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Home My WebLink About1982-01-04 School Committee MinutesSCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES Call to Order JANUARY � , 1982 ` 17 The regular meeting of the Reading School Committee was held January 4, 1982 in the Superin- tendent's Conference Room. Chairman Landers called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. Mr. Garroway was unable to be present due to a business commitment. All other members were present, as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. There were approximately twelve visitors, including Mrs. Catherine Duerr, Food Services Director, and representatives of the Citizens Advisory Council and Daily Chronicle. Chairman Landers announced that Dr. John J. Kelly, Jr., a valued member of the Reading Memorial High School staff, had died suddenly on January lst. A moment of silence was observed in membey of Dr. Kelly. Approval of Minutes of December 21, 1981 On a motion by Mr. Nigro, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, the minutes of the meeting of December 21, 1981 were unanimously approved. Payroll The following payroll warrant was authorized: January 8, 1982 - Weekly - Total - $21,117.48 Citizen Input There was no citizen input. .Cafeteria - Contracting Food Services At their last meeting the School Committee heard a presentation by a representative of a food services company regarding the advantages of contracting for the school lunch program with a private business firm. Because the Committee's schedule did not allow time for an extended discussion Mr. Nigro requested that the matter be on the agenda of the January 4, 1982 meeting. After a brief discussion of what the next step should be in pursuing the possibility of using the services of a contractor, Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, that the Administration be directed to contact two or three food service companies, requesting submission of pro- posals to operate the Reading School Department food services program. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, to amend the motion to include two stipulations to the request for proposals - that philosophically the program would be maintained on a break -even basis and that present cafeteria employees be retained, and current prices not be increased. The amendment and the main motion, as amended carried by unanimous votes. During the discussion of the motion and amendment it was decided that the Administration would publicly advertize an invitation to bid and set the timetable for the same. Future Grade Reor --anization Chairman Landers announced that the public meeting on grade reorganization has been postponed from January 20th to January 27th. It will be held in the R. M. H. S. Lecture Hall at 7:30 p. m. At the February lst meeting the School Committee will vote on the ultimate grade reorganization to take place in the future. He added that the extra week will give the Citizens Advisory Council additional time to gather data and inform the public. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JARMARY 4, 1982 Superintendent Well's then presented five alternative grade reorganization plans, and the pros and cons of each. The grade organizations for the five plans are as follows: Plan #1 - K-6, 7 -8, 9 -12 ( "Status Quo "); Plan #2 - K -5, 6 -8, 9 -12 ( "Middle School "); Plan #3 - K -6, 7 -8, 9 -12 (Junior and Senior High Schools Combined "); Plan #4 - K -6, 7 -9, 10 -12 ( "Former Junior High Organization "); Plan #5 -K -6, 7 -12 ('One Secondary School "). Dr. Wells gave a brief history of enrollments, from the upswing in the early 1970's to the start of the declining enrollment trend which became apparent in 1975, including the closing of the Lowell Street, Prospect Street, Upper and Lower St. Agnes Schools and finnally the Highland School last June. He stated that it appears that by 1984 another elementary school can close if the School Committee agrees to a grade reorgainization. Dr. Wells noted that the alternatives presented were those which have been presented in previous reports, i. e., "Stage II - Declining Enrollment," dated April 17, 1979 and "The Shrinking Schools of Reading Massachusetts," "dated December 1980. Dr. Wells recommended Plan #2. A question and answer period by School Committee members and visitors followed. Questions concerned the amount of bussing and redistricting each plan entailed, how each would effect the efficient use of school buildings, future use of schools which might be closed and future use of surplus High School space. It was brought out that the High School will be greatly underpopulated by about 1984 -85. CAC member Mrs. Maureen Rich recommended that the School Committee appoint a steering com- mittee, as other towns the CAC studied had as she felt it would be advantageous because more people would be involved. She pointed out that reorgainization would effect all taxpayers and that a steering committee could help inform the public. Due to a full agenda the Chairman limited discussion to 15 minutes but urged visitors to attend the public meeting on January 27th. FY83 Budget Review Chairman Landers introduced the subject of the FY83 budget review by saying that he believed the "macro approach" used this year was good. The process was to take an overview of the budget from an informational point of view before going through it on a line basis. He added that it was his intention that the School Committee would vote on the budget line by line after they had more information about how negotiations were progressing with the four groups of unionized employees. In going over the budget by line tonight he asked members to confine their questions to the Administration to those of an informational nature, as they would get into other matters later which would give a clearer insight. Superintendent Wells, aided by Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow then went through the expense portion of the budget, with the exception of the special education and athletic areas, giving explanations and answering questions. Dr. Wells said he felt things were going better, as far as the budget was concerned, than other years and that if there is good progress with negotiations the School Committee will be very well prepared for their February 18th meeting with the Finance Committee. Dr. Wells stated that in his opinion it is critical that theSchool Committee allocate funds for -professional consultation- engineering and /or architectural - to assist in a r- -- study of how best to utilize surplus space in the High School. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 4, 1982 ,O,t In presenting the expense budget Dr. Wells pointed out that this year a two -year comparison, as well as a one -year comparison, was shown because he did not feel last year was a normal year, financially. He also noted that the 16¢ per mile allowed by the Town for travel expense was lower than the State and Federal Governments were paying and not enough to cover the cost of operating a car. Although no funds were allocated for summer school last year Dr. Wells reminded the School Committee that an adjustment could be made later and expressed the hope that the maintenance courses, at least, could be funded. Several questions were raised regarding the cost of data processing operation and supplies. The Administration will have further information prior to the next meeting. Under the 200 series (textbooks) it was noted that the prices of textbooks had nearly doubled since 1977. Also questioned was the School Committe policy on transportation reimbursement for students attending private schools Present policy allows these reimbursements for students attending Nazareth Academy and St. Joseph's School, both in Wakefield. Discussed at some lenth was a $54,000 proposal to refurbish the Reading Memorial High School practice field (7100 series). The Administration will further check the safety conditions of the field, Department of Public Works funding for work on renovation at the same time that the athletic program will be affected. New Business Chairman Landers announced that the Highland School Study Committee has asked to be on the agenda of a January meeting to get input from the School Committee as to how they should procede with future glands for the building. Appointment Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously to appoint Mr. William E. Endslow, 2 Baker Street, Peabody, as an art teacher at Coolidge Junior High School, on Step M -6 ($15,887), effective January 6, 1982, for the remainder of the school year. Executive Session - Adjournment At 10:23 p. m. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, to enter into executive session to discuss matters pertaining to bargaining and negotiations. The motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote. Following a brief recess the executive session commenced, ending at 11:23 p. m., at which time the meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Robert S. Wells, Secretary