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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-06-10 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Call to Order 201 JUNE 14. 1987 Chairman Cliff Allen called the special meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 8 :06 p.m. on June 11, 1987 in the Superintendent's Conference Room at 34 Gould Street. All members of the School Committee were present. Also present were the Assistant Superintendent, Ronald A. Winslow, William Griset, Jr., Eileen Woods, Elia Dangelmaier, liason committee members from Supt.'s Screening Committee, Consultant, Romeo Marquis, and parents. Mr. Cliff Allen introduced Mr. Marquis who stated he would like to have Mrs. Eileen Woods, Chairperson of the Superintendent's Screening Committee, give the School Committee a brief overview of the process they used to interview the candidates. Mr. Marquis stated when Mrs. Woods had finished he would like to go over what he considered to be interview priorities. Mrs. Woods stated they looked at the Reading Profile and set up four categories which were general advocacy and use of resources, impact on parents and students, research program supervision, and a personal category. She stated during the interviewing process the committee kept track of which questions were being asked. Mrs. Woods noted the committee found that they were asking spontaneous questions in response to the answers the candidates were giving, along with questions which had been formulated from their resumes. She stated the questions were not asked in any specific order and not all questions were asked of each candidate, although they did find they were asking 2 or 3 questions in each category of each candidate pretty much. Mr. Griset stated they found they were tailoring many of the questions according to the candidate being interviewed, although trying to be consistent in asking question from the categories which they had already set up. The School Committee questioned the Screening Committee members on what kinds of materials each candidate had received before the interviews. Mr. Romeo Marquis stated one candidate had remarked that they hadn't felt the committee was just asking questions from a sheet, and if there were any "stock" questions, they hadn't been aware of them, which suggested to him that the process was a good one. 202 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 10, 1987 Mr. Allen then had a question on what purpose the liason committee was to serve from this point on. There was a brief discussion on the information that had already been received from the Screening Committee, and the fact that they had tapes of each interview. Mr. Allen stated although he was very pleased to have the three liaison members here tonight, he felt the School Committee had to take over the process from that point. Carol Lyons stated she felt that way also, as she wanted to take a fresh look at each candidate, and although grateful for all the information, thought the process could best be served by the School Committee continuing on their own. Mrs. Philbrick stated she agreed also. Mr. Shannon asked if the Screening Committee would give their rationale on why they had chosen these particular candidates? Mr. Griset stated that was the reason for the video tapes. Mrs. P hilbrick stated she had thought there would perhaps be a written - report which covered this area. Mr. Nissen stated he also wanted to take a fresh look at the finalists, as Carol Lyons had stated) and although it might be helpful to get some input from the committee on some questions about factual data, at this point it was clear that the School Committee would be taking charge of the process and perhaps, it was time to dismiss the liaison committee with the School Committee's thanks. He stated he would also like to make it clear that they were welcome to attend the interviews. Mr. Marquis stated the candidates had been given to the School Committee in alphabetical order so that there would be no rating of the candidates, and the School Committee could begin their portion of the process with no influence one way or the other on any of them. Mr. Marquis then worked with the School Committee on the process for the interviews, and what they considered priority categories. After some discussion, it was decided that the categories should include: Curriculum Future, Staff, Budget and Resources, Mgt. Philosophy and System, Public Relations - Parents/ Community /Town Meeting, and Specific Candidates Personal Statements. Mr. Nissen stated the committee should also review the resumes of the candidates and formulate specific questions relative to each one. Mr. Marquis stated he thought it would be helpful if the individual committee members looked at the video tape, then reviewed the applications and resumes, and then list some cf the questions they would like to ask the candidate. There was a brief discussion on the time to begin the interviewing, and it was agreed that 3:30 p.m. might be a good time or earlier if possible, as the interviewing would begin at 4 p.m. SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 203 JUNE 10, 1987 Mr. Marquis stated he would mail a report of what was discussed at the meeting to each School Committee member, and hopefully, they will be mailed in time for the Monday meeting. He stated he would also bring copies with him on Monday. Mr. Marquis stated he felt the schedule should begin with the candidate being given an opportunity to elaborate on his or her own application, then into a question and answer session which could be done in a very relaxed manner, and with the worksheets in front of them, the Committee could check the questions off. After that, the candidate could be given a chance for personal remarks or perhaps for some questions he might want to ask of the committee. Mr. Marquis stated he would moderate for the committee on time given to each area. He then gave the committee some suggestions on what to look for when visiting the sites of these candidates, people to talk to, etc. The committee stated they would be arranging some sort of time schedule for site visits by each of the members. Mr. Allen asked what kind of notice should be given each candidate. Mr. Marquis stated there was no reason why the School Committee couldn't schedule site visits toward the middle or end of the next week. Mr. Nissen asked for the schedule of the interviews. Mr. Marquis stated that Dr. Munnelly would be interviewed at 4 p.m., Mark Kaufman at 6 p.m., and Dr. Bueschel at 8 p.m. He stated that each interview should take approximately one and a half hours, with a half hour in between for discussion. Mr. Marquis stated, in answer to a question by Barbara Philbrick, that the questions on the check sheets would be a good format to use when on the site visits. He noted that it was within reason for them to ask the candidate to set up some time for them to talk with some parents, perhaps the President of the PTA, teachers. Mrs. Woods suggested that the committee could interview Union Presidents of the School system for their reactions to the candidate. Mrs. Philbrick stated she would like to clarify what should be done in Open Session. She noted it was her understanding that after gathering all the information, discussions that the committee members have about the interview and on -site visits will be done in Open Session, but some discussions in regard to character and personality garnered from on -site visits and given in confidence, should be discussed in Executive Session. Ms. Lyons stated she thought that if there were any negative opinions expressed by any people interviewed in regard to the candidates'PrC.ss ,-i-,7j it should be discussed in Open Session. After a short "G discussion, Mr. Shannon suggested that at the time of the discussions, it could be decided in Executive Session whether this kind of information rightly belonged in Open Session. 204 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 10, 1987 It was decided that the committee would assign two members for site visits to each candidate. It was decided that Mr. Shannon and Ms. Lyons would take Reading on June 23rd, Mr. Nissen and Mr. Allen would take Essex on June 22nd, and Mr. Coco and Mrs. Philbrick would do the site visit to Indiana on a date to be determined. There was a brief discussion on the dates for the next few School Committee meetings. It was decided to change the date of the scheduled June 15th regular business meeting to Tuesday, June 16, 1987 at 7:45 p.m. because of the interviewing which was scheduled for Monday night and that a meeting would be scheduled for Tuesday, June 23rd, at which time the committee would decide on their choice for the Superintendency. Mr. Marquis asked if the School Committee had a specific contract ready for the chosen candidate, and if they did not, he could give them a sample contract approved by both the American Assoc. of School Administrators and the National School Boards Association. He noted that the School Committee could use this as a guideline, and add or subtract wherever they chose. The Committee agree they would be interested in having this material. A motion was made by Ms. Lyons to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted.