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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-11-22 School Committee Minutes57 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 22, 1982 Call to Order Chairman Garroway called to order a regular meeting of the Reading School Committee at 7 :35 p.m. on November 22, 1982, in the Lecture Hall of Reading Memorial High School. All members were present, as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. There were approximately thirty visitors present, including members of the Middle School Advisory Committee, representatives of the Finance Committee, Citizens Advisory Council and the Daily Chronicle, Parker Junior High School Principal John Delaney, Coolidge Junior High School Principal Albert Lahood, Barrows School Principal Charles Papandreou, Pearl Street School Principal Paul Guerrette, Music Director James Roth and music teachers Mrs. Mary Correia and Mr. Robert Mingolelli. Approval of Minutes of November 1, 1982 Mr. Landers moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and the minutes of the meeting of November 1, 1982, were unanimously accepted. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for payment of bills and payrolls were authorized as follows: Bills November 12, 1982 - General Expense - Total - $31,032.66 November 19, 1982 - General Expense - Total - $16,920.13 November 26, 1982 - General Expense - Total - $51,443.10 Payrolls November 12, 1982 - Weekly - Total - $25,122.29 November 18, 1982 - Teachers - Total - $296,791.01 November 19, 1982 - Weekly - Total - $26,395.53 November 24, 1982 - Weekly - Total - $26,575.18 Citizens' Input There was no citizens' input. Middle School Advisory Committee Report The presentation of the Middle School Advisory Committee (MSAC) Report and the question and answer period following was televised by Continental Cablevision for viewing on local Channel 3. Chairman Garroway thanked the MSAC for their efforts and introduced the Committee's Chairman, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Robert Munnelly. He in turn introduced MSAC member Mr. Stanley Nissen who made an oral presentation while slides summarizing the Report were shown. (Copies of the slides were made available following the presentation.) During the question and answer period Mr. Nissen said that the best way to allay parental concerns about the transitional period from elementary to middle school was to make the process as public as possible. He added that after Dr. Wells makes his recommendations people should have the opportunity to voice their feelings and also that there should be another public presentation sometime in 1984. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES November 22, 1982 Questions were also answered by Dr. Munnelly and Dr. Delaney. It was stated that each of the twenty middle schools visited by MSAC members varied somewhat. Also that the Foreign Language Department had proposed that the number of languages taught at 6 -8 grades level be increased. However, the MSAC did not recommend a specific set of courses for foreign languages since it did not want to get into that level of detail in its curriculum recommendations. Mr. Nissen said that the report did not recommend changes in seventh and eighth grades because they presently are similar to middle schools visited and it is believed that this is a good point from which to start. He added that these grades are operating very nicely and the MSAC could see no point in trying to revamp them. Dr. Delaney said there was no doubt in his mind that there will be some changes in those grades, but that it would be premature to be specific. It was noted that the junior highs are presently child- centered schools. Dr. Wells praised the MSAC for a thorough report and said that within 30 -45 days he would be prepared to make his recommendations. In closing, Chairman Garroway announced that copies of the MSAC report are available at the Central Office and the Public Library and invited anyone who had questions to address them to the MSAC, the Administration or the Citizens Advisory Council. Again he thanked MSAC members for the long hours they had put in and for the quality of their report. Evaluation of Music Program Director of Music Mr. James Roth, assisted by staff members Mrs. Mary Correia and Mr. Robert Mingolelli, gave an evaluation of the school -wide music program. Mr. Roth said the program for grades 1 -12 was integrated, with the same method for teaching the reading of music used throughout the System. The Philosophy of the Department is that participation in musical activities is more important than merely learning about them. Mrs. Correia told the Committee that each elementary class receives instruction by a music teacher for 30 minutes a week and there is a 60- minute followup each week by the classroom teacher. She played tapes demonstrating the progress of students as they learned to read and sing music. Mr. Roth added that the emphasis was on vocal music until the flutophone is introduced in fourth grade. In fifth and sixth grades weekly instrumental lessons are given to those who elect to participate. He made note of the fact that Mr. Herbert Baron, Killam School Principal, participated in the evaluation of the elementary school music program. Mr. Mingolelli spoke on the junior high level of the music program. He explained that the philosophy at this level is to continue to build on skills learned in the elementary grades and to foster a positive attitude toward music. He added that those who wish to perform have the opportunity through All- District Concerts, Operettas, School assemblies, etc. Both Schools have an instrumental program and band participation has increased, especially at Parker, despite declining enrollments. Mr. Mingolleli played tapes of the Junior Highs' choral work. 59 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 22, 1982 ir. Roth spoke on the High School program, which is strictly elective. .There students may elect a course on "Theory of Music," and /or participate in the chorus, orchestra and band. Questioned by School Committee members as to why there is a lesser percentage of student participation at the High School level, Mr. Roth said that the students have many more offerings from which to choose and a limited amount of time. Several School Committee members felt that the music program might benefit from visits by music specialists from outside the Reading System. Mr. Nigro expressed the thought that sometimes not enough attention is given to programs such as music, adding that if there is a resource issue the School Committee should hear more about it. He also said he would like to have a "continuing dialogue to keep this issue alive." Mr. Landers echoed his thoughts and added that he strongly recommended having an outside person look at the program. He also said he thought that what Reading has is good, that is has a lot to offer, and that he was not suggesting change for the sake of change. He added that he hopes the Music Department doesn't "give in" to computer courses, etc. Chairman Garroway said that the School Committee, throught the Administration, would be interested in knowing the Music Department's need for resources. He commented that the evaluation was a good start but that he found there was a lack of input from parents and external sources. He urged Mr. Roth to