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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-07-11 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES Call to Order JULY 11, 1983 171 The regular meeting of the Reading School Committee was called to order by Chairman Garroway at 7:31 p.m., on July 11, 1983, in the Central Office Conference Room. All members were present, as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. There were approximately 30 visitors present, including representatives of the Citizens Advisory Council, Television Channels 4, 5 and 7 and the Daily Times and Chronicle. Approval of the Minutes of June 20, 1983 On a motion by Mr. Nigro, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, the School Committee voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the meeting of June 20, 1983. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were authorized as follows: Bills June 30, 1983 June 30, 1983 June 30, 1983 July 15, 1983 Payrolls July 1, 1983 July 8, 1983 July 14, 1983 July 15, 1983 Citizens' Input General Expense General Expense General Expense General Expense Weekly - Total - Weekly - Total - Teachers - Tota Weekly - Total - Total - $37,618.70 - Total - $111,695.82 - Total - $97,152.67 - Total - $2,598.57 $39,903.59 $17,025.20 L - $98,660.22 - $16,474-32 Immediate past chairman of the Citizens Advisory Council (CAC), Donald Shepheard, introduced newly elected officers Keith Manville, Chairman, Mark Masterson, Vice Chairman, Wendy Auld, Secretary and Ann Hutchinson, Communications Director. Chairman Garroway extended the appreciation of the School Committee to the CAC for past efforts and wished the new officers well. Asbestos Removal Chairman Garroway said he had met with the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen and that of the Law Committee since the last School Committee meeting when it had been decided to by -pass the State bidding procedure in order to accomplish removal of asbestos from the Birch Meadow School boiler room during the summer. He noted that since that decision an opinion had been received from the Town Counsel advising the School Committee to adhere to the letter of the law. He added that the Select- men Chairman is sympathetic and suggests the School Committee act as it's con- science dictates. Dr. Wells noted that two weeks ago the Town Counsel's opinion had not been received. He added that the emergency (in completing the work beford school opens) was of an emotional nature - parents being upset - even though the work could be done while the building was occupied without jeopardizing anyone's health. He READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 11, 1983 suggested that the School Committee take no action for now for the following reasons: (1) He plans to contact the person responsible for deciding whether an emergency exists; (2) The consultant thinks there is a good chance the bids will come in under $5,000 (the minimum amount governed by State bid law); and (3) If the low bid is over $4,000 (but under $5,000) it would then come under the Town bid law only and the "Town Fathers" have said they will be understanding as they, too, feel the work should be done during the summer. After a brief discussion the consensus of the Committee was to wait until the bids come in before contemplating any further action. Bids - Floor Tile - R..M. H. S. Mr. Winslow presented a tabulation of bids for floor tile to replace carpeting in selected areas of the High School. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was voted unanimously to award the contract for replacing carpeting with floor the in selected areas of Reading Memorial High School to the low bidder, Labo, Inc. Of North Reading, in the amount of $7,423.44 ($8,576.60 under the amount allocated in the budget). Bids - Partial Roof Replacement - R. M. H. S. Mr. Winslow went over the bids for roof replacement over the "girls gym' of the High School, stating this area is the last remaining portion of the original roof, and adding that a membrane -type roof is being considered. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was unanimously voted to award the contract for partial roof replacement at Reading Memorial High School to Caesar's Roofing, Inc. of Wakefield, the low bidder, at a price of $38,2+5 (9,655 under budget). Bids - Cafeteria Paper and Plastic Supplies Mr. Winslow recapitulated the bids for cafeteria paper and plastic supplies, recommending Bay Colony Paper as the overall low bidder, based on volume and the terms of 1% off for payment in 30 days, with Item #1 - for straws - to be eliminated. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted, on the recommendation of the Administration, to award the contract for cafeteria paper and plastic supplies to Bay Colony Paper, for prices and terms as delineated on document B- 3 -a -3. Bids - Other Because bids for partitions to close in the High School science labs will come in on July 27, and the next School Committee meeting scheduled after that is August 29th, the Administration requested authorization to award the bid, provided there are no complications, so that work could be completed before school starts. Dr. Wells also suggested the alternative of a telephone vote. 1.73 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 11. 198 Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, that the Administration be given the authority to award the contract for science lab partitions at Reading Memorial High School to the low bidder. Mr. Philbrick moved to amend the motion, seconded by Mr. Nigro; by adding "barring complications." The motion to amend and the main motion as amended carried by unanimous votes. METCO Proposal - 1983 -84 Dr. Munnelly explained that it was necessary to submit two proposals for METCO funding for 1983 -84 because of the uncertainties of the State budget process - one level- funded and the other reflecting cost -of- living /inflation increases. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted, that the School Committee authorize the transmittal of two budget proposals to the State Department of Education for 1983 -84 METCO funding; the first for $217,380, which represents Reading's actual budget needs, and the second a pared -down program budget of $200,286, in the event the State Legislature cuts education budgets substantially. Reach -in Freezer - Cafeteria Mr. Winslow explained that, after 22 years of use, the reach -in freezer at the Coolidge Junior High School was inoperable and beyond repair. He went on to say the Food Services Director attempted to solve the program by using the school - wide, walk -in- freezer storage space, which is located in CJH, but this proved inefficient and limited space available for the storage of bulk purchases. He, therefore, recommended the purchase, from the cafeteria revolving account, of a reach -in freezer at an approximate cost of $2,400. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously to authorize the Administration to purchase from the cafeteria revolving account, at an approximate cost of $2,400, a reach -in freezer for the Coolidge Junior High School cafeteria. A Proposal - Seat Belts for School Buses - Citizens Advisory Council Chairman Garroway introduced CAC Chairman Keith Manville, stating he would share some of the highlights of the report on the CAC Subcommittee on Seat Belts in School Buses. Mr. Manville introduced members of the Subcommittee Mrs. Janice Barron, Mrs. Susan Buckley, Mrs. Barbara Melanson, Mrs. Kathleen Moynihan, Mrs. Kathy Pace and Mrs. Marsha Benditti, and others present in the interest of seat belts on school buses including Dr. Arthur Yeager of Irvington, New Jersey, Chairman of the School Bus Safety Committee, Physicians for Automotive Safety (N.J.), Dr. Paul Schreiber of North Easton, Pediatrician and Member of Preventative Medicine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and Co- chairman of the State Occupant Safety Advisory Board, Dr. and Mrs. Svend Bruun - Dr. Bruun is a member of the Physicians for Automotive Safety and President of the Worcester North Medical Society and Mrs. Bruun is Co- chairman of the State Occupant Safety Advisory Board, Mr. Joseph Hagan, Safety Belt Coordinator of the Governor's Highway Safety Bureau, Mrs. Patricia Bartoshesky, Director of Child Passenger Safety Resource Center, Division of Preventive Medicine, Department of Public Health, Boston, former State Representative Nils Nordberg, who served on the State Cufwa ttee oil Public Safety, Officer J oseph 'v end, Safety Officer, Reading Police Department, Mr. Fred Kern, representing Bolt Beranek and Newman, Inc. of Cambridge, and Mr. & Mrs. James Caunt, parents of a child injured recently in a 174 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 11, 1983 school bus accident in Concord. Mr. Manville then said he would like to go right to the recommendations of the Report, i. e., 1. That the School Committee pursue Federal and /or State funding to initiate a scientific study of seat belts in school buses, as outlined in the final report; and, 2. That if such funds are not available the School Committee implement a seat belt program in Reading using funds from the School Department budget. He said that the CAC felt the second recommendation was impractical but that the first, seeking federal funds for a study, could determine the best seat belt for school buses not only in Reading but nationally. Continuing, Mr. Manville said the grant proposal has already been submitted to the Federal Government and the CAC was requesting the School Committee to write a letter supporting it and, if funds are granted, have a member of the School Committee confer with the Government to determine how best the program could be carried out in Reading, and coordinate the study. Chairman Garroway then asked for the position of the Administration. Dr. Wells said he was surprised to hear the proposal had already been submitted, as he thought the CAC would ask the School Committee to submit it. Mr. Manville said Mrs. Barron had submitted it. Dr. Wells noted that in 24 years of being a Superintendent he had never known a quasi - official group to submit a proposal and expect the School Committee to become a part of it. He added that if it is the case, that a $206,000 proposal has been submitted, he suggests that it be accepted in good faith. Continuing, Dr. Wells said that, with nation -wide attention being brought upon public schools and excellence in education, seat belts are not a top priority. He added that the Report left much to be desired - it mentions accidents and people being injured, but notes that in 20 years a Reading student has not been injured. Also, he said it bother him that the Report recommends mandating seat belts for grades K -5, but making them voluntary for grades 6 -12, adding that if the CAC feels seatbelts are helpful then the life of an older student is as important as the life of a younger one. Dr. Wells concluded by stating that if the Federal Government has $206,000 and wishes to place it in a small town which does not own its own school buses, then all possible should be done for the safety of children in school buses. Mr. Nigro asked about types of seat belts being discussed and the fact that one national safety organization had a question about recommending seat belts in school buses. Mr. Coco also questioned the type of belt and method of anchoring them. He also said he had a problem with the proposal in that it would conduct a test in a town with bus routes of 22 miles, maximum, rather than a rural community where children are transported for long distances. He added that he feels there are flaws in the proposal and doesn't understand how the Federal Government could thank of it as of value. Mr. Nissen asked what type of data and results are expected from the study. 