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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-07-25 School Committee Minutes181 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 25, 1983 Call to Order Vice Chairman Philbrick, acting Chairman in the absence of Mr. Coco, called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:32 p.m., on July 25, 1983, in the Central Office Conference Room. Present were School Committee members Mr, Allen, Mr. Garroway and Mr. Nigro, Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. There were seven visitors, including High School Principal D'Orlando, Miss Catherine Cook, Food Services Director, and a representative of the Daily Times and Chronicle. Approval of the Minutes of July 11, 1983 Mr, Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, to approve the minutes of the meeting of July 11, 1983. Acting Chairman Philbrick made the following correction: page 7, Paragraph 11, should read, "Mrs. Philbrick nominated Mr. Allen." The minutes, as corrected, were unanimously approved. Approval of Bills and Payrolls Bi lls July 22, 1983 - General Expense - Total - $16,660.86 July 29, 1983 - General Expense - Total - $70,650.95 Payrolls July 22, 1983 - Weekly - Total - $15,584.30 July 28, 1983 - Teachers - Total - $75,592.60 July 29, 1983 - Weekly - Total - $19,204.84 Citizens' Input There was no citizens' input. Bids- Truck Mr. Winslow reviewed the tabulation of bids for a dump truck, recommending the low bidder. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was voted unanimously to award the contract for a new dump truck to Danvers Motor Company, Inc., the low bidder, for $9,535• ($1,465 under budget.) Bids - Asbestos Removal Mr, Winslow spoke briefly on the two bids for asbestos removal. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was unanimously voted on the recommendation of the Administration, to award the contract for removal of asbestos from the boiler room of the Birch Meadow School to the low bidder, Dec -Tam Corp., of Tewksbury, at the price of $4,700, subject to approval of the appropriate agencies. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 25, 1983 Mansfield Public Schools - M. A. S. C. 1983 Resolution For the record it was noted that the Massachusetts Association of School Committees will sponsor jointly with the Mansfield Public Schools a resolution, which the Reading School Committee previously voted to support, at its annual meeting. The resolution calls for legislation which would permit a School Committee to enter into a contract for up to six years with supervisory personnel, in lieu of granting tenure. New England Association of Schools and Colleges - R.M.H.S. Accreditation Report Dr. Wells noted that School Committee members had received copies of the first report of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Visitin Committee. He said that by and large the report was very positive but pointed out that there were some errors, e. g., wrong amount for per pupil expenditure; a superintendent was listed as part of the Committee but was not present during the visit, therefore there was no one with a Central Office point of view participating. Dr. Wells then addressed four areas of the report: 1. Space planning - He noted that the report sounded as if this had not begun when, in fact, it has and the School Committee will know pretty specifically next year what should be done, both for short term and long term enrollments. 2. Recommendations for upgrading - He pointed out that Mr. D'Orlando has been thinking of placing all computers in one room. He added that he has on his desk two studies -one dealing with computers in the High School and the other concerning computers in other schools. 3. Vertical coordination - Dr. Wells noted that the Principals and Central Office Administration had recently attended a management and leadership systems workshop which dealt with, among other topics, vertical coordination and curriculum management. 4. Statement about shortage of textbooks, supplies, etc. - Dr. Wells said the report spoke of high morale of the teachers, adding that usually good morale indicates a good teacher -pupil ratio and sufficient textbooks, supplies, etc. He also said it would be difficult for the visiting team to determine whether there was a shortage of these items in such a short time. Dr. Wells then invited the Committee to address their questions to Mr. D'Orlando. Mr. D'Orlando said that what may have been neglected in the brief overview was that the Visiting Committee found RMHS to be a very good school - even to commenting it is the kind of school they would like to have their own children attend. He stressed the importance of the word "perception," noting that the report relied heavily on the pre- evaluation report which was made up largely of the perceptions of the faculty, administration, students and parents. 