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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-07-24 School Cimmittee Minutes 91 READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES JULY 24 ,1985 Call to Order A special meeting of the Reading School Committee was called to order by Chairman Allan on July 24, 1985 , at 6:50 p. m. , in the Central Office Conference Room. Absent were Mr. Coco, who was on vacation, and Mr. Lewis. All other members were present, as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. The only visitor was a representative of the Daily Chronicle. - Appointment of Football Coach Dr. Wells said the appointment of John White as Athletic Director (AD) put him out of the running as a football coach, not because it is against School Committee Policy, but because it against Administrative practice. He continued, saying that the coaching position was posted :.and advertised but that there was not a wide response and so the Administration felt it should come to the Committee to request a vote to appoint Mr. White football coach for one season. Dr. Wells added that if Mr. White is appointed football coach for one year, then he suggested that a person be hired to assist him in his duties of Director of Athletics for the months of September, October and Novem- ber, to be paid a stipend of $1 ,000 , which would be paid from the AD's salary. This person' s duties would consist of supervising the sale of tickets, checking assignments of officials at home games, etc . , and assisting in any way the AD requests . Mr . Nissen asked if Mr. White agreed with this proposal and Dr. Wells replied in the affirmative . Mrs . philbrick asked Dr. Wells if he had someone in mind to be an assistant and he said that he has , adding Mr. White has mentioned three-four people who are either physical education teachers or former coaches . He said he had not been able to meet jointly with the AD and High School Principal to make a decision. Dr . Wells added that Mr. John Pacino, recently retired guidance teacher and former coach at Austin Preparatory School had also been mentioned, adding that he might be able to give more time since he is retired . Mr . Shannon said he wanted it emphasized that the assistant would be hired only for the football season to make sure that a future position of assistant AD is not being created. Mrs . Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon, and it was unanimously voted, on the recommendation of the Administration, to appoint Mr. John White as acting football coach for the 1985 season at Step 10 of Sports Category D, and , in addition , the Administration hire an 92 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 24 , 1985 assistant for him, to be appointed at a later date , and to be paid a stipend of $1 ,000 for September, October and November of 1985. Appointment of Physical Education Teacher Dr . Munnelly said that the Administration plans , in conjunction with the physical Education Director and High School Principal, to transfer Mr . Gary Nihan from the Barrows School to Reading Memorial High School to replace Mr. White, and were recommending the appointment of Ms . Virginia L. Clark as a Physical Education teacher at Barrows School . Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs . Philbrick, that, on the recommenda- tion of the Administration, the School Committee appoint Ms . Virginia L. Clark, 558 Winter Street, Framingham, as an elementary physical education teacher, at the B- rate, to be assigned to the Barrows School . Following a lengthy discussion, summarized below, the motion carried 3-0, with Mr. Shannon abstaining. Mr. Shannon said he had a problem with this, adding that the vote to appoint a new AD, as he understood it, meant that he would also be a classroom teacher. Mr. Shannon said he saw this a change in policy and unless Ms . Clark is hired for 3/5 or 2/5 time and Mr . Nihan teaches the remaining classes the AD'S position would be changed to a full time one and he could not support that. Dr. Wells said that this was not intended, although he does plan to recommend changing the position at the next meeting . He added that if the AD had been a math teacher things would probably be the same because if the School Committee had not changed and increased math requirements the 2/5 position would not have been there . He said if the Committee is adamant the AD could teach two classes . Mr. Shannon said there is no indication at this time of what the AD will or will not teach, adding that the Committee was replacing the newly appointed AD with a full time person . Mr . Shannon said he understood the AD will have no teaching duties, adding that at this time it appears that the School Committee is replacing a full time person with a full time person , and there would be an additional teacher that the School Department did not have before . He noted that although it may be only a partial salary, it was not in the budget . Mrs . Philbrick said she was in full support of the AD but was not clear even now on the job description, as it states the AD will be a teacher on the HS staff . Dr . Wells said he did not want to make it so specific that the AD would be locked into a study hall for two periods , but he would define the staff the way the majority of the School Committee wishes . Mr . Shannon said the job description states the AD is to be a regular teacher on the staff , but that it' s not that way now. He added that he did not like a change being made in position without it being brought to the School Committee before being implemented. He also expressed concern as to where the money will come from and said he 93 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 24 , 1985 hoped in the future the School Committee would be advised beforehand. Other Chairman Allan asked Dr. Wells if he had received any recent informa- tion on the Education Reform Bill . Dr. Wells said he had received a summary that day and copies will be sent to the School Committee . The Chairman suggested that members call the Central Office if they have any question about the AD job description which will be consid- ered at the next meeting . Adjournment At 7 :33 p. m. Mrs . Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was unanimously voted to adjourn. Respectfully submitted, Robert S. Wells, Secretary