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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-12-20 School Committee Minutes•� READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES Call to Order DECEMBER 20. 1982 Chairman Garroway called to order a regular meeting of the Reading School Committee on December 20, 1982, at 7:35 p. m., in the Central Office Conference Room. Mrs. Philbrick was absent. All other members were present, as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. There were four visitors present, including representatives of the Citizens Advisory Council and the Daily Times and Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of December 6, 1982 On a motion by Mr. Landers, seconded by Mr. Coco, the Committee unanimously approved the minutes of the meeting of December 6, 1982. Approval of Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were authorized as follows: Bills December 24, 1982 - General Expense - Total - $47,791.42 Payrolls December 23, 1982 - Teachers - Total - $286,476.40 December 23, 1982 - Weekly - Total - $27,429.77 Citizens Input There was no citizens input. Adoption of Revised Policy on Evaluation of the Superintendent Mr. Landers moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted to give second approval and thereby final adoption of Policy CBA - Evaluation of the Superintendent, as delineated on the document numbered B -2 -b. The Committee then discussed the adoption of a specific rating sheet to be used in conjunction with the above Policy. It was agreed that a rating sheet would be adopted in the near future. Mr. Nigro, as chairman of the subcommittee reviewing policies, requested suggestions from members as to what should be included on the rating form. He further asked that all suggestions be submitted to the Superintendent the Thursday before the next School Committee meeting. Policy on Equality of Staff and Instructional Expenditures in Schools Mr. Landers moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was unanimously voted to give first vote approval to the Policy on Equality of Staff and Instructional Expenditures in the Schools (AF), as described on document B -2 -a. Policv Review As a part of the ongoing review of School Committee Policies being conducted by Mr. Nigro, as chairman of the Policy Subcommittee, there was a general discussion of the following policies: AJ - Golden Age Policy; BCF - Citizens Advisory Council Policy; BDDB - Order of Business: Rules for Conducting Meetings of the Reading 10 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 20, 1982 School Committee; and KL - Complaints. Following the discussion Chairman Garroway said he would like to have proposals for specific changes on the agenda of the next meeting. He asked Mr. Nigro, with the help of Dr. Wells, to prepare a draft of the above policies, including changes. Old Business Mr. Coco said that at the next School Committee meeting he will give an update about the proposed agreement with the Board of Public Works and the Recreation Committee to provide a cooperative effort between these parties for the use, maintenance and scheduling of Town -owned athletic and recreational facilities. Overview of the 1983 -84 Preliminary Budget Dr. Wells presented to the School Committee the first draft of the School Department's budget for FY84. It exceeds the guidelines given by the Finance Committee. He said that it has been the most difficult one to assemble in his 18 years in the System because we no longer are making decisions on the basis of a one -year crisis situation but rather on the reality of a long term economic cap of available resources. Dr. Wells said it is more difficult to continually find ways of economizing in a "system that for years has expended far below that of the average community than it is for those that spend more. The latest data from the Massachusetts Department of Education shows that the average community spends $314 more per pupil than we do in Reading. Continuining, Dr. Wells stated that the difference between the Finance Committee's guidelines that totaled $10,807,505 and this preliminary presentation of $11,377,086 will be narrowed. For Instance, included in this first draft are items of equipment and capital outlay projects that carry a priority label less critical to our immediate needs than others. In addition, it will be recommended that there be a staff reduction of 6.5 members and that an anticipated unexpended balance of $100,000 in the FY83 salary account be encumbered to offset some of the recommendations contained in this budget. He said that these two factors, if agreed to by the School Committee, would further reduce the budget by approximately $200,000. "However," Dr. Wells said, "At this time I see no way of meeting the Finance Committee's guidelines without effecting the quality of education in our School System." He said he is not faulting the decisions made by the Finance Committee as they were made on the basis of the financial conditions of Reading and existing laws that limit the raising of revenues. He added that the Finance Committee is doings its job well. Dr. Wells said the School Committee does have an additional responsibility other than being fiscally responsible, and that is the responsibility to deliver an appropriate educational program to the youth of Reading. Present members have stated that they want an educational program of quality and excellence. 