No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-10-07 School Cimmittee Minutes 115 READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 7 , 1985 Call to Order Chairman Allen called to order a regular meeting of the Reading School Committee at 7:36 p. m. , on October 7, 1985 , in the Central Office Conference Room. All members were present, as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. There were 12 visitors, including Killam School Principal Mr. Paul Guerrette and members of his staff Mrs. Pamela Chomsky-Higgins , Ms. Elaine Hondorf, and Mrs. Jean Maloney Stewart, and representatives of the Finance Committee, League of Women Voters and Daily Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of September 23 and 24, 1985 On a motion by Mr. Coco, seconded by Mr. Shannon, the minutes of the meetings of September 23 and 24 , 1985 were unanimously approved. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows: Bills October 24, 1985 - General Expense - $29,679.51 October 11 , 1985 - General Expense - $60 ,069.39 Payrolls October 3, 1985 - Teachers - $320,222. 32 October 4 , 1985 - Weekly - $25,193.14 October 11, 1985 - Weekly - $27,359. 82 Citizens' Input There was no citizens' input. School Highlights The academic spotlight was on the Killam School , with Principal Guerrette and faculty members Mrs. Chomsky-Higgins , Ms. Hondorf and Mrs. Stewart, giving the highlights of a three-year program devoted to improving appreciation of literature. A Commonwealth Institute Grant was applied for and received, enabling the faculty to bring consultants and specialists in children' s literature to the School. Samples of books being used in the literature program as well as examples of the students' work were displayed in the Central Office Conference Room. The staff members emphasized the importance of reading aloud to children, of integrating literature into all areas of the curriculum, and of the sharing of ideas among teachers. 116 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES October 7 , 1985 After a number of questions from School Committee members , Chairman Allen thanked Mr. Guerrette and his staff members for their interest- ing and informative presentation. Reading Memorial High School Examination Pilot Project Dr. Wells noted that the State Department of Education has had some problems with secondary schools giving examinations similar to college examinations, lasting two-three hours. He added that college stu- dents had found it difficult taking the college-type examination when they had been given only forty-minute examinations in high school. For this reason the High School Administration is requesting that Reading Memorial High School become a part of the "High School Examination Pilot" and be allowed to conduct four days of mid-year examinations and four days of final examinations. Mrs . Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was unanimously voted, on the recommendation of the Administration, that the School Committee approve the schedule for mid-year and final examinations as detailed on enclosure B-3-a. Request to Permit Band to Perform on Sunday, October 27th The Committee considered a request from Mr. David F. Bunten, Reading Memorial High School Band Director, to allow the Band to participate • in the Woburn Lions Club Annual Halloween Parade on Sunday, October 27, 1985. Dr. Wells noted that School Committee Policy requires a vote of the Committee when permission to participate in a Sunday event is requested . He added that Mr. Bunten feels it would be good experience for the Band, and that they enjoyed it last year. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was unanimously voted , that the School Committee grant permission to the Reading Memorial High School Band to participate in the Woburn Lions Club Parade on Sunday, October 27 , 1985. Superintendent' s 1985-86 Goals Dr. Wells briefly went over his 1985-86 goals, which had been sub- mitted to the Committee in advance of the meeting. His goals are as follows : GOAL #1 RATIONALE - The decline in enrollment at Reading Memorial High School requires continued planning on our part. First , we must find ways that permit us to continue offering quality education programs at that School . Second , we must find ways to get maximum efficiency from a physical plant that was designed for a much larger enrollment. The municipal space needs of the Town bring an additional dimension to any long-range space utilization plan. GOAL A. To continue discussions with surrounding towns and institutions (University of Lowell) in an attempt to form collaboratives 117 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES October 7 , 1985 that will result in quality education within our economic means . B. To develop a five-year staffing plan that will aid us in determining what curriculum revisions , if any , may become necessary. C. To develop a five-year housing plan, based upon anticipated enrollments and other space needs , that can be used as a guide for the School Committee in deciding when, where and how best to make the most effective and efficient use of the Reading Memorial High School plant . GOAL #2 RATIONALE - The Massachusetts Educational Reform Act of 1985 is a very complicated and multi-faceted piece of legislation. It will take a major effort on our part to receive the maximum benefits available to us. GOAL A. Formula Grants - There will be opportunities to increase funds for academic programs . This will be through the formation of School Improvement Councils in all schools except Reading Memorial High School . Exercising leadership to the Councils will give us maximum return in material goods but , more importantly, in public support for our Schools . Secondly, the Professional Development Grants come under the classification of Formula Grants . These funds must go through the bargaining process . However, there is flexibility in the use of the funds that could assist us in efforts to improve the economic conditions of teachers . Specifically, my role in this would be in the bargaining and negotiations area . Thirdly, there are the Horace Mann Teachers ' Funds . Although this will not be funded in FY87 , these grants are to be used for expanded responsibilities . It will be most important that the assignments and stipends given to Horace Mann Teachers do not place our RTA Contract differentials in imbalance . B . Testing and Other Non-Grant Programs - There is a need for us to prepare for ( 1 ) an evaluation program of teachers and administrators that will satisfy the yet unpublished guide- lines of the State Department of Education and ( 2) to file reports on program descriptions for the Reading School System for purposes of evaluating Reading as a School System. In addition, there are curriculum assessments and Basic Skills Testing Programs for each that will take separate efforts on our part to satisfy the requirements of the Educational Reform Act. C. Finally, there are hosts of discretionary grant programs , some of them competitive in nature , in which we may wish to get involved. 