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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-06-28 School Committee Minutes11 SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES Call to Order JUNE 28. 1982 Chairman Landers called a regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:31 p.m. on June 28, 1982 in the Central Office Conference Room. All members were present, as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superin- tendents Munnelly and Winslow. There were seven visitors, including Mr. Charles Papandreou, Principal of the Barrows School, Mr. Donald Farnham, Principal of the Joshua Eaton School, Mr. Raymond Thibeault of Seaboard Energy System, and representatives of the Citizens Advisory Council and the Daily Times and Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of June 22, 1982 Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of June 22, 1982. Approval of Bills and Payrolls Warrants for payment of bills and payrolls were authorized as follows: Bills June 30, 1982 - General Expense - Total - $43,576.51 Payrolls July 2, 1982 - Weekly - Total - $37,062.38 Citizens' Input There was no citizens' input. Approval of Chapter I (formerl Title I) Program for 1982 -83 Dr. Munnelly explained that the Federal laws governing Title I have been re- written and the Program is now entitled "Chapter I." He went on to say that in order to submit a Program for funding the School Committee must first endorse it. He added that because of the reorganization of the Program funds for the 1982 -83 school year would not be received until October. Funding is expected to be approximately 90% of the amount received for the 1981 -82 school year. Dr. Munnelly said that because of the results of a study conducted by Title I Director Mr. Herbert Baron, in conjunction with the Welfare Department, it was being recommended that the Program be continued in the same schools as last year, i.e., Birch Meadow, Killam, Pearl Street, Parker Junior High and Reading Memorial High School, and at the same level, with some minor cutbacks. The Administration also recommended an internal reorganization of the Program. Reading Director Dr. Pamela Mason would assume the title of Director and most of the Program's $3,000 administrative funds would be spent for secretarial help to assit her with the paperwork. With a decline in enrollment and the addition of secretarial help, the Administration feels that Dr. Mason can man- age the extra responsibility. 12 SCHOOL COMMITTEE_ MINUTES JUNE 28, 1982 Dr. Munnelly noted that Mr. Baron had been appointed as Director of the Title I Program prior to his appointment as Principal of the Killam School two years ago and was kept on because of his expertise, but the Administration would like to relieve him of this additional burden of responsibility. He added that he felt that the recommended reorganization would allow for greater flexibility. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously to approve the Title I Program, now entitled Chapter I, for the 1982 -83 school year as presented, with $2,500 to be allocated for secretarial help. Basic Skills Policy Plan for Listening Commenting on the State's Basic Skills Requirements Plan, Dr. Munnelly reminded the Committee that the Plan, which for several years has encompassed the reading, writing and mathematics areas, calls for incorporating "listening" skills in the 1982 -83 school year and "speaking" skills the following year. He said that the proposal for Reading's Basic Skills Plan for Listening is the end result of meetings of subcommittees of teachers, parents and administrators, under the leadership of the Basic Skills Policy Steering Committee. Leadership was provided by Mr. Charles Symonds, former Reading Memorial High School Assis- tant Principal, at the secondary level, Mr. Charles Papandreou, Donald Farnham, Eaton School Principal, at the early elementary level. The subcommittees at all levels had representatives of the Steering Committee, the Citizens Advisory Council and Title I parents, and objectives were correlated from one level to another. School Committee members asked a number of questions regarding the objectives, evaluative instruments and performance standards for minimum competency, which were answered by Dr. Wells, Dr. Munnelly, Mr. Farnham and Mr. Papandreou. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously that the School Committee adopt the Policy for Basic Listening Skills as set forth in document B -3 -b (1), (2) and (3). Bids Lighting Panel - Dimming System (R.M.H.S.) Mr. Winslow noted that this was one of the rare occasions when bids came in above the amount allocated in the budget. The low bid for a dimming panel at Reading Memorial High School was $31,000 - only $16,500 had been budgetted for this project. He asked that the difference - $14,500 - be paid from FY82 sur- plus funds, which would still leave $1 -5,000 to be returned to the Town's General Fund at the close of this fiscal year. Mr. Garroway inquired as to whether there was some way the dimming panel could be replaced in segments, or various components purchased separately. Mr. Winslow replied that he did not think so as this would require someone with a technical background to oversee the purchase and installation. Mr. Nigro expressed shock at the amount of the bids and the fact that only two of six firms invited to bid submitted bids. He added that he had looked at the panel and did not see the safety factor that had been discussed at a pre- vious meeting. 