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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-07-20 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Call to Order 241 JULY 20, 1987 Chairman George Shannon called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:35 p.m. on July 20, 1987 in the Superintendent's Conference Room at 34 Gould Street. All members of the School Committee were present, with the exception of Mr. Richard Coco. Also present were the Superintendent - Elect, Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent, Ronald A. Winslow, parents, and a reporter from the Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of June 23 & 30, 1987 A motion was made by Mr. Nissen, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, to approve the Minutes of the Meetings of June 23 and 30, 1987. Mr. Allen then stated he had received some information just before the meeting that the committee would probably like to take a few minutes to read before approving the Minutes. Mr. Shannon then explained that it was a communication from a citizen, Mrs. Cooper, asking that clarification of her comments at the School Committee meeting of June 30th be included in the minutes. Mr. Shannon stated in reviewing the minutes, it was the Chair's continuing opinion that the minutes were just a general idea of what occurred at the meeting. He stated he commended the Secretary for the outstanding job of getting as many of the rather extensive comments which occurred at that meeting, and which were very lengthy. He asked if any member had a problem with adding this additional information to the minutes? Mr. Nissen stated on Page 7 of the minutes there was a rather lengthy paragraph of Mrs. Cooper's comments, but as to the clarification he would have to review the additional information and the minutes more fully. He stated, on the other hand, if there were any incorrect statements, he would not object to changing the minutes accordingly. Mr. Nissen asked if the Chair would ask Mrs. Cooper if there was something in the paragraph she felt was incorrect. Mr. Shannon asked Mrs. Cooper if there was anything in the minutes that she found inaccurate or in conflict with what she felt were her comments. Mrs. Kendra Cooper then stated she felt that some descriptions in what was specifically sa- d`.Vere 'inac`curate, and created an inaccurate impression. Mrs. Cooper Vi­ issed. with the 242 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 2 JULY 20, 1987 School Committee those sections of the minutes she felt were inaccurate or should be expounded upon. After a lengthy discussion, Mr. Nissen stated he would withdraw his previous motion to approve the minutes of June 23 and June 30, . 1987. Mr. Nissen then made a motion to approve the minutes of June 23, 1987, seconded bV Mrs. Philbrick. The vote was unanimous. . It was decided that the minutes of the meeting of June 30, 1987 would be finalized at the next meeting after the School Committee had a better chance to review the minutes and the clarification requested by Mrs. Cooper. Dr. Munnelly then suggested that there should be a discussion with all parties concerned regarding the preparation of minutes and how lengthy they should be. He stated if the committee felt it was more helpful, perhaps the process could be shortened. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows: Bills July 20, 1987 - General Expense - $38,670.58 July 27, 1987 - General Expense - $38,547.23 Payrolls July 23, 1987 - Teachers - $100,980.28 July 17, 1987 - Weekly - 21,339.96 July 24, 1987 - Weekly - 20,016.14 Birch Meadow Principal Appointment Dr. Munnelly stated this item would be taken out of order so that it could be handled early in the meeting. He noted that the search for a Principal for Birch Meadow was a long one, but one that was designed to get input from the parents, teachers, and the community in general. Dr. Munnelly stated ultimately it is the Superintendent who makes a final recommendation to the School Committee to accept or reject. He stated he felt the Screening Committee had done a good job and that Dr. Wells had paid a lot of attention to the process when instructing them. He noted that the Screening Committee has gone back over the 12 final candidates with him and been very cooperative in selecting 2 additional finalists. 