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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-08-31 School Committee Minutes257 READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 31, 1987 CALL TO ORDER Chairman George Shannon called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:30 p.m. on August 31, 1987 in the Superintendent's Conference Room at 34 Gould Street. All members of the School Committee were present. Also present were the Acting Superintendent, Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superinten- dent, Ronald A. Winslow, Robin D'Antona, Kathy Powell, Sheila McCoy, parents, and a reporter from the Chronicle. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JUNE 30, JULY 13, & JULY 20, 1987 Mr. Shannon noted that the corrections requested by a citizen in the Minutes of July 20, 1987 had been made. Mr. Nissen then stated he would like to clear up the issue of the Minutes which had not been approved and asked if this would be an appropriate time to instruct the Secretary regarding the taking of Minutes and recording of same. Mr. Shannon stated he had already discussed this with Dr. Munnelly and that he did not feel it was necessary to go over it as there would be a return to compacting the Minutes by stating only a general discussion had taken place, except when someone made a specific request to be quoted. Mr. Nissen stated he would then take up only the issue of the June 30th Minutes. He stated he reviewed the Minutes and the requested clarification and did not see how it could be resolved, but his recommendation was to delete basically all the details of that discussion and simply state that a general discussion had taken place. Mr. Nissen made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, to approve the June 30th Minutes by deleting the section from the bottom of page 2 and page 3 through page 9, and replacing it with a paragraph stating there was a discussion between the School Committee and members of the audience. There was a brief discussion on deleting this portion of the Minutes. A vote was taken on the motion, and it was approved on a 3 -0 vote, with Mr. Allen, Ms. Lyon and Mr. Coco abstaining. Mr. Nissen made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, to accept the Minutes of July 13, July 20, and August 3, 1987. Ms. Lyons stated in the July 20th Minutes, there was a statement in the next 258 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 2 AUGUST 31, 1987 to last paragraph on page 10 regarding Special Education which she did not make, and asked that this correction be made. Mr. Allen stated that was his statement. A vote was taken on the approval of the Minutes, with the noted correction on the July 20th Minutes. The Minutes of July 13 and August 3, were unanimously approved and the July 20 were approved , with' it Mr. Coco abstaining because of his absence from that meeting. BILLS & PAYROLLS Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows: Bills August 3, 1987 - General Expense - $42,868.07 Aug.ust 10, 1.987 — General Expense - 53,480.77 August 17, 1987 - General Expense - 35,658.66 August 24, 1987 - General Expense - 75,807.47 August 31, 1987 - General Expense - 81,165.11 Sept. 7, 1987 - General Expense - 49,218.40 Payrolls August 6, 1987 - Teachers - $98,116.86 July 31, 1987 - Weekly - 18,542.18 August 7, 1987 - Weekly - 19,911.95 August 14, 1987 - Weekly - 21,486.04 August 21, 1987 - Weekly - 20,975.27 August 28, 1987 - Weekly - 20,674.93 Sept. 4, 1987 - Weekly - 21,467.96 UPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly informed the School Committee that the schools were ready to reopen and the staff would be oriented on Tuesday, September 8, 1987. He extended an invitation to the School Committee members to attend a "coffee break" which was to be held after the meeting of the faculty. Dr. Munnelly informed the School Committee that a number of articles had appeared in the local paper regarding the custodial staff, and another item which might be of interest to them was Dr. Piechota had pointed out to him that of a faculty of over 100, approximately 75% had been involved in extra work or projects during the summer. RENEWAL OF HOME SCHOOLING PLAN Dr. Munnelly stated this- was a request from the Rodriquez family in the Birch Meadow and Coolidge School areas to continue with their Home Schooling Plan. He noted that questions that the administration had regarding the Plan from the Clonlara School had 259 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 3 AUGUST 31, 1987 been answered, and they had assured his office that the children had done well last year, which was reinforced by an extensive report submitted by them on the kinds of activities and curriculum the children had participated in. Dr. Munnelly stated he had spoken to the Director of the School regarding testing materials and had been assured they would send them shortly. He stated, therefore, he was recommending the approval of this Home Schooling Plan for the 1987 -88 school year. A motion was made by Mrs. Philbrick, seconded by Mr. Coco, to approve the Home Schooling Plan for the Rodriquez family for the 1987 -88 school year. The vote was unanimous. POLICY ON COMMUNITY HEALTH Dr. Munnelly reviewed this Policy on Community Health which had been approved on a first vote at the last meeting. He noted that this policy related to the AIDS issue, and a second vote was needed for final approval. A motion