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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-09-09 School Cimmittee Minutes 105 READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 9 , 1985 Call to Order Chairman Allen called a regular meeting of the Reading School Commit- tee to order on September 9 , 1985 , at 7 : 31 p . m. , in the Central Office Conference Room. All members were present, as were Superin- tendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. There were over thirty visitors present, all of whom, with the ex- ception of two Finance Committee members and a representative of the Daily Chronicle, were members of the Reading teaching staff. Approval of Minutes of August 22, 1985 Mr . Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon, and it was unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the meeting of August 22, 1985 with the following addition: page 5 , paragraph 7 , insert the words "front doors of the" before the word "vehicle ." Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows: Bills August 30, 1985 - General Expense - $29 ,722 .56 September 6, 1985 - General Expense - $57,491 .23 September 13, 1985 - General Expense - $85 , 144 .14 Payrolls August 30, 1985 - Weekly - $18 , 189 .41 September 5, 1985 - Teachers - $301 ,204 .83 September 6 , 1985 - Weekly - $21 ,868 .98 September 13 , 1985 - Weekly - $24 ,896 .86 Citizens ' Input There was no citizens ' input . Bids - Clerestory - Coolidge Middle School At its last meeting the School Committee had voted to award the contract for translucent panels for the clerestory of Coolidge Middle School to Capital Building Specialties , Inc . , the low bidder at $52 ,000 , contingent upon approval by the Town Counsel . Mr . Winslow said that the Town Counsel has given approval to awarding the contract to Capital Building Specialties , even though that Company 106 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 9 , 1985 did not include test results , for two reasons , the first being a reservation clause in all bid specifications that the School Committee will act in the best interests of the School Department. The second reason is that bid specifications state that acceptance is subject to available funds and the other bid was for more than the amount of available funds . In answer to a question from Mr . Coco, Mr. Winslow said work on the roof probably will be done first because of a delay in obtaining the translucent panels but there is a clause in the contract stating that any damage to the roof caused by installing the panels must be repaired by the contractor who installs them. He added that roof bids will be in by September 20th and he expects work to begin about the second week in October. Board of Public Works-Recreation Committee-School Committee Memorandum of Agreement Chairman Allen said that at the last meeting of the Recreation Commit:: tee he learned that they believed that the July 15th School Committee" vote to have the Board of Public Works maintain the Varsity Football, Field and Track (formerly excluded from the Memorandum of Agreement among the three bodies) meant that the Recreation Committee would have control of scheduling these facilities . He added that he did not feel this was the intent of the School Committee , and so asked that reconsideration of that vote be placed on the agenda for this meeting . Dr. Wells agreed that the intent of the School Committee was only to have the Public Works Department maintain these facilities and recommended the School Committee rescind its vote of July 15th. Chairman Allen also suggested rescinding the vote and discussing the matter further with the Chairman of the Board of Public Works upon his return from vacation. Mrs . Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon, and it was unanimously voted to rescind the School Committee vote of July 15 , 1985 which continued the Memorandum of Agreement between the School Committee , Board of Public Works and Recreation Committee but eliminated the Varsity Field and Track from the list of "Exclusions" (Item IV) . School Opening Overview - Preliminary Enrollments Dr . Wells said that when he and Chairman Allen addressed the teachers upon their return to work it was the first time in many years , because of a reduced staff, that the entire staff had been able to meet in one building for the opening of school . On the second day Dr. Robert Coles , noted psychiatrist, Harvard professor and prolific author of books about children, addressed the entire teaching staff . Dr. Wells said many teachers had let him know personally, by telephone, and by letters how much they enjoyed hearing Dr. Cole. Dr. Munnelly noted that Dr. Wells , in addressing the teachers, said 107 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 9 , 1985 that the last school year was one of the best years in his 20 years as 1 Superintendent. Chairman Allen said he enjoyed addressing the teachers for the second year and remarked on the enthusiasm of the staff upon the announcement that teachers Leo Kenney and Claire Flynn had received Exemplary Teacher Awards at a Town Meeting held in June after school had closed . Regarding enrollments, the Superintendent said he was surprised that Kindergarten enrollments were down by six, as he had anticipated an increase of 10-15 students . He noted that another surprise was that the junior class was larger than the freshman class of last year. Dr. Wells added that the total enrollment was down to 3839 from 3991 at this time last year, but usually it increases by the October 1st count as some students return or enroll after the first week of school . Noting the 3% drop in enrollments, Mr. Coco asked the Superintendent if he had received any feedback from other school systems . Dr. Wells replied that Wakefield had a slight increase, but at this time it is not possible to obtain either State or local census figures. He added that kindergarten enrollments are probably down because many parents opt to send their children to private kindergartens which provide day care. Mr. Winslow reported on the physical plant of the System, stating that construction of .the computer center at Reading Memorial High School is under way, but work will be held up for some time because of a delay in receiving some mechanical components from the manufacturer. He said a windbreaker has been erected near the entrance to the field house to diminish wind stress on the doors . In general , he said the school facilities were in good shape , with the exception of a leak in the field house roof which caused flooding inside. He added that this was caused by drain pipes filling with tar from the roof and efforts are being made to rectify this situation. Due to the flooding the boys' shower room is temporarily closed for repairs . School-Municipal Mini Grant Dr . Wells briefly apprised the School Committee of a mini grant application jointly submitted by the School Departments and other Town Departments. The application seeks funds to provided a series of workshops for the Town' s foremen, supervisors and middle management personnel . He added that most Town Departments were very enthusiastic because this would be their first opportunity to provide in-service training. He said he favored co-application with other Departments to promote interdepartmental cooperation . School Committee Goals for 1985-86 Chairman Allen requested all members submit suggestions for School Committee goals for the 1985-86 year to the secretary by September 18th, for discussion at the next regularly scheduled meeting. 108 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 9 , 1985 Resignation Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon, and it was unanimously voted t at the School Committee accept the resignation of Ms . Mary B . Correia, music teacher, effective September 27th or sooner, dependent upon finding a replacement teacher. Leave Mrs . Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was unanimously voted, on the recommendation of the Administration, that cafeteria employee Mrs . Ann Hogan be granted a personal leave without pay from September 3 to December 3 , 1985 . Appointments Mrs . Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was unanimously voted, on the recommendation of the Administration, that the following teachers •e appointed, e ective the first day o schoo : Ms . Susan L. Perkins , 260 Broadway , Arlington , as a first grade teacher at the Killam School , on step B-4 of the salary schedule , as a one year replacement for Mrs . Carlyle, who has been assigned to a kindergarten class for the year. Ms . Wendy J. Small, 4 Radcliff Road, Beverly, as a third grade teacher at the Killam School , on step M-8 , as a replacement for Mrs. Ciampa who is on a one year leave-of-absence . Mrs . Carolyn B. Howard , 24 Central Street, Winchester, as a science teacher at Coolidge Middle School , on the M-6 step of the salary. schedule , to replace Mr. Auricchio, who resigned. Mrs . Jean verzola-Henry, 44 Clark Road, Andover, as a business educa- tion teacher at Reading Memorial High School , on step B-9 of the salary schedule, to replace Mrs . Shultz, who resigned. Executive Session At 8 :12 p. m. Mr . Shannon moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, that the School Committee enter into executive session to discuss matters pertaining to bargaining and negotiations . The motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote . Return to Open Session - Ratification of Custodial Contract The Committee returned to open session at 10 : 00 p . m. Chairman Allen announced that the Committee had unanimously voted to ratify the contract with the Custodial Unit, Local #1703, Council 93 , American Federation of State , County and Municipal Employees . The main points of the three-year contract are a 5% pay raise each year, 50% of 50 days sick leave buy back, establishing a fund of $1,000 for education which would reimburse custodians up to $50 for education 109 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 9 , 1985 after five years of employment, and a uniform allowance of $40 , $80 and $120 for the three successive years . The contract is effective July 1, 1985 to June 30 , 1987 . Next Meeting - Adjournment It was agreed that the Committee will meet on September 23rd, prior to the Town Meeting , from 7 : 00-7 : 30 p . m . to consider bids for the Coolidge Middle School roof . At that time a date will be set for the next regular meeting. At 10:06 p. m. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon, and it was unanimously voted to adjourn. Respectfully submitted, k41f S, 1l elTs;, s 461,6f6fsr