118 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES October 7 , 1985 Referring to Goal #2 , Dr . Wells said he thought that , this year particularly, it will take a lot of time to get on top of this new legislation. Mrs . Philbrick praised the Superintendent' s goals , adding that she hopes he will help the Committee to understand this new Bill , and keep them informed as it is implemented. Mr . Coco agreed, noting that he feels that one of the School Committee goals should be to ferret through the new Law and determine what it means , to Reading, in particular . "We have not only to react to it, but to act with it," he added. He went on to say that he hopes by spring the "loose ends" will be tied up and the Committee can discuss at a meeting how this Law will work for Reading in the next one to two years . Mrs . Philbrick suggested the possibility of a consultant giving a workshop on this subject for the Committee at a later date . The consensus of the School Committee was to accept the Superinten- dent' s goals as presented. Substitute Teachers' Pay Dr. Wells said the issue of substitute teachers ' pay rate was on the agenda because of an agreement with the Reading Teachers Association , (RTA) whereby the School Department has to pay teachers for their loss of planning time when the Administration is unable to hire substi- tutes . He added that although the rate was raised to $35 a year ago, Reading is no longer competitive and for that reason he was recom- mending the rate be increased to $40 per day. Dr. Munnelly noted that a number of surrounding towns have raised their rates . He added that the budget for substitute teachers is now close to $90 ,000 but that he feels there is no other way to be able to get good substitutes . Mr . Coco raised the issue of the problem of finding substitute teachers at the high school level, .where all teachers are specialists and suggested the possibility of paying substitutes a higher rate, perhaps $45 , at that level. Dr . Munnelly warned that this may be considered discriminatory, and therefore illegal , adding that he didn ' t think $5 per pay would produce substitute specialists , as they just are not available . He requested that a motion for a higher rate at the secondary level be postponed until he checked the legal ramifications with the State Department of Education. Mr . Shannon moved, seconded by Mrs . Philbrick , and it was unanimously voted that, on the recommendation of the Administration , the pay rate for substitute teachers be increased to $40 per day , effective immediately. 119 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES October 7 , 1985 School Fund Raising Issue Dr. Wells gave a brief history of Policy KIA, "Solicitation of Funds," noting its present form was the result of complaints from citizens of students soliciting funds door-to-door and a general philosophy that the School Committee should provide enough funds to support the School System. The Superintendent said the Secondary School Principals told him they are feeling the economic pinch of Proposition 2 1/2 and as a result have submitted a proposal to revise Policy KIA. The four points of the proposal are : ( 1 ) One fundraiser per year per school ; ( 2 ) Permission required from Superintendent; (3 ) Coordination to avoid overlap or saturation ; and (4 ) a discouraging of house-to-house solicitation. Dr. Wells said the majority of Elementary Principals would prefer that any loosening of Policy KIA apply only to the Secondary Schools , as they favor the existing policy. He added that he was "not leading this cause" but was not against trying it for a year or two. He added that he was sorry the Principals were not present to speak on their proposal. Mr. Shannon noted that in one sense the proposal was more restrictive than existing policy in that it asked for one fundraiser a year. He added that he favored contributions by businesses , such as the one recently made by Mr. Arnold Berger and that he is not in favor of changing Policy KIA, as there are a multitude of opportunities for raising funds under it as it exists . Mr. Coco said there were now many organizations selling door-to-door, such as Scouts , Little League , and " it never seems to end . " He expressed the opinion that it is the responsibility of the School Committee to obtain the necessary funds to operate the School Depart- ment with the mechanism now in place and that students should not be involved in that responsibility. He did not favor changing the Policy. Mrs. Philbrick said she too was sorry the Principals were not here to explain their proposal , adding that she agreed with the two previous speakers and would not support a change in the Policy KIA. Dr. Wells said the Principals have told him that the reason for the proposal is that they find it necessary to cut more field trips , assemblies , films and other things that are considered peripheral to education. Chairman Allen said the proposal appeared to be an attempt to "go for the big kill , rather than having ten spaghetti dinners . " He added that many parents who have children in more than one school are "hard pressed." He said he might , at a future meeting, consider authorizing the PTA/PTO's to do a little more fund raising than they do now. There was some discussion as to whether PTA/PTO' s feel they must abide by the Policy. Some Committee members felt that the wording of the Policy is a bit loose and that it should be reviewed. Dr. Wells said 120 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES October _7 , 1985 that, regardless of the outcome of the discussion, he is going to make sure the Principals are more aware of