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Home My WebLink About1982-07-26 School Committee MinutesSCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES Call to Order JULY 26. 1982 17 A regular meeting of the Reading School Committee was called to order by Chairman Michael Garroway at 7:30 p.m. on July 26, 1982, in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Mr. Landers and Mr. Coco were absent. Present were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. Also present were Mr. Donald Shepheard, Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Council and a reporter from the Daily Times and Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of June 28, 1982 Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and the Committee voted unanimously to approve the minutes of June 28, 1982. Approval of Bills and Payrolls Warrants for the payment of bills and payrolls were authorized as follows: Bills June 3V; �7L5� - eneral Exxpense - �o al August 6, 1982 - General Expense - Total - $11,307.38 July 30, 1982 - Cafeteria Revolving Account- Total - $1,871.49 Payrolls July 9, 1982 - July 15, 1982 July 16, 1982 July 23, 1982 - July 29, 1982 July 30, 1982 August 6, 1982 Citizens' Input weekly - Total - $16,688.75 Teachers - Total - $91,461.62 Weekly - Total - $18,956.39 Weekly - Total $15,589.26 Teachers - Total - $71,682.37 Weekly - Total - $15,009.34 - Weekly - $26,579.07 There was no citizens' input. Old Business There were no items of old business. Bids - Special Needs Transportation Mr. Winslow presented and explained bids for Special Education Transportation relating to eight - passenger wagons and wheelchair vans. Three Companies submitted bids for a one -year contract, renewable each year for a three -year limit. Mr. Winslow arrayed the bids in two ways: one, for a contract for all transportation and the other based on a contract split among companies. Ir • READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 26.1982 In answer to a question, Mr. Winslow said that a gas escalation clause was not necessarily in Reading's best interest. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was unanimously voted, on the recommendation of the Administration, to award the contract for Special Education Transportation to Transcomm, Inc.,of Cambridge, for $237.78 per day, with no gas escalation clause. Policy Proposal on Fiscal Management Dr. Wells presented a draft of a policy for School Committee discussion. The policy reflects the new definition of fiscal autonomy brought about by the passage of Proposition 2z and subsequent legislation under Chapter 71, Sect. 34. Putting these legal views into a policy statement would help all decision makers in Reading to understand the new rules -of- the -game. Chairman Garroway praised the policy as " A good move," and said he had been in contact with Chairman Fiore of the Finance Committee about the fiscal autonomy policy. Mr. Nigro suggested that change orders be transmitted to Finance Committee members as well as to School Department Staff. This amendment was agreed to by the other School Committee members. Mr. Nigro then moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was voted unanimously to adopt for first vote the proposed policy as amended. Approval of Request to Educate a Child at Home On the recommendation of the Administration, Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, that the request of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Doolittle to educate their daughter, Katherine, under the terms of the School Committee's policy on Home Instruction, for the 1982 -83 school year be approved. The plan submitted by the Doolittles met the criteria of the Policy. The motion to grant approval passed unanimously. Adjustment of Food Services Director's Salary Mr. Winslow recommended a 7% increase in salary for Food Services Director Ms. Catherine Cook. During the salary discussion, Mr. Winslow showed how Ms. Cook's responsibilities and salary compared to those holding similar positions in surrounding communities. On a motion by Mrs. Philbrick, seconded by Mr. Nigro, the School Committee voted unanimously to increase Ms. Cook's salary 7% - to $16,090. Financial Statements The Committee took note of the following financial statements: Expense and Salary Accounts as of June 30, 1982, Account Balances as of June 30, 1982, Cafeteria Statement for June, 1982, and a Cafeteria Comparison Statement for September - June, 1982 versus 1981. 19 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES July 26. 1982 It was noted by Chairman Garroway that the School Department spent $100% of the monies allocated to it by the Town of Reading. Data sheets on the operation of the cafeteria, provided by Mr. Winslow and the Food Services Director, were reviewed. The Chairman pointed out that "not only was there no subsidy this year, but the efforts of everyone on the cafeteria staff produced a profit of $27,450, which paid back the subsidy pro- vided by the Town in FY81." He noted that this occurred even though government commodity subsidies were cut in half. Chalkboard - September Issue Editor Munnelly asked the School Committee to suggest ideas for the School Committee's newsletter, "Chalkboard." Among the ideas for articles suggested were: Middle School Update, Where Reading Students Went to College, An Article Soliciting CAC Membership