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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-02-22 School Committee MinutesCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES Call to Order FEBRUARY 22, 1982 The regular meeting of the Reading School Committee was called to order by Chairman Landers on February 22, 1982 at 7 :38 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present except Mr. Garroway. Superinten- dent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow were also present. There were five visitors, among them representatives of the Finance Committee Citizens Advisory Council and Daily Chronicle. Immediately after the call to order, Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, to enter into executive session to discuss matters pertaining to bargaining and negotiations. The motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote. The Committee returned to open session at 8:38 p.m. Approval of Minutes of February 8, 1982 Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and the Committee voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the meeting of February 8, 1982. Citizens' Input Mrs. Maureen Rich asked Dr. Wells if he had not said he would have his recommendations for an ad hoc committee on middle school tonight. Dr. Wells replied that the date was erroneously reported in the newspaper, adding that he intended to make his recommendation on March 8th. Edmund J. Coletta, Jr., reporter from the Daily Chronicle, asked if there were any plans regarding High School seniors who would be affected by President Reagan's cutbacks on Social Security, such as early college enrollment. Dr. Wells replied that the Reading School System will keep within the law. FY83 Budget Review Chairman Landers said that on February 18th the School Committee had met with the Finance Committee to review the School Budget - with the exception of salaries which cannot be discussed because of ongoing negotiations. He added that after the Finance Committee went over the School Budget they had agreed with all line items with the exception of projected fuel oil, gasoline and electricity costs. The Chairman felt that the School Committee should now finetune its budget in line with the Finance Committee's recommendations. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously to reduce by $74,423 the heating oil line item and the gasoline line item by $320, and add $2,094 to the electricity line item - for a total reduction of $72,649 in the expense portion of the budget - to conform with Finance Committee recommendations as described on enclosure B- 2 -(a). Application to Rent School Facilities - Private Profit - making Institution Dr. Wells explained that Masters P.C. Design School, Inc. 335 Scott Boule- vard, Building 46, Santa Clara, California, a private profit makeing insti- tution, has made a request to rent the two rooms in R.M.H.S. which are equipped with drafting tables. The design school trains and places students usually graduate engineers, into design careers. The requested useage is: Phase I - 2 nights per week for 3 weeks; phase II - 2 nights per week for 9 352. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 22, 1982 11 weeks; and Practical Drafting - 2 nights per week for 9 weeks; also 2 seminar /workshops, April 19 -May 8 and August 9 -28, 1982 each to consist of 15 week days 4 -8p.m. and 3 Saturdays 8 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Dr. Wells noted that the School Committee could ask for a security deposit to cover any possible damage to the equipment or property. He added that he saw no reason to deny the request. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and the Committee voted unanimously to instruct the Administration to proceed to affect a contract with Masters P.C. Design School, Inc., in accordance with the principles outlined in enclosure B- 3 -(1), with the addition of a security deposit and the condition that any further contract beyond the dates and times listed above would further contract beyond the dates and times listed above would be contingent upon successful completion of the first contract. Mr. Coco questioned the use of consumable supplies and Mr. Winslow said the contract would include a clause stating that nay consumables used will be replaced. The Committee agreed that the Administration would set the rental rate after checking commercial rental rates for similar facilities. Chairman Landers requested the Administration to bring to a future meeting recommendations for rates to be charged to profit making orgainizations. Town Report The Chairman thanked Mrs. Philbrick for her excellent work in preparing the School Committee Report for the Annual Town Report. Financial Statements Noted for the record were the following financial statements: Expense and Salary Accounts of January 31, 1982 and Account Balances as of January 31, 1982. Future Agenda Items The Chairman requested that School Committee members give their ideas on future agenda items at this time so that the Administration would have time to make any necessary preparations. The Committee discussed the following list of suggested future agenda items contained in the Superintendent's Memorandum of February 22, 1982; 1. Conflicting requests for the use of playing fields for this spring, summer and fall. 2. Prior to hiring a new Director of Athletics, a discussion of problems and concerns about the athletic program and the upkeep and maintenance of the fields and fieldhouse. 3. The testing program, including the State - required basic skills testing program. 4. A Special Needs Program review, including a detailed account of Reading's involvement with the SEEM Collaborative. 5. Curriculum review. 6. Defining roles and responsibilities of the School Committee and Superintendent, in an attempt to improve working relation- ships. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 221 1982 1) Mr. Coco spoke in favor of items #4 and #5 as future agenda items. Mrs. Philbrick agreed, adding that these items could help orient the newer School Committee members. Dr. Munnelly mentioned that data is now being collected in preparation for a review of the art and music segments of the curriculum. Mr. Allen commented that the list could be divided into two groups - one based on time and the other on philosophy, and that #5 and #6 would probably rank higher from an educational standpoint. He added that since the first two were based on time the Administration is well aware that the Committee should get started on them. He also said that a better understanding of #3, #4 and #5 might help in understanding what #6 refers to. Chairman Landers said he felt there was a coordinated effort regarding #1 and #2 going on right now. Regarding #6, Mr. Nigro said, "There is still a little confusion on defining our roles. We should get into what each expects of the other." He added that he has not met the director of SEEM. Dr. Wells noted that it was time the Director of SEEM and Dr.Alexanian met with. the School Committee. Dr. Munnelly said that plans are being made for a presentation on the entire process involved in diagnosing special needs and drawing up and carrying out individual edu- cational plans. Mr. Nigro also said he would like to be kept abreast of the faculty dress code and problem on getting substitute teachers and be better informed about the testing program . The Chairman said he would like to have a meeting with the Student Council scheduled. At this point Dr. Munnelly asked for input for the issue of "The Chalkboard" which will be published this spring. Members agreed that the middle school concept should be the top priority item. Other suggestions included condensed School Committee meeting minutes, presentation of middle school philosophy, articles on innovative programs in the schools at all levels, news of teachers doing something exceptional, academically, and something from the_High School magazine, "Impressions." Tentative Spring Schedule The Ccn dttee accepted the tentative spring schedule of School Committee meetings presented by the Superintendent (enclosure C -4). School Age Child Care Project There was a brief discussion of the need of child care for children of working parents in relation to a flyer (enclosure C -5 -a) announcing a panel discussion, "The Public Schools and School -age Child Care: A partnership, "co- sponsored by the Wellesley College Center for Research for Women and the Lynnfield Public Schools. The program will be held March 23rd, at 7 :30 p.m., in the Lynnfield High School Library. All Boards Meeting The Chairman took note of an announcement of an All Boards Meeting called by the Selectmen for March 10th, at 8 :00 p.m., in the Community Center Auditorium. I) 4 SCHOOL CCMMIW= MINUTES February 22, 1982 on the reccrnmendation of the Administration, Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was voted unanimously to appoint Mr. Steven Rhodes as Head Varsity Coach - Softball - at a salary of $1,468. Resignation Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was unanimously voted to accept the resignation of Mr. Paul Zalubas, sixth grade teacher at the Birch Meadow School, effective February 26, 1982. Mr. Zalubas, after 16 years in the Reading School System, has the opportunity to receive training and experience in another field which is of interest to him. Executive Session - Adjournment At 10:05 p.m. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing matters pertaining to bargaining and negotia- tions. The motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote. The executive session concluded and the meeting adjourned at 11:37 p.m. Respectfully subritted, Robert S. Wells, Secretary