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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-08-29 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES Call to Order AUGUST 29, 1983 187 Chairman Coco called the regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:30 P. m., on August 29, 1983, in the Central Office Conference Room. All members were present, as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. Among the seven visitors present were Selectman Maureen O'Brien, Selectman Paul Landers, Reading Teachers Association President Joseph Terilli, Pearl Street School teacher Mrs. Paula Beaulieu and a representative of the Daily Times and Chronicle. Immediately after calling the meeting to order Chairman Coco expressed the grief of the Committee upon the recent death of Mr. Rober Louanis, Superintendent of Public Works, and a moment of silence was observed in his memory. Approval of the Minutes of July 25, 1983. On a motion by Mr. Garroway, seconded by Mr. Allen, the minutes of the meeting of July 25, 1983 were unanimously approved. Approval of Bills and Payrolls Warrants for the payment of bills and payrolls were authorized as follows: Bills August 5, 1983 - General Expense - Total - $23,275.93 August 12, 1983 - General Expense - Total - $8,830.48 August 19, 1983 - General Expense - Total - $41,207.59 August 26, 1983 - General Expense - Total - $51,498.01 September 2, 1983 - General Expense - Total - $23,375.93 Payrolls August 5, 1983 August 11, 1983 August 12, 1983 August 19, 1983 August 255 1983 August 26, 1983 September 2, 19, Citizens' Input Weekly - - Teachers - Weekly - - Weekly - Teachers - Weekly - 33 - Weekly There was no citizens' input. Total - $13,684.64 - Total - $71,387.58 Total - $16,229.47 Total - $17,151,96 - Total - $67,138.60 Total - $14,966.22 - Total - $16,837.30 Policy for Determining Eligibility for Free and Reduced -Price Meals. Dr. Wells explained briefly that each year, in order to participate in the Federal Lunch Program, the Committee must vote to abide by the pertinent Federal and State regulations listed on the application. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Allen. and it was voted unanimously that the School Committee endorse the policies for eligibility to participate in the free and reduced - price meals in agreement with Federal and State guidelines. Isb READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 29; 1983 At this time Dr. Wells told the Committee that Miss Catherine Cook, Food Services Director, had collapsed on August 18, has since undergone surgery, and is expected to be hospitalized for an extended period of time. Report of Progress - Summer Repair and Maintenance Projects Mr. Winslow summarized the various repair and maintenance projects undertaken during the summer months by the Maintenance Department, as well as the major contracted projects such as the Birch Meadow School roof, roof over the girls gymnasium at the High School, and removal of asbestos from the Birch Meadow School boiler room. He said that in the absence of a Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, the custodial supervisors and the rest of the staff had really pitched in and accomplished a great deal during the summer. He added that a lot of the grounds work had been done by the Department of Public Works and that the High School now has the best football field in the area. In closing he invited the School Committee to visit the schools and observe their good condition. Mrs. Philbrick reiterated Mr. Winslow's statement about the excellent condition of the football field. Correspondence and Reports Noted for the record were: a letter from the Recreation Committee thanking the School Committee for its continued cooperation in allowing them the use of School facilities for their programs; a notice from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, Inc., regarding a workshop to be held September 10th; a copy of a speech delivered by T. H. Bell, U. S. Secretary of Education; and "The Excellence Report." All of the above were sent to Committee members in advance of the meeting. Also noted was the schedule of fall and winter School Committee meetings, presented by Dr. Wells. Chairman Coco said that after reviewing Mr. Bell's speech and the "Excellence Report," he would like to see the School Committee set one major goal for this year instead of two or three lesser ones, and requested members to bring suggestions to the next meeting. Space Study Committee - Availability of the Pearl Street School for Town Government Use Before turning the meeting over to Mr. Nissen, School Committee liaison to the Space Study Committee (SSC), Chairman Coco suggested that the Committee seriously consider the presentation about to be made but delay a formal vote until early or mid - September. Mr. Nissen introduced Selectman Maureen O'Brien, who represents her board on the SSC. Mr. Nissen then said he had spoken to all School Committee members during the prior week and they had been mailed a packet of material with their agenda. He added that while it was the discretion of the Committee whether or not to vote at this time, he did not believe there would be more information forthcoming. Mr. Nissen proceeded to go over the material in the packet and listed the reasons why the SSC felt the Pearl Street School should be turned over to the Town for a municipal complex, i. e., good access, adequate parking, dumbwaiter which probably could be used as an elevator shaft, auditorium for meetings, and more square feet of space than the Town Hall and Library combined. 