1985 you understand that the AD job is different from that of other directors the better off we will be. Mrs . Philbrick 'she was in sympathy that it is a full-time job, adding that if this had come up at the meeting of June 24th she would have been in favor of it, but a full-time AD was not discussed. Dr . Wells said he would take the blame for the breakdown in communications. Mrs . Philbrick said she was concerned that Mr. D'Orlando could be put in the position of making work for Mr. White to do. He also noted when Mr. Hollingsworth left that the only other town in the area which did not have a full-time AD was Winchester and that all other town' s employ full-time secretaries for their AD.' Mr. Nissen remarked that maybe there should be an agenda item to formalize what is already being done. Mr. Coco said that while it was a coincidence that the two prior AD' s taught math, now a new AD has been hired and the School Committee was never advised that he would not be teaching math 2/5' s time. He added that it was only by chance that the Committee found out he had not been assigned any teaching duties. Mr. Coco said he was very upset that a change had been made without letting the Committee know, adding that the Committee and Administration had recently completed a long process of trying to improve communications and this is the first failure. Following the vote on the preceding motion, Mr. Coco moved, with Mrs Philbrick seconding for discussion purposes, that the School Committee direct the Superintendent to specify that Mr. White will be a 2/5 's math teacher. The motion failed to carry, the vote being 1-4, with only Mr. Coco voting in favor. During the discussion of the motion Mrs. Philbrick asked who will teach the classes formerly taught by Mr. White. Dr. Wells said there could be a football coach who will teach only physical education. Mrs . Philbrick pointed out that the School Department had advertised for a coach and physical education teacher , therefore Mr . White wouldn' t be needed as a teacher. Dr . Wells said he believed Mr. D'Orlando could get more service by using Mr. White in study halls or as a substitute. Mrs. Philbrick said she did not have a quarrel with that but felt there is a need to rewrite the job description to protect the School Committee and the AD, and Dr. Wells agreed. Chairman Allen noted that Mr. Congdon had suggested several things before he resigned as AD and said some of these suggestions may have been restated when Dr. Wells met with some of the coaches. He added that many of the coaches believed that the AD job should be a full- time position. The Chairman agreed that it is time to rewrite the job description. Mrs. Philbrick said she agreed with Mr. Coco that the circumstances surrounding the appointment of a new AD were not at all right and that she is not pleased about it. She said the motion, however, takes an Administration mistake out on the man hired. She added that she agreed with the intent of the motion but not with the result it would have on the man hired. 39 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 15 , 1985 Mr . Coco said that if the AD' s responsibilities were going to be rewritten there should have been an open discussion and he would have supported the outcome of a vote. He added that, for the record, he wanted to restate his opposition to hiring a full-time secretary for the AD. Dr. Wells said he would like to bring before the School Committee some suggestions for revisions in the AD' s job and other suggestions for the Athletic Department at the next regularly scheduled meeting. He added that he had attempted to present these suggestions at the meeting when the new AD was appointed but was cut off because of the time pressure of a thirty-minute meeting. Mr. Nissen remarked that the lesson to be learned was that School Committee meetings should be postponed until the following evening rather than being held before a Town Meeting. Dr. Munnelly spoke regarding the replacement of the football coach and a physical education teacher, saying a posting had been sent to the RTA and an advertisement placed in a Boston newspaper, but there had been a limited response. He said the Administration had hoped to bring a recommendation to the School Committee at this meeting but were unable to and will have to come up with some alternative . He then went over three options - hiring someone which the Administration would be uncomfortable with and who would not be fully supported by some, having the AD coach football for the next season and hire some assistants , or have a varsity coach who does not teach in Reading. He added that because football practice starts August 26th a special meeting would be needed before that date. It was agreed that a meeting, solely for the purpose of acting on a football coach and physical education teacher, would be held Wednes- day, July 24th, at 6:45 p. m. Contract with Cafeteria Employees Chairman Allen announced that he had signed the Contract between the School Committee and Cafeteria Employees Union which the Committee had voted to ratify at their meeting of May 20 , 1985. Executive Session - Adjournment At 9 : 50 p. m. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, that the Committee enter into executive session to discuss matters pertaining to bargaining and negotiations. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. The Committee remained in executive session until 10 : 57 p. m. Upon returning to open session the School Committee decided to change the date of the next regularly scheduled meeting from August 26th to August 22nd. The meeting adjourned at 11 :00 p. m. Respectfully submitted, Robert S. Fells, Secretary