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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-11-04 School Cimmittee Minutes 129 READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 4, 1985 Call to Order • Chairman Allen called a meeting of the Reading School Committee to order on November 4 , 1985 , at 7 : 32 p. m. , in the Central Office Conference Room. All members were present except Mr. Lewis . Also present were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. There were over 30 visitors, including Coolidge Middle School Princi- pal Albert Lahood, members of his staff Mrs. Mary Cann, Library/Media Specialist, and Ms. Ellen Svenson, Social Studies Department Head, Food Services Director Miss Catherine Cook , many members of the Reading Schools' teaching staff, and representatives of the Finance Committee, League of Women Voters and the Daily Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of October 28 , 1985 On a motion by Mrs. Philbrick, seconded by Mr. Shannon, the minutes of the October 28 , 1985 School Committee meeting were unanimously approved. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows: Bills November 8 , 1985 - General Expense - $36,532 . 32 Payrolls November 1, 1985 —Weekly - $34 ,543 .54 November 8 , 1985 - Weekly - $28,195. 47 Citizens ' Input There was no citizens' input. School Highlights The academic spotlight was on the research skills program of the Coolidge Middle School. Making the presentation was Principal Lahood , Mrs. Cann, Ms. Svenson , and former Coolidge students Gina Silva and Ben Trevor, who are now enrolled in Reading Memorial High School. Through brief talks and a video tape, they demonstrated the approach being used to teach students how to learn. For a typical project students must narrow down their topic, establish reading targets , select a variety of research sources, set up formal note cards , make a draft, write a bibliography and edit, before finalizing their reports. The various basic skills are integrated in preparing the final Social Studies report. 130 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 4 , 1985 Dr. Wells noted that since this program was initiated at Coolidge Middle School three years ago, the results have filtered up to the High School as students entering already possess the necessary research skills, relieving them of the burden of teaching these skills before commencing with the regular curriculum. Following a brief question and answer period, Chairman Allen thanked all who participated in the presentation. AIDS/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome - School Committee Policy - Second Vote Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs . Philbrick and it was unanimously voted that the School Committee adopt for second and final vote Policy JHCE - AIDS/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome - School Attendance Policy , as recorded on Document B-2-a , to be included in Reading School Committee Policies. Dr. Wells said that Mrs. JoAnn McMahon, Supervisor of Health Services, will explain this State Department of Public Health mandated policy to school personnel during the school year. Recreation Committee Liaison Chairman Allen announced that Mr. Shannon has offered to serve as School Committee liaison to the Recreation Committee. Cultural Exchange Program in France Dr. Wells said Mrs. Gina Healy, Head of the Reading Memorial High School Language. Department , has asked for approval of a short-term cultural exchange program in France. He added that both he and Mr. D' Orlando approved the exchange, now in its third year, and considered it a learning experience, but that students must clear their assign- ments with teachers before going, as their stay in France will extend a week beyond the April vacation. Dr. Wells expressed some concern as to whether the opportunity would not be available to some students for economic reasons and that these students might not ask for aid . Mr . Shannon said he knew some students who had worked to earn the money to participate in an exchange program. Several members of the Committee said they would like a report on the Cultural Exchange Program within the next year, at which time they would review it . Mrs . Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was unanimously voted , on the recommendation of the Administration , to approve the Cultural Exchange Program for the Spring of 1986 , as described on. Document B-3-a. 1 M. A. S . C. - Annual Resolutions Chairman Allen, as official School Committee delegate to the annual Massachusetts Association of School Committees meeting , said that 131 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 4 , 1985 unless he heard to the contrary, he will vote his conscience on the annual resolutions. There were no objections from the Committee. Progress Report - Joint Librarian Appointment Dr . Wells noted that over the years there has been outstanding cooperation between the Public Library and the School Department . He added that there has been a change in the Administration and Staff of the Library and they do not feel it feasible at this time to pursue the earlier proposal to share a librarian with the High School . Dr. Munnelly said that since the Library was not prepared to undertake the appointment of a joint librarian at this time the Administration is now recommending that Mrs . Silva be replaced with a trained reference librarian who would work from 11 :00 a. m. to 8 :00 p. m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 :00-2:30 on Friday, permitting extended use of the new Library/Computer Center. This person would also work during school vacation weeks to give students the