1_R3 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 25, 1983 Mr. D'Orlando went on to say he has listed the recommendations and categorized them as those now completed, those in progress, those to be done at a later date, and the few to be rejected. He also stated that in September the High School will be notified as to whether or not it will be accreditted, and that at the end of two and five years he must show the NEASC what progress has been made on their recommendations. Mr. Garroway said he was distressed that the teachers had indicated that they were in the dark about the budget process since when Dr. Wells had gone to the High School to go over the budget there was no indication of this. Mr. D'Orlando agreed, adding that the budget process had been completely open. He also noted that when Dr. Wells came to speak about the budget only a few teachers came to listen. He said he believed the teachers' comments were a "lobbying effort." Mr. Nigro commented that communications must improve from the faculty to the Administration to the School Committee, and even to parents, students, the Finance Committee and the Town Meeting. He offered to work with the High School on communications. He also said he would like to do something about improving the per pupil expenditure. Acting Chairman Philbrick commented that over one hour had been spent discussing the financial aspect of the report, and asked if there were questions on other parts of it. Mr. D'Orlando noted that there were also many commendations. Mr. Nigro said he would like Mr. D'Orlando to come to another meeting so that the School Committee could go over other areas of the report in more detail. End -of -the year Financial Reports Mr. Winslow noted that the Cafeteria Statement showed a profit of 6%, adjusted to 3.5% after capital expenditures, for the past year. He said he felt the School Lunch Program had been very successful. Food Services Director Miss Cook answered a number of questions from School Committee members regarding her expectations for the lunch program in the future. Several questions dealt with the availability of government commodities, price of "Type A" lunch and the possibility of continuing to operate at a profit. Miss Cook said it is very difficult to predict future availability of government commodities. Although she doesn't expect any great reduction for the upcoming year, these commodities may, however, eventually be replaced by cash reimbursements, which could hurt the local program. She noted that a profit of only 1% is pro- jected for next year, maintaining the same lunch price, because of escalating costs and reduced government commodities. She recommended the pruchase of a large freezer, which would save money because bulk purchasing results in lower costs. This would cost at least $12,000. She added that with food costs increasing and government commodities decreasing she did not feel the cafeteria account would be able to bear the cost of repairs and capital outlay expenditures. 184 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 25, 1983 Taken note of for the record were the end -of -the year Account Balances and Expenses and Salary Accounts Statements. Also noted was that $81,711.34 will be returned to the Town's general treasury.. Appointments Dr. Munnelly briefed the School Committee on the backgrounds of the canidates listed on documents D -1 and D -2. Mr. Garroway moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was unanimously voted, on the recommendation of the Administration, to appoint the following teachers to start at the beginning of the 1983 -84 year: Ms. Kathleen Hanrahan, St. Thomas Moore School, Colchester, Ct., as a speech/ language therapist at the Joshua Eaton School on Step B +30 -3. (One -year contract, non renewable) Mr. David F. Bunten, 161 Old Post Road, North Attleboro, as band director and music theory instructor at Reading Memorial High School at Stop B -3. Mr. R. Warren Hopkins, 105 Norfolk Avenue, Swampscott, as a business education teacher at Reading Memorial High School at Step M -10. Dr. Roberta T. Leiter, 24 Meadowview Road, Wayland, as a special education resource room teacher teacher at Coolidge Junior High School. (one -year appointment non- renewable) at the rate of DR -10. Dr. Wells spoke on the background of Mr. Richard C. Gillis, Business Education teacher in the High School, and recommended him as Head of the Business Department, to replace Miss Jane Reed who resigned at the close of the school year. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Garroway, and it was unanimously voted to appoint Mr. Richard C. Gillis as Head of the High School Business Education Department. Mr. Winslow then recommended two candidates for custodial openings. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was voted unanimously to appoint Mr. Sean LeBlanc, 114 Pleasant Street, Reading, as custodian at the Coolidge Junior High School, 3 -11:00 P. m. shift, effective August lst. Mr. Garroway moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted to appoint Mr. William E. Spataro, 25 Canterbury Drive, Reading, as custodian at the Pearl Street School, 12 noon to 8 :00 p.m. shift, effective August 1, 1983. Executive Session - Adjournment At 9:10 p. m. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Garroway, that the Committee ener into executive session to discuss matters pertaining to bargaining and negotiations. The motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote. Following a brief recess, the Committee remained in executive session until 10:36 p. m., at which time it adjourned. Respectfully s(ubmitte%d;f Robert S. Wells, Secreta