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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-06-20 School Committee Minutesi J_ 6 3 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 20, 1983 Call to Order The regular meeting of the Reading School Committee was called to order at 7:30 P. M. on June 20, 1983, in the Central Office Conference Room, by Vice Chairman Coco, acting as Chairman in the absence of Chairman Garroway. All other members were present, as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendent Munnelly and Winslow. There were approximately twelve visitors, including Mr. Maureen Zolubos,Assistant Principal of Reading Memorial High School,.Miss E. Jane Reed, Head of the High School Business Education Department, and Business Education teachers Margaret MacIsaac, Thomas Blaney, David Brett, Margaret Starrett, Richard Gillis, Warren Snyder and Cheryl O'Brien, and a representative of the Daily Times and Chronicle. Approval of the Minutes of June 6, 1983 Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and the Committee voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the meeting of June 6, 1983. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were authorized as follows: Bills June 17, 1983 - General Expense - Total - $17,699.93 June 24, 1983 - General Expense - Total - $43,322.75 Payrolls June 16, June 17, June 23, June 24, Citizens Input 1983 - Teachers 1983 - Weekly - 1983 - Teachers 1983 - Weekly - - Total - $296,557.37 Total - $24,257.01 - Total - $1,112,651.47 Total - $37,693.33 Mr. Gerald Zerfas made an inquiry concerning the policy for homework and suggested it as a topic for review by the Citizens Advisory Council. Policy Review Mr. Nigro, as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Policy, presented a number of suggested changes - Mainly for the purpose of clarifying the language - in the regulations for Policy KG - Use of School Facilities for Other Than Regular School Purposes. The School Committee reviewed the proposed changes and suggested additional modifications. Mr. Nissen then moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted to accept the changes in the regulations for Policy KG - Use of School Facilities for Other Than Regular School Purposes - as shown on document B -2 -a and further amended during the discussion. It was noted that these changes become effective immediately, as one vote only is nceucu lvi the adopt-ion of policy rcgulatyvn- ,1 b-1 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 20, 1983 Bids - Custodial Supplies Mr. Winslow recapitulated the bids for custodial supplies, and noted a correction in the tabulation. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, to award contracts for custodial supplies to the low bidders as listed on document B -3 -a (1), as corrected. Bids - Locker and Basket Repair Following a review by Mr. Winslow of the bids for refurbishing locker and basket units at the Coolidge Junior High, Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was unanimously voted, on the recommendation of the Administration, to award the contract for locker and basket units refurbishing at Coolidge Jr. High School to J. Sallese & Sons, Inc., Woburn, the low bidder, in the amount of $5,500. This bid is $100 under the amount budgetted. Bids - Bread and Rolls Mr. Winslow gave his recommendations concerning the bids for bread and rolls for school cafeterias. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, to award the contract for white bread, wheat bread, frankfort rolls, hamburg rolls, seeded hamburg rolls, triple decker rolls and pumpernickel break to LePage Bakeries and the contract for French bread, bulkie rolls and syrian bread to Mello's Bakeries, at the prices enumerated on document B -3 -a (3). Bids - Ice Cream Mr. Winslow presented a tabulation of bids for ice cream products for the cafeterias. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, to award the bid for ice cream products to Paul's Distributor, the aggregate low bidder, at prices enumerated on document B -3 -a (4). Ri ra c _ Mi l If Bids for milk and straws were summarized by Mr. Winslow. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by i4irs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, to award the contract for milk and straws to H. P. Hood, the aggregate low bidder, at prices listed on document B -3 -a (5). Asbestos Dr. Wells said that asbestos in school buildings has become a highly regulated and emotionally- charged issue. He added that the many regulations govern not only what must be done, but how it must be accomplished. He noted that members of the READING SCHOOL COIVITTEE MINUTES JUNE 20, 1983 custodial staff have been trained to make minor repairs to encapsulate friab 1 e (sprayed or trowled on) asbestos, but there is a serious problem in the boiler room ceiling of the Birch Meadow School. Continuing, he said the Administrat :1-- would like to be able to eliminate this problem during the summer school vacat while the building is empty. In order to do this the situation must be declal- an emergency so that the School Department can forego the time - consuming bidd i process. He said the estimated cost of this project is $11,000 and it may be only by firms with specially trained personnel. Mr. Winslow then went over what has happened since the State Department of Occupational Hygiene (DOH) made its survey of Reading Public Schools. In Jar-, the DOH held workshops for custodians, instructing them on how to take same 1 e for analysis and how to contain and encapsulate friable asbestos. Mr. Wins1 said about 200 samples were taken in Reading Schools and about 40 sent to the to be analyzed. Reports came back in about two months. He said most schools some asbestos but in -house repairs have taken care of these situations. Th e Richard D. Kimball Company ( consulting engineers) was engaged to review the Y' e of tests and make recommendations for compliance with State regulations. Mr. Winslow noted that State regulations require that notification of the presence of friable asbestos must be given in writing to PTA's /PTO's, and t h, will be done by the June 28th deadline. He then asked the School Committee authorize the encumbrance of funds to correct the situation in the Birch 14e,- School boiler room. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted to authorize the Administration to encumber sufficient funds to cover the cost, removing the asbestos from the Birch Meadow School boiler room, and that t h e process be completed during the summer. Space Use Committee Report Mr. Nissen, as School Committee liaison to the newly formed Space Use Conuni reported that the three members who have been appointed to date held an org meeting. He said that, as a result of discussion at this meeting he want e dL determine School Committee opinion on the future of the Central Office, C o 0 Junior High School, Pearl Street School and its two portable classrooms, ar3- Reading Memorial High School. He posed the following questions: (1) Wh e X- the Committee prefer the Central Office to be located? and (2) How does t h e Committee feel about Pearl Street School being used for general town offi c e No particular preference for a Central Office location was expressed. Howe Dr. Wells pointed out that because the Pearl Street School will be closed d- it would be a good investment to have someone housed in the building unti 1 time as it can be determined whether it will again be needed as a school. added that he too would like to see the Pearl Street School reserved for Acting Chairman Coco noted that the sense of the Committee was that the Co Junior High School would become and remain the Coolidge Middle School. At the conclusion of the discussion Acting Chairman Coco suggested that a discussion of future space needs be placed on the agenda of the July llth 1 - -- 166 .... ............... . READING SCHOOL'COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 20, 1983 Curriculum Evaluation Business Education Miss E. Jane Reed, Head of the Business Education Department of the High School, and the business education teachers listed among visitors to the meeting, presented an overview of that Department. Miss Reed made a comparison between the 1977 and 1983 Business Department Evaluation Reports. In presenting the 1983 Report she spoke about the Department's goals, comparing them with those established by the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Education, the program of courses and their suggested sequence, and the tremendous change in office equipment - particularly computers - over the years. Miss Reed also mentioned the federal grants the Department has received; the students' enthusiasm for the new equipment; and the increase in the number of college -bound students taking business courses. Acting Chairman Coco thanked Miss Reed and the Department teachers for the presentation and Dr. Wells added his good wishes for her retirement at the end of this school year. Basic Skills Testing Report Dr. Munnelly spoke about the results of this year's Basic Skills Tests, as shown on documents C -2 (1) and C -2 (2). He said the Administration is pleased with the results as a whole but has concerns for the individual students who did not pass. He noted that those who did not pass were already known and have been in some type of remedial or tutorial program. Mr. Nigro pointed out that the Reading Schools could have lowered the norms and had everybody pass, but Reading has chosen to maintain fairly high standards. Dr. Munnelly said further analyzing of test results is in progress. Cafeteria Statement Noted for the record was the Cafeteria Statement for May, which showed an adjusted profit to date - after deducting capital expense - of $15,919.46. Mr. Allen noted that participation in the lunch program has increased. Acting Chairman Coco attributed this to the fast food service initiated this year and the changes in the menus. Resignations Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was unanimously voted to accept the resignation of Mrs. Mary Ellen Lepionka, social studies teacher at Reading 1,1emorial High School, effective at the close of this school year. She has been a teacher in the System since 1978. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Mrs. Thelma Moran, Pupil Personnel Services secretary, effective August 26th. She has been employed as a secretary in the schools since 1974. Appointments 167 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 205 1983 Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted to appoint Ms. Margaret MacIsaac as coccer cheerleader advisor for the 1983 -84 season. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was unanimously voted to appoint Mr. Kenneth Feit as head coach for girls' indoor track for the 1983 -84 season. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was unanimously voted to appoint Mr. Kenneth Feit as head coach for girls' outdoor track for the 1983 -84 season. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was unanimously voted to appoint Mr. David Lewis as head coach for girls' soccer for the 1983 -84 season. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted, on the recommendation of the Administration, to appoint the following as teachers: Mr. Richard A. Madru, 27 Central Street, Beverly, as Band Director and Theory Instructor at Reading Memorial High School at salary step B -8 (2 paychecks @ rate of $17,299, 24 paychecks @ $18,423). Mr. Joseph A. Contrada, 68 Hardy Pond Road, Waltham, physics teacher at Reading Memorial High School, at salary step B -8 (2 paychecks @ rate of $17,299 and 24 @ rate of $18,123. Ms. Diane Ketlak, 119 Playstead Road, Medford, as Guidance /Psychologist at Killam School, at salary step M -5 (2 paychecks @ rate of $16,263 and 24 @ rate of $17,320). Mrs. Cynthia M. Jamison, 51 Oak Street, Dedham, as first grade teacher at Joshua Eaton School, at salary step M -5 (2 paychecks @ rate of $16,263, 24 @ rate of $17,320). Mrs. Pauline P. Harootian, 327 Lowell Street, Reading, as second grade teacher at Pearl Street School at salary step B -5 (2 paychecks @ rate of $15,166, 24 @ rate of $16,152• Mrs. Susan G. Wood, 222 Pearl Street, Reading, as third grade teacher at Pearl Street School, at salary step B -5 (2 paychecks @ rate of $15,166, 24 @ rate of $16,152. Mrs. Barbara Ann Surabian, 60 Pleasant Street, Arlington, as sixth grade teacher at Killam School, at salary step M -10 (2 paychecks at rate of $20,144, 24 @ rate of $21,153). , All elementary teachers will receive one -year non - renewable contracts. Executive Session at 10 :06 p.m. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, 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. Open Session - Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Nigro, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, the Committee unanimously voted to return to open session at 11:01 p.m. 1(,8 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 20, 1983 Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted to make appointments or reappointments to all non- athletic and athletic differential positions and assistant principals as listed on all applicable documents. The Committee adjourned at 11:05 p.m. Respectfully submittec#4 Adz-) Robert S. Wells, Secret i