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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-02-14 School Committee Minutes99 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 14, 1983 Call to Order A regular meeting of the Reading School Committee was called to order by Vice Chairman Coco, Acting Chairman in the absence of Chairman Garroway, on February 14, 1983, at 7:30 p. m. in the Central Office Conference Room. Also absent was Mr. Landers. All other members were present, as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. There were five visitors, including Mr. Donald Welford, Director of Adult Education, and representatives of the Finance Committee, Citizens Advisory Council and the Daily Times and Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of January 31, 1983 Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the January 31, 1983 meeting. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were authorized as follows: Bills February 11, 1983 - General Expense - Total - $7,477.90 February 18, 1983 - General Expense - Total - $62,920.57 February 18, 1983 - Cafeteria Revolving Account - Total - $29,457.02 Payrolls February 10, 1983 - Teachers - Total - $300,354.30 February 11, 1983 - Weekly - Total - $25,758.92 February 18, 1983 - Weekly - Total - $23,771.92 February 18, 1983 - Teachers - Total $290,684.50 Citizens' Input Mr. Donald Shepheard, Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Council (CAC), spoke on the subject of finger printing school children. (Chairman Garroway, at the last School Committee meeting, had suggested that it might be an appropriate matter for the CAC to investigate.) Mr. Shepheard said he had spoken with Mrs. Leslie Fuller of the Camp Fire Girls Organization after hearing that Group was interested in starting such a project. Mrs. Fuller has contacted the Police Department and they have agreed to train some volunteers to do the printing and some of the older Camp Fire Girls have volunteered their services. Mr. Shepheard said CAC members would also volunteer. The only costs involved would be opening a school on a Saturday and having cards printed. Both he and the School Committee agreed that the expense should be born by the parents or possibly contributions from local businesses, rather than by the School Department. Finger printing would be strictly on a voluntary basis and cards would be in the possession of parents only. Mr. Shepheard suggested sending sign -up sheets through the schools to ascertain how many were interested. 100 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 14, 1983 Acting Chairman Coco thanked the CAC for responding so quickly to the School Committee's suggestion. However, he felt it should be placed on the School Committee agenda for discussion before any action is taken. He requested Dr. Wells to include the subject of finger printing on the agenda for the next meeting. Policy Review Acting Chairman Coco turned this segment of the meeting over to Mr. Nigro, as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Policy Review. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was voted unanimously, for second vote, to adopt Policy EEAC - Student Conduct on Busses, as amended at the January 31, 1983 meeting. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was voted unanimously, for second vote, to adopt Policy EEC - Athletic Guidelines, as amended at the January 31, 1983 meeting. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was voted unanimously, for second vote, to adopt Policy EECA - Post - season Participation - Athletic Contests, as amended at the January 31, 1983 meeting. Policies EBCD "No School" Days and EBCE - "Weather Days," were discussed and the consensus was that no changes were needed. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was unanimously voted, for first vote, to amend the Policy on Personnel Administration of Teachers, Administrators, Custodians - GCB to include Secretaries /Clerks and Cafeteria Employees and their respective unions. Following a discussion of several policies relating to personnel, the Administration was instructed to present appropriate proposed amendments at the next meeting for Policies GCAA - Elementary Assistant Principals - Administrative Internships (also #5 under the Guidelines), GCBA - Ratio Index - Directors, Supervisors and Administrative Assistant for Pupil Personnel Services, GCD - Certification, GDE - Physical Examinations and GCLA - Out of State Travel for Principals. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, to delete Policy GCL - Planning Time. The vote failed, 3 -1, with Mr. Allen casting the dissenting vote. Mr. Nigro requested Committee members to review policies in Section I for the next meeting. Clarification of January Financial Statement For the record Mr. Winslow stated that the over - expenditure for SEEM Expenses Account, shown on the January 31, 1983 Account Balances Financial Statement, was an error - $2,708.40 posted to that account should have been charged to the Core Placement Account. The adjustment will appear on the next statement. 101 READING SCHOOL. COMMITTEE MINUTES Critique of Finance Committee's Decision FEBRUARY 14, 1983 Acting Chairman Coco noted that the Finance Committee (FinCom) had voted not to recommend for the School Committee's budget $23 from energy costs, $50,000 for costs of relocating the Superintendent's office to the High School and the amount ($7,388) by which the total budget exceeded the FinCom's guidelines. Mrs. Philbrick commented that Chairman Garroway's budget presentation was excellent, as was Dr. Wells' backup. She said she had no quarrel with the FinCom's suggestion not to move the Central Office, but she is opposed to reducing the base budget by $50,000 because this will reduce the base for FY85 and thereafter. She suggested that the $50,000 be transferred into the educational materials portion of the budget, specifically for use in the computer area of the curriculum, as Dr. Wells said more funds would be needed in this area in the future. Acting Chairman Coco said that the School Committee made a decision to use some of the space available, which no other Town Boards are doing, yet they didn't get a sense from the FinCom that they are doing the right thing or that they should use the space available. He added that in 1988 the.School Department might be heating unused buildings, but that perhaps the School Committee will have to wait for some- thing town -wide to develop. FinCom member Mr. Willard Burditt said he thought the FinCom recognizes the need for consolidation of expense but in a bad year (financially) they couldn't see spending $50,000 when the Central Office could rent space for $10,000. He added that there is a need to look at all space in Town and there has to be some trade - offs, i, e., saving $40,000 by not moving the Central Off ice at a time when the Town is short of funds. He