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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-05-18 School Committee MinutesMINUTES Call to Order 177 READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MAY 18, 1987 0 Chairman Cliff Allen = called the regular mee Ling of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:30 p.m, on May 18, 1987 in the Superintendent's Conference Room at 34 Gould Street. All members of the School Committee were present. Also present were the Superintendent, Robert S. Wells, Assistant Superintendents, Robert J. Munnelly, and Ronald A. Winslow, parents, and a reporter from the Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of May 11, 1987 Mr. Nissen made a motion, seconded by Mr. Shannon, to approve the Minutes of the Meeting of May 11, 1987. Mr. Nissen stated he had a correction he wished to have made on Page 5, 4th sentence, in which it stated:, "there were several female candidates in the 25 semi- finalists ". He stated these people were candidates and not semi - finalists, therefore he would like that word deleted. A vote was taken on the Minutes, as amended, and they were approved unanimously. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows: Bills May 25, 1987• June 1, 1987 Payrolls Teachers - May Weekly - May Weekly - May Citizens' Input General Expense - $60,705.99 General Expense - $26,767.16 28, 1987 - $368,249.15 22, 1987 - $ 29,232.39 28, 1987 - $ 29,392.82 Mrs. Kendra Cooper had a question on the Minutes in regard to the Principal's Search for Birch Meadow. After a short discussion, Mr. Nissen stated he thought this item would be more appropriately discussed when this item came up on the Agenda. 178 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES METCO Budget Proposal MAY 18, 1987 Dr. Munnelly stated it was at this time of the year that an anticipated budget for METCO was submitted for Grades 1 through 12. He stated there would be 7 students graduating this year from this program, and they were,,-in the process of interviewing pupils for purposes of screening and assignment. He stated the Governor's Budget showed an; increase of 6.5% for next year. Dr. Munnelly noted that' last year the Town had received $274,068.00 for the METCO program. He stated there were 4 people on staff who would be receiving a salary increase in accordance with the RTA and Teacher -Aides Contracts, and only slight increases in office and other expenses. He stated there would be a modest increase in tuitions but that the biggest issue would be that METCO was cancelling their bus contract with AUTOBUS because of the poor service. He stated this could mean an increase of almost 25% for transportation. Dr. Munnelly stated the department- would be asking for a 6.5% increase in accordance with the Governor's Budget, but would notify the State that an amendment' to increase Schedule C may be necessary if the bus bids were high. Dr. Munnelly stated he was recommending that the following be adopted by the School Committee as the METCO-Budget for FY88: Schedule A, $77,586, Schedule B, $101,821, and Schedule C,$112,475 for a total budget of $291,882. Mr. Nissen made a motion, seconded by Mr. Shannon, that the METCO Budget be submitted to the State as shown on Enclosure B -3 -A, page 2, dated May 15, 1987, in the amount of $291,882, and that it be understood that if transportation bids should increase costs, supplemental funding may be necessary. The vote was unanimous. Mr. Coco asked, of the 102 children in the METCO program, what percentage of Reading's total enrollment did this represent? Dr. Munnelly stated in the vicinity of 3 %. Superintendent's Search - Progress Report Mr. Allen stated he had spoken with Eileen Woods, Chairperson of the Superintendent's Screening Committee and Romeo Marquis, Consultant, both of whom stated they would like to review the progress of the committee with the School Committee. Mrs. Woods stated that the Screening Committee has thoroughly analyzed each of the 25 candidates and after very lengthy discussions, had reduced the number to 7 candidates for interviewing. She then read a short description of each candidate. She stated that each committee member had been given a READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 179 MAY 18, 1987 copy of the list of seven candidates, and the committee was planning to interview starting on Tuesday, May 26th, Friday, May 29th, and Thursday, June 4th. Mrs. Woods stated that on June 8th the committee would meet again and discuss whom they would recommend to the School Committee. Mrs. Woods stated that on May 12th, the committee had received a format for interviewing the candidates from Mr. Marquis. She then listed some informational materials that had been mailed to the 7 candidates. Mrs. Woods then stated that the Screening Committee members had discussed the issue of travel expenses and felt very strongly that the School Department should pay expenses for any candidates who had to travel a long distance. She stated that it was estimated that it would cost approximately $2,200 for three such candidates. Carol Lyons stated she thought the Screening Committee had done a wonderful job, and she appreciated their hard work. She stated she had a question in regard to the travel expenses. Ms. Lyons stated that at the last meeting, the committee had discussed this issue, and she