Policy KIA. He added that the Administration will do some research regarding this subject and report back to the School Committee. Mr . Coco moved , seconded by Mr . Shannon , to reaffirm the School Committee Policy on Solicitation of Funds (KIA) . The motion carried 4-1-1 , with Chairman Allen voting in the negative and Mr . Nissen abstaining. Finance Commitee - Priorities The Superintendent said a memorandum had been received from the Finance Committee(FinCom) on October 1st asking that all town boards and committees submit their budget priorities and guidelines for FY87 by October 15th, adding that this was a very short time frame as the School Committee had only this one meeting before the FinCom deadline. He then asked FinCom Liaison Mr. O'Leary if the School Committee could have more time. Mr. O'Leary said because money is so tight this year - there is no stabilization fund - the FinCom wants to get as much information on projected major increases and decreases as soon as possible. Follow- ing a brief discussion Mr. O'Leary said that in view of the magnitude of the School Budget he would ask his Committee , when it meets the next evening, to consider giving the School Committee an extension so they may consider budget projections at the October 21st meeting . Grant Announcements - Reading Memorial High School Roof Dr. Wells announced that the School Building Assistance Bureau has given notification of a 60% reimbursement - over period of 5 years - for the cost of the Reading Memorial High School roof. The Town will receive $28 ,078 of the $46,797 cost, the funds to go directly into the Town treasury. Massachusetts Association of School Committees - Voting Delegate Chairman Allen said he and Dr. Wells are scheduled to be part of the morning program of the annual meeting of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and he would be happy to serve as the voting delegate if the Committee so wished. Mr. Nissen moved , seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted that the Chairman be appointed as the voting delegate to the Massachusetts Association of School Committees annual meeting. School Councils Explaining that School Improvement Councils are a part of the Educa- tion Improvement Act that does not call for Town Meeting approval , Dr. Wells recommended that the School Committee authorize starting these Councils as soon as possible. He added that under this act the State will give each community $10 per pupil for K-6 enrollments this year and $10 per student for K-12 next year, to be used for various aca- demic and cultural programs, expanded services, staff training, etc. 121 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES October 7 , 1985 Each School Council is to be composed of 3 teachers , 2 parents , 1 principal and 1 School Committee appointee. He said the Principals have been informed that they should hold elections . Chairman Allen said if members are available he would like a School Committee member on each of the Councils . The consensus of the Committee was that it is important to have a member on each Council for at least the first year. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon, and it was unanimously voted that, in accordance with Chapter 188 , School Improvement Councils be established at the Barrows , Birch Meadow, Joshua Eaton, Killam, Coolidge Middle and Parker Middle Schools for the purpose of administering the School Improvement Funds . Mr. Nissen moved , seconded by Mrs . Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted that the School Committee appoint School Committee members to serve on School Improvement Councils as follows: Bar4'ows School - Mr. Coco, Birc Meadow Sc oo - Mr. Lewis, Eaton Schoo - Mr. S annon, Killam School - Mr. Nissen - Coolidge Middle School - Chairman Allen and Parker Middle School - Mrs . Philbrick. Agenda Calendar The Agenda Calendar, as shown on Document C-4 , was discussed by the Committee . Revisions and additions were suggested as follows : Add to items listed in October, School Committee goals and appointment of a member to write the annual School Committee report for the Town Report; Add to November items, a review of the METCO Program; Add to January or February items , a discussion of Chapter 188 ; schedule math report in December instead of January ; schedule Basic Skills and Social Studies Reports in May instead of June . October 1st Enrollments Noted for the record were the October 1st enrollment figures , up by 12 students since the September 13th count . Financial Statements Noted for the record were The Account Balances Statement of September 30 , 1985 and the Expense and Salary Accounts Statement of September 27 , 1985 . Mr. Winslow said all accounts were just about as should be expected at this point in the fiscal year. Resignations Mr. Nissen moved , seconded by Mrs . Philbrick , and it was unanimously voted to accept the resignations of Mrs . Barbara Helliesen, from her position as cafeteria worker at Reading Memorial High School , effec- tive September 23 , 1985 , and Mr . Thomas McAuley, from his custodial position at the Coolidge Middle School , effective October 4 , 1985 . 122 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES October 7 , 1985 Leaves Noted for the record was a letter from Mrs. Jill D. Pelunis, speech - therapist, stating that she will be on maternity leave commencing on or about November 18 , 1985. Appointments Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen , and it was unanimously voted to appoint Ms. Jennifer B. Aborn, 50 Warren Street, Peabody , as an Elementary and Middle School music teacher, at the M-2 step of the salary schedule, retroactive to September 17 , 1985. Mrs. Philbrick moved , seconded by Mr. Shannon, and it was unanimously voted to appoint Ms. Mary Ellen Begonis, 289 South Street, to the Attendance Clerk position at Reading Memorial High School , effective October 7 , 1985, to be paid according to the Secretaries and Clerks Contract, Step 1. - Executive Session - Adjournment At 10 :07 p. m. Mrs. Philbrick moved , seconded by Mr. Shannon, that the Committee enter into executive session to discuss matters pertaining to bargaining and negotiations. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. The Committee remained in executive session until it adjourned at 11 :18 p. m. Respectfully submitted, Robert S. Wells, Secretary