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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-06-06 School Committee Minutes155 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 6, 1983 Call to Order Chairman Garroway called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:30 p.m. on June 6, 1983, in the Central Office Conference Room. All members were present, as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendent Munnelly and Winslow. There were approximately 15 visitors, including elementary Principals Charles Papandreou, Barrows School, Dennis Murphy, Birch Meadow School, Donald Farnham, Joshua Eaton School, Herbert Baron, Killam School and Paul Guerrette, Pearl St. School, Physical Education Director Marc Alterio, Mr. Joseph Cain of the Audio - Visual Department, and representatives of all elementary school PTA /PTO's, the Citizens Advisory Council and the Daily Times and Chronicle. Approval of the Minutes of May 23, 1983 n a motion by Mr. Nigro, seconded by Mr. Coco, the Committee voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the meeting of May 23, 1983: Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were authorized as follows: Bills June 3, 1983 - General Expense - Total - $20,896.78 June 10, 1983 - General Expense - Total - $35,869.59 Payrolls June 2, 1983 - Teachers - Total - $301,220.57 June 3, 1983 - Weekly - Total - $24,440.87 June 10, 1983 - Weekly - Total - $24,131.01 Citizens' Input Mr. Gerald Zerfas inquired about the School Department's policy on eligibility for students to participate in extra- curricular activities, namely sports. The Chairman said the Administration would mail him a copy of the policy. Update The Chairman said he would like to update the Committee on some matters. First, that he has been appointed by the Law Committee to a subcommittee to redefine/ restructure the Law Committee. Second, Mr. Coco will represent the Committee at the Annual Scholarship Awards presentation. Third, the Chairman will be attending meetings of the Citizens Advisory Council and the newly formed Space Committee. He added that Mr. Nissen will serve as the School Committee's liaison to the Space Committee. Fourth, the Chairman will assist Dr. Wells in presenting diplomas and Mr. Coco will present the awards at the June 12th graduation exercises at Reading Memorial High School. 156 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 6. 1983 Last, the Chairman mentioned the reception for retiring teachers held earlier in the day, stating that Dr. Wells and Dr. Munnelly attended and Mr. Nissen represented the School Committee. Policy Review Chairman Garroway turned this portion of the meeting over to Mr.Nigro, as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Policies. Mr. Nigro noted that Policies KL and KLD have received a first vote and needed a second for final adoption. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and the Committee unanimously voted to approve for second vote and final adoption Policy KL - Rules Regarding Pupil Misbehavior. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and the Committee voted unanimously to approve for second vote and final adoption Policy KLD - Complaint Procedure. Mr. Nigro said he felt there is some ambiguity in the language of Section A, #1, of the regulations for Policy KG - Use of School Facilities for Other Than Regular School Use. Following a discussion of the language of the last sentence of this section, the Chairman asked Mr. Nigro to give his proposed revisions to the Administration in writing, with changes noted, to be acted upon at the next meeting. Dr. Wells commended the Committee for its review of the entire Policy Book. Chairman Garroway expressed the gratitude of the Committee to Mr. Nigro and all who had input in the policy review. Affirmative Action Plan Regarding the Town's proposed Affirmative Action Plan, the Chairman said no School Committee action was necessary. He added that Attorney Naomi Stonberg, of Holland, Crowe and Drachman, had informed them that under the statutes the School Committee is completely independent of the Board of Selectmen in regards to its hiring practices. Chairman Garroway said he had so informed Selectmen Chairman John Russell and requested the Selectmen to adjust the language of the Plan so that the School Committee is not a part of it. The Administration was requested to send a copy of Attorney Stonberg's opinion to the Selectmen when it is received in writing and to reiterate that all references to the School Committee are to be deleted from the Town's proposed Affirmative Action Plan, also informing the Selectmen in writing that the School Committee is conforming to its own policy and to applicable Statutes. Bids Mr. Winslow went over the seven bids received for general school supplies as delineated on document B -3 -a (1), noting that, with the exception of art paints, all low bids were being recommended. He said Art Director Mrs. Susan Wheltle checked these items for quality and he relied on her judgment. It was noted that the balance of the general supplies account each year is used to purchase those items which do not lend themselves to bidding, e. g., small quantity, perishable, etc. 157 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES_ JUNE 6, 1983 Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration to award contracts for general school supplies, totaling $49,978.10, as specified on document B -3 -a (1). In going over the bids for science supplies, Mr. Winslow noted that Mr. David Garland, Head of the High School Science Department, analyzed and tabulated the bids. