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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-11-25 School Cimmittee Minutes 135 READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 25 , 1985 Call to Order A regular meeting of the Reading. School Committee was called to order by Chairman Allen on November 25, 1985 , at 7: 34 p. m. , in the Central Office Conference Room. Mrs. Philbrick arrived at 8 : 25 p. m. Mr. Lewis was absent. All other members were present, as were Superin- tendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. There were over 40 visitors , including former School Committeeman Bruce MacDonald , METCO Coordinator Mr. Russell Hill , Mr . Marcus Mitchell of the METCO Central Staff in Boston, METCO Instructor Mr. Keith Jones, METCO parents and students, members of the "Understanding Handicaps Program, " many members of the teaching staff, and represen- tatives of the League of Women Voters and the Daily Times Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of November 4, 1985 On a motion by Mr. Shannon, seconded by Mr. Nissen , the minutes of the meeting of November 4 , 1985 were unanimously approved. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows: Bills November 15,., 1985 - General Expense - $44 , 095. 16 November 22 , 1985 - General Expense - $68 , 118. 83 November 29 , 1985 - General Expense - $24 , 064 . 42 Payrolls November 14 , 1985 - Teachers - $329 ,539 . 56 November 16 , 1985 - Weekly - $27,956.47 November 22 , 1985 - Weekly - $27,620.83 November 27 , 1985 - Weekly - $30,061. 75 November 27 , 1985 - Teachers - $325 , 308 . 96 Citizens ' Input Mrs. Gina Healy, Reading Memorial High School teacher , said the reason so many people from the Reading Teachers Association were present was to highlight the fact that contract negotiations are still not complete. School Highlights This segment of the agenda featured the "Understanding Handicaps" a program being carried out in Grades 3 and 4 by community volunteers. 136 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 25 , 1985 Presenters were members of Understanding Handicaps , Town-wide Coordi- nator Mrs. Judy LeBlanc, Mrs . Carol Everson, and Mrs . Cynthia Hampson . In addition to explaining the Program and reviewing its two-year progress in the Reading Schools , they gave School Committee members ! some tasks to do which are typical of those given to students in the Program. As the Program is currently dealing with the handicap of mental retardation, the tasks were designed to give a sense of the frustration felt by those with a mental handicap. Over the past two years the Program has dealt with the handicaps of blindness, deafness, physical limitations , mental retardation and invisible handicaps . Mrs . LeBlanc said the Program includes 150 volunteers and its main purpose is to develop new attitudes by dispelling fear and developing knowledge. She said the purpose of the current unit is to dispell the myths about retardation by having students try tasks such as those given to the School Committee members and hearing speakers who have this handicap, so that they realize that although people have some differences , they are the same on the inside . The major goal of the Program is to help students to be more understanding of all kinds of handicaps . Chairman Allen conveyed the thanks of the School Committee for a°most interesting and enlightening presentation. METCO Program Review A review of the METCO Program, established in 1966 , was presented b the Coordinator of Reading 's Program, Mr. Russell Hill and Mr. Marcus Mitchell , Public Relations Officer of METCO, assisted by METCO instructor Mr. Keith Jones , and several METCO parents and students . Mr. Hill noted that the Program started in Reading in 1968 with nine students and now there are 102 bussed from Boston to Reading , some of whom leave home at 6:30 a. m. He added that there is a late bus three days a week, enabling METCO students to participate in after school activities in Reading , such as glee club, intramural sports , Scouting , etc. Mr. Shannon asked if , with the changes in the Boston School System, there is a need for Boston students to be bussed out, or whether the Program is primarily serving. the needs of Reading students . Mr. Hill said that despite the improvement in Boston Schools that some parents still do not have confidence in them, adding that he feels there is still a need for college-bound students to come to suburban schools . Mr . Hill noted that the Program is "a two-way street , " as most children in the suburban towns would grow up in isolation without it . He added that he thinks there will be a need for the Program for a long time, despite improvements in Boston Schools . Mr. Shannon then asked about the drop off of students at the middle school level . Mr. Hill replied that only about 1% drop out to go to private schools , but some students have moved to Hyde Park or Roslin-1 dale and the bus does not pick up students in those communities . METCO student added that the kind of education students get by goin_ to the suburbs is an experience they cannot get in Boston. Another 137 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 25 , 1985 student said many of his friends are trying to get into the METCO Program. Mr. Mitchell distributed information showing a 70% placement record for METCO students. He said that many other races are now trying to get into the METCO Program and there is now a waiting list of over 5 ,000. In answer to a question from Mr. Coco, Mr. Mitchell said over $1 million is now appropriated for the METCO Program, which