189 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 29, 1983 He outlined the plan the SSC intends to follow: (1) move some offices into the Library, gradually phasing out the Community Center; (2) rezone and sell the Community Center; and (3) redevelop the Pearl Street School by installing suspended ceilings, air conditioning ducts, additional electrical and telephone wiring, and an elevator (in the dumwiater shaft). Mr. Nissen estimated the cost of these renovations at $500,000. The School Committee and Dr. Wells discussed at length enrollment projections as they pertained to the possibility of the need to either use Pearl Street again as a school or build another school at some future time. At one point Dr. Munnelly suggested the Committee give thought to a professional study of enrollment projections. Also discussed was the question of how long a time would be reasonable to mothball the School if the School Committee decided to go in that direction. Mrs. Philbrick noted that by 1990 about half of the High School will be unused and that the Committee must decide how that space will be used. Selectman O'Brien said that initially the SSC felt the Town Hall should remain in the Reading Square area; but upon touring the Pearl Street School it became apparent that it was the most suitable of all the buildings under consideration for a Town Hall. She pointed out that some work would have to be done on it, noting that the roof needs repair, but that it is very adaptable to the building code. She added that the portable classrooms would make an excellent "Drop In Center" for senior citizens. Mr. Coco said his biggest concern in turning the School over to the Town was whether the Town would vote for a new school if one is needed in a decade or so. Dr. Wells pointed out that in 5 -10 years there may not be a lot sufficient in size and suitably located for a new school. He added that the decision on Pearl will be a gamble; the School Committee will have to depend on engineers to say how long a building should be mothballed; and that enrollment figures obtained when school opens will not help with the decision. Mr. Nissen said that because he thought the School Committee now has as much information as it will have he felt a vote could be taken. He then moved that the School Committee resolve to turn Pearl Street School over to the Town for a municipal building if the Town should decide to use it for that purpose. There was no second to the motion. Mr. Nigro brought up the question of the Town's financial condition in 5 -6 years, should a new school building be needed. Selectman O'Brien said the SSC plans to discuss this with the Finance Committee, adding that she knows some debts will be finished in a few years but doesn't know the effects of Proposition 0z. Mr. Nissen said that by 1990 -91 all municipal debts, with the exception of some sewer projects, will be paid. Chairman Coco thanked Mr. Nissen and Selectman O'Brien for their presentation. 100 ?ADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES Overview of Portland, Maine, Conference of the National Committee of Excellence in Education Chairman Coco said Dr. Wells was one of only several invited from this area to attend the Conference of the National Committee on Excellence in Education. Dr. Wells preceded his overview of the Conference by noting that it was held the day before the National Governors' Conference, therefore making it a better Conference. He was one of about ten Superintendents from Massachusetts to attend. One of the things that pleased him, Dr. Wells said, was that it was the first time since the "Sputnik Era" that attention is being focussed on education. He added that he thinks there will be some very positive results if his colleagues take the facts and handle them well in the next few years. Dr. Wells was pleased to hear some of the governors say that education was their number one priority. He also commented about some of the governors advocating beginning formal education at the age of three. Dr. Wells concluded his overview of the Conference by saying that solutions to problems in education will take time, money and sensible management by a lot of people. Resignations Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously to accept the following resignations: Mrs. Lesley K. Hardy, Killam School teacher, effective August 1st. Ms. Efrosine A. Yeannakopoulos, fourth grade teacher at Barrows School, effective August 1st. Ms. Deborah A. DiVito, French teacher at Coolidge Junior High School, effective August 1st. Mr. Harold B. Elder, Jr., fifth grade teacher at Pearl Street School, effective August 19th. Ms. Laurie Talbot, part -time clarinet teacher, effective August 22nd. Leaves Dr. Munnelly stated that two requests for leaves had been received since the last meeting. Mrs. Tina Peach, who had signified her intention to return to school after the birth of her child, wrote to the Administration early in August requesting a child - rearing leave for the 1983 -84 school year from her position as second grade teacher at the Killam School. Mrs. Paula F. Beaulieu, fifth grade teacher at the Pearl Street School, requested a leave for the upcoming school year to develop her professional growth in the area of art. Dr. Munnelly said both requests came in very late in the year, and long after a reasonable time for dealing with child - rearing leaves. He said he had not talked 191 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 29, 1983 with Mrs. Peach because she. has been out of the State, and recommended holding her request in abeyance. Dr. Munnelly said he had talked to Mrs. Beaulieu and did not feel there was enough reason to grant her request. He pointed out that the contract called for a sixty -day notice. Dr. Munnelly recommended that the leave not be granted. Mr. Joseph Terilli, R.T.A. President, and Mrs. Beaulieu were both present to speak in behalf of granting her request for a personal leave. Mr. Terilli felt that her request of August 7th gave the Administration sufficient time to fill the position. Mrs. Beaulieu said she has been taking art courses and would like to explore the field of grap.hicarts because it could be very helpful and useful in the classroom and throughtout the school. Mr. Terilli added that her request was made only after she found that the courses she has started were taking too much time to combine them with her teaching position. After some discussion Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, that Mrs. Paula Beaulieu be granted a personal leave for 1983 -84 school year to develop her proficiency in art. The motion carried on a 3