would like to know what the Screening Committee's reasons were for feeling so strongly about this. Eileen Woods stated the committee felt this would be one of the first impressions some candidates would get of the Town, and that the committee had voted 11 -1 to pay these costs, if possible. Mrs. Philbrick asked if it was not one of the qualifications that the candidates possess a Doctorate or was it implied that it would be desirable? Mr. Marquis stated he didn't recall that it was stated specifically, although there was some discussion on the general area of scholarship and background. He stated that the Screening Committee had decided this. would be included under Scholarship: degree, education; a,nd training in a number of traditional areas. Mrs. Woods stated the committee had decided they would not be greatly concerned with numbers, but felt the other 18 candidates, who were not to be interviewed, did not meet the expectations of the committee or town. She stated perhaps the School Committee would like to give her some idea of what further expectations they had. Mr. Coco stated that he felt the committee had expected to receive a list of semi - finalists that would eventually be reduced to approximately 3 for presentation to the School Committee. Mrs. Woods stated that the seven who were presented this evening would be going to the next step in the process, but not necessarily all would be given to the School Committee as finalists. She stated this would be decided after the interviews had taken place. 180 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 18, 1987 Mr . Allen stated that the number 6 was only mentioned in the guidelines of this policy and not in the policy itself, and he felt it was not a restrictive number. He stated the Screening Committee had the best opportunity to get an overall look at the pool of candidates and were in the best position to make a determination on which number met expectations. There was a short discussion on the ideal number of finalists and semi - finalists. In answer to a question on how many candidates had Doctorates, Mr. Marquis stated that in the total number of candidates, . the percentage of applicants with Doctorates was similar to the percentage represented by the seven semi - finalists. A motion was made by Mr. Coco, seconded by Mr. Shannon, to allow the Screening Committee to spend up to $2,500 for transportation expenses for interviewing candidates for the vacancy of Superintendent. Mr. Marquis reminded the School Committee that first interviews were a shakedown process. He stated School Committee and Superintendent's working relations, for instance, would be an issue the School Committee might have that would not be included in the Screening Committee's concerns. Mr. Shannon stated he thought there would be more candidates considered for interviewing, closer to 50 %. Mr. Marquis stated it was early to know, but it might also be a possibility that after interviewing the seven semi - finalists, the Screening Committee could recommend the position be readvertised. A vote was taken on the motion to provide transportation funds, and it was unanimously approved. Mr. Marquis informed the School Committee that the Screening Committee would be doing all the interviewing, and he would serve as Moderator. He noted they would be interviewing with a prepared format so that they will get a good view of each candidate. Mrs. Woods stated that the committee would not invite the public to participate in the interviews, as their views would be represented by the committee who had received their input earlier in the process. She noted that the interviews would each last approximately one hour. Principal's Search - Progress Report Dr. Munnelly reviewed the Minutes of the Meetings of May 12th and 13th with the School Committee. He noted that the Screening Committee had cotten down to 17 candidates, whom they would contact for interviews. Dr. Munnelly stated there was one of the candidates who had asked that their name not be made public. He 181 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 18, 1987 also noted there were five members of the Reading School System on the list. Dr. Munnelly then reviewed the geographic locations of the candidates and stated that the interviews would be scheduled at the end of the month. Dr. Munnelly stated the committee hoped to reduce the number of candidates to 5 or 6. Mrs. Kendra Cooper was called on by Mr. Allen and stated she was confused about what Dr. Wells meant in the Minutes under this section as to how many candidates he would interview. Dr. Wells stated he would be interviewing those candidates that would be given to him as semi - finalists. Mrs. Cooper then asked if all meetings would be in Open Session. Dr. Wells stated his interviews would be done in Executive Session. M r. Shannon stated he understood there was a process for interviewing a candidate in Executive Session if they requested their right to privacy. He asked how long that process would take. Dr. Munnelly stated that the candidate who had asked that their name not be released only meant until the preliminary interviews had taken place, at which time it would become a matter for public record. Mrs. Philbrick asked about the dates for the interviews. Mrs. Cooper, a member of the Screening Committee, stated there was concern by the committee about