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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-10-05 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 5, 1987 CALL TO ORDER Chairman George Shannon called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7 :30 p.m. on October 5, 1987 in the Superintendent's Conference Room at 34 Gould Street. All members of the School Committee were present, with the exception of Carol Lyons, who could not be present due to unforeseen business matters. Also present were the Superintendent, Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent, Ronald A. Winslow, Mrs. Sandra Trainor, Chairman of the PAC, Dr. Alexanian, Director of Special Education, Mrs. Flippen and Mrs. Richardson, Resource Room teachers, parents, and a reporter from the Chronicle. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 28, 1987 A motion was made by Mr. Coco, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, to approve the Minutes of the Meeting of Sept. 28, 1987. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows: Bills October 13, 1987 - Payrolls October 9, 1987 - October 16, 1987 - October 8, 1987 - SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS General Expense - $153,863.56 Weekly - $ 32,057.71 Weekly - 30,715.15 Teachers - $386,523.52 Dr. Munnelly introduced Paul Guerrette, Principal of Killam School, who was to present a program on parent involvement at the school, along with parents, Kathy Boucher, Carol Perlitz, Beth Anderson, and Maryellen Ray. Mr. Guerrette stated he was pleased to make this presentation and was proud of the involvement of the parents at the Killam School whom he had worked with over the last three (3) years. He then introduced Carol Perlitz, one of the parents, who had been very involved in the "Keep Killam Beautiful Campaign" over the last year. Mrs. Perlitz reviewed this program with the School Committee and then introduced Kathy Boucher, who spoke about some of the programs at Killam that she had been involved in such as the " Killam Country Fair ". READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 2 OCTOBER S, 1987 Mr. Guerrette stated that he met with the PTO board regularly and was grateful for all their input and support. He reviewed some of the other activities that the PTO has been involved in such.as the Hobby Day, publication of the P.T.O. Post, School Store, and Enrichment Program Committee. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly spoke to the School Committee about the "Student's of the Quarter Program" which had been instituted by the Administration at the high school in order to recognize a variety of students who contribute to the excellence and quality of life of the school, which included the academic scholars, the conscientious hard workers, the leaders, the athletes, the artists, the unsung heroes and heroines, and those who make remarkable turnarounds. Dr. Munnelly then read the list of students to the School Committee. Dr. Munnelly also spoke of the AIDS Task Force which had held their first meeting on October 1st. He noted that there were two additional meetings planned one which would be to plan a series of public education seminars and one which would be a public meeting. SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE Dr. Munnelly stated he had met a number of times during the summer and this fall with the new PAC, along with Dr. Alexanian, and had asked them to appear before the School Committee to review their program. He then introduced Sandra Trainor, the Chairperson of the PAC. Mrs. Trainor then reviewed the history of the PAC with the School Committee and spoke of the PAC's goals and objectives. She noted that she felt there was great deal of cooperation between the PAC and the School Department, and the PAC hoped to serve as advisor in regard to Chapter 766. Mrs. Trainor stated the PAC had applied for monies through in- service grants, serving as advocates for handicapped children. She then introduced the Officers of the PAC to the School Committee. Mrs. Trainor stated the initial goal of the PAC was to get the word out to the 500 families who were eligible to participate in the PAC, and included families with severely handicapped children serviced by 766, and children with learning disabilities. She stated the By -Laws of PAC had been revised and a needs assessment had been done also. There was a brief discussion between parents, the School Committee, and Mrs. Trainor on the PAC. MAINSTREAMING REPORT - SPECIAL EDUCATION DIRECTOR Dr. Munnelly stated that Dr. Alexanian, Spec. Ed. Director, was present to review his report with the School Committee. He noted READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 3 OCTOBER 5, 1987 that one of the key items in Chapter 766 was to add more emphasis to the Special Education of children, and that most programs now in existence isolate these children for the most part from the regular classroom atmosphere. Dr. Munnelly stated the Reading School System had, for some time, a philosophy that Special Education children should be a part of the regular school program. Dr. Alexanian reviewed the history of his being Special Education Director in Reading. He stated when he came, it seemed to be the sense of the community to see Special Ed. students in the widest range of participation with the rest of