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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-09-13 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES Call to Order 31 September 13, 1982 The regular meeting of the Reading School Committee was called to order by Chairman Garroway on September 13, 1982, at 7:30 p.m., in the Central Office Conference Room. All members were present, as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendent Munnelly. Assistant Superintendent Winslow was unable to be present due to illness. There were six visitors, including Mr. Charles Papandreou, Principal of the Barrows School, and representatives of the Citizens Advisory Council and Daily Times and Chronicle. Approval of the Minutes of August 30, 1982 On a motion by Mr. Landers, seconded by Mr. Nigro, the minutes of the meeting of August 30, 1982 were unanimously approved, with the following correction: Page 7, paragraph 8, Mr. Landers seconded the motion - not Mr. Allen. Approval of Bills and Payrolls Warrants for payment of bills and payrolls were authorized as follows: Bills September 17, 1982 - General Expense - Total - $25,378.08 Payrolls September 10, 1982 - Weekly - Total - $27,993.68 September 17, 1982 - Weekly - Total - $23,020.67 September 9, 1982 - Teachers - Total $273,179.95 Citizens' Input There was no citizens' input. University of Massachusetts Drinking Water /Blood Pressure Research Dr. Wells sought approval of the School Committee for a follow -up to the 1978 -79 research on the effects of sodium in the drinking water on blood pressure, conducted by a team from the University of Massachusetts School of Health Sciences. He explained that the Research Team used third grade students from Reading, where the water contained a high leval of sodium, with third grade students from Stoneham, whose water is supplied by the M.D.C. (Quabbin Reservoir) as a control group. The Research Team has received further federal funding and wants to do a follow -up study on the same students, now in grade eight. Dr. Wells added that the Team was most professional, well organized, and conducted their research with a minimum of disruption. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Landers, and it was unanimously voted to allow the University of Massachusetts School of Health Sciences Research Tea-at to continue their study on the effects of sodium in the drinking water on blood pressure. 32 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES Superintendent of Schools' 1982 -83 Goals SEPTEMBER 13, 1982 Superintendent Wells recapitulated his goals for 1982 -83 school year, as contained in his opening day of school remarks and his memorandum. They were divided into two categories -the first four related to curriculum, and the remaining three to administration. Dr. Wells' curriculum goals are: 1. To do all within my power, in cooperation with the Citizens Advisory Council and Middle School Advisory Committee, to bring about a middle school reorganization by 1984. In- service training programs will be used to get this major reorganization off to a good start. 2. To Improve the quality of writing in the Reading Public Schools, committing a major portion of FY83 in- service training funds to this goal. Dr. Wells emphasized that students are not doing poorly in this area of curriculum, and much improvement has been made since this was brought to the attention of the teaching staff in 1979, but added that he believed further improvement is possible. 3. To develop a long -range plan and a design for a computer learning curriculum through a broadly based task force which will sort out usages and possible usages and possible usages and develop meaningful ways of incorporating them into our overall plans for computer instruction. 4. To Foster efforts by the staff of teachers, principals and specialists to seek ways of developing the higher thought capabilities of our students, teaching them to analyze and use logic. This goal recognizes that society is undergoing rapid change to an informational processing society and that future occupations and ways of dealing with life's issues will be centered around the problem solving capability of this information. Dr. Wells' administrative goals are: 1. Central Office Computer Application - To seek assistance from outside sources as to how best the Town's new computer operation can serve the School Department. We will need to determine what demands and expectations the Town places on the Central Office for informational purposes; what information now stored on school computers should be transferred to the Town's computer to make more space available on school computers for academic use; and determine whether the Town computer could be programmed to generate certain school reports. 2. School Space Needs /Surplus School Facilities -To make both short and long range decisions concerning the relocation of the Central Office and the use of future surplus space in schools. To make decisions about the educational use of our plant and, secondly, decisions as to what to do with the space which will not be needed. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 33 SEPTEMBER 13. 1982 3. Bargaining and Negotiations - To have a full discussion among members of the School Committee and Administration regarding the cost of bargaining and negotiations and the role of the negotiators, followed by a plan of action early in the fall. School Committee members were unanimous in their approval of Dr. Wells' goals. Mr. Landers termed them his finest set of goals - blending curricular and administrative needs - and added that he felt the School Committee could actively work with these goals. Chairman Garroway reminded members to turn their list of goals into the secretary by the end of the week so that a master list can be compiled f or discussion at the September 27th meeting. Report on Opening of Schools Dr. Wells reported that overall the school year was off to a good start, adding that the principals are well organized, school secretaries had assumed their duties a week before schools opened, and teachers had two days of orientation before their students arrived. He said that there had been a problem with one bus one morning and a question regarding the safety of pedestrian traffic on