also said the FinCom will sponsor a Town Meeting article for the formation of an overall space needs committee with representatives from all Town boards. Dr. Wells commented to the effect that the FinCom had been forecasting "bad" years for several years, and questioned whether next year would be any better. He said he plans to recommend to the School Committee that they let the Town Meeting settle on the amount of the School Budget. Central Office Relocation Update Dr. Wells asked if the School Committee wanted an estimate on the cost of moth- balling the Pearl Street School. After a brief discussion, Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, to direct the Superintendent to obtain from Architect Archibald MacLaren cost estimates f or the initial mothballing of the Pearl Street School and yearly maintenance costs of mothballing. Mr. Allen moved to amend the motion, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, to include, in addition, obtaining costs for renovating a portion of that school for use by the Central Office Staff. The motion, as amended, carried by a unanimous vote. Supplemental Athletic Budget Dr. Wells said there was a misunderstanding about the supplemental athletic budget He added that Athletic Director Gilbert Congdon did not make an exception of ice hockey, in that it is expected that the "Friends of Reading Hockey," will support ice time. 1 0 2 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 14, 1983 However, he pointed out that there are other items with no indication of how they will be supported. He noted that the items in supplemental athletic budget which were underlined in red are not catch -up items. Dr. Wells said that in two weeks the School Committee will have another supplemental athletic budget for about $12,000, which will be for catch -up items only and he will recommend funds be raised up to that amount. He added that if there is any- thing further Mr. Congdon and High School Principal D'Orlando must state how they plan to support it in the future years. Mr. Allen, as School Committee representative to the fund raising committee, said he had attended a meeting with several parents and Mr. Congdon held to discuss fund raising. A "Salute to Reading Youth" is planned for March 19th. He added that there had been some concern expressed regarding how the funds raised would be handled. Dr. Wells said any funds received would go into a revolving account, after the School Committee voted to accept them, and could only be used for athletics. Grants and Gifts Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously, to accept graciously and with appreciation a gift of $600 from the "Friends of Reading Hockey," to be turned over to the Town Treasurer to be allocated solely for use in a revolving account to pay for ice time. Adult Education Budget Dr. Donald Welford, Director of Adult Education, gave an overview of the FY83 and FY84 budgets and proposed increases in tuition fees, as enumerated on document B -3 -b (1) and B -3 -b (2). He noted that FY 83 was the first year the School Committee had not subsidized the Adult Education Program. He added that participation con- tinues to be high and is increasing. He anticipates more than 650 will participate during the current year. Dr. Munnelly noted that enrollments were up 20% from the plateau reached a few years ago. Mr. Welford recommended a 6% increase for instructors, to be offset by the proposed tuition fee increases. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously that, on the recommendation of Mr. Welford, to increase instructors' salaries and tuition fees as enumerated on document B -3 -b (2). Dr. Wells said he was very pleased with the Adult Education Program under Mr. Welford's direction and particularly impressed with the annual exhibition of students' work. Bid - Micro - computers Mr. Winslow explained that although seven firms had the specifications only one - UNICOM - had bid on the nine micro - computers and related equipment. Dr. Munnelly added that computer companies in general were not geared to municipal bidding as yet, 103 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 14, 1983 Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, to award, on the recommendation of the Administration, the bid for nine micro - computers and related software to UNICOM, a Division of United Camera, Providence, R. I., as enumerated on document B- 3- c -(1), in the amount of $10,380. ($12,000 was allocated from the Block Grant.) the motion carried on a 3 -1 vote. Mr. Coco cast the negative vote, stating he would like to see more modern equipment purchased. Dr. Munnelly noted that the computer curriculum committee, which has been meeting regularly, now has a general plan. He said the equipment just voted upon will have long range use and will be used as a part of a pilot program to teach students to use the LOGO language. He added that he expected a long -range plan would be ready in the fall so that the School Committee could deliberate on the budget implications. Solo -Pak Corp. Lease Dr. Wells said the lease with Solo -Pak Corp. for the Central Office would have to be renewed whether the Central Office is moved to the Pearl Street School or not, as the lease states the premises must be vacated by May 17, 1983 unless Solo -Pak is notified in writing by March 15, 1983 that the School Committee wishes to extend the lease agreement at the current cost. He added that the minimum period the lease can be extended for is six months. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, to renew the current lease with Solo -Pak Corp. for the Central Office facility for one year, with a six -month extension period. Tentative Agenda Calendar Noted for the record was a tentative School Committee agenda calendar covering the period through June 1983 (document C -1). Noted for the record was a report on the School Department's Digital PDP11 /34 Computer Status Report - Digital PDP11 /34 Computer, located in the Data Processing room of the High School, submitted by High School Assistant Principal Ernest Spence. The report - document C -2 - detailed the equipment which interfaces with the computer, as well as the current academic and administrative uses. Appointment Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, to appoint Mrs. Barbara Anne Surabian, 60 Pleasant Street, Apt. 203, Arlington to teach 5/6 grade at the Killam School (as a replacement for Mrs. Hardy) for the remainder of the year, at the rate of M- 9- $19,309 pro rated, effective immediately. Executive Session - Adjournment At 9:52 p. m. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, to enter into executive session to discuss matters pertaining to bargaining and negotiations. The motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote. The Committee remained in executive session until it adjourned at 10:08 p. m. Respectfully submitted, AlsAx..,t WA��