the community. Dr. Alexanian stated this was not typical of other communities. He then introduced Louise Flippin and Sheila Richardson, Resource Room teachers who reviewed their programs at the Barrows and Parker Middle Schools with the School Committee. Dr. Alexanian stated that people in Reading had a strong feeling about being involved with these children. Cliff Allen asked if there was an outline for re- evaluating the Special Education Program. Dr. Alexanian stated in 1974 when he began in Reading, and a re- evaluation was done, the School System had assembled a pool of people who simply had great enthusiasm and met 4 or 5 times to discuss how they wanted to proceed and that was the spirit of what he was talking about. Mrs. Flippin and Mrs. Richardson stated the program was really evaluated at the end of each year, and they were always willing to try a new approach. In answer to a question by the School Committee on what help they could be in this effort, Dr. Alexanian stated they could meet with local Representatives and Senators to carry the message that they could help in supporting programs that assisted in the education of special needs children. OCTOBER 1 ENROLLMENT Dr. Munnelly discussed the October 1 enrollment figures with the School Committee and indicated these numbers would be sent to the State as the official 1987 -88 enrollment for Reading. He noted that he and the elementary principals would be going over the rise in the first grade figure to determine what long range effects it might have on the school system, if any. Dr. Munnelly indicated that Mr. Farnham, the Principal of Joshua Eaton School, for some time been visiting private pre - school programs and kindergartens to try to obtain figures on the pupils entering first grade. Dr. Munnelly also stated that shortly he would have the secondary school report on general class size. He noted that the School Committee would again need to be looking at the draft plan for 1991 prepared by the high school administration and which was recently before the Committee. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 4 OCTOBER 5, 1987 SUPERINTENDENT'S GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Dr. Munnelly discussed his goals and objectives with the School Committee which had been given to them. He stated there were three main objectives: Fostering Higher Standards and Higher Expectations, Improving and Developing the Management Capabilities of the Reading Public Schools, and Growing and Improving as an Effective Superintendent of Schools. After a discussion on these items, Mr. Allen asked if the Superintendent could obtain a copy of a stragetic plan that was done a fews years ago on planning for space for the Central Office at the high school. Mr. Allen stated perhaps it could be reviewed and some further planning could be done using the results of that plan. SCHOLARSHIP FUND Dr. Munnelly stated that this summer he had brought to the School Committee a proposal which had been sent to him regarding Chapter 194 which provided for a checkoff on tax bills for a special scholarship fund for students in the Reading Public Schools. He stated a motion was made to ask the Town Manager and Selectmen to include this Article at Town Meeting. Dr. Munnelly stated since that time, he had met with Peter Heckenbleikner, Town Manager, on the language for the Article and had been informed that the cost of including this checkoff on any tax bills would be extravagant at the present time, because the tax collection process was being automated. He stated for that reason the Town had asked that this motion be withdrawn. Dr. Munnelly stated it was his recommendation that the issue be indefinitely postponed, which will not kill the motion, but only delay it. A motion was made by Cliff Allen, seconded by Barbara Philbrick, to indefinitely postpone the Article previously submitted as a scholarship checkoff on tax bills. The vote was unanimous. APPOINTMENT Dr. Munnelly recommended the appointment of Claire Flynn as Assistant Principal /Intern at Alice M. Barrows School for a two year period. A motion was made by Barbara Philbrick, seconded by Cliff Allen, to appoint Claire Flynn as Assistant Principal /Intern at Alice M. Barrows School for the balance of this school year through June 1989. The vote was unanimous. Mr. Allen asked if Claire Flynn would continue to serve as Chapter I Director. Dr. Munnelly stated that she would as her work with Chapter I was performed from approximately 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. in F, .+ with her riti�t i ac as, Assistant the afternoon and would not conflic k wit„ Principal. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 5 OCTOBER 5, 1987 Mr. Shannon then announced that Mr. Nissen was the designee to review Executive Minutes with Dr. Munnelly for declassification. Mr. Nissen stated there would have to be some discussion with the School Committee members as to just how they would go about declassifying only portions of some Executive Minutes. Mr. Shannon reminded the School Committee that shortly they would be asked to sign the agreement with the D.A.'s Office regarding the Open Meeting Violations. At 9.45 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Coco, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, the meeting was adjourned. The vote was unanimous.