includes Springfield . He added that the METCO Program is a model for the Country, and he has requests for information from many states . Mr. MacDonald, speaking as a parent, said his children experienced as much from the Program as the METCO students , and he would not want them to grow up in isolation. Chairman Allen thanked all who participated in the review of the METCO Program. School Bussing Policy Review The Chairman said , that after some discussion with Dr. Wells , he requested that a review of the School Bussing Policy be on the agenda. Dr. Wells said the purpose of the review was to determine whether the School Committee saw a need to make any revisions in the Policy. He went over the Policy briefly, noting that Section #5 allows the superintendent to make exceptions for bussing students within the walking distance limits in cases where there is evidence of unusual circumstances . The Superintendent said he usually makes 100-150 exceptions each year , sometimes including an entire neighborhood , adding that this. year 101 exceptions have been made , most for reasons of safety. He also noted that there is special education transporta- tion for physically disabled students and for Prototype 502. 4 students (under Chapter 766 ) . Dr. Wells said that he had issued a temporary bus pass to the child of a family living in an area with sidewalks , well below the 1/2 mile limit , after he received a note from a physician, addressed "To whom it may concern, " stating the child must be allowed to ride the school bus because of an ear condition. He said he later called the physi- cian and was told by him that his secretary, not he , had written and signed the note and that it overstated conditions. The Superintendent went on to say that on the basis of this and school hearing tests which indicate that , while there is some hearing loss , the child is able to hear the sounds of cars , horns , etc. , he instructed Birch Meadow School Principal Mr. Murphy to revoke the temporary pass. Dr . Wells noted that he was first asked to provide transportation for this child because her mother was disabled, then because the child was , and then because children were being abducted. He added that on the basis of the latter reason all children would have to be trans- ' ported . Dr . Wells said that after 20 years as superintendent he thought his integrity should stand on it' s own, and he did not think an exception should be made in this case. 138 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 25 , 1985 Chairman Allen then read a letter from Massachusetts Association of School Committees stating that they know of no community which has a , bussing policy which covers disability of a parent. Mr. Shannon felt that making an exception for a location with side- walks and within the walking distance limit could "open up a can of worms . " He said he had driven up Spruce Street and noted that it is a secondary street, that there are sidewalks on only one side and the child has to the cross the street, but she would have to even if there were sidewalks on both sides. Mrs. Martorana said she had received only a day' s notice that the bus pass was being revoked , and no explanation . She presented the Committee with papers from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and stated that her child has to have surgery in three weeks . Mr . Martorana said he thought the bussing policy should be changed. Mr. Shannon questioned the fact that the letter revoking the bus pass contained no explanation. Chairman Allen said that if the service- was discontinued on Friday, the letter should have been received before Friday, and he agreed that was not much notice. He also agreed the letter should have contained an explanation. He said that lack of courtesy should not have happened and that he is sure it will not happen again, to anyone. Mr. Coco said he had read the statements from Mass. Eye and Ear and they suggested some type of classroom help for the child, adding that the Schools are equipped to give such help. He added that the state- ment from the Doctor said any hearing loss should be addressed in the classroom, not by transportation. Both Mr. and Mrs. Martorana repeatedly shouted, made accusations , called Dr. Wells names, and interrupted School Committee members to the extent that Chairman Allen had to tell them he would have them removed from the meeting if they could not maintain orderly conduct . Chairman Allen asked if the Committee members wanted to change the bussing policy. Mr. Nissen suggested that it would be appropriate that the Martorana child have a core evaluation (under Chapter 766 regulations) . It was explained to Mr. and Mrs. Martorana that such an evaluation will , if any problems are found , result in an individual education plan, which could, if it was deemed necessary, but not necessarily would , include transportation . It was also noted that there must be parental permission for a core evaluation, and that the evaluation team would be composed of those specialists felt to be necessary in light of suspected problems. Mr. Coco made a motion that transportation be provided until com- pletion of a core evaluation. There was no second. Dr. Wells said this would change policy. Mr. Coco said he was trying to put in plac( what he thinks is necessary - a core evaluation - and trying to address a short-term issue. Mrs. Philbrick said she did not think the 139 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 25, 1985 School Committee could legally decide that there must be a core evaluation, although she agreed that the child needs some