'However," he concluded, "As we continue into the Proposition 22 era, especially under conditions that fail to recognize a need to review priorities of Town Government, then a decline in the quality of education is enevitable." After reviewing the line items in this draft budget the School Committee entered into a d1SCUS-SL011 dbUUt 111 Unit! S in t le Capital 11I1provennents budget for the housing of the school administration office. 71. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 20. 1982 Various suggestions were discussed. A member felt there was a need to get precise figures to see if the suggested allotment will "do the job." Another felt the need to know figures for both the Pearl Street School and the High School renovation projects in order to make an intelligent decision. It was suggested that Architect MacLaren be hired to establish costs for fixing the Pearl Street School as an administration building and for mothballing the building. Dr. Wells reminded the Committee that at the last meeting the possibility of returning the Pearl Street School to the Town was discussed. "In my judgment," he said, "losing control of the Pearl Street School would be one of the most reckless and ill- advised actions the Committee could take at this time. Mr. Landers made a motion, seconded by Mr. Coco, that for budget consideration the Administration is to factor in the cost of relocating the Central Office in Reading Memorial High School. The motion passed on a 3 -2 vote with Mr. Landers, Mr. Coco and Mr. Allen voting aye and Mr. Nigro and Chairman Garroway voting nay. Financial Reports The Committee took note of the following financial statements: Account Balances of November 30, 1982 and Expense and Salary Accounts of November 30, 1982. Approval of Funds for Transitional Bilingual Education Dr. Wells announced that the School Department had been notified by the Massachusetts Department of Education, Bureau of Bilingual Education, that the proposal for partial funding of language instruction for Reading's fifteen Indo- Chinese refugee students has been approved. Reading has been granted the maximum amount allowable for the 1982 -83 school year - $2,583. The total amount for the special English-As-A- Second- Language Tutoring Program will amount to $7,300. Tentative School Committee Winter Schedule The tentative schedule for School Committee meetings in January was approved, with one change - the January 3rd meeting will commence at 7 :00 p. m. instead of 7:30 p. m. The schedule for further winter meetings will be drawn up after the Finance Committee establishes its budget schedule. Resignation Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Mr. Walter Cahill, Reading Memorial High School English teacher, for purposes of retirement, effective at the end of the current school year. Leaves The Committee took note for the record that Mrs. Claire Bitinas, third grade teacher at the Pearl Street School, will be absent for an eight -week maternity leave, beginning January 10, 1983. It was noted for the record that Mrs. Leslie Hardy, Killam School teacher, will be absent for an eight -week maternity leave, starting January 28, 1983. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Landers, and it was unanimously voted to grant Mrs. Hardy's request for a personal leave beginning at the end of her maternity leave and finishine at the close of the current school year. r () READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 20, 1982 Appointment Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Landers, and it was unanimously voted to appoint Mr. William F. Keenan, 20R Locust Street, Reading, to the position of custodian, assigned to the Coolidge Junior High School, on the 3:00 to 11:00 p. m, shift, at an annual salary rate of $13,973.03, effective immediately. School Committee Holiday Tea School Committee members who attended the holiday tea for the staff were pleased at the good feeling but one member noted that all members of the School Committee should attend such an event as hosts and hostesses. Later in the meeting one of the members of the School Committee wanted it noted that he noted that he attends all School Committee sessions in the evening but can only attend those during the workday when work commitments are not demanding his presence. This did occur on December 16th. Christmas Meeting Refreshments The School Committee extended its thanks to Mrs. Nigro for the holiday cookies she sent for School Committee refreshments at this meeting. Executive Session At 9:45 p. m. Mr. Landers moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing matters pertaining to bargaining and negotiations. The motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote. The executive session ended and the Committee returned to open meeting at 10:55 p. m. Ratification of Contract with Principals Association Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Landers, and it was unanimously voted to ratify a three -year Letter of Agreement with the Reading Principals Association, to become effective July 1, 1983, as contained on document G -1 -a. Adjournment The Meeting adjourned at 10:57 p. m. Fespectfu-1 ly. Robe t ti . recre1,tr