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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-09-28 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER 277 SEPTEMBER 28, 1987 Chairman George Shannon called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:30 p.m. on September 28, 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 J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent, Ronald A. Winslow,•parents, and a reporter from the Chronicle. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 14, 1987 A motion was made by Mrs. Philbrick, seconded by Mr. Coco, to approve the Minutes of the Meeting of September 14, 1987. The vote was 5 -0, with Mr. Nissen abstaining because of his absence from the meeting. A motion was made by Mr. Nissen, seconded by Mr. Coco, to approve the Minutes of the Meeting of September 23, 1987. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows: Bills October 5, 1987 - General Expense - $156,427.02 Payrolls October 2, 1987 - Weekly - $32,001.93 CITIZENS' INPUT Mrs. Kendra Cooper asked what the status was of the proposed agreement between the D. A.'s office and the School Committee regarding the Open Meeting Law violations. Mr. Shannon stated that Town Counsel was still negotiating this agreement and the Committee was awaiting his reply. SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS Dr. Munnelly spoke briefly with the School Committee about the subject of the School Highlights, Impressions, a literary magazine published and written by students at Reading Memorial High School. He then introduced Kathy Montejunas, faculty editorial advisor and 278 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 2 SEPTEMBER 28, 1987 the faculty Graphics Arts advisor, Michael Harney who reviewed the editorial philosophy and the processes by which the students published the magazine. Ms. Montejunas introduced the students present who were involved in the magazine and also two students who had graduated, but had been involved with the magazine during their high school years, Trish Small and Matt Hinsman, and would relate to the School Committee what the magazine had meant to them. A brief question and answer period followed the presentation. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly reviewed the names of students who participated in the National Merit Scholarship program. He noted that two students, Melinda Fagan and Erin McCormack, were now semi- finalists and also the students who had been "commended" in the program. Mr. Shannon requested a letter of congratulations be sent to each student by the Administration. Dr. Munnelly introduced Arnold Berger to the School Committee and noted that he was the sponsor of the Exemplary Teacher Award and a contributor to many other worthwhile projects in the School System. Dr.Munnelly stated that the China Fair held this weekend had a display of art work by Reading Students and also acknowledged statewide leadership demonstrated by Dave Williams and Al Lahood. ANNOUNCEMENT Mr. George Shannon, Chairman of the School Committee, stated he would like to make a brief announcement that a contract had been signed by the School Committee and Dr. Munnelly and that his position as Superintendent was now official. POLICY ON DECLASSIFYING EXECUTIVE MINUTES Dr. Munnelly stated that a second vote was required from the School Committee in order for the formal adoption of this Policy. A motion was made by Mr. Coco, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, to adopt on a second vote the Policy BDDA, Process for Declassifying Confidential Executive Session Minutes. After a question by Mr. Nissen, there was a brief discussion about including an inception date in the Policy. It was decided not to include a date in the motion, but keep it an administrative decision. It was then suggested by Mrs. Philbrick that the date of January 1, 1987 be used, but Mr. Shannon stated he felt this should be determined after the Policy became official. 279 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 3 SEPTEMBER 28, 1987 A vote was taken on the motion, and it was unanimously approved. POLICY ON STUDENT MEMBER ON SCHOOL COMMITTEE Dr. Munnelly stated this was a Policy that also needed a second vote to be formally adopted by the School Committee which related to a member of the Student Advisory Council becoming an ex- officio member of the School Committee. A motion was made by Mr. Coco, seconded by Ms. Lyons, to adopt the Policy BCA, Student Member on School Committee. Mr. Nissen stated he felt that the Committee had decided some time ago not to refer to specific Legislative Acts in adopting new policies so as to avoid dealing with future amendments that might be added to the Act. He asked that the motion include the word "current" before the word, " Legislation ", and deletion of the words, "the Acts of 1987 ". The language change was agreed upon by all members. A vote was taken on the motion to ado t the Policy BCA, with the agreed upon language change, and it was unanimously approved. CAFETERIA FREE LUNCH POLICY Dr. Munnelly reviewed the criteria for Reading's participating in the Lunch Program and noted it was a yearly approval that was required to become eligible for reimbursement for School Lunch Program and The Commodity Distribution Program. A motion was made by Mr. Nissen, seconded by Cliff Allen, that the Reading School Committee continue the agreement with the Commonwealth of Mass., Dept. of Education, Bureau of Nutrituion Education and School Food Service, that provides for carrying out the purposes of The National School Lunch Program and the Commodity Distribution Program, effective July 1, 1987 through June 30, 1988. The vote was unanimous. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL Dr. Munnelly introduced the students elected to the 1987 -88 Student Advisory Council, the Faculty Advisor, and the name of the student elected as the ex- officio member of the School Committee, Nancy Drane. He stated he had discussed with Mr. Shannon having items of interest to the students listed early in the future agendas so that the student member would not be required to stay late on a school night. Nancy then read some of the topics that she hoped to bring before the School Committee and some of their goals for this year. 280 READING SCHOOL.COMMITTEE MINUTES 4 SEPTEMBER 28, 1987 Mr. Shannon and Dr. Munnelly welcomed Nancy to the School Committee, and told her she would be receiving an agenda and materials for all future meetings. TASK FORCE_ SUBSTANCE ABUSE Dr. Munnelly introduced Jane Fiore, head of Reading's substance abuse education effort this past year, and Ruth Cogan from the Board of Health. He stated Jane would review progress made in curriculum development on substance abuse in the Reading Schools. Jane Fiore then reviewed with the School Committee some of the steps that had been taken with the help of two middle school health coordinators, Bill Carne and Jack Fasciano, in creating a curriculum on substance abuse in the schools and the progress of the task force which consisted of parents, students, teachers, citizens and local police. She reviewed the committee's plan to reinstate the High School Student Peer Leadership Program, and grants that had been received for training and educational materials from the Governor's office. Mr. Carne then explained the middle school curriculum with the School Committee. PROCESS OF APPOINTING AN ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF CURRICULUM & PERSONNEL Dr. Munnelly reviewed the Policy CBB, Selection of Principals and Citizen Screening Committee for Administrative Positions, which had to do with this process of selecting a new Assistant Superintendent. He stated he would like to begin the process by recommending that a public meeting be held on Thursday, Oct. 15th at 7:30 p.m.. Dr. Munnelly also stated that volunteers for the screening committee could get in touch with George Shannon and himself. Dr. Munnelly stated that one issue for discussion was what the advertisement for the position should consist of, such as salary range or term of contract. He stated that under the new State Laws, Assistant Superintendents are no longer automatically eligible for tenure, therefore they can be offered a contract up to 6 years as an alternative. He stated he felt the position should be looked at more from the perspective of a Deputy Superintendent. Dr. Munnelly stated he was recommending a salary in the mid 50's with a 2 to 3 year term of contract, which was the standard in the area. There was a discussion on reviewing and revising the present job description. Dr. Munnelly stated this could be accomplished perhaps at the next meeting. He stated that the job description offered by Isa Zimmerman, a copy of which each member had received, was an excellent one and one which the School Committee could use. Dr. Munnelly stated he felt the Assistant 281 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 5 SEPTEMBER 28, 1987 Superintendent must be a relating person who could deal very directly with the public on issues and also be a problem solver. He stated he could have the public meeting on Oct. 15th, then return to the committee with the results on Oct. 19th at which time the job description could be rewritten. There was a long discussion on salary range, contract term and when to have the public meeting. The Chairman took a poll of what each member wanted in the advertisement. A motion was made by