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, to award the contracts for science supplies as specified on document B -3 -a (2). Tentative Agenda Calendar The Chairman spoke about the tentative agenda calendar in advance of the discussion on redistricting in order to point out that between now and September 12th a number of agenda,items are planned which concern the Middle Schools. Therefore, he asked all present to focus on redistricting at this time and discuss other facets of the Middle School reorganization at other times, i. e., when they are part of the agenda. Redistricting Plan 1984-85 Dr. Wells said it was important to bring redistricting for 1984 -85 before the School Committee and the public at this time in order to let the parents of Kindergarten children know, because many of them will be attending schools in other than their regular school districts in the fall. He added that all possible will be done to allow fourth graders to remain in the schools they have been attending, rather than change schools for one year. Continuing, Dr. Wells said Mr. Papandreou would show by means of an overhead projector redistricting maps and projection figures. He pointed out that redistricting was always based on School Committee Policy JECC - Assignment of Students to Schools - School District Boundaries. He noted that the proposed plan came from the DESRAC Report of two years ago, but that the Administration had to wait to see if it would work out comfortably for the students. The Elementary Principals then introduced their PTA /PTO representatives. Mr. Papandreou gave a presentation based on documents B -3 -B (1), (2), (3) and (4), and other material distributed during the meeting. He noted that there are 2003 elementary students this year and 1888 expected next year. He said that 570 students would move from the elementary schools when Middle Schools start, and there will be 312 Pearl Street School students to redistrict when that school closes in 1984. He explained how these students would be redistricted. Mr. Papandreou said the Principals have been asked about the possibility of allowing ten Birch Meadow students who would be entering fifth grade next year to remain there instead of being redistricted to the Barrows School. Dr. Wells said that in presenting the proposed plan to PTA /PTO representatives there were several questions raised. One concerned Hampshire and Lawrence Roads being in the Killam School District instead of the Birch Meadow School district. Another was whether fifth graders would be allowed to remain in the schools they now attend. A third was whether in the 1983 -84 school year those fourth graders who wili be moved could have the option to move to the school they would attend, rather than moving in the 1984 -85 school year. He added that he felt that if there is room and iJ READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 6,__1983 the parents will be responsible for transportation it would be allowable, but that he is not enthusiastic about it. The Committee, Administration, Principals and PTA /PTO representatives discussed at length the various aspects of the proposed redistricting plan. Mrs. Philbrick then moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, that the School Committee adopt the 1983 -84 Redistricting Plan, as shown on all B -3 -b documents and subsequent handouts. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, to amend the motion to include the pro- vision for the 1983 -84 school year that fifth graders have the option to remain in the school they have been attending. The motion, as amended, carried by a unanimous vote. Chairman Garroway thanked all involved with the Redistricting Plan and its presentation. Physical Education - Intra- Murals Mr. Marc Alterio, Director of Physical Education, distributed materials on the physical education and intra - murals programs and gave a talk on the definition of physical education, the goals and scope of the program, and the importance of physical fitness. Among other things he told the Committee about the Sophomore Project Adventure, a predominantly outdoor program which emphasizes students being supportive of one another and also teaches cardiopulmonary resuscitation. He added that a hill behind the High School is used for this course and the students cleaned it up and take care of it. Mr. Alterio also mentioned the enthusiastic participation in the Intra - Murals Program, by both students and teachers, and a recent survey, part of the High School self - evaluation, which showed the students to have a very positive attitude towards the physical education program. At Mr. Nigro's request, Mr. Alterio described the scoliosis screening program. Chairman Garroway thanked Mr. Alterio, on behalf of the Committee, for his interesting and informative presentation. Cable Television Dr. Donald Farnham and Mr. Joseph Cain, who represent the School Department on the Cable Television Advisory Committee, gave an update on the use, progress