help. She added that the evaluation might not result in transportation being provided. She also suggested the child walk to school with other children in the neighborhood. Mrs. Martorana said she did not want her daughter or other children in the neighborhood to walk. Chairman Allen suggested the matter be taken under advisement and Mr. and Mrs. Martorana contadted later. A lengthy discussion, which included comments from several visitors, ensued. Mr. Nissen said the Committee wanted to act on facts , and noted new medical documents had been introduced during the meeting. He said the Martoranas , as he heard it , claimed their child would be medically at risk because of bad weather. He said it was not up to the Committee to judge medical documents. Mr. Coco noted that none of the new documents implied that the Martoranas' daughter could not walk to school. Following the discussion Mr. Coco, moved , seconded by Mrs. Philbrick , and it was unanimously voted, that the School Committee would provide transportation for up to 30 days for Giana Martorana , and that any further continuation would be the result of a core evaluation. P. T. A. Answering Service Policy Chairman Allen announced that, as a result of a recent meeting with members of the Birch Meadow P. T. A. , School Committee Policy KB - on PTA/PTO Answering Service for Absent Students - will be a regular agenda item at the December 9th meeting. He added that at that time Dr. Wells will .give a report on what has taken place , and the Com- mittee will discuss the Policy. Dr. Wells noted that the Policy was developed as a result of partici- patory democracy after all PTA' s except Parker and the High School had held meetings on the subject and requested permission from the School Committee for an answering service in order to make sure that parents of absent students could be called. He then read the Policy. Dr. Wells said Birch Meadow PTA "got a jump" on the Policy and had an answering service instrument installed. He said the volunteers who call parents have been doing so from their homes . He added that about October Principal Dennis Murphy found that this service was taking about 10-15 minutes a day of secretary or teacher aide time, and at a critical time of the morning , tying up the School telephone line. The Superintendent said he met with some concerned Birch Meadow School parents who know the system works differently in other schools but claim they cannot get the volunteers to come to the School. He added that the agreement was that the PTA would pay for the telephone line and the Administration would find 10-15 minutes adult help each morning. However , he said, the parents want to come before the School Committee to request a change in the Policy. 140 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 25 , 1985 Request for R. M. H. S . Band to Perform on Sunday Dr. Wells said that the Reading Memorial High School Band has re- j quested permission to perform at the Reading Square Christmas lighting ceremonies on Sunday , December 1st . Sunday performances require School Committee approval. Mr. Coco moved , seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted that the School Committee give permission to the Reading Memorial High School Band to perform at the Reading Square Christmas lighting ceremony on Sunday, December 1st. Executive Session - Return to Open Session At 9 :50 p . m. Mr. Shannon moved , seconded by Mrs . Philbrick, 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. At 11 : 37 p. m. the Committee returned to Open Session. Pearl Street School - Senior Citizen Center Chairman Allen announced that the Board of Selectmen has asked the School Committee to meet with them on December 10th, at 7:30 p. m. to discuss the possibility of having a Senior Citizen Drop-in Center located in the Pearl Street School. Mr . Winslow noted that he has had inquiry from the Massachusetts Regional Community Colleges Counsel' s Office on renting rooms 205 and 206 of the Pearl, Street School. He also mentioned that Pearl Street School leases should be reviewed by April. Building Maintenance Progress Report Mr . Winslow reviewed briefly with the Committee a report on the maintenance of various school buildings. School Improvement Councils Membership List It was noted for the record that the membership of all School Improve- ment Councils has been filled and a list of members was distributed to the School Committee . Leaves Mr . Nissen moved , seconded by Mr. Shannon , and it was unanimously voted , on the recommendation of the Administration , to grant to Mrs. Eileen Gagnon, fourth grade teacher at the Killam School , a child- rearing leave of absence , under the usual conditions, for the remainder of the school year. 141 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 25 , 1985 Mr . Nissen moved , seconded by Mr. Shannon, and it was unanimously voted , on the recommendation of the Administration, that Mr . Frank Coppola, floating custodian , be granted an unpaid personal leave of absence for six months , starting December 7 , 1985 . Appointment Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon , and it was unanimously • voted, on the recommendation of the Administration, to appoint Ms . Sandra A. Wheeler , 136 Nonantum Street, Brighton, as guidance- psychologist at the Birch Meadow School , replacing Mr. Teloian for the remainder of the year , at step M+30-9 of the salary schedule. Adjournment At 12 :01 a. m. Mr. Shannon moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was unanimously voted to adjourn. Respectfully submitted, /fie —J Robert S. Wells, Seoretnry