No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-03-14 School Committee Minutes11.5 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 14, 1983 Call to Order The regular meeting of the Reading School Committee was called to order by Chairman Garroway on March 14, 1983, at 7:32 p. m., in the Central Office Conference Room. All members were present, as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. There were approximately ten guests present, including members of Webelo Den 1, Pack 735, Boy Scouts of America, who are working on their Government Badge, their Den Leader Douglas MacAllister, and representatives of the Finance Committee, Citizens Advisory Council and the Red Sneakers School. The meeting was taped by Cable TV for broadcast at a later date. Moment of Silence A moment of silence was observed in memory of Patrice McNeil, Michele Rhoades, Lisa Ann Cummings and Anthony Dello Russo, victims of a tragic death on March 6th. Miss McNeil and Miss Rhodes were members of the Junior Class of Reading Memorial High School, Miss Cummings attended the Northeast Regional Vocational Technical School, and Mr. Dello Russo was from Medford. Chairman Garroway, on behalf of the Committee, expressed their grief and shock and extended their sincere sympathy to the families of the victims. He added that the School Committee will continue to work diligently with the Administration, Faculty and citizens of the Town to insure that students are informed about these dangers (carbon monoxide fumes). Bills and Payrolls Warrants for the payment of bills and payrolls were authorized as follows: Bills March 11, 1983 - General Expense - Total - $27,023.91 March 18, 1983 - General Expense - Total - $66,330.83 Payrolls March 4, 1983 - Weekly - Total - $23,906.58 March 11, 1983 - Weekly - Total - $25,055.69 March 10, 1983 - Teachers - Total - $303,045.46 Approval of Minutes of February 28, 1983 Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously that the minutes of February 28, 1983 be accepted with the following correction: page 6, Paragraph 3, second sentence shall read: "The Criteria for choosing the team includes essay writing ability as well as academic and athletic achievements." 116 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES Citizens' Input There was no citizens' input. Policy Review MARCHI4, 1983 For this part of the agenda the Chairman turned the meeting over to Mr. Nigro, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Policies which has been reviewing all School Committee policies. The Committee proceeded to vote on several proposed policy revisions which had been distributed to members prior to the meeting. Mr. Nigro gave a summary of each policy prior to members voting on it. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was voted unanimously to adopt for first vote Policy GBE Physical Examination Required For All Employees, as revised. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted, for first vote, to adopt Policy GCAA - Elementary Assistant Principals - Administrative Internship, as revised. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted to adopt for first vote the Guidelines for Policy GCAA, as revised. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted to adopt for second vote Policy GCB - Policy on Personnel Administration of Teachers, Administrators, Custodians, Secretaries/ Clerks, Ca eteria Employees, as revised. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted to adopt for first vote Policy GCBA - Ratio Index - Directors Salaries, as revised. Mr. Nigro, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted to adopt for first vote Policy GCD - Documenting Certification and Educational Credits, as revised. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted to adopt for first vote Policy GCEA Substitute Teachers, as revised. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted to adopt for first vote policy GCLA - Out -of -State Travel - Principals, as revised. Mr. Nigro said the "I" section of the Policy Book seemed to be in good shape and that he would recommend some minor changes for the next meeting. Red Sneakers School - Program Approval Dr. Wells said that Chapter 76, Section 1 of the General Laws mandated that School Committees approve _private schools in their community in order for them to operate. 117 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 14, 1983 Previously the School Committee had approved grades one and two of the Red Sneakers School. This year the School requested approval of grade three, also. Mrs. Beth W. Montillio, Director of the School, was present and answered a number of School Committee questions regarding programs, curriculum, attendance, etc. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, that, on the recommendation of the Administration, the School Committee approve three grades for the Red Sneakers School for the coming school year. Chapter 2 - Block Grant Dr. Munnelly announced that word has been received from the State that Reading will receive an additional $1583 under its Chapter 2 Block Grant. Financial Assistance Award - U. S. Department of Energy Mr. Winslow announced that Reading has been awarded a matching funds grant of $12,475 from the United States Department of Energy. This amount is 500 of the cost of the energy management (Computerized energy control) system at Reading Memorial High School. As the entire amount of the system had been paid for from surplus funds, the grant money will go into the Town's General Fund. . "Resources for Schools' Massachusetts Department of Education Dr. Wells said he was pleased and proud to announce that two of Reading Schools' programs had been singled out as exemplary in the State Department of Education publication "Resources for Schools." The programs, "Dimensions" and the 735, Incorporated assisted "Alcohol, Drug and Smoking Education /Prevention," are the type of programs which could be used by other school systems. Dr. Wells commented on the assistance given by 735, Inc., and said he was disappointed to read in the newspaper that the Board of Health will not support this organization in FY84. Dr. Munnelly added that 735, Inc., has been designated as a national model by the Federal Government for its work with peer leaders and training secondary students to work with younger students on education /prevention of drug, alcohol and smoking abuse. Finance Committee member Mr. Michael McCarron explained that the Board of Health is withdrawing its support because even though other communities in the area had withdrawn their support, Reading received no priority for its financial support. The Board of Health will still have funds in its budget but will contract for such services from 735, Inc., or some other organization. He added that under the new financial arrangements program for local students will, hopefully, be expanded. 118 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES March 14, 1983 The Chairman instructed the Administration to contact the Board of Health and let them know that the School Committee is concerned and would like assurance that the program will be continued. Mr. McCarron said the Finance Committee was in complete agreement, and urged that the Administration also discuss with the Board of Health the use of funds to be allocated for mental health programs. Finger Printing Dr. Wells informed the School Committee that the School Department had duplicated for the Camp Fire Girls Organization a notice that finger printing would be available for elementary and pre - school children, which will be distributed through the schools. Chairman Garroway commended Edward Coletta of the Daily Times and chronicle for the newspaper coverage of the move to make finger printing available for children of the community. Leaves Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously.,. voted to grant to Mrs. Sharon Checrallah, SEEM teacher at Birch Meadow School, an extension of her child- rearing leave for the 1983- 1984 school year. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was unanimously voted to grant to Mrs. Judith Carter, Home Economics teacher at R.M.H.S., a child rearing leave, which would follow a maternity leave starting in September, from October 28 to the end of the 1983 -84 school year. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted to grant Mrs. Louise Ward, Speech /Language Therapist at Joshua Eaton School, an extension of her child - rearing leave for the 1983- 1984 school year. Executive Session - Adjournment At 8:37 p. m. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, that the School Committee enter into executive session to discuss matters pertaining to bargaining and negotiations. At this point Chairman Garroway passed the gavel to Mr. Landers to take the vote in recognition of his ending six years of service on the School Committee. The Chairman expressed both his personal gratitude and that of the Committee for Mr. Landers' service and particularly for the leadership shown during his two terms as Chairman, adding that he wished him good luck in future endeavors. Mr. Landers said he was honored to have been a part of one of the finest school systems in the Commonwealth. He then called for a roll call vote, and the motion to enter into executive session carried unanimously. Tihere was a brief recess while the television equipment was dismantled. The Committee then went into executive session until midnight, at which time it adjourned.