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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-01-18 School Committee MinutesSCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES Call to Order JANUARY 18, 1982 n�? The regular meeting of the Reading School Committee was called to order by Vice Chairman Garroway at 7:30 p. Tn. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Chair- man Landers, who was detained at a Law Committee meeting, arrived at 7:50 p.m., and presided from then on. Mr. Nigro was absent. All other members were present as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendent Munnelly. )Xssistant Superintendent Winslow was on vacation. There were approximately nine visitors, including representatives of the Highland School Study Committee, Finance Committee, Citizens Advisory Council and the Daily Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of January 4, 1982 On a motion by Mr. Coco, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, the minutes of the meeting of January 4, 1982 were unanimously accepted with the following addition: Page 1 - Add to the last sentence "and current prices not be increased." Approval of Bills and Payrolls Warrants for hills and payrolls, were authorized as follows: Bills January 15, 1982 - General Expense -. Total - $65,153.42 January 22, 1982 - General Expense Total - $52,987.84 January 22, 1982 - Cafeteria Expense - Total - $21,917.01 Payrolls January 14, 1982 _ Teachers - Total - $283,078.97 January 15, 1982 - Weekly— Total - $24,223.43 January 22, 1982 - Weekly - Total - $21,915.30 Citizens' Input Mr. Donald Shepheard, Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Council (CAC), read the following statement: "During the recent School Committee meetings, Superintendent Wells has suggested grade reorganization (Middle School) plans for the Reading School System. The impact of finances, declining enrollment and utilization of present school build- ings in the coming years is a major concern of the Administration, School Committee members, educators, parents and Reading taxpayers. The Citizens Advisory Council (_CAC), in anticipation of the various concerns facing th above mentioned, has been researching this grade reorganization. Since a public meeting is scheduled to present grade reorganization to the people of Reading, and since the CAC is charged to act as a 'communication bridge' between the people of Reading and the School Committee, we feel our input is necessary prior to this public hearing. The CAC feels that the number one priority of any reorganization should be the best interests of the students involved, educationally and emotionally. The problems of finances, enrollment and space utilization will normally fall into place after this number one priority. 324 SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 18, 1982 The CAC recommends that all involved in grade reorganization - parents, teachers.and all support systems - be provided all available information regarding the Middle School concept. Since the CAC has had the opportunity to study the Middle School, we suggest the formation of a steering committee to study and recommend the im- plementation of this grade reorganization of this grade reorgainization with full input from all concerned parties, as has been done in other communities. The re- cent studies of declining enrollment, space usage, transportation and the financial impact of the school budget would all be included in the findings of the steering committee. The Citizens Advisory Council is supportive of a Middle School reorganization as a positive step in the long term objectives that the Administration and School Committee must address in the coming years, since it supports the philosophy of the Town of Reading in providing the best education to the children of Reading. Many recent -studies indentifying the cognitive development of children show that perhaps the weakest link in the continuum of schooling is at the intermediate level. These studies support what any parent or educator recognizes as the problems of adolescence. The Middle School meets the needs of the students who are rapidly changing in all as- pects of physical, social and academic growth. Since any change involves some confusion, misinformation, fear and apprehension, we feel with ample information availabe for parents, students and educators implementation of grade reorganization in the Reading School System will be accomplished in a positive manner. The CAC therefore encourages all those interested to attend the upcoming public meeting on January 27 as, a first step in this process." Acting Chairman Garroway thanked Mr. Shepheard for the efforts of the CAC. Announcement At this time Mr. Garroway, on a point of personal privilege, announced that he will seek reelection to the School Committee in March. Bids - Microcomputer Hardware and Video Terminal Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted, that the School Committee award the contract for five TRS -80 Model III - 16K microcomputers to Radio Shack, Inc., the low bidder, at $4,09.5.90. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously, to award the contract for two TRS -80 Model III desk top business computers -48K or equal - at $3,798 and two TRS -80 Line Printers, VIII or equal, at $1,198, for a total of $4,996, to Omnitek, the low bidder. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously, to award the contract for one Visual 200 Terminal compatible with DEC PDP 1134, at $895, to Butler Associates, the low bidder. The above votes were based on recommendations of the Administration. All items will be purchased from Title IVB Grant funds. The total Grant was $12,507. Of that amount $1,482 will be used by Austin Preparatory School. After the above items are purchased, there will be a balance of $1,038 available for software programs. Ri r��nri �l .Qt.�t.omantc The following financial statements were noted for the records: — J1- SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 18, 1982 Financial Statements continued Account Balances of December 31, 1981; and Expense and Salary Accounts as of December 31, 1981. Highland School Study Committee Mrs. Beverly Seavey, Chairman and Miss Cheryl Dubois of the Highland School Study Committee (HSSC) met with the School Committee seeking any, information, input or ideas they had to offer on the ultimate utilization of the building. During the discussion it was brought out that the HSSC was considering use of the building as a library but it was unclear as to whether they were expected to make plans for future use of the present library building if the library is moved to the Highland School. It was noted that there may be some extra space in the building if it is converted to a library. Acting..Chairman Garroway inquired as to whether there might be space in which to relocate the Central Office. Miss Dubois said she would bring this back to the HSSC as a question they might ask the architect when one is chosen. She asked how much space the Central Office would require. Dr. Wells said he would get this information for the HSSC. Mr. Allen said he would not favor moving the Central Office to the Highland School as he believed the School Committee had an opportunity just as viable (referring to R.M.H.S.) Chairman Landers mentioned that there are other facilities besided R.M.H.S. which the Committee may be considering. Mr. Coco offered to the HSSC any resources of the.School System which might be of benefit to them in their study. Miss Dubois said there will be approximately 6,000 square feet available in the present library building if the library is moved to the Highland School. She also said the HSSC anticipated choosing an architect within the next week or two and from then on will hold weekly meetings. Chairman Landers thanked Mrs. Seavey and Miss Dubois for meeting with the School Committee. FY83 Budget Preparation The Chairman reminded the Committee that in going over the 1--emainder of the expense budget. (Special Education and Athletics)_ tonight that questions were to be kept to those of an informational nature, as they were still in the overview stage. Dr. Wells then went over the Special Education expense budget. There were some questions concerning the cost of transportation and private school placements. In presenting the athletic budget Dr. Wells strrongly recommended that the payment of field workers be removed from the athletic account, and placed under the parttime custodial account. They would then be paid at rates comparable with parttime custodial help, who are ussually high school or college students. They would not come under the custodial contract, Mr, Garroway asked the Administration to obtain the total cost of field workers for all sports. Mr. Allen felt that the Committee should make a decision on whether transportation for athletic c event should r7 b° id fo .p..,,, tho school b.7 of n1� earl i or than i -event-. .� v... .. paid 110,,. �. s�. vim. than they did last year. There was then a brief discussion of users' fees. Dr. Wells said he will obtain Attorney Allen Broadhurst's statement on this subject. 2 cl SCHOOL CONLiITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 18, 1982 At the conclusion of the budget review the Chairman reminded members that any further questions they have should be directed to the Administration before the Committee votes on the budget. Resignations Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and the Committee unanimously voted to accept the resignation for purposes of retirement of Mrs. Pauline McDonough, secretary at R.M.H. S., effective January 29, 1982. She has been employed in the School System since October 1959. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was uananimously voted, that the resignation of Mr. John Hollingsworth, as Athletic Director and mathematics teacher at R. M. H. S., be accepted, effective at the end fo the 1981 -82 school year and, further, that the acceptance of this early announcement will hot be jeopardize Mr. Hollingsworth's eligibility to be included in any early retirement plan if one becomes policy before the end of this shool year. Mr. Hollingsworth has been in the System for 27 years. Chairman Landers commented that the combined years of service of these two people represented almost 50 years of experience that will be difficult to replace. Appropriate letters of appreciation will be sent by the Administration. Leaves Entered into the records were the following requests for maternity leaves of absence (automatically granted by contractual agreement): Mrs. Barbara Sheehan, non - tenured elementary special education teacher, requests an eight -week maternity leave of absence commencing on or about February 22, 1982 and ending on or about April 26, 1982. Mrs. Nancy Madden, non - tenured elementary physical education teacher, requests an eight -week maternity leave of absence commencing February 22, 1982 and ending on or about April 27th. Mrs. Mary Hynes Webb, tenured elementary classroom teacher, requests an eight - week maternity leave of absence beginning on or before February 1, 1982. She plans to request a child - rearing leave, following her maternity leave, for the remainder of the 1981 -82 school year. Other Mr. Allen reported that he had attended the CAC meeting of January 11th and that it had bee a very useful exchange. He then passed out a paper showing recorded births since 1968, as compiled by CAC member Frank Baggs, with a mathematical follow -up which Mr. Allen added. Executive Session - Adjournment At 9:50 p. m. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, 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 Committee net in executive session until 11 :29 p. M. at which time they adjourned. Respectfully submitted,