243 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 3 JULY 20, 1987 Dr. Munnelly stated he could feel comfortable with any of the three finalists, although he felt each had a different set of strengths which could be helpful to the School System. He noted there were subtle differences between them, but he had no doubt they. were all star material. Dr. Munnelly stated he was recommending Richard Davidson of Bath, Maine for appointment August 31st, a week before school started. He noted his salary would be $43,756 one which a beginning Principal in Reading would get, and one that Mr. Davidson would agree with if the School Committee endorsed his recommendation. Mr. Allen made a motion, seconded by Mr. Nissen, that the School Committee authorize the hiring of Mr. Richard Davidson as Principal of Birch Meadow School on August 31, 1987 at the salary of $43,756 as indicated on Enclosure E -1. Mr. Allen and Mrs. Philbrick had a question-on how the amount of salary was set. Dr. Munnelly stated that most Principals' contracts begin on July 1, but Mr. Davidson would, if appointed, begin getting orientation from him and would be making visits to Reading during that period, although he would not be setting up- office hours until August 31st. He stated this date of appointment was set in deference to the School System in which Mr. Davidson was now employed so that he could make proper arrangements with them. Mr. Shannon had a question about Mr. Davidson's vacation, and Dr. Munnelly stated those details would have to be worked out after his appointment. He stated in regard to the salary questions, there was no accommodation given to the fact that Mr. Davidson is an experienced principal, and he is being paid at the minimum that a Reading principal would be hired at. A vote was taken on the motion, and it was approved unanimously. Policy on Selection of Principals and Citizens Screening Committee Dr. Munnelly stated that a draft of this policy was presented at the last meeting, and this policy was a reflection of the changes requested by the School Committee. He stated there were 3 parts incorporated into this draft. Dr. Munnelly stated, if he recalled correctly, noone had a problem with the public meeting portion, but the second part had to do with the screening committee in which there was some concern about the number of- people, their input and how they were appointed. He stated he felt the new draft reflected those changes. Dr. Munnelly stated the School Committee had no problem with the 3 finalists being interviewed by the committee. He then reviewed this part of the Policy with the committee. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 4 244 JULY 20, 1987 Carol Lyons stated that originally she was in favor of granting interviews to all in -house candidates, but upon reviewing this issue, she wasn't sure that was a good idea, since it might indicate to the screening committee a lack of confidence in their judgment. She also indicated that the wording, "all local candidates" wasn't what was intended, as this indicated anyone living in Reading, and the intent was any candidate already employed in the system. She stated perhaps the word "qualified" in -house candidate might be a better phrasing. Cliff Allen stated he agreed with Carol Lyon's premise, and he was not as concerned with the in -house candidates being included as he was that the policy should include the word "qualified ". Mr. Nissen stated he thought the idea as originally presented was that it was difficult for a screening committee to eliminate internal candidates because of the potentially bad feelings 'it might create. He stated he felt the screening committee would rather have specific instructions in dealing with that issue, which could be accomplished by a change in the language, and he felt the sentence should be left in. Mr. Allen asked the administration if it was decided when the job was posted what minimum requirements would have to be met. Dr. Munnelly stated yes, it indicated certification was needed, Masters Degree, whatever the position called for. Mr. Allen stated he was in agreement with Mr. Nissen that the sentence about in -house candidates should be left in, but felt strongly that the word "qualified" should be added. Mr. Nissen made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, to accept the draft Policy CBB, Selection of Principals and Citizen Screening Committee for Administration Positions, with a modification on Page 2 that the words "all local candidates" be changed to "all qualified candidates currently employed by the Reading School Department ". Mr. Allen stated he had a concern with the timing in the final stages of the process which stated "resumes of three finalist candidates will be transmitted one meeting before the School Committee is to act on the Superintendent's choice as Principal." He did not feel this would leave enough time for interviews. Mr. Shannon stated his understanding was that the resumes would be presented one week prior to an interview process similar to the one which they had just conducted. Mr. Allen stated he felt that was not what the policy stated as written. Dr. Munnelly stated the intent of the policy was that the committee would not be put in the position of having to vote on a candidate on the same night they found out who the finalists were, so that they could conduct interviews and do their own investigation. There was a lengthy discussion on the timing of the final stages of the selection process. 