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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-12-23 School Cimmittee Minutes 151 READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 23 , 1985 Call to Order Chairman Allen called ' to order a meeting of the Reading School Committee on December 23 , 1985 , at 7 :34 p. m. , in the Central Office Conference Room. All members were present, as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. There were five visitors, including Joshua Eaton School Principal Mr. Donald Farnham, Reading Teachers Association(RTA) President Mrs . Cathryn Cremens-Basbas, RTA members Mr. Stanley Quinlan and Sarah Merchant, and a representative of the Daily Times Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of December 9 , 1985 On a motion by Mrs. Philbrick, seconded by Mr. Nissen, the minutes of the School Committee meeting of December 9 , 1985 were unanimously approved. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows : Bills December 20 , 1985 - General Expense - $38 ,646 .06 December 27 , 1985 - General Expense - $78 ,033 .49 Payrolls December 20, 1985 - Teachers - $312 ,289 .48 December 20 , 1985 - Weekly - $31 ,451 .22 December 27 , 1985 - Weekly - $27 ,523 .54 Citizens' Input There was no citizens' input. Old Business Mr . Coco said he would like to have a discussion of High School graduation requirements on the agenda of the next meeting as he feels that students should pass all required courses in order to graduate . Mrs . Philbrick also felt that this matter should be discussed but because of the upcoming budget discussions thought sometime in February would be better. Mr. Coco agreed on the timing. Ratification of Reading School Committee-Reading Teachers Association Contract Chairman Allen noted that the School Committee had been supplied with • 152 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 23 , 1985 Draft #3 of a contract with the RTA, adding that it was essentially what he and Mr. Coco had discussed with the Committee in executive session at the last meeting. He said that he hoped the Committee would ratify it today. (The RTA had already voted to ratify it . ) Mr. Nissen moved , seconded by Mrs. Philbrick , and it was unanimously voted to ratify the tentative agreement between the Reading School Committee and the Reading Teachers Association , which covers the period from September 1 , 1985 through June 30 , 1988 . During the brief discussion which preceded the above vote Chairman Allen noted that some of the language items still need more work , and that the language of Draft #3 might not be the final language. He added that the Administration will work with the RTA on the language until they have a mutually agreeable formalized document. Chairman Allen and Mrs. Cremens-Basbas thanked the School Committee for their vote. Pearl Street School - Senior Citizens' Drop-in Center Chairman Allen said he and Dr. Wells had met with some members of the Board of Selectmen and the Council on Aging to discuss the possibility of a Senior Citizens ' Drop-in Center at the Pearl Street School site, noting that plans called for the Center to be located in the two portable classrooms at the site, a third now located at the Library, and a "Butler type " building. He added that the Selectmen have eliminated from their plans the construction of a additional access road. The Chairman said both he and the Superintendent feel it now is a more realistic plan. Dr. Wells said that they gave permission, pending a vote by the School Committee, for a Senior Citizens' Drop-in Center on the site, provid- ing it is done with the condition that the State School Building Assistance Commission gives full permission to have it on the site if the School is reactivated. In answer to a question from Mr . Nissen, Dr. Wells said that the School is presently an "active School," meaning one that the State Board of Education wishes the School Committee to maintain control of although it is not used entirely for educational purposes. Mr. Shannon said that conceptually he agreed with the Selectmen' s plan but would like to have "something more definite before we give up the space . " Mr. Coco suggested a "scale" drawing would be in order. Chairman Allen said that a concern has been voiced by the Selectmen' s executive secretary that a decision would be needed from the School Committee before the Selectmen meet with a developer in January. Mr . Nissen noted that the Selectmen ' s plans involve some of the recreation area and so there should be some input from the Recreation Committee . 153 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 23 , 1985 Dr. Wells suggested that as long as the State Department of Education will allow the School to be fully utilized as a school that he would have no argument with the plan as long as the Town knows that might be an alternative in five years. Mrs. Philbrick said she didn' t feel it made any difference because the building will not be used again as a school. At the conclusion of the discussion Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon , and it was unanimously voted that the School Committee authorize the Board of Selectmen to locate a Senior Citizens ' Drop-in Center at the Pearl Street School site as per the plan dated December 17 , 1985 , subject to the Board of Selectmen gaining the appropriate confirmation from the State Board of Education that the School could be fully reactivated again as a school. Continental Cablevision - Lease Renewal Dr. Wells said that Mr. Farnham and Mr. Joseph Cain (not present) had been the School Department 's representatives on the Town Cable Television Committee for many years . He told the School Committee that he, Mr. Farnham and Mr. Cain have been negotiating with Mr . Glenn Oakley, Area Manager for Continental Cablevision for a renewal of the five-year contract . He added that negotiations have been very amicable and the only item mentioned in his Memorandum to the School Committee which was not in the draft agreement they had just received was the one on wiring some rooms in the High School or purchasing equipment of equal value. Dr. Wells said Mr. Oakley had told him that Continental has no problem with that and the only reason Continental has not done the wiring was that Mr. Cain expressed concerns as to whether it was necessary. Mr . Farnham said he and Mr . Cain would rather the School receive equipment because some classrooms are scheduled to be closed in the High School. Dr. Wells noted that Continental will pay $6 ,000 rent annually, which the School Department can use for maintenance of the Building. He added that Continental has been good about updating equipment, and has upgraded the 1/2 time position of program coordinator to one and one-half persons but does not want to commit the 1/2 time person to be confined to Reading . Mr . Farnham said that if the Committee votes for this aareement tonight it will then go to the Board of Selectmen to be voted upon. He also said that Continental will redesign the "I Loop" to make it easier to use and give the School Department three converters . Mr. Nissen moved , seconded by Mr . Shannon, and it was unanimously voted that the School Committee accept the contract between Con- tinental Cablevision and the Town of Reading , as described in Document B-3-b, pending approval of the contract by Town Counsel . Dr. Wells thanked Mr. Farnham for his assistance during the meeting 154 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 23 , 1985 and his work on the Cable Television Committee over the years . Preliminary Review - FY87 Budget Dr. Wells said his main interest at this time was to receive some direction from the School Committee regarding the FY87 Budget, dis- tributed to the members in advance of the meeting. He noted that he was not being trite when he said this budget, $1 million higher than last year 's ($880 ,000 ofthe increase is salaries) , was not a frivo- lous one, adding that many towns are being financed to this extent. The Superintendent said the easiest thing to delay is maintenance, but that can only be done for a year or two. He added that he knows the budget will have to be cut but does not feel it in the best interests of the students and the Town as a whole to agree to a 0% increase this year. He concluded, "If the funds are not available , then I think its time the Finance Committee(FinCom) set some priorities, " In answer to a question from Mr. Nissen, Dr. Wells said the School Department is assured of $8 ,500 this year under the $18 ,000 minimum salary section of Chapter 188 and the additional amount which was costed out is expected to come from an amendment by the Legislature which, he understands, has 99% support from both Branches. Mrs. Philbrick asked if the budget represented what the Principals have requested or whether the Administration had made cuts before presenting it to the School Committee. Dr. Wells said per pupil costs reflected a 5% increase and although the Administration discusses their requests with the Principals , no cuts were made after the Principals prioritized. He noted that there may be an opportunity to bond some items in the 7000 Series and receive 60% reimbursement from the State. He added that it would be negotiable with the Finance Committee as to whether such items would be considered part of the 0% budget increase. Mr. Nissen said he felt it would be a mistake to present to the FinCom a budget in the amount they ask for and that the School Committee should tell the FinCom what they need and let it be known to everyone that the School Department is not presenting a level-funded budget, but rather a budget which represents the amount of money needed. He added that because of an almost 8% increase in salaries it would be necessary to cut about 10% of the staff to present a level-funded budget. He said that he did not see how enough could be cut from the expense budget to effect the salary budget. Mr . Nissen said the Town should be made aware of this problem. Mr. Coco said he felt he could defend a 3% increase , but did not know if the Committee should sacrifice all of the expense budget for salaries . Dr. Wells said the 3% would mean a cut of $800 ,000 . Mr. Shannon said that if the Town wants a smaller budget than the School Committee presents then it should make the decision. He added that he felt the FinCom should prioritize and give direction. He said 155 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 23 , 1985 he did not want teaching positions cut and an alternative may be cutting bussing. Mrs . Philbrick agreed that a 10% increase is not too much, adding "The time has come that in order to maintain what we have, this is what it takes . " She said she thought this was the best direction the School Committee could give the Administration, and that the School Committee will have to defend the budget when it goes before the FinCom. Dr. Wells said the Administration will try to have everything priori- tized by the next meeting , when budget deliberations will begin, and will also try to get more information about anticipated income . He reminded the Committee that there will be Professional Development Funds to offset some of the increase and said he would try to get further information on the estimated income from sale of real estate. Incentive Aid Grants Dr. Wells briefly went over two Incentive Aid Grants recently received by the Town. The first is a $3 ,000 grant for Municipal-School purposes to assist middle management personnel in becoming more effective administrators . The School Department plans to have 3-4 people attend the training seminar. The second Grant is for a study to determine whether it would be cost effective for the Town to employ a heating , ventilation and air conditioning specialist to maintain and repair heating plants in all public buildings . Dr. Wells said that the report from this stud- recommended employing such a specialist, to be placed under the School Department's jurisdiction and shared by other departments, noting the State would pay 1/2 of the salary the first year, 1/3 the second year and 1/4 the third year, and would pay for tools . The report suggests a savings of at least $14 ,000 to the School Department and greater savings to the Town in general. Following a brief discussion on the report, Mr. Winslow was requested to bring back figures on what is currently being spent by the School Department for this type of maintenance. Leaves Mr. Nissen moved , seconded by Mrs . Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted, on the recommendation of the Administration, that Mrs . Carolyn Bennett, I . L. A. at Coolidge Middle School , be granted an unpaid leave of absence , starting immediately, until March 3 , 1986 . Resignations Mr . Nissen moved , seconded by Mr . Shannon, and it was unanimously voted , on the recommendation of the Administration , to accept the resignation of Mr . R. Gilbert Congdon from his 2/5 position as mathematics teacher at Reading Memorial High School , effective when a satisfactory replacement can be found. 156 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 23 , 1985 Appointments Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon, and it was unanimously voted , on the recommendation of the Administration, that Mrs. Nancy J. Sweeney, 105 Salem Street, Reading, be appointed for the remainder of the school year, as a replacement for Mrs. Gagnon , as a grade four teacher at the Killam School , at the B-1 rate of the salary schedule , pro-rated. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon, and it was unanimously voted ,on the recommendation of the Administration, that Mr. Michael J. O 'Donnell , 262 Forest Street , Reading , be appointed as a custodian at the Birch Meadow School , effective immediately, at the appropriate step of the Custodial Contract. Executive Session - Adjournment At 9 :36 p. m. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Shannon, that the Committee enter into executive session to discuss matters pertaining to bargaining and negotiations. The motion carried by unanimous toll call vote . The Committee remained in executive session until they adjourned by unanimous consent at 9 :56 p. m. Prior to adjournment the Chairman thanked the School Committee Secretary for her five years of service. Respectfully submitted, L(/(c'Jel-- r.Robert S. Wells, Secretary