opportunity to work on projects. He also said an aide should be employed or transferred to the Center to provide support and student supervision. With the Center open evenings, students would be able to do their math and word processing assignments in the Center as there will be at least 30 microcomputers and two Apple computers available. Mr. Coco questioned access to the Learning Center during after-school hours . Dr. Munnelly said students could enter the Building near the television studio and use the stairs there , adding that a sign-in/out sheet would be used. School Lunch Report Miss Catherine Cook, Food Services Director, was present to discuss a Five-year Operational Analysis of the School Lunch Program, distrib- uted to the School Committee in advance of the meeting. Mr. Winslow led off the discussion by noting that in 1981 the Lunch Program received some funds from the Town, but since then, despite drastic reductions in Federal' Government subsidies, Miss Cook has been able to operate the Program without seeking Town funds. Miss Cook noted that students are spending more per capita , but declining enrollments , decreasing subsidies and increasing labor costs will effect the financial picture in the future . She added that maintenance costs were an unpredictable variable , especially in light of the age of much of the equipment . In answer to School Committee questions, Miss Cook said she does not foresee any staff reduction for quite a while , that there has been no noticeable impact since the School Lunch Breakfast Program was discontinued , and that , as a result of difficulty in obtaining labor when needed, she may have to resort to alternatives, such as using all paper products, in the future . National Outstanding Secondary School Principal Award to Dr. Delaney Dr. Wells announced that Dr. John Delaney, Principal of the Parker 132 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 4 , 1985 Middle School , has been selected as one of the outstanding secondary school principals and has been invited to attend, along with an out- i I standing teacher and principal from each state , the second national I ! symposium, "In Honor of Excellence ," sponsored by the Burger King Corporation. On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman extended congratulations to Dr. Delaney. Town of Reading Incentive Aid Grant - $3 ,000 Dr. Wells announced that the Town of Reading has received an Incentive Aid Grant in the amount of $3,000 for the training of Municipal and School management personnel . He said applying for the grant was a result of the monthly Department Heads meetings , adding that Mr. Romeo Marquis will be consultant for the project. Financial Statements Noted for the record were the following financial Statements : Account Balances as of October 31 , 1985, Salary and Expense Accounts as of October 25,1985 , and the Cafeteria Statement for September 1985. Mr. Winslow recapitulated the statements and answered questions from the School Committee . Appointments Mr. Shannon moved , seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was unanimously voted , on the recommendation of the Administration, to appoint Mr. Domehic Cacciapuoti , who has been with the School System for 13 years , to the position of Custodial Supervisor, to fill the vacancy created by the transfer of John Miller, effective as soon as a replacement is found. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick , and it was unanimously voted , on the recommendation of the Administration, to appoint the following: Ms. Kathy M. Duffy, 404 West' Street , Reading , as a physical education teacher at Coolidge Middle School for the remainder of the school year (replacing Mrs. Crocker) at Step B-4 of the salary schedule. Mrs . Elinore M. Rogers , 16 Fairmount Road , Reading , as a grade 2 teacher at the Birch Meadow School ( replacing Mr . Webb for the remainder of the school year) , at Step B-5 of the salary schedule. Mrs. Philbrick moved , seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was unanimously voted , on the recommendation of the Administration, to appoint Ms. Kimberley Garrard, 21 Cumberland Road , Reading , as girls gymnastics ; coach for the 1985-86 school year, at a salary of $1 ,500 for the year. Executive Session At 9 : 03 Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon, that the Committee enter into executive session to discuss matters pertaining to bar- 133 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 4 , 1985 gaining and negotiations. The motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote. Return to Open Session At 9 : 58 the Committee returned to open session. Chairman Allen said that a negotiations meeting with the Reading Teachers Association was scheduled for the following night, as was the All Boards Meeting. He asked if another member would take his place at the latter meeting . Mr . Shannon said he would attend the. All Boards meeting with Dr. Wells . The School Committee and Mr. Eugene A. Nigro, of the Finance Committee ( FinCom) , discussed at length the financial position of the Town, as well as FinCom efforts to make up last year' s deficit and create a surplus. Mr. Nigro said the FinCom had voted the previous Tuesday to recommend level funding of all budgets - both expense and salary. Chairman Allen pointed out that the School Committee feels due consideration should be given to the Educational System, adding that educating the Town' s children is of high priority. Adjournment At 10 : 20 p. m. Mr. Nissen moved , seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was unanimously voted to adjourn. Respectfully submitted. (41-4(2S- 4)-(2-0,4J Robert S. Wells, Secretary