Mr. Nissen, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, to instruct the administration to place an ad for the position of Assistant Superintendent, with a salary range from the mid 40's to low 50's, with a closing date of November 30th. In answer to a question by Maureen Scott, a parent, as to who would be included in the Public Meeting, Dr. Munnelly stated that both the public and staff would be invited to participate in the public meeting. A vote was taken on the motion, and it was unanimously approved. Dr. Munnelly then discussed with the School Committee his efforts to get some help with the Assistant Superintendent's work until a new person can be found. He stated he would like to hire, on a consultant basis, Ann Murray, part -time Director of The Northeast Consortium for Staff Development, who was available for approximately one day per week. He noted that she would be paid on an hourly basis with the monies from the present budget, and could help with such responsibilities as the Horace Mann program, Kindergarten agreements and related curriculum documents. Dr. Munnelly stated he would still be looking for someone to help on a more regular basis. The Committee, after a short discussion, agreed to this proposal. GRANT AWARDS Dr. Munnelly stated that two State grants had been awarded to the Reading Public School. One was for $3,000 for Consultant /Trainer for development of supervisory and management skills which had been submitted by the Principal, Assistant Principals, and the Department Heads at R.M.H.S. He noted the other grant for $1,326 was submitted by the new Special Ed. Parents' Advisory Council to provide 18 hours of parent education on Advocacy Strategies. HIGH SCHOOL BAND ACTIVITIES Dr. Munnelly stated that Mark Piechota, Barry Low, and Dave Bunten had met with him to discuss the schedule for the high school band for this school year. He stated there was also a preliminary 282 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 6 SEPTEMBER 28, 1987 draft of guidelines for musical performances which the School Committee could review which he and the Music Dept. hoped could be completed some time in the near future. It was the joint recommendation that the band play at all home games and that they enter three band competitions this Fall. There was a long discussion between the School Committee, Dr. Munnelly, Dave Bunten, Barry Low, and some parents about the plan. A motion was made by Mr. Nissen, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, to authorize the band to attend a band competition in Haverhill on Sunday, Oct. 25th. It was stated by Chairman Shannon that this motion, if approved, would support the recommendation made by the Administration. There was a discussion between the School Committee and Mr. Paul Geoffrion, a parent who was a supporter of the band, who stated that most parents did not feel the band should attend away games, as there was a lack of interest by people at these games and that competition offered a better vehicle in which the band could participate. A motion was made by Mr. Coco, seconded by Ms. Lyons, to delete the competition at Dartmouth on Oct. 17th. A vote was taken and the amendment was defeated 1 -5. A vote was taken on the original motion, and it was unanimously approved. APPOINTMENTS Dr. Munnnelly stated he was recommending the appointment of Barbara K. Hollis, as Head Coach for Girls Basketball, and the one -year appointment of Jeff Nelson, as Head Coach for Boys Baseball. A motion was made by Mr. Nissen, seconded by Cliff Allen, to appoint Barbara K. Hollis, on Step 3 Sport Rate Category A, as Head Coach for Girls Basketball and Jeff Nelson, on Step 2 Sport Rate Category A, as Head Coach for Boys Baseball for the 1987 -88 School Year. The vote was unanimous. LEAVES Mr. Winslow stated he had a request from a Cafeteria Worker, Marjorie Genest, for a one -year leave of absence due to family illness and was recommending approval. A motion was made by Cliff Allen, seconded by Mr. Nissen, to approve a one -year leave of absence to Marjorie Genest, Cafeteria Worker, effective immediately. The vote was unanimous. 283 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 7 SEPTEMBER 28, 1987 Dr. Munnelly then briefly reviewed issues that would be coming up at the next few School Committee meetings and stated he would be preparing Superintendent's Goals for the Oct. 19th meeting. He stated perhaps the School Committee might want to begin preparing their goals also for some meeting in the near future. Mr. Shannon asked the committee to contact him about any goals they might want to discuss for the Oct. 19th meeting. At 10:15 p.m., on a motion by Mr. Allen, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, the School Committee voted unanimouslv to adiourn.