was made by Mr. Coco,,seconded by Carol Lyons, to approve on a second vote, the Policy on Community Health, KE. The vote was unanimous. POLICY ON SELECTION OF PRINCIPALS Dr. Munnelly reviewed this Policy on Selection of Principals with the School Committee which had also been approved on a first vote at the last meeting, and which also needed a second vote approval. A motion was made by Mr. Nissen, seconded by Carol Lyons, to approve the Policy on Selection of Principals, CBB, on a second vote. Mr. Allen had some questions on the selection of the Screening Committee and specifically what the words "joint effort" meant. Mr. Shannon stated he recalled that although the Superintendent was to make the selection, the spirit of the process was to be in cooperation with the School Committee. Dr. Munnelly stated it was not the administration's intent to change the process, only clarify it. There was a brief discussion on this point among the committee members, and it was decided to vote on the policy as presented. A vote was taken on the motion, and it was unanimously approved. EARLY CHILDHOOD REPORT Dr. Munnelly briefly reviewed the history of this Early Childhood Report with the School Committee and then introduced the three people present who had been responsible for its completion: Robin 260 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 4 AUGUST 31, 1987 D'Antona, Kathy Powell, and Sheila McCoy. He noted that this report was very detailed and extensive and would be sent to the State, He noted that the department had already been informed of a $3-,000 grant which was the second portion of this project and which would be discussed later in the meeting. Robin D'Antcna then reviewed with the School Committee the methods for research she and her committee used to gather information for the study, and the results of these research vehicles with the School Committee. Robin stated midway through the project, based on the preliminary findings, they were able to make a few solid recommendations. The first was to establish some kind of network throughout the community, i.e. strengthening of backup services, giving providers benefits such as tax information, support network, backup childcare training. The second need, she stated, was the need for some ongoing central communication of services. Robin then answered questions asked by the School Committee members. Mr. Nissen then stated perhaps the Early Childhood Grant should now be discussed out of order, and the committee agreed. EARLY CHILDHOOD GRANT AWARD Dr. Munnelly stated the State Board of Education had approved a Grant in the amount of $35,750 to carry out a model program in Early Childhood Education for the Reading community. The State felt this venture gave promise of something worthwhile and although would not put the School System in the daycare business, would in fact do the kinds of things that would make the daycare services now in place even better. Dr. Munnelly reviewed the Grant and the use of the funds from it with the School Committee. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL FUNDS Dr. Munnelly stated this was a list showing the amounts of monies each School would be receiving through the School Improvement Councils Grants for the School Year 1987 -88. He stated the funds will be coming in the next two weeks, and he would be meeting with the Principals to confirm their school's council members. Dr. Munnelly stated the School Improvement Councils had sent their reports for last year, and he would be bringing them to the School Committee for their review and endorsement. 261 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 5 AUGUST 31, 1987 AWARD OF BIDS Dr. Munnelly stated Ron Winslow had prepared a list of bids which had been received during the summer and had been awarded to the low bidder, under the summer bid policy. He noted that the work called for in these bids had begun in order to be ready for the start of the new school year. Mr. Winslow then reviewed the bids with the School Committee and recommended approval of the low bidders. A motion was made by Carol Lyons, seconded by Barbara Philbrick, to accept low bids, Items 1 through 4, as indicated on enclosure B -3 -A, awarded under the summer bid policy. The vote was unanimous. Dr. Munnelly stated that there was a bid for telephones for the High School which had been received, but it was very complicated and it would take some time to evaluate with help from the staff before bringing it to the School Committee with a recommendation. Mr. Winslow stated he was also seeking approval of a Change Order, in the amount of $3,388.00, in the bid for alterations at R.M.H.S. by Ferazzani Construction Company, for installation of chalkboards and tack boards. Mr. Winslow stated these items were not included in the specifications, but they had to be replaced in order to complete the work on the alterations. Mr. Nissen asked if the $120,000 amount was budgeted partly from the regular budget and partly from a bond. Mr. Winslow stated $60,000 came out of a Bond and $60,000 came from a Special Article. A motion was made by Mr. Nissen, seconded by Carol Lyons, to approve a Change Order in the amount of $3,388 for installation of chalkboards and tack boards at R.M.H.S., to Ferrazzani Construction Co. The vote was unanimous. REAP AGREEMENT Dr. Munnelly stated he had received a letter from the Director of REAP, Robin D'Antona, stating that because of an increase in their enrollments, the Board of Directors of REAP had found that they could now return to paying the rental that was originally worked out for this School Year. Dr. Munnelly stated that this request for continuation has the administration's recommendation with the rental payment in the original amount for this year. A motion was made by Mr. Nissen, seconded Cliff Allen, to advise the Board of Selectmen that the School Committee wishes to extend the agreement with REAP, for rental of space at R.M.H.S., in the amount of $8,420.00, for one year from July 1, 1987 through June 30, 1988. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 262 6 AUGUST 31, 1987 In answer to a question by Carol Lyons regarding fundraising efforts by REAP, Dr. Munnelly stated he had not discussed this with Robin, but only knew that they were able to resume paying rent. He stated next year, there would perhaps be new plans, different amounts of space, etc. A vote was taken on the motion, and it was unanimously approved. TEACHER SALARY COMPARISONS Dr. Munnelly briefly reviewed with the School Committee the comparisons on teachers' salaries in the area which had been included in their packet. He noted that as Reading was entering the third year of their Teachers' Contract, they had not fallen behind and in beginning teacher's pay, it indicates Reading has taken somewhat of a leadership role. CHAPTER 194 - SCHOLARSHIP Dr. Munnelly informed the School Committee that recent legislation had been passed to allow collecting money as part of taxes, on a voluntary basis, to be put into a special account for providing scholarships for students. He noted this has to be accepted by the School Committee and Town Meeting. Dr. Munnelly stated he supported this motion and development of a warrant article to the Town Meeting. A motion was made by Cliff Allen, seconded by Barbara Philbrick to inform the Town Manager and Board of Selectmen of the Committee's approval of placing an Article on the Town Warrant to allow collecting money as part of taxes, on a voluntary basis for scholarships for Reading students. The vote was unanimous. It was also agreed that the Committee would leave it up to the Town as to which tax bill the voluntary contribution would be included. STUDENT ON SCHOOL COMMITTEE - NEW LAW Dr. Munnelly reviewed with the School Committee, the new legislation, which amended Chapter 70, Section 138, regarding a student from the Student Advisory Council becoming a member of the School Committee. He noted that he had spoken to the Principal of the High School, Mark Piechota, and he indicated they do have an Advisory Committee in place. Dr. Munnelly stated that at the Sept. 28th meeting the School Committee could meet with the new Student Advisory Council and at that time, the Chairman of the Council could assume his place as a member of the committee. 263 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 7 AUGUST 31, 1987 There was a brief discussion on whether the student committee member should participate in Executive Sessions, as participation on some issues might be inappropriate. Barbara Philbrick stated 1 she felt perhaps George Shannon, the Chairman, and Dr. Munnelly could meet before the meeting on Sept. 14th to discuss this and present their recommendations to the School Committee. Mr. Allen stated he felt if there were a concern about Executive Sessions, that as long as the Committee didn't lay out any specifics, there was no right to attend Executive Sessions. Mr. Shannon stated he felt also that it was the Committee's choice to make as to whether the student would attend Executive Sessions. METCO Dr. Munnelly stated although it was not on the agenda, he received word late that afternoon from the State that there has been a major increase in transportation costs for Metco Students. He stated the figures indicate a 38% increase, and although the budget had been increased slightly for these costs this year, it did not cover such a large increase. Dr. Munnelly reviewed the figures with the School Committee. He indicated if no other figures were changed, it would take $319,000 to run the Metco Program. Dr. Munnelly stated the State Board is ready to allocate $294,000. He then gave the School Committee what he felt were some alternates to providing funds for this increase. Dr. Munnelly stated he called the State and asked if there will be a supplemental budget in light of such a major increase, and they stated they did not think so, unless there was great response to the increase from other communities. Dr. Munnelly stated for planning purposes, it would be possible to use the money in the revolving account. He noted perhaps after a period of time, he might have a better idea of what will develop with regard to this increase and how it will be handled. Mr. Allen recommended that administration develop a letter to be sent to their Representatives and Senators asking for their assistance. SCHOOL COMMITTEE CALENDAR Mrs. Philbrick requested that administration develop a calendar of meetings for the next meeting. Dr. Munnelly stated he had begun to work on this and would have information to the School Committee by next Thursday for their input. LEAVES Dr. Munnelly stated he has two requests for child- rearing leave, one from Dr. Anthony DiSanzo, Spanish teacher at R.M.H.S., and one from Noreen O'Brien Scarpitto, Science teacher at R.M.H.S., both of which he was recommending for approval.