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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-10-18 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES Call to Order October 18. 1982 43 A regular meeting of the Reading School Committee was called to order by Acting Chairman Coco at 7:38 p.m., on October 18, 1982, in the Central Office Conference Room. Chairman Garroway was unable to be present due to a previous commitment. Mr. Landers was also absent. All other members were present as were superinten- dent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. Among the seven visitors present were Mr. Russell Hill, Coordinator of the METCO Program, Mrs. Susan Wheltle, Art Director, art teachers Mrs. Carole Davis and Mrs. Cheryl O'Halloran, Citizens Advisory Council Chairman Mr. Donald Shepheard, and a representative of the Daily Times and Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of September 27, 1982 On a motion by Mr. Nigro, seconded by Mr. Allen, the minutes of the meeting of September 27, 1982, were unanimously approved. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were authorized as follows: Bills October 8, 1982 - General Expense - Total - $137,048.10 October 15, 1982 - General Expense - Total - $48,283.76 October 22, 1982 - General Expense - Total - $23,619.85 October 22, 1982 - Cafeteria Revolving Account - Total - $17,827.51 Payrolls October 7, 1982 - Teachers - Total - $293,630.00 October 8, 1982 - Weekly - Total - $26,273.66 October 15, 1982 - Weekly - Total - $24,178.80 October 21, 1982 - Teachers - Total - $294,605.92 October 22, 1982 - Weekly - Total - $26,102.43 Citizens Input There was no citizens' input. METCO PROGRAM REVIEW Prior to the presentation on the METCO Program, Dr. Wells went briefly into its history, noting that when Reading first started participating in METCO in 1968 there was only one station wagon transporting nine students. Now there are 102 METCO students. He added that Reading Schools were overcrowded at the time but nevertheless citizen support for METCO participation was very strong. METCO Coordinator Hill then gave an overview of the Program, explaining his duties and those of staff members Mr. Keith Jones, Academic Instructor, and Aides Mrs. Elnora Jones and Mrs. Ruby Godfrey; how students are selected for the Program; and how the Program is financed. M READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 18, 1982 As Coordinator Mr. Hill visits all schools which METCO students attend at least weekly, working with classroom teachers, specialists, guidance people, etc. The breakdown of METCO students by schools is: Barrows - 12, Birch Meadow -18, Killam - 19, Pearl Street 13, CJH - 6, PJH - 9, and RMHS - 25. Mr. Hill said he was very pleased with Reading's method of selecting students randomly from a computer list, rather than pre- testing before acceptance as some communities do. The only preference in Reading is for siblings, whereas some communities "test children out of the program" Through Mr. Hills' presentation and the question and answer period which followed it was brought out that: - METCO is state - funded, with Reading's program allocated $200,286 for 1982 -83. -32 communities participate in METCO, with about 6,000 students involved. Only Framingham has discontinued the Program. Students are recruited by METCO in Boston. There is a waiting list of about 3,000. - Boston Public Schools do not favor METCO, particularly in view of declining enrollments, but have no control over it. - Children who enter the program in the first grade are usually up to grade level by third grade. -Due to lack of funds there is no follow -up of students who graduate other than { by students and /or their parents contacting METCO. Mr. Hill told the School Committee that students are encouraged to participate in extra curricular activities, including after - school activities and there is a late bus for this purpose. Host- parents are solicited to care for METCO students on early - release days and when there are evening events. Acting Chairman Coco thanked Mr. Hill for an interesting and informative pre- sentation. Preliminary Review - Art Program Evaluation Art Director Mrs. Susan Wheltle gave a preliminary review of the recent evaluation of the program, and presented slides showing the work of students at all grade levels, illustrating the use of form, lines, color, textures, materials, etc., explaining how they related to the art curriculum The review of the Art Program consisted of a self - evaluation by members of the Art Department and an evaluation by outside art experts Professor Diana Korzenik, Chairman, Department of Art Education, Massachusetts College of Art, Mr. Richard Clancy, Art Director of the Belmont Public Schools, and Ms Lauren Erwin, art instructor at the Fayerweather Street School, Cambridge. A copy of the evaluation report had been distributed to School Committee members prior to the meeting. The report gave summary and conclusions as follows: 1-4- 7 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 18. 1982 "The art program in the Reading Public Schools was found to inspire students to produce inventive work of high aesthetic quality. The art teaching staff was seen to be very competent, flexible, and dedicated to its students and to the premise that art is an important part of thinking, knowing the past, conceiving the future. It was felt that the art program of the Reading Public Schools would improve and continue to flourish if: - The High School Art Department is allowed to provide more diversified courses; - The junior high /proposed middle schools provide a larger number of electives at grade 8 and include a greater opportunity for three - dimensional work and interdisciplinary activity at grades 7 and 6; - The elementary program retains its flexible scheduling and its emphasis on collaborative and interdisciplinary work; - Budgets for consumable supplies are increased at all levels; - A systemwide budget for art teaching materials, equipment, recources and programs is increased." There was a discussion of the recommendations and their budget implications. Mrs. Wheltle said she felt there is a strong need for a separate art room in each elementary school. Members remarked about how pleasing they found the art displays in the Central Office and the schools. On behalf of the School