13 SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 28, 1982 Mr. Coco said he too was concerned about the price and felt the old panel could be painted, adding that he did not feel there was a potential electi- cal problem. Mr. Winslow pointed out that the unsafe condition of the lighting panel was first brought to his attention by the Fire Chief several years ago. He add- ed that Drama Coach Peter Greene and reported that at times sparks jump from the panel. He also noted that because the equipment is obsolete replacement parts are not available. Chairman Landers then suggested that if the Committee did not want to purchase the panel, rather than return 31,000 to the Town Treasury, custodial supplies and typewriters - totaling approximately $14,000 - be purchased for FY82 funds instead of from the FY83 budget, thereby reducing the amount to be returned by $17,000. Mrs. Philbrick pointed out that the panel had been included in the FY82 budget and, if not purchased now would have to be delayed until the FY84 budget. She added that even though it was more expensive than had been expected delaying it until FY84 could mean an even larger expeniture. Mrs. Philbrick then moved, seconded by Mr. Garroway, that 'the contract for the dimming system at Reading Memorial High School be awarded to Willard Electrical Company of REading, the low bidder, in the amount of $31,000. The motion car - ried on a 3--2 vote with Mrs. Philbrick, Mr. Garroway and Mr. Allen voting in the affirmative and Mr. Nigro and Mr. Coco in the negative. The Chairman stated that he did not vote against the motion because he felt that in the spirit of the Committee's prior budget discussions it would be a disservice. Custodial Supplies Mr. Winslow recapitulated the bids for various custodial supplies for FY83, recom- mending the low bidders in all instances. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was voted uanimously to award the contracts for custodial supplies to Edison Chemical Company for $689.55, Franklin and Perkins for $382.46, Dowd Company for $1,851.27 M.D. Stetson Company for $3,430.25, G. & S. Paper Company for $1,687.20, Proctor Paper Company for $311.50 and John A. Biscoglio & Company for $778.05 - a total of $9,130.28 - for items as delineated on document B -3 -c (2). Energy Management - R. M. H. S. Mr. Winslow stated that five companies had requested sptcitications for an energy management system at the High School but only three had submitted bids. He recommended Seaboard ENergy Systems because, in addition to being the low bidder the company guaranteed a payback in energy savings within one year ($25,030 worth of fuel oil) - i.e., for every dollar invested $7.49 will be saved. He explained that the proposed system will have 15 sensors which will activate the memory of a computer. He added that all Towns he contracted which had systems installed by Seaboard gave the firm a high rating. It was also noted that there would be a $2,025 annual maintenance cost. The question arose as to whether money would have to be spent to make corrections to the High School heating system in order to have the energy management system be effective and assure the payback gurantee would be adhered to. 14 SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 28. 1982 Energy Management continued Mr. Winslow said that all bidders had inspected the system before submitting their bids. Mr. Raymond Thibeault of Seaboard Energy Systems answered some of the School Committee members' questions by stating that if the Committee at the end of the first year wanted, for any reason, to remove the system they would receive no money back from Seaboard if the fuel savings had been greater than the amount of the contract, but if they had not Seaboard would pay the difference between the contract cost and the amount of savings. He also said that records showing savings made by other Towns which had their system were readily avail- able; that the High School heating system appeared to be in reasonable working order and would be still better when the contract was completed; and that no expertise was needed by School Department employees to operate an energy manage- ment system. Mr. Thibeault explained that the proposed system was a "stand alone" system which would only have to be adjusted twice a year and that if any problems arose Seaboard could correct them by a telephone call to the computer. He added that the system is modular and could later be expanded to include all schools, lighting, alarms, etc. Typewriters Mr. Winslow summarized the four bids received for 13 typewriters to be used by the High School students. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was uanimously voted, on the recommendation of the Administration, to award the contract for 13 electronic typewriters to the low bidder, Gayne Typewriter of Woburn (Adler typewriters), in the amount of $4,888. Results of 1981 -82 Basic Skills Testin Dr. Munnelly noted that the overall results of the 1981 -82 Basic Skills Testin were as expected byt that the staff is looking into a slight downturn (14% fail- ing as opposed to 9% in 1980 -81) in secondary level reading test results. Basic skills tests in reading, writing and mathematics are given in grades 3, 6 and 8. He'noted that those who failed were already in some type of remedial program and that their marks were close to the cutoff score. However, an analysis is being made to determine whether there should be some curriculum adjustments. He added that the average student who passed the basic skills tests scored high. Cafeteria Statements The Committee took note of the Cafeteria Statement for the month of May and a Cafeteria Statement which compared September through May for Fy81 and FY82. Resignations Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted to accept the resignation of Mr. Francis DiLuna, High School science teacher, effective at the close of the 1981 -82 school year. ;.e 101 SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 28, 1982 Leaves Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted to grant to Miss Rosemary McKenna, physical education teacher at Parker Junior High School, a personal leave of absence without pay for the 1982 -83 school year. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was unanimously voted to grant to Mrs. Rose Silver, speech and language therapist at Birch Meadow School, a child rearing leave for the 1982 -83 school year. Sick Leave Extension Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted to grant a thirteen -day, retroactive sick leave extension to Mr. Gino Serrecchia, custodian at Killam School. Mr. Garroway stated that he was sure the Administration had weighed the cir- cumstances carefully before recommending this extension but that the Committee should be aware that this is not standard, accepted procedure. . Appointments Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was voted unanimously that, on the recommendation of the Administration, Mrs. Ellen J. Gelpke, 330 West Water Street Rockland, be appointed for one year as a speech. and language therapist at the Birch Meadow School (to replace Mrs. Rose Silver) on Step B -9 - $18,111. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was voted unanimously, on the recom- mendation of the Administration, that Ms. Mary Jane Weinstein, 1870 Beacon Street, Brookline, be appointed for one year as a Focus /mathematics teacher at Reading Memorial High School (to replace Samuel Baker) at Step B -2 - $13,766. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was unanimously voted that, on the recommendation of the Administration and in accordance with Sch000l Committee Policy GCAA, that the following be appointed Assistant Principal /Intern for the period of September 1982 through June 1984; Mr. Thomas F. Hoffrage to the Barrows School; Mrs. Jean Maloney- Stewart (reappointment to second term) to the Killam School; and Dr. Christine Redtvrd to the Eaton School. Annual Election of Officers Before passing the gravel to Dr. .Wells, as Secretary of the School Committee, to conduct the annual- election -of a_.new:_chairman, -Mr. Landers made a brief - statement. He thanked Dr. Wells for his understanding and support during the two years he presided as chairman and praised him for his professional leadership. He also spoke of the quality of the Reading School System, attributing it to Dr. Wells' excellent leadership abilities. Adding his thanks to Dr. Munnelly and Mr. Winslow, he termed the Administrative Team "fantastic." Dr. Wells then called for nominations. Mr. Nigro nominated Mr. Garroway, seconded by Mr. Coco. Mr. Landers moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted to close nominations. Mr. Garroway was elected by a unanimous voice vote and assumed the chairmanship at 9:55 p.m. I( SCHOOL C0114ITTEE MINUTES JUNE 28. 1982 The newly elected Chairman then opened the floor for nominations for vice - chairman. Mr. Nigro nominated Mr. Coco and Mr. Landers nominated Mr. Allen: The Chairman conducted a secret ballot and announced the following results: three votes for Mr. Coco; two votes for Mr. Allen. Chairman Garroway declared I the election of Mr. Coco as Vice - chairman. In assuming the chairmanship Mr. Garroway pledged to be responsive to the various constituencies, be brief and concise in conducting meetings and to allow time for maximum discussion. Mr. Coco expressed his appreciation for the Committee's confidence and pledged to support the Chairman in every way he can. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 10:04 p.m. Respectfully sub��mn�iJJtt /ecl,, Robert S. Wells, Secretary