setting Hates that would allow time for out -of -state candidates to be interviewed. She stated they had discussed the tentative dates of May 26, May 27th, and possibly, May 28th. Mrs. Cooper stated the committee felt it was more in the public interest to have the meetings open, unless the candidate's job was in jeopardy. Mr. Shannon stated he understood that Mr. Papandreou, Chairman of the Screening Committee, was looking into that issue. Mr. Allen then stated that the list of candidates would be released to the Reading Chronicle, with the exception of the person who had requested their name not be made public. He then read the names of the semi - finalists for this position. Mrs. Wood requested that the names of the semi - finalists for the Superintendent's vacancy also be released to the Chronicle. Town & School Space Issue Mr. Allen stated he would defer to Mr. Coco, as a member of the Space Study Committee, for a report of the progress on this issue. Mr. Coco stated there had been many meetings of the Space Committee, and he had been part of the last two meetings. He noted the first meeting in April showed the School Department located in the old Childrens' Reading Room at the Library, which he had 182 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 18, 1987 raised objection to because of access and the amount of space. Mr. Coco stated at the meeting in early May, the Architect had relocated the School Department to the second floor of the old Town Hall which would be renovated to become part of the overall Town Hall Complex. He noted this would include a new Meeting Room for Selectmen and major boards in Town Hall, an elevator, and renovating the Library and old Town Hall into one complex. Mr. Coco stated this was planned according to the space requirements indicated by the Central Office. He stated he felt comfortable and supportive of the layout provided in this preliminary drawing. Mr. Coco stated he would like to address some of the concerns stated last week by committee members. He stated he felt the Administrative Office was a financial and managerial arm of the Town Government and that they should become part of the Town Hall Complex, rather than being located in a school. Mr. Coco stated he agreed with Dr. Wells regarding one of the problems with being located at the High School, which was that the Superintendent's Office would be too readily available for staff problems at the school. Mr. Coco stated that from the cost point of view, the estimate in n.._ 1984 was $120,000 to relocate to the High School, and after checking with people in the building trades, these costs would be running 15 to 20% higher, if that option were taken. He stated this would mean close to $200,000 for a move of this kind. Mr. Coco stated by locating at the Town Hall Complex it would be in essence saving the Town the $200,000 to relocate at the High School in 1989. He stated the third issue was that Gould Street was costing $12,000 for rental per year, and although not a great deal of money, over 20 years it becomes a large number. Mr. Coco stated for these reasons, he was supporting the move to the Town Hall Complex. Mr. Shannon asked what the renovations were going to cost at the Town Hall Complex. Mr. Coco stated overall the costs would be $3.4 million, and that it had not been broken down by departments. Mr. Shannon stated it was still a concern of his that in 4 or 5 years, the Town would need the space occupied by the School Department which would precipitate another move. He stated also that he understood that the School Department was not the only department that would be on the second floor. Mr. Coco stated the original layout in April showed the Veterans' Agent on second floor, but when the School Department was relocated there, the Agent was also relocated to another area. Dr. Wells stated according to the Architect, Town Manager and the latest drawings that he had seen, the entire floor would not be for the School Department alone. Mr. Coco stated he understood that the meeting room would be open to all, but the rest of the floor would be for the School Department. There was a discussion on the layout and what various areas were designated for. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 183 MAY 18, 1987 Ms. Lyons stated she hadn't heard anything to change her mind that the School Department should go to the Town Hall Complex. She stated it seemed that the committee was deadlocked, and perhaps it might be a good idea to have the Town Manager come to the next meeting. Ms. Lyons stated she would like to hear his reasons for wanting the School Department at the Town Hall before a decision was made on the issue. Mr. Nissen stated he agreed with Mr. Coco that the School Department was an administrative one and interfaced with Town Government more than with the schools, although the Superintendents did deal with the schools, typically the secretarial staff does not. He stated he agreed also with the concerns of moving to High School, and talked to Dr. Piechota on this issue. Mr. Nissen stated, although Dr. Piechota did not say he would not like to have the administrative offices at the school, he did agree that the situation of staff problems being brought prematurely to the Superintendent because of their proximity could happen. He stated he was not concerned about having to relocate