Committee, Acting Chairman Coco thanked Mrs. Wheltle and her staff for an excellent presentation. Subcommittee Report - Parks and Playgrounds Maintenance and Use Mr. Coco, with representatives of the Board of Public Works and Recreation Committee, compose a subcommittee studying the feasibility of a master scheduling of all Town -owned playfields. Augmenting a memorandum previously sent to School Committee members, Mr. Coco spoke on the first meeting of the Subcommittee and passed out maps showing some the outdoor facilities under the jurisdiction of the School Committee. The Subcommittee meets again in about two weeks and Mr. Coco asked for input from the School Committee and the Administration. The ensuing discussion concerned budgetary implications; possibility of transferring some School Department equipment to the Department of Public Works (DPW); feasibility of DPW also maintaining school Department lawns, as they presently plow and sweep parking areas; effect on labor force; cost effective- ness of the proposal; whether the DPW would have to purchase additional equipment; Town Meeting acceptance and financing; and School Department priorities in scheduling. �pu READING SCHOOL COMMITEE MINUTES OCTOBER 18. 1982 Mr. Nigro noted that the primary role of the School Department is education, so it could be expected that the DPW could do grounds maintenance better. Dr. Wells felt that is was important the School Department be relieved of making decisions on the use of playfields and that a committee maintaining a master schedule would have the entire picture on requests and usage of all Town - owned fields. He added that if the School Committee goes along with master scheduling the DPW should do all maintenance, to avoid duplication. He advised trying it for two -three years and then reassessing the situation. He added that he had every confidence in the DPW's ability to do the main- tenance and treat the School Department fairly. Referring to the effect on the work force, Mr. Winslow said that the School Department does not have a grounds crew. During the summer college students are hired for grounds work and in the fall and spring one or two maintenance men mow lawns. Acting Chairman Coco said the discussion led him to believe the Subcommittee was going in the right direction and asked that members call him if they had further thoughts on the subject. He added that he expected the Subcommittee..,to continue in existence through the spring Town Meeting. Mr. Nigro thought the Subcommittee could perhaps continue as an evaluative group if Town Meeting accepts the concept. Financial Statements The Committee took note of the following financial statements: Account Balances as of September 30, 1982, Expense and Salary Accounts as of September 30, 1982, and a Breakdown of Costs of Renovating the RMHS cafeteria for a Fast Food Program. Leave Noted for the record was the request of Mrs. Ellen J. Howland, English teacher at Parker Junior High School, for a request for a maternity leave, commencing on or about October 22, 1982. Resignations Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously to accept the resignation for purposes of retirement of Mrs. Ruth E. Berry, Facilities Coordinator in the Central Office, effective November 30, 1982. Dr. Wells said Mrs. Berry has done an outstanding job and will be very much missed. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted to accept the resignation of Mr. Paul W. Soule as head Coach of the Girls Spring Track Team, effective at the end of the 1983 season. i• OWA READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 18, 1982 Committee Assignments Acting Chairman Coco announced that Chairman Garroway had made the following subcommittee assignments: Bargaining and Negotiations Subcommittee - Mr. Coco and Mrs. Allen; Liason to the Citizens Advisory Committee - Mrs. Philbrick and Mr. Landers; Liaison to Recreation Committee - Mr. Allen; Parks and Playgrounds Subcommittee - Mr. Coco; and School Committee Policy Subcommittee - Mr. Nigro. He said the Chairman plans to ask each of the Committee members to review different sections of the Policy Book each month and refer any concerns to Mr. Nigro for further review. He added that, of course, any member could at any time bring before the full Committee and concern he /she had about any policy. Other Dr. Wells asked the School Committee, as individuals, to express themselves on Referendum Question ill (a proposed amendment to article X146 of the Massachusetts Constitution - if passed, it would allow both state and local governments to grant public funds to students attending private and parochial schools). He noted it was a poor time to give away any of the limited public school support funds. October 1. 1982 Enrollments The Committee took note of the October 1, 1982 enrollment figures -the last count until January 1, 1983. Executive Session At 9:46 p.m. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, that the Committee enter into executive session to discuss matters pertaining to bargaining and negotiations and the physical condition of an employee. The motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote. The Committee returned to open session at 10:42 p.m. Progress Report -Town /Central Office Computer Dr. Munnelly and Mr. Winslow reported briefly on the upcoming Central Office tie -in with the computer recently purchased by the Town. Two terminals and a printer have been delivered to the Central Office and modems are expected to be installed within the week. The Central Office personnel who will use the data processing equipment have been receiving training and have started to enter data into the computer. Regarding the membership on the Town Computer Committee, Dr. Wells said that Chairman Garroway had suggested that Mr. Winslow and Mr. Ernest Spence continue 5 t� READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 18, 1982 to represent the School Department with Mr. Spence having voting power if Mr. Winslow is unable to be present. Policy on Evaluation of the Superintendent Mr. Nigro said the Chairman had asked him to review the policy on Evaluation of the Superintendent, and that he planned to meet with Dr. Wells and then Chairman Garroway before bringing the matter before the full Committee. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Robert S. Fells, Secreta i