the Mineral Street Bridge, but otherwise things had gone smoothly. Regarding opening day enrollments Dr. Wells noted that the number of students was down 215 from last year (a drop of 543 since 1980), adding that the October count was usually a more accurate figure. He also noted that more parents are delaying their children's entry into Kindergarten for a year and also that more parents were entering their youngsters in private Kindergartens which offered day care facilities. Dr. Wells gave figures on the amount of food served in the school cafeterias and bank deposits made for the first three days of school - noting that there was a 25% increase even though the enrollment is down. There was a significant increase at the High School, where a fast foods service was initiated this year. He also reported that Cafeteria Director Miss Cook had said that with only the bill for electrical work outstanding, the expense of cafeteria renovations at the High School was only $11,315.15, and that the total cost for renovations to accomodate the new fast food service is expected to be less than $14,000. Finance Committee Request for Five -year Capital Outlay Plan Dr. Wells explained that because of the timing of the Finance Committee's request for a five -year capital outlay plan, he had written a letter to the Finance Committee Chairman stating that the School Committee would be unable to meet the requested submission date of September 24th because their next meeting is September 27th. Chairman Garroway said he would like members to study last year's plan, as updated by Mr. Winslow, and be prepared, along with the Administration, to make recommendations at the next meeting. Mr. Landers requested an inspection of school roofs before the next meeting, with a prioritized list for replacements to be presented to the School Committee, READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTa1BER 14.. 1982 and also memtioned the cost of moving the Central office and possible expansion of the energy management system at the High School. Dr. Wells memtioned the need for safe storage space for large athletic equipment and the feasibility of purchasing such equipment as a word processor - depending on the planned eventual use of the Town computer. Space Needs of Reading Town Government The Space Needs Committee has requested all Town Departments to make comments and suggestions and to present future office and storage space needs. It was the consensus of the School Committee that School Department needs should be given to the Space Committee but that they should be informed that the School Department's surplus space may negate the needs for inclusion in their plans. Dr. Wells commented that he had sensed the School Committee's preference for relocating the Central Office in the Pearl Street School after it is closed, in an effort to prevent the deterioration that usually occurs when a' building is mothballed. He added that the Central Office could be moved to any location where there is a unit of space of sufficient size. The Chairman noted that the Committee should not rule out the possibility of taking advantage of a better solution should one present itself. He added that the Committee will be better :able to chart its course after they receive a report from Mr. MacClaren, the architect studying surplus space in the High School.. i Tentative Agenda Calendar for the School Committee for 1982 -83. Chairman Garroway thanked the Administration for putting together, at his request, a tentative agenda calendar for 1982 -83. He emphasized the fact that it is tentative and urged Committee members to let him know if there are other areas they want to look into. He added that it would be reviewed every two months. Mr. Coco suggested that the science and mathematics curricular be on the agenda sometime in the January -March period. enin2 Dav Remarks - Chairman Garrowav and Superintendent Wells The Chairman said he found it interesting to sense the excitement of the staff coming together to start a new school year. Superintendent Wells complimented the Chairman on his opening day remarks and said he knew the teachers appreciated them. School Committee members received copies of the remarks made by the Chairman and the Superintendent. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES Creative Arts for Kids 35 SEPTEMBER 13. 1982 Members received copies of the Creative Arts for Kids brochure. Chairman Garroway complimented the Organization on the brochure, their program in general and the efforts of the parents involved, noting that they had recently opened an office in the Reading Community Center. Resignation Dr. Munnelly explained that Mrs. Bonnie Gamerman, who was on a child - rearing leave during the 1981 -82 school year, notified by phone that she would not return in September 1982, but because her father died at that time she did not sent in a written resignation. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Landers, and it was unanimously voted to accept the resignation of Mrs. Bonnie Gamerman, effective September 1, 1982. Leave The Committee acknowledged the request of Mrs. Andra Brewer, School Adjustment Counselor /Social Worker, for an eight -week maternity leave starting on or about November 1st. Under the terms of the RTA Contract such leaves are automatically granted. Appointments Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was unanimously voted to appoint Mr. Keith Jones, 10 Ditmus Court, Boston, as METCO Academic Instructor - Secondary, effective at the beginning of the 1982 -83 school year, on salary step B -$ - $14,700. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Landers, and it was unanimously voted to appoint Ms. Laurie D. Talbot, 610 Lincoln Street, Marlborough, as a 2/5's instrumental music teacher, at the rate of B +15 -1, $13,633 pro- rated. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Landers, and it was voted unanimously to appoint Mr. Philip N. Vaccaro, 12 Latham Lane, Reading, as a High School math teacher (replacing Mrs. Zolubos). on step M -10 - $20,144 pro- rated, effective immediately. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Landers, seconded by Mr. Coco, the Committee unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:14 p.m. Respectfully Subnitted, Robert S-