and current status of cable television, mainly as it relates to the School System. Mr. Farnham went into the history of relations with Continental Cablevision of Massachusetts, Inc. (CCM), the status of the operation and contract, and future expectations. He said CCM has been quite agreeable to work with, all schools are wired, and all classrooms have institutional loops, except the High School. The latter is being held in abeyance pending a decision on which parts of the School will be used in the future, but 50 -60 classrooms will be wired eventually. J. 5 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 6, 1983 He also said a letter has been written asking to renegotiate part of the contract and, if the issuing authority allows it, they will ask CCM for a full -time director. (The director works half -time now.) In turn he expects CCM will ask for an extension on the lease for the Bear Hill Site. Mr. Farnham suggested the possibility of a cable television advisory committee within the School Department. Mr. Cain then spoke on less town -wide issues and the affect of cable television on the schools. He explained the two types of programs that are shown locally - Channel 3 - as local origination, which means produced by CCM, and public access, which originates with a citizen (s) who has gone through the CCM training program. He added that CCM has been very good about providing technical assistance. Mr. Cain explained that the institutional loop can link all school buildings together with a two -way capability, e. g., from his office he can put a tape in the deck and send it to any classroom in the System. He mentioned that 50% of Reading homes now have cable TV. Discussed was the lack of live broadcasting, its limits, and the difficulty in getting volunteer workers. Dr. Wells said he felt the School Department should maintain control of the studio; that Mr. Farnham and Mr. Cain should come to the School Committee if the Selectmen are reluctant to extend the contact for the Bear Hill Site; that he was suggesting a joint meeting with the Selectmen to explore greater use of cable television, and that combined use of the institutional loop with computers should be investigated. Chairman Garroway thanked Dr. Wells for requesting the report on cable television and thanked Mr. Farnham and Mr. Cain for their report, adding that he hoped they would return and give the Committee further ideas on what can and will be realized from cable television. The Chairman also commended Mr. Cain on the excellent audio - visual presentation on the history of education in Reading he made recently for the visiting Evaluation Team of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, adding that he hopes it is broadcast on the local cable television station. Financial Statements Noted for the record were the following financial statements; Account Balances as of May 31, 1983 and Expense and Salary Accounts as of May 27, 1983. M. C. A. D. - Anderson vs Reading School Department Dr. Wells announced that the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination had ruled in favor of the School Department in the case of Anderson vs the Reading School Department. He added that this was the second such case charging age discrimination and although each case was won the School Department had no control over the fact that much time and money had to be spent to defend itself. Chairman Garroway said that the Law Committee had expressed the same frustration about this. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 6. 198 Resignation Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Miss E. Jane Reed, Head of the High School Business Department, effective June 30, 1983. Miss Reed has been in the System since 1958. Vote Rescission At her request, the School Committee rescinded the vote to grant to Mrs. Judith A. Carter a maternity leave from September 6th to October 28, 1983, followed by a child rearing leave for the remainder of the school year. Mr. Nissen made the motion, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it carried by a unanimous vote. Appointments On a motion by Mr. Allen, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, the School Committee voted unanimously to appoint Mr. Terry M. Woody head of the Reading Memorial High School English Department, effective at the conclusion of the current school year. Mr. Woody has been as English teacher at Coolidge Junior High School since 1968 and Department Head there since 1976. On a motion by Mr. Coco, seconded by Mr. Nissen, the Committee voted unanimously to appoint Mrs. Rena P. Mirkin head of the Reading Memorial High School Guidance_": Department, effective at the end of this school year. Mrs. Mirkin has been a career guidance teacher /guidance counselor at the High School since 1981 and prior to that was a guidance counselor in Waltham Schools. Executive Session - Adjournment At 11:16 p. m. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, to enter into executive session for the 1 urpose of discussing matters pertaining to bargaining and negotiations. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. Following a bried recess the Committee met in executive session from 11:22 p. m. to 12 :20 a.m., at which time it adjourned. Respectfully Submitted, Robert S. Wells, Secretary