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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-12-07 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER DECEMBER 7, 1987 Chairman George Shannon called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:30 p.m. on December 7, 1987, in the Superintendent's Conference Room at 34 Gould Street. All members with the exception of Mr. Allen were present. Also present were the Superintendent, Dr. Robert J. Munnelly; Assistant Superintendents Ronald A. Winslow and Lynn M. Bak; Assistant Principal, Reading Memorial High School, Robert Quinn; Reading High English Teachers, Barbara Lanney and Janet Burne and Gary Demopoulos, a reporter from the Chronicle. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 17, AND NOVEMBER 30, 1987 A motion was made by Mr. Nissen to approve the minutes of November 17, and November 30, 1987, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick. The vote was unanimous for November 30 - Mrs. Philbrick abstained for the November 17 vote, as she was not in attendance for that meeting. The vote was 4 to 1. BILLS AND PAYROLLS No bills or payrolls submitted. CITIZENS INPUT No citizens input. SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS - U.MASS WRITING PROJECT Bob Quinn, Assistant Principal at the High School, introduced Barbara Lanney and Janet Burne of the English Department, who demonstrated "Process Writing ", a new and effective strategy for developing student writing skills, and discussed the U.Mass Writing Project. Their presentation was augmented with a video tape showing Reading High students in class. Barbara and Janet attended a summer workshop at the University of Mass. in 1984, which focused on "Process Writing ". This workshop led to Process Writing being adopted as the English Department's main strategy for enhancing students writing. Barbara and Janet have become so proficient as instructors that they have joined the READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 2 DECEMBER 7, 1987 staff at UMass to assist in training of other teachers. R.M.H.S. has been designated a "demonstration school" in the State and as many as sixteen systems have sent teachers to Reading High School to observe and discuss Process Writing with Barbara and Janet. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Report Cards Update Children in Reading's elementary schools will be graded by a new report card system this Fall. Meetings were conducted at the schools recently to inform parents about this new grading system. There are two distinct report cards, one for primary grades 1 and 2, the other for grades 3 -5. What distinguishes these cards most from previous reports is the use of a grade level classification for certain subjects. The new system has been well received to date by parents. Progress on Objectives The Superintendent of Schools set his goals and objectives for the 1987 -88 school year and the methods he intends to use to accomplish them. His remarks centered upon three areas: - First, he spoke of seeking higher standards and searching out higher expectations. - Secondly, he intends to improve the management capabilities by providing leadership, support and guidance. - Lastly, he pointed out that he, as the Superintendent of Schools is the educational leader of the community and intends to work closely with the School Committee, the Town Manager, the various education committees, teachers, parents, and students in meeting these goals. OLD BUSINESS POLICY ADOPTION SUPERINTENDENT'S SELECTION POLICY A Motion was made by Mr. Nissen and seconded by Ms. Lyons to adopt the policy of selection of Superintendent of Schools and enter it into the policy book, as in Policy CBC B -2 -a. The vote was unanimous. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 3 DECEMBER 7, 1987 A summary of the Process is as follows: The Reading School Committee will appoint a Screening Com- mittee to help it evaluate the large number of candidates who present themselves. This Screening Committee will be advisory to the School Committee. The purpose of the Screening Committee will be to review credentials and carry out preliminary interviews. A total of six candidates will be presented to the School Committee for consideration as finalists for the position. The School Com- mittee can ask the Screening Committee to supply additional final- ists as needed. The Screening Committee shall consist of eight members, four of which will be educators and four citizens not educators. An effort will be made to get a cross section of parents, educators from the school system, educators who reside in the community, and others. Two members of the School Committee will be designated as non - voting liaison members to facilitate communications between the Screening Committee and the School Committee. All meetings of the Screening Committee will be conducted under open meeting and public records rules applying to governmental bodies. The School Committee may also choose to use the services of a consultant on Superintendent recruitment. The School Committee will interview all finalists during open meetings of the Reading School Committee and may elect to allow questions from the audience. WRITING OF MINUTES The School Committee desires that minutes of their meetings be kept as streamlined as possible; employing a method which highlights the various topics discussed. Minutes should be concise, brief, and accurate. SBAB APPROVAL OF COMPLETED PROJECTS (ROOFS A Motion was made by Mrs. Philbrick