175 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 11, 1983 Mr. Kern gave the following answers - identifying what belts would be most effective and that children would use daily; the possibility that children would get the habit of using seat belts and this may transfer to parents; monitoring of use and adjustment of seat belts; and whether the problem of seating three instead of two children in a seat with belts could be solved. Dr. Wells noted that the bus contractor, North Shore Bus Company, has stated that if seat belts are used they would have to be installed in 16 buses and asked if the School Committee would be expected to absorb the cost. Mr. Manville replied in the negative. In answer to a question from Mr. Allen, Mr. Manville said the CAC does not, at this time have a contingency plan in case the grant funds are not received. Mrs. Philbrick thanked the CAC and the individuals involed and then moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, that the Reading School Committee accept the report of the CAC Subcommittee on Seat Belts for School Buses and that further the School Committee authorize a letter to be sent to the appropriate agency stating that the School Committee supports the proposal and is willing to be a participant in a 100% federally- funded study of seat belts in school buses. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, to amend the motion by adding, "The Reading School Committee is not willing to incur any additional cost resulting directly or indirectly from this study." The amended motion carried by unanimous vote. Chairman Garroway thanked Mr. Manville and the members of the CAC Subcommittee for their presentation. Financial Statement Noted for the record was the cafeteria statement for the month of June. Mr. Winslow memtioned that it showed a loss for the month because of many field trips and because lunches were not served at the High School during final examinations. Resignations Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was unanimously voted to accept the resignation of Miss Dorothy L. Conron, second grade teacher at Birch Meadow School, effective July 1, 1983. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was unanimously voted to accept the resignation of Mrs. Donna -Kay Sullivan, Resource Room teacher at Coolidge Junior High School, as of the end of the school year. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously, to accept the resignation of Mrs. Dorothy L. Wardrope, secretary at the Joshua Eaton School, effective September 2, 1983. Appointments Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted, on the recommendation of the Administration, to appoint Mr. Jeffrey L. Cryan as English Department Head at Coolidge Junior High School, at a salary differential of $809, for the 1983 -84 school year. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 11, 1983 Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, that the following appointments I be made: Mrs. Eleanor F. Withe, 28 Silver Street, Haverhill, as physics teacher at R.M.H.S., on step B +15 -4. Mrs. Janet B. Trevor, 64 Lawrence Road, Reading, as English Teacher at Parker Junior High School, at step B -10 (one -year contract non - renewable). Mrs. Kathleen M. Dolan, 25 Dudley Street, Reading, as a one -half time kindergarten teacher at step B -8 (one -year contract non - renewable). Mrs. Annette D. Varnier, 94 Faraday Street, Hyde Park, as an English/ Reading teacher in the FOCUS Program at R.M.H.S., at step 13+15 -1 (one -year contract non - renewable). Ms. Lisa E. Murray, 11 Laurel Lane, Reading, as a social studies teacher at R.M.H.S., at step B -1. Mrs. Karen S. Harvey, 53 Glenmere Circle, Reading, as a second grade teacher at Birch Meadow School at step B -7. Mr. John Cliffe, 10 Kingdom Terrace, Peabody, as an industrial arts teacher at Parker Junior High School, at step B -4. Correspondence from Finance Committee The Committee took note of a memorandum from the Finance Committee regarding the process for setting up budget guidelines and establishing priorities for FY85, requesting input from all town boards and department heads. It was decided that School Committee suggestions will be on the agenda of the July 25th meeting. Space Needs Committee Report Mr. Nissen, as School Committee representative on the Town's Space Needs Committee, gave a brief update based on the three meetings held. It was decided that space needs, as they effect the School Department, will be on the agenda of the next meeting and Mr. Nissen will make a more complete pre- sentation. Executive Session At 9:30 p.m. Mr. Coco 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. After a brief recess the Committee was in executive session until 10:32 p.m. Open Session - Reorganization At this point the chairman turned the gavel over to Dr. Wells, as Secretary, of the Committee, to conduct the election of a chairman for the next year. 177 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 11, 1983 Dr. Wells called for nominations and Mr. Nigro nominated Mr. Garroway and Mr. Coco. Both nominees made brief acceptance statements. Dr. Wells called for a voice vote, which resulted in a tie, with Mrs. Philbrick, Mr. Nissen and Mr. Garroway voting for Mr. Garroway and Mr. Nigro, Mr. Allen and Mr. Coco voting for Mr. Coco. A secret ballot followed, which also resulted in a tie vote. Mr. Nigro then nominated Mr. Allen. A second secret ballot was held with the following results: Mr. Coco -3 votes, Mr. Garroway, 2 votes, and Mr. Allen - 1 vote. Dr. Wells declared Mr. Coco the new Chairman. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously to declare Mr. Coco Chairman of the Reading School Committee for the next year by acclamation. Dr. Wells passed the gavel to Chairman Coco.who then called for nominations for vice chairman. Mrs. Philbrick nominated Mr. Allen and Mr. Nigro nominated Mrs. Philbrick. A secret ballot resulted in Mrs. Philbrick being elected Vice Chairman on a 4 -2 vote. The meeting adjourned at 11:59 P. m. Respectfully sulcmitted, Robert S. Wells, Secretary