bring to the attention of the School Committee all needs and concerns of the Music Department. He dommended Mr. Roth and -iis Staff on promoting a good attitude toward music and told them not to "give up the ship." The Chairman extended the thanks of the Committee to Mr. Roth and his Staff for their presentation. Feasibility Study_- R.M.H.S. As a f ollowup to Architect Archibald MacLaren's study of surplus space at Reading Memorial High School Dr. Wells, noting that it now appears that less than 50% of that building will be utilized in the years ahead, said that he felt the School Committee could start to focus on the part of the High School that a smaller enrollment would use in the future. He noted that perhaps some rooms should just be closed up to save cleaning and lighting them. He added that the Administration is willing to take on this part and a rough draft, which may have budgetary implications, could be completed in two -three months. Beyond this beginning phase he thought it would have to be "played by ear, year by year." Mr. Landers said that after examing all available data on declining enrollments he wondered if the Pearl Street School will ever again be needed and whether the School Committee shouldn't turn it over to the Town. With these facts in mind, he felt the Committee should give thought to locating the Central Office in another building and make an early decision. There ensued a brief discussion as to whether the Committee should at this time consider relocating the Central Office in the High School and whether it should attempt to resolve -.he issue of the disposition of the Pearl Street School at the same time. o READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 22, 1982 Dr. Wells noted that if the Pearl Street School is closed in 1984 all other elementary schools would be full, and if there was an increase in enrollment he did not think the School Committee would want to house elementary students in the High School. He also reminded the School Committee of the Five -year Capital Outlay Plan which implied that the Pearl Street School would be mothballed. Mr. Nigro said he would like to know for how long a time it would be feasible to mothball the Pearl Street School. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Landers, and it was unanimously voted that the Administration be charged with the duty of coming back to the School Committee with a plan that (a) takes into consideration the best possible consolidation of the High School academic program and (b) also takes into consideration the relocation of the Central Office in the High School. Bid - Birch Meadow School Roof Mr. Winslow presented a tabulation of the two bids received for reroofing the Birch Meadow School, and recommended awarding the contract to the low bidder, E. W. Redmond and Sons, Quincy, at $132,680, subject to a review by Architect Philip Winsor, the Manufacturer and the Contractor of the procedure to be utilized of start up and closing of the project because of weather and start up procedure that would be used in the spring, if required. He added that the low bidder has stated a willingness to commence with the work if authorized by December 1, 1982 and that, according to this bidder and Mr. Winsor, it is not unusual to apply the roof specified (membrane type) at this time of year. The specifications stipulated that 400 temperature for a minimum period of five hours per day is required for the work to be done. Mr. Redmond has stated that it would take approximately three weeks to apply the roofing material. Mr. Coco expressed doubt about starting the project at this time of year, in case it snows before completion. Mr. Winslow said the roof would be done in sections and if part of it had to be postponed until spring the bid price would hold. How- ever, because of anticipated increases in labor costs, the low bidder would not guarantee his price if the project is not started until spring. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, to award the bid for the Birch Meadow School reroofing to E. W. Redmond and Sons, at a price of $132,680. The motion lost on a 3 -2 vote, with Mr. Allen and Chairman Garroway voting for and Mrs. Philbrick, Mr. Coco, and Mr. Nigro voting against. (Mr. Landers left the meeting early for personal reasons.) Financial Statements Members of the School Committee took note of the following financial statements: Acount Balances as of October 31, 1982 and Expense and Salary Accounts as of October 31, 1982. Emergency Repair - Electrical Service - Barrows School Mr. Winslow said that although it was not a budgeted item, $5,500 was needed for emergency repairs on the electrical service at Barrows School. He added that the underground cable has deteriorated to the extent that there have been two power i_ n �� C,r___: I i 1.t DOP a--t-mC nt i I .an the _.,nrl{ and rrPfji r rhP failures. 111e 1\e dC1111g 1"111 LLlcZpai Lig�t� .mac k,oi �ii�c ..� w� School Department account with the amount realized from selling scrap salvage. He said a purchase order has been written and the Finance Committee will be notified. 61 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 22, 1982 Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted to authorize the expenditure of $5,500 for repair of the electrical service at Barrows School, with the work to be done by the Reading Municipal Light Department, as described in the Superintendent's Memorandum of November 22, 1982. Cultural Grant Proposals Dr. Munnelly told the Committee that last spring the Massachusetts Legislature appropriated $500,000 for the Massachusetts Council of Arts and Humanities to support collaborative programs between schools and cultural agencies. Reading schools have submitted proposals in collaboration with two cultural agencies. The schools are expected to furnish 10% of the money. For the first project the Junior High Schools Administrators and members of the Music Department have joined a consortium with the Boston Symphony Orchestra to provide concultants from the Symphony who would visit Reading Schools and to pay costs of transportation and admission to concerts, in a project which would study instruments of the orchestra and how an orchestra functions. For the other project Art Director Susan Wheltle has developed an extension of a collaborative program with the Peabody Musuem of Salem and the Birch Meadow School, to include all Reading fifth grades, whereby artifacts are brought to the schools followed by visits to the Museum. Appointment On a motion by Mr. Allen, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, the Committee voted unanimously to appoint Mr. Walter Spaulding, 264 Forest Street, to a custodial vacancy which resulted from the retirement of Mr. Stuart Nichols and the Union bumping process. Resignation On a motion by Mr. Coco, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, it was voted unanimously to accept the resignation for purposes of retirement of Mr. Edward O'Gorman, Industrial Arts teacher at Parker Junior High School, effective November 15, 1982. Executive Session - Adiournment Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing matters pertaining to bargaining and negotiations. Following a unanimous roll call vote the executive session commenced at 10:43 p. m. At 11 :26 p. m. the executive session ended and the meeting adjourned. Respect u Robert S. Wells, Secretary