that the Reading School Committee accept: The Coolidge Middle School roof replacement - Project #2576; The Joshua Eaton School roof replacement - Project #2600, and The Reading Memorial High School roof replacement - Project #2601 now completed. The motion was seconded by Ms. Lyons and the vote ws unanimous. B -2 -c READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 4 DECEMBER 7, 1987 APPROVAL OF 1972 HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT A motion was made by Mr. Nissen that the Reading School Committee accept the addition to the Reading Memorial High School, Project #1623. Seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, the vote was unanimous. B -2 -d ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT SCREENING LIAISON REPORT The Screening Committee will hold their first meeting on December 8, 1987. The School Committee will recommend to the Screening Committee that any travel expenses which occur after the first interview of candidates be funded. NEW BUSINESS AWARD OF EARLY CHILDHOOD CONTRACT The School Committee by a vote of 4 to 1 awarded a $16,000.00 contract to Reading Extended Day Activities Program (REAP), to establish a Family Day Care system in Reading. Lengthy discussion took place regarding the following concerns: -That only one proposal had been received for this contract. -The time allowed for the proposal was questioned as being adequate for interested parties to write and submit. The majority decision to accept the proposal was due to the very real threat that State Education Funds, which support this program, would be withdrawn. A motion was made by Mrs. Philbrick to accept and award the proposal presented by REAP. The motion_ was seconded by Mr. Nissen. Mr. Coco cast the one dissenting vote, stating his reasons being, "The administration did not provide sufficient time for proposals to be received by more than one agency ", and he was "uncomfortable with the approval of a single proposal ". Further, the Chair, Mr. Shannon said he will not vote on one submitted proposal in the future. If there is not adequate time identified for proposals to be submitted, he will vote against it. A request was made by the Committee for Lynn Bak, interim Assistant Superintendent to report at the next meeting reasons as to why other agencies did not submit a proposal under this grant. BUDGET FY1989 Dr. Munnelly reviewed the schedule for the Budget Calendar, including the Town Meeting scheduled on April 11. The School �.,..m44- -tir. requested � "Budget Explanation ghPPt" to nrPgPnt at- L.wttiu�.�.�cc rcquco�....0 u �......y.,.. ....�.r�.,.........�..,.. Town Meeting. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 5 DECEMBER 7, 1987 Maintenance and Operations Mr. Winslow presented a detailed report on the current conditions of the school buildings. He indicated that the general conditions were good. He further commented that effective on -going maintenance is required as the school buildings are utilized both by students and town citizens who are encouraged to use them. Mr Winslow spoke in depth concerning: Custodial Supplies Utilities Grounds Maintenance Building Maintenance Building Equipment Maintenance Purchase of New or Additional Equipment Replacement of Equipment E.P.A. Environmental Protection Agency Standards Mr. Winslow outlined the standards that must be compiled with regarding removal of asbestos in the school buildings. The cost is expected to be in the vicinity of $30,000.00. The E.P.A. ruling also requires that 5 transformers be replaced by October 1, 1990 because of possible PCB contamination. Mr. Winslow further indicated that by the year 1999 all storage tanks that have been underground 20 years or longer must be removed and replaced. Capital Outlay Plan Mr. Winslow informed the School Commmittee that the Office of the School Department, received notification that the building they occupy has been sold and relocation to another site must be planned. Mr. Winslow will keep the School Committee abreast of the situation. The School Department's lease expires Nov. 15, 1988. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS CAFETERIA STATEMENTS The Cafeteria Statements indicate its operations are showing a loss for September and October of this year; however,as in the past, a profit is expected to be made in the upcoming months and hopefully the Cafeteria will continue to support itself. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 6 DECEMBER 7, 1987 UNDERSTANDING HANDICAPS PP.OGRA14 FOR STAFF The first of four sessions of the Understanding Handicaps Program was held on November 19, 1987, at Reading Memorial High School. Under the able direction of Judy LeBlanc, the workshop addressed many issues and concerns faced by handicapped individuals. Sixty -seven Reading professionals and support staff were in attendance and evaluated the session very favorably. Most ratings, on a one to five scale, fell between a one and two indicating an outstanding to excellent program. Many of those participating also indicated a desire for a follow -up workshop. LEAVES Barbara Lanney, English teacher at Readng Memorial High School will be taking eight weeks maternity leave commencing on January 29, 1987. The School Committee is reminded they are hosting a Christmas party at Reading Memorial High School, to be held in the Resource Room on December 9, 2:30 -4:30 p.m. There being no further business Mr. Shannon moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:50 p.m. Seconded by Mr. Coco. The vote was unanimous.