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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-03-29 School Committee Minutes1)05 SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES Call to Order MARCH 29, 1982 The regular meeting of the Reading School Committee was called to order by Chairman Landers at 7:30 p.m., on March 29, 1982, in the Central Office Con- ference Room. All members were present, as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. There were eight visitors, among them Parker Junior High School Principal Dr. John Delaney, R.M.H.S. Faculty members Mr. David Garland and Miss Kathryn Montejunas, and representatives of the finance Committee, Citizens Advisory Council and the Daily Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of March 8, 1982 On a motion by Mr. Allen, seconded by Mr. Coco, the minutes of the meeting of March 8, 1982 were unanimously approved. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were authorized as follows: Bills March 19, 1982 - General Expense - Total r $48,351.83 March 26, 1982 - General Expense - Total - $38,307.30 March 26, 1982 - Cafeteria Revolving Account - Total $19,966.10 April 2, 1982 General Expense Total - $29,784.67 Payrolls March 19, 1982 - Weekly - Total - $22,541.83 March 26, 1982 Weekly - Total - $24,874.77 March 25, 1982 Teachers - Total - $277,5:6.58 April 2, 1982 - Weekly - Total - $21,910.51 Citizens' Input There was no citizen input. Bids Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted that, on the recommendation of the Administration, the contract for retubing boiler #{1 at Parker Junior High School be awarded to the low bidder, Helfrich Brothers Boiler Works, Inc., of Lawrence, in the amount of $5,598.00 ($402 under budget). Mr. Coco moved seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted that, on the recommendation of the Administration, the contract for replacement of carpeting at the J. Warren Killam School (high- density area ) be awarded to the low bidder, Labo, Inc. of North Reading, in the amount of $3,139.00 ($1,361 under budget). Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was voted unanimously that, on the recommendation of the Administration, the contract for replacement of ceiling tile at R. M. H. S. (music area) be awarded to the only bidder, Cheviot Corp. of Needham Heights, in the amount of $3,400 (1,100 under budget). When questioned as to why only one bid had been submitted, Mr. Winslow replied that SCHOOL COM_MjITTEE MINUTES MARCH 21,),__L982 the amount of bids varies according to the amount of work available in that particular field at the time bids are advertised. He advised against re- bidding, adding that he did not think he could get a better price. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously that the Committee, on the recommendation of the Administration, award the contract for painting as follows: Item #1, RMHS - Exterior windows, etc., $6,890, Item #2, CJHS - Rms. 14, 15, SI, SII, $2,350, Item #3, CJHS - Library and Service and Boiler Room Entrance, $900, Item #4, PJHS - Rooms 202, 204, 301, 302, 308, $2,260 and Item #6, PJHS - Room 2, $450 to Lazarakis for a total of $12,850.00; Item #5, PJHS - Lockers, $1,767, Item #7, Barrows - Corridor, 2 boy's lays, Nurse's Room, $1,335 and Item #8, Barrows - stairwells, $1,147 to Ahern Co. for a total of $4,249; and Item #9, Eaton - Library, Room 1, windows, $1,500 to Country Schore. The total amount of the contracts was $18,599 - $443 over budget. All were the low bidders except for Item #9. Country Shore was the second lowest bidder. However, Mr. Winslow said that Lazarakis, the low bidder, asked to be released from a bid of $600 on this item because they had mis- read the specifications. Staff Reappointments On the recommendation of the Administration Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted that the following teachers be reappointed for a fourth year (tenure) contract: secondary - Patricia Avolio, Richard Benshimol, Joan M. DeSalvo, Deborah DiVito, Laura K. Feldberg, Diane H Jones, Carol J. Mishler, Noreen E. Scarpitto and Charles A. Smith; elementary - Sharon Checrallah, Kathryn Duryea, Veronica Kenney, Carol McLaughlin and Patricia D. Worden; and Metco Coordinator Russell L. Hill. Dr. Munnelly noted that should the Metco Program be discontinued the position of coordingator would be eliminated. It is not included in the contract. On the recommendation of the Administration, Mr. Garroway moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was unanimously voted to reappoint for a third year contract the following teachers: secondary = Ricky Auricchio, Janet Burne, Maureen McCabe, Patrick Schettini, Donna -Day Sullivan and Natalie Jansen: elementary - Catherine M. Grab, Lesley Hardy, Barbara Kelley and Barbara Sheehan; part -time instrumental music David Martins. On the recommendation of the Administration Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Garroway, and it was unanimously voted to reappoint for second year contracts the following teachers: secondary - Mary Abegg, Joan Clifford, Ellen Convisser, Leslyn Cown, Judith Donovan, Michele Edelsberg, Cheryl Gagnon, Barbara Lanney, Margaret MacIsaac, Ellen Modica, Jeffrey Nelson, Cheryl O'Halloran, Janice Pacunas and Donna Pappalardo; elementary - Mary Correia, Beth Delforge, Louise Flippin and Patricia Herrington; part -time instrumental music - Kristin Abbott. On the recommendation of the Administration Mr. Coco moved seconded by Mr. Garroway, and it was uanimously voted not to appoint Mrs. Virginia Ball as a special education teacher and Mr. Francis Muccio and Ms. Nancy Madden as physical education T.eacnerS • 1Jr • M L1I111C11y explained that 1 "11 J. 1161.E had been i, SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 29, 1982 on sick leave from the beginning of school until January. 29th, therefore there has been insufficient time for her to demonstrate the level of her performance. He expects to return to the School Committee with his recommendation on her later in the year after a full performance review. Regarding the two physical education teachers, Dr. Munnelly said they had both done very nicely in their first year of work and would have been recommended for reappointment at this time if declining enrollments had not made physical education staffing plans un- certain at this point. Recreation Committee Request for Use of Facilities Chairman Landers stated that he had received the annual request from the Recrea- tion Committee for use of school facilities for their summer program. He noted that over the years there had been an extremely cooperative relationship between the two Departments. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously, that the Recreation Committee be allowed to use (1) the small office at the field house and the field house lobby to serve as recreational headquarters from June 28th to August 20th, (2) Hawkes Field House main floor, exercise room , and freshman locker room for the following times - a. Mornings f 9:00 a.m. to noon (6/28 to 9120, b. Afternoons from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. (7/5 to 7/30, c. Evenings from 7 :00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays (6/28 to 8/6) and (3) Gyms (playrooms) at Birch Meadow and Barrows Schools mornings from June 28 to August 20th. Student Insurance Dr. Wells recommended extendeing for two years the contract for the student insurance program with Lester L. Burdick, Inc. He added that this insurance plan, administered locally by the Forsberg Insurance Agency, had been in ef- fect sice before he became Superintendent and the School Department has always been satisfied with it and there have been no problems. Mr. Garroway moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously, that the School Committee extend from 1982 through 198+ the Student Insurnace Plan with Lester L. Burdick, Inc, to be administred locally by the Forsberg Insurance Agency, at a rate of $3.50 for the Schooltime Plan and $22.00 for the 24 -Hour Plan. Cafeteria Statements The Committee took note of the Cafeteria Statment for February and the Cafeteria Year -to -Date Comparison Data. At this time Mr. Coco asked about the status of proposals from food service companies. Mr. Winslow said there would be a prebid conference for prospective bidders to inspect the facilities on April 1st and that bids would be opened April 15th. Amendment to Basic Skills Plan Dr. Munnelly, said that the staff working with the Basic Skills Committee has been reviewing the tests and, although Reading students did well and there is no major cause for concern, the staff continued to look at the tests developed. He interjected that at the end of next year students will also be tested on their listening skills. The State - developed tests stressed writing volumes : .) C^(( SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 29 1982 quickly but the Staff and Administration reel that students should be allowed more time so that they can proofread, write a second draft, etc., in order to produce the best writing of which they are capable. The Basic Skills Committee has piloted the process, been in touch with the State Regional Advisory Committee, and now seeks School Committee approval of submitting this technical amendment to the Basic Skills Plan filed with the State two years ago. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was unanimously voted to endorse the submission of the technical amendment to the Basic Skills Plan on file with the State, as recommended by the Basic Skills Committee. There was some discussion as to whether students should learn to write under pressure. Dr. Wells said he has passed the word on that after students acquire the necessary skills there shoud be some speed drills. R. M. H. S. Statement of Philosophy and Objectives Reading Memorial High School (RMHS) is in the process of a self- evaluation, preceding the evaluation for accreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), which will take place next spring. One of the requirements of NEASC is that the Faculty develop a philosophy and objectives for their School. Mr. David Garland, Chairman, and Ms. Kathryn Montejunas of the Faculty Committee appeared before the School Committee seeking endorsement of the final version (the first dreaft was presented in December) of the Statement of Philosophy and Objectives. Mr. Garland said the final statement was a reflection of the reactions and com- ments of the School Committee and Faculty Members. He added that the Faculty had endorsed it the preceding Thursday. There was a brief discussion of the document, centering mainly on the use of the word ethics rather than morals. Mr. Garroway moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was voted unanimously to accept the Statement on Philosophy and Objectives as presented on document C -1, dated March 19, 19.82. The School Committee asked Mr. Garland to convey their appreciation to all who were involved in composing the Statement. Leaves Mr. Garroway moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously to grant to Mrs. Mary Hynes Webb, first grade teacher at Pearl Street School, a child- rearing leave of absence from April through June of 1982. Mr. Garroway moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously to grant Mrs. Rose Silver, Speech Therapist at Birch Meadow and Barrows Schools, an eight week maternity leave commencing on or about May 10, 1982. Resignations Mr. Garroway moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted to accept the resignations of Mrs. Barbara A. Selarme, Mrs. Ruth Clark, Mrs, Kathleen O'Donnell, all of whom are on child rearing leaves, and Mrs. CArolyn Clark, who is on academic leave. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES Other MARCH 29, 1982 Mr. Allen inquired about the progress of the Policy Subcommittee. Mr. Coco said they had not met yet. Dr. Wells noted that there was some urgency to this matter as requests for the use of facilities were accumulating. Mr. Coco said that the Subcommittee would have something for the next School Committee meeting. Executive Session At 9:05 p.m. Mr. Garroway moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, that the Committee enter into executive session to discuss matters pertaining to bargaining and negotiations and also to discuss matters which would involve people's character and reputation. The motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote. Return to Open Session - Adjournment At 10:49 p.m. the Committee returned to open session. At that time Chairman Landers announced that the School Committee had unanimously voted to ratify an agreement with the reading Association of Secretaries and Clerks, the total package representing an 8.36% increase. The meeting adjourned at 11:02 p.m. Respectfully submitted, �-J' 0a-,1 Robert S. Wells, Secretary