from the Town Hall in 4 or 5 years, as Town Government moved slowly on these types of issues and if at all, 10 years would be more likely a guess. Mr. Nissen stated, therefore, he supported the move to Town Hall. Mr. Allen stated he had called the Town Manager that day and he had given Mr. Allen some of his reasons for wanting the School Department at Town Hall. The first was that there could be more cooperation in purchasing supplies, especially their drawing upon the expertise of the School Department in this regard. The second reason was the common use of the Meeting Room, which was pre -wired for Cable TV. Another reason was the purchasing of a large capacity copying and postage machine for use by all departments. Mr. Allen stated these were benefits, but he was not sure that the School Department's moving to Town Hall would change anything. He stated Mr. Heckenbleikner stated he would like to have some decision on this item by the meeting on Thursday so he could relay the information to the Architect and Engineer who could then come up with a final plan by sometime late in September. Mr. Allen stated that Mr. Hechenbleikner indicated the cost of renovating the second floor would run about $225,000, keeping in mind that a determination has not yet been made as to whether the stacks can be modified. Mr. Allen stated that Mr. Hechenbleikner was enthusiastic about the School Committee's vote to make space available to Town Offices while renovations are being completed, and that it would save the Town approximately $195,000. He stated this savings would occur because they wouldn't have to phase the job and could shave off 6 months on actual construction time. Mr. Allen also noted that it was his understanding that the D.P.W. offices will be at the Town Hall Complex, with the exception of the Foremen's offices. 184 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 18, 1987 Mr. Allen stated it made more sense to him to locate the Central Office at the High School. He stated the Town Offices being relocated there temporarily will call for some renovations, and perhaps if we relocated there after their offices were completed, the costs would be less expensive. He stated he also felt it was time the committee gave some thought as to what was going to be done with the Pearl Street School Building. Mr. Allen stated that the possibility of Directors also being relocated to the High School with the Central Office was a practical idea, as the High School will not be refilled quickly, if at all. Mr. Allen stated he hadn't supported the move to the Pearl Street School because he felt and still did that the move should be made only once and accomplished in the right way. Mrs. Philbrick asked if the sq. footage at the Town Hall Complex was the same as what the Central Office was occupying now. Mr. Winslow stated that was his understanding, although more space had been allocated to the Superintendents. Mrs. Philbrick stated she understood that the space here at Gould Street was inadequate, so� she could not see the benefit of moving to the Town Hall, as the High School could provide more space for everyone. Mr. Winslow stated the last plan he saw of the second floor in Town Hall still had the Public Works Offices located there. Dr. Wells stated that he did not know of many towns where the School Departments were located in the Town Halls, and being one wing away from the Town Manager was not going to be all that necessary in getting the job done. Mr. Coco stated the Town Manager was requesting that the information regarding what departments would be included in the complex be decided by this week, so that the Architect would have 3 months to prepare a final plan. Mr. Nissen made a motion, seconded by Mr. Shannon, to instruct the Space Study Committee to provide space in the new Town Hall Complex for the School Department. A vote was taken on the motion, and it was defeated on a 3 -3 vote. LEAVES Dr. Munnelly stated that last week the School Committee voted a child- rearing leave to Gina Healy, Foreign Lanaguage teacher and Department Head at the High School, for the 1987 -88 SY. He stated that today, she had asked to speak to Dr. Wells and told him that she and her husband's plans had changed and they were planning to remain in Reading. She asked if it were possible to undo the action taken by the committee, and whether it would be possible for her to be reinstated to her teaching position. Dr. Munnelly stated because they had only advertised in one publication, and 185 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 18, 1987 because Gina's record was so exemplary, they were recommending that the School Committee vote to recind the leave, but it would take a 2 /3rd's vote. Mrs. Philbrick made a motion, seconded by Mr. Shannon, to recind the vote of the last meeting on May 18th, for a child- rearing leave to Gina Healy for the SY87 -88. Mr. Allen asked if Mrs. Healy would continue to serve as the Department Head, and if it was her intent to come back in the Pall to teach. Dr. Munnelly stated that was correct, and that she was presently teaching having returned from Maternity Leave on May 11th to finish up the present school year's duties. A vote was taken on the motion, and it was unanimously approved At 9:30 p.m., on a motion by Mr. Shannon, seconded by Ms. Lyons, it was unanimously voted to adjourn.