and Support, Election of Chairman Garroway, Interview with Mr. Garroway on What's Ahead in 1982 -83, The Fast Food Experiment, Report of Basic Skills Attainments, Role of Cable TV, Globe Science Fair Participation, Explanation of How Reading's Interdisciplinary Curriculum works, Community- Parent Support of Schools, e. g., Purchase of Computers, and Positive Involvement of Highland Parents in New Schools. Block Grant Allocation for FY1983 Dr. Munnelly announced that Reading's Block Grant proposal had been approved by the State Department of Education. Reading's allotment ($18,047) will be expended to support the "Computer Literacy" effort. A Computer Literacy Curriculum Committee is in the process of developing a curriculum, and a total of $12,000 has been set aside for hardware, $3,000 for software, and $3,000 for staff training. Austin Preparatory School will spend its $2,238 on the acquisition of reference materials for its library. Progress Report of Middle School Advisory Committee Dr. Munnelly, who chairs the School Committee's Middle School Advisory Committee (MSAC), reported enthusiasm and diligence about the task of preparing a report for November lst. The MSAC has met every Wednesday during July. The MSAC is planning a public forum on September 22nd to hear parent comments about middle school education. Summer Maintenance Program Report of Progress Mr. Winslow reported that planned summer maintenance and repairs are on schedule and that schools will be in tip -top shape for the opening of school. Progress on the athletic fields and track renovation at Reading Memorial High School are generally on schedule. 20 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES Tentative Schedule of Fall Meetings. July 26, 1982 Chairman Garroway proposed a tentative schedule of meetings for the fall. He will try to lay out a time plan so as to correlate School Committee concerns with meeting times. He asked for help from the members by referring topics and concerns to him. He also asked members to inform him about conflicts in dates with the tentative meeting schedule. At the next meeting, the Chairman will discuss goals and objectives for the next year with the aim of relating assignments of School Committee members to the tasks which need to be accomplished. Leave On a motion by Mr. Nigro, seconded by Mr. Allen, the School Committee voted unanimously to approve a leave of absence for child- rearing purposes for Mrs. Louise Ward. Mrs. Ward will notify the Department by April 1, 1983, of her intent to return in September 1983. Resignations The resignation of Mrs. Paula Graham, physical education teacher and coach, was unanimously accepted on a motion by Mr. Nigro, seconded by Mr. Allen. Mrs. Mary Webb's resignation as a first grade teacher at Pearl Street School was accepted on a motion by Mr. Allen, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick. Mr. Alan McCoy's resignation as head soccer coach was accepted on a motion by Mr. Allen, seconded by Mr. Nigro. Appointments On a motion by Mr. Nigro, seconded by Mr. Allen, the Committee unanimously voted, on the recommendation of the Administration, to appoint the following teachers: Mrs. Deborah A. Sweeney, 34 Criterion Road, Reading, as a Spanish teacher at Reading Memorial High School (one -year replacement for Ms. McCabe), on the M -7 salary step - $17,748. Ms. Kathleen M. Gregory, 7 Park Drive, Woburn, as a SEEM teacher at Birch Meadow School (one -year replacement for Mrs. Checrallah), at a salary of $17,748 - step M -7 Ms. Sandra Martin, Spofford Road, Bedford, as a SEEM teacher at Killam School (one -year replacement for Mrs. Cynkus), on step M -5 of the salary schedule - $16,263. Mrs. Ruthann Budrewicz, 1002 North Street, Tewksbury, as a biology teacher at RMHS (replacing Mr. DiLuna), at salary step M -9 - $19,309. 21 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES July 26, 1982 Mrs. Claudia T. Bowe, 41 Prescott Street, Reading, as a physical education teacher at Coolidge Junior High School (vacancy created by resignation of Mrs. Graham who was to replace Ms. McKenna for one year), at step B -3 - $14, 231. Ms. Kathy M. Duffy, 404 West Street, Reading, as 4/5's elementary physical education teacher at the Pearl Street School (replacing Mr. Allosso), at step B -1 - $13,330, prorated - $10,664. Mrs. Dawn Hoskin, 45 Nutter Road, North Reading, as a speech and language therapist at Joshua Eaton School (one -year replacement for Mrs. Ward), at step M -4 - $15,794. Reappointment: Mrs. Sally Mucica, 70 Olympic Lane, North Andover, as a teacher at Birch Meadow School (replacing Mr. Zalubas) for Contract #l, at step B -9 - $18,111. On a motion by Mrs. Philbrick, seconded by Mr. Nigro, the Committee voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, to appoint Mrs. Katherine Mehlman as a secretary at Reading Memorial High School. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted to appoint Mr. David McNeil, 4 Central Avenue, Burlington as a custodian at Reading Memorial High School, to replace Mr. Garey. Executive Session - Adjournment At 9:30 p.m. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing issues relating to bargaining and negotiations. The motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote. The executive session concluded and the meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Robert S. Wells, Secretary