245 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 5 JULY 20, 1987 Mr. Allen suggested that an addition be made to the motion to include the words, "at least two weeks" to the first paragraph of the final stages of the selection process portion of the draft policy after the words "the. Superintendent shall submit the resumes of three (3) finalist candidates ", and deleting the words "one meeting ". There was a short discussion on that addition, after which, Mr. Nissen agreed it should be included in the motion. Dr. Munnelly stated the intent of the paragraph was not to legislate the time in a strict sense, but merely as a guideline which was unclear in the previous policy. Mr. Nissen stated he would also like to bring to the attention of the committee that this policy covered the selection of principals and assistant superintendents and when we accept it, it breaks the original policy in two, which was the original intent, but in order not to leave the committee without a policy, we should consider creating another policy for the selection of a Superintendent. Dr. Munnelly stated that Romeo Marquis, Consultant in the Superintendent's Search had some suggestions in that area in the letter which had been given to the committee before the meeting. Dr. Munnelly asked if there was any way to move the screening committee process out of the Open Meeting Law realm, to'eliminate the need for posting of meetings, keeping minutes, and all legal procedures called for under the Open Meeting Law. Carol Lyons stated she felt the screening committee should be subject to the Open Meeting Laws and all its formalities. She stated there was a rule in place to handle exceptions in case a candidate felt his candidacy should not be made public. Ms. Lyons stated her interpretation of the law was that even Advisory Committees should be considered a Governmental Body. There was a short discussion on what constituted a Governmental Body, after which Mr. Shannon directed the administration to get a clairification on whether, if there is not a School Cc =ittee person on the screening committee, it is considered an advisory committee or a Governmental Body. He noted that then perhaps the committee could consider a change in the guidelines. Mr. Allen stated he would also like to add to the instruction clarifying the appointment power portion of the policy and whether it has any nearing on the definition of a Government Body. A parent, Sandra Sarcone, stated she would be disappointed to see the process of the screening committee closed to the parents or the public, and hoped the committee would-keep it subject to the Open Meeting Law. Mr. Shannon stated this suggestion was not intended to close these meetings to the public, but only to relieve some of the bureaucratic formalities. i 246 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 6 JULY 20,1987 Mrs. Cooper had a question on a change in the wording of the or -'ginal policy in regard to the screening committee duties. She stated she felt the proposed wording implied that the screening committee would not make recommendations. Mr. Shannon stated it is an advisory committee and this wording was only a clarification that they are only advisory and do not make the selection. Dr. Munnelly stated he felt in the last two weeks the process with the advisory committee had gone very well, as they were very helpful with their advice in selecting additional candidates, and felt the screening committee should remain in force in the event of such situations arising in the future. A vote was taken on the motion, and it was unanimously approved as modified. Policy on Communitv Health Education Dr. Munnelly stated he and Carol Lyons had worked on the creations: of a task force for AIDS Education and felt there should be a separate policy to deal with the issue. He then reviewed the'''. draft policy with the School Committee. 1 Carol Lyons made a motion, seconded by Mr. Nissen, to adopt the policy on Community Health Education, GBF, as outlined on Enclosure B -3 -a, and the vote was unanimous. Bids - Weatherstrippin Mr. Winslow reviewed the bids for weatherstripping under the EOER Grant with the School Committee. He stated only one bid was. received from KNE Corp. of Weston, MA, in the amount of $14,376,:-' 14 , 376,: and one had come in after bids were closed, but was included on the bid sheet for comparison purposes. He stated he was recommending the low bid of the KNE Corp. and that the shortfall. of $635 was within the 10% adjustment that is permiss ble under the terms of the grant and may be made up from unexpended funds within the total amount of the grant. Mr. Nissen made a motion, seconded by Ms. Lvons, to award the contract for weatherstripping and insulating to the KNE Corp., 38 Colonial Ave., Weston, MA, in the amount of $14,376. The vote was unanimous. Bids - Student Insurance Mr. Winslow reviewed the three bids that were received for student insurance for FY68 with the School Committee and stated he was recommending the contract be awarded to the low bidder, Gera:d Lefebvre Ins.,at the rates of $4.00 for school time coverage and $27.00 for 24 -hour coverage. He noted that Lefebvre Ins. had been the insurer for the past four years and there had been no 247 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 7 JULY 20, 1987 complaints registered at the central office regarding the program or the service. _A motion was made by Mr. Nissen, seconded by Ms. Lyons, to award the bid for Student Insurance for FY88 to the low bidder, Gerard Lefebvre Ins. at the rates outlined on Enclosure B- 3 -b -2. Mr. Nissen asked if the rates listed were the same as last year's rates? Mr. Winslow indicated that they were the same. A vote was taken on the motion, and it was unanimously approved. Cafeteria Statement Mr. Winslow reviewed the June Cafeteria statement and noted that it showed an operating loss of $4,285 for the month. He stated this was because of the early departure of the seniors and also the shortened month, although the YTD operating budget had broken even. Mr. Winslow stated participation remained at 45 %. He also noted that the cafeteria was having difficulty showing a profit because salary increases were reducing the profit' and the commodities are down which would eventually force the review of the whole process in the near future. Mr. Shannon stated he felt that an excellent job had been done, realizing the difficulties the department was facing and the major expenses that have occurred in the past year. Pearl Street School Space Rental by Red Sneakers School Mr. Winslow informed the School Committee that the Red Sneakers School would be renting additional space at the Pearl Street School located in the cafeteria across from the Bridge Studio. He stated this added space will generate $5,076 per year. Mr. Winslow stated that the Red Sneakers School people would be making any adjustments that needed to be made to the building to make it useable for their purposes. Briefing on Task Force Report on Professional Development of Staff Dr. Munnelly stated this report would be made available to the public at the library, schools, additional copies would be available at the next School Committee meeting, and that each teacher would receive one when their Opening of School Notice was sent late in August. He then briefly reviewed the report. Dr. Munnelly stated that the staff was broadly represented in the report and there was a lot of agreement between the people on the task force. He stated he hoped the School Committee would find a way to play a role in the deliberations. Dr. Munnelly stated the report outlined rather than any major changes in programs, a heightening of programs already in place. 248 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 8 JULY 20, 1987 He stated it dealt with such areas as creating an atmosphere for staff development and the development of in -house steering committees to review plans and encourage a more direct and bolder participation by staff. He noted that he would be asking the Principals for 6 1/2 days for this purpose at the middle schools and 7 days at the high school. Dr. Munnelly stated perhaps at�the beginning of school, he could have some of the members of the task force before the committee to discuss their plans. Pr000sal for an AIDS Education Study Team Dr. Munnelly referred to the Article from the National School Boards Association Journel of March 1987 a copy of which had been given to the School Committee on the subject of AIDS. He stated AIDS prevention programs are in the school systems and should be incorporated into the curriculum reflecting community values and spirit. Ms. Lyons stated the result of her conversations with Dr. Munnelly on this issue was the report which each member had been given recommending the formation of a task force comprised of approximately 15 people. She stated input should be requested from all aspects of the community about how this issue should be handled in the schools. Ms. Lyons stated the task force should include a broad range of educators, parents, health professionals, religious leaders and citizens representing a cross section of the community. She stated they would study the issues and provide a report to the School Committee by early January 1988. Ms. Lyons stated after the information was gathered from education sessions and public discussions the taskforce should review any existing AIDS curricula available with a goal of recommending a curriculum for the FY88 -89. Mrs. Lyons noted that to support the task force in the achievement' of its goals, the School Department should provide meeting space and secretarial support. Mr. Allen stated he was concerned only that during the process of this task force, some consideration would have to be given to the budgetary implications during March and April of 1988, in order to be sure that funds would be available for implementing the task force's recommendations for the coming school year. Mr. Nissen agreed and stated he would suggest that some information and guidance be provided to the task force on the budgetary issues. Mr. Shannon asked if it would be helpful to have a School Committee member as part of the task force and also that costs for secretarial should be kept in mind. Dr. Munnelly stated he had some discussions already with Mr. Winslow as to the custodial services that may be required for the meetings at the schools. 249 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 9 JULY 20, 1987 Ms. Lyons made a motion, seconded by Mr. Allen, to accept the concept of creating a task force to study AIDS education and prevention for the curriculum for the Reading Public Schools as outlined in the draft and also to direct the administration to form this task force. The motion was unanimously approved. MASC Delegate Mr. Shannon .read a request from the MASC requesting a delegate be designated to vote at the Annual Business Meeting to be held on November 6, 1987. After a short discussion, Mr. Shannon was designated as the School Committee's representive with Ms. Lyons designated as the alternate. Resignations Dr. Munnelly stated he had received a letter of resignation from Joan DeSalvo from her position as Department Head in the Focus program, in order to accept a position as Asst.,Principal at Silver Lake Regional Jr. High School in Kingston, effective August 31st. Mrs. Philbrick made a motion, seconded by Ms. Lyons, to accept the resignation of Joan DeSalvo from her position as Department Head in the Focus program, effective August 31, 1987. The vote was unanimous. At 9:20 p.m., the School Committee took a short recess to consider information on a resignation of a member of the staff. At 9:35 o.m. the committee returned from recess. Dr.. Munnelly asked the committee to vote on the resignation of Russell Hill as Metco Coordinator, effective at the end of the first semester, January 29, 1988. Dr. Munnelly stated the School Department would begin the process of replacing Mr. Hill prior to that date in order that the transition would be a smooth one Mrs. Philbrick made a motion, seconded by Ms. Lyons, to accept the resignation of Russell Hill as Metco Coordinator, effective January 29, 1988. The vote was unanimous. Appointments Dr. Munnelly reviewed the qualifications and education of three candidates for appointment as teachers as follows: Ms. Linda W. Dumais, Barrows School, Grade 4; Ms. Lauren D. Stevenson, Joshua Eaton School, Grade 2; and Jospeh L. Finigan, R.M.H.S., Math teacher for the coming School Year. 250 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 10 JULY 20, 1987 : A motion was made by Mr. Nissen, seconded by Mrs Philbrick, to appoint the three teachers, as listed above, to the schools and at the salaries indicated on Enclosures E -2 and E -4 Addendum for the School Year 1987 -88. Tre vote was unanimous. Mr. Winslow then requested the appointment of three custodians at Reading Memorial High School on the 3 -11 shift, effective July 27, 1987. A motion was made by Mr. Nissen, seconded by Mr. Allen, to appoint Donald Tapley, Lawrence W. Meuse, Herbert P. Marden, as custodians at R.M.H.S. at Step 1, on the 3 -11 shift, effective July 27, 1987. The vote was unanimous. Dr. Munnelly then informed the School Committee that with the appointments that were approved that evening, except for Joan DeSaly o's position, all vacancies on the staff had now been filled. Mr. Shannon then discussed having another School Committee meeting on August 3rd in order that the committee could meet with Town Counsel, Ted Cohen, to discuss matters of negotiations and litigation. After a short discussion, it was agreed that there would be a meeting on the 3rd of August. Carol Lyons then stated she had had many discussions with Mike Fabbri of the D.A.'s office and had asked him if he could meet with the School Committee at some future date to discuss the basics of the Open Meeting Law. She stated he was available on August 31st, which was a scheduled meeting date. Mr. Shannon`` stated he would like to postpone such a meeting until Town Counsel had had an opportunity to discuss this with the School Committte. Mr. Allen then asked if anything further had been heard regarding the Special Education. PAC? Dr. Mun -nelly stated he would be meeting with Sandy Trainor from the PAC sometime the next week to discuss the PAC's future plans and return to the committee hopefully in the Fall with people from the PAC to talk about those plans with the School Committee. At 9:45 p.m., on a motion by Mr. Allen, seconded by Mrs Philbrick, the School Committee voted to adjourn.