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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-06-08 School Committee MinutesSCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 8, 1982 Call to Order A special meeting of the Reading School Committee was called to order by Chairman Landers at 7:00 p.m., on June 8, 1982, in the Pupil Personnel Services Offices at Reading Memorial High School. All members were pre- sent, as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. There were five visitors present, including Food Services Director Mrs. Catherine Duerr, High School Athletic Coaches Mr. Harold Croft and Mr. John White, and a repFesentative of the Daily Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of May 24, 1982 On a motion by Mr. Allen, seconded by Mr. Nigro, the minutes of the meeting of May 24, 1982 were unanimously approved. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were authorized as follows: Bills June 4, 1982 - General Expense - Total - $30,518.81 June 11, 1982 - General Expense - Total - $50,114.13 Payrolls June 3, 1982 - Teachers - Total - $279,437.08 June 4, 1982 - Weekly - Total - $23,427.14 June 11, 1982 - Weekly - Total - $22,095.78 Citizens' Input There was no citizens' input. Bids Floor Tile Replacement Mr. Winslow reviewed with the Committee ment of floor tiles in the Birch.Meadow and Office), Secretary's Office and Cafi Parker Junior High School - third floor amounts were $5,344 from Fy82 funds and of $8300, adding that if the low bid of be a savings of $2,189.03. the tabulation of bids for replace - School - corridors (grades 1 and 2 =teria and Kitchen (partial); and corridor. He noted that budgetted $2,956 from FY83 funds, or a total $6,110.97 was accepted there would Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously that on the recommendation of the Administration, the bid for replacement of floor tile would be awarded to Labo, Inc., delineated on document B - 3 -a - 1. All- Weather Outdoor Track Chairman Landers introduced Mr. Philip G. Christiansen, consulting engineer to the School Committee on the refurbishing of the Reading Memorial High School Football field and track. Mr. Christiansen distributed copies of his anal- ysis and recommendations and a tabulation of the bids for the all- weather L nvuL CC!" =TEE MINUTES June 8, 1982 outdoor track. He then proceded to explain the bids, which had been received: May 20th. He said that they were divided into Parts A and B, Part A including site preparation, fencing, drainage and track contruction (base course and level binder course), and Part B being for only application of the running surface. Of the six companies bidding on Part A, Mr. Christiansen recom- mended the low bidder, Trimont Bituminous Products Company of Everett, which he stated, is a large company, experienced in track work. Under Part B, bids were accepted for two alternate surfaces. The primary sur= face was laytex. Mr. Christiansen pointed out that five companies bid on the asphalt surface and four on the laytex surface. He recommended Starrett Paving Corp., of Marlboro, Inc., of Haverhill, at $51,030, for the laytex. He explain- ed that actual installation of the laytex surface - called Omni - would be done by Zempco Corp., of Baltimore, Maryland. He said that the Omni surface has been installed on several tracks around the country and the schools contracted rated it as exenllent, but none of the tracks are over two years old. The total cost of track contruction, following his recommendations, would be $90,200.50 for asphalt and $111,830.50 for laytex surface. With the addition of costs for engineering, line striping and football field improvements, the total expenditure for the project would be $115,863.25 if asphalt is used and $137,493.25 if laytex is used. In either case the total cost would be under the $142,000 appropriated for the entire project. Speaking about the two running surfaces - one composed of rubber and asphalt, the other of rubber and laytex - Mr. Christiansen characterized the latter as "one step above" the former, adding that both are good. He noted that when repairs became necessary the application of laytex was much less expensive and could be done by the School Department's maintenance people. He also said the bids had come in low for the Omni surface because the manufacturer was trying to "buy a show place" in this area, and had agreed to a three -year guarantee. Track Coach Harold Croft said he had inspected the laytex track at Purdue University and found the resiliency and safety factors to be extraordinary. He noted that in the spring there are a great many using the track, therefore it should have the best and safest surface. The Chairman asked for the recommendation of the Administration and Dr. ?dells replied that he only favored one over the other because of what Coach Croft had said. He added that he would be happy if the School Committee voted for the laytex surface. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously to award the contract for the base (Part A) to Trimont Bituminous Products Company of Everett for $60,800.50 and the contract for the running surface (Part B) to Early and Sons, Inc. of Haverhill, for $51,030 for the surface known as "Omni" to be installed by Zempco Corp., of Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Allen then brought up the subject of the bench area on the football field i.e., the drainage problem and the possibility of installing permanent benches. Mr. Christiansen said that upon the completion of the entire project the water from the bench area will dram into a swale. 0C:7rlOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 8, 1982 Football Coach John WHite spoke in favor of permanent benches and also emphasized the need for improved drainage in the area. Dr. Wells said the Administration would look into the matter of the benches and bring in recommendations at a future date, adding that there is no fiscal year pressure regarding the spending of these funds. At 7:45 Chairman Landers excused himself because of a commitment and turned the meeting over to Vice Chairman Garroway. Food Service Management Acting Chairman Garroway said that any formal vote regarding a food service management contract would be taken at the June 22nd meeting. Dr, Wells pointed out that the bid proposals were very complicated and that in some cases an apparent saving - such as using disposables - could mean additional costs, such as extra custodial hours. He noted that there are only two school systems in the State which have food service management contracts and they have only been operating for a year. He then suggested that the School Committee have a special meeting, prior to June 22nd, to discuss this matter. He reminded the Committee that until they made a decision the cafeteria workers would not know whether they would have jobs when school opens in September. It was agreed that there would be a special meeting June 16th. (This meeting was later cancelled when it became apparent that there would not be a quorum.) Financial Statements The Committee took note of the following financial statements: Account Balances, Expense and Salary Accounts and Expenditure of Surplus Funds, all as of May 31, 1982; and Cafeteria Statement as of April 1982, and Cafeteria Operational Pro= jections for FY83. The Administration was requested to look into the balance in the School Construc- tion Account, as to whether it can be returned to the Town Treasury. Leaves Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously to grant an eight -week maternity leave to Mrs. Louise Ward, sppech and language therapist beginning September 7, 1982. Resignations Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was unanimously voted to accept the resignation, for purposes of retirement, of Mrs. Charlotte Serrentino, a secretary at the High School, effective August 31, 1982, and that a letter be sent expressing appreciation for her years of service. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was voted unanimously to accept the resignation, for purposes of retirement, of Mr. Willis Carter of the maintenance staff, effective August 1, 1982, and that a letter be sent ex- pressing appreciation for his years of service. S SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES Appointments JUNE 8, 1982 Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted to reappoint, on the recommendation of the Administration, to contracts and assignments as listed on document F -1, the following teachers: Linda F. Carey, Francis Muccio, Debra Murray, Paula Graham, Virginia A. Ball, Nancy E. Cook, Rena F. Mirkin, Conrad J. Shultz, Dominique Singleton and William E. Endslow, III. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted, on the recommendation of the Administration, to renew athletic coaching assignments for the 1982 -83 school year as enumerated on document F -2. At this time, 8:12 p.m., Mr. Allen was excused to participate in a scholorship awards presentation in the High School Auditorium. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted, on the recommendation of the Administration, to appoint or reappoint department heads and assistant principals as enumerated on document F -3, at the salaries specified. Executive Session At 8:15 p.m. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing matters pertaining to bargaining and nego- tiations. The motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote. The executive session concluded and the Committee returned to open session at 8:25 p.m. Ratification of Cafeteria Workers Contract Upon returning to open session, Acting Chairman Garroway announced that the Committee had unanimously voted to ratify the labor contract with the Cafeteria Workers Unit of ASFME, Council 93, which the cafeteria workers had ratified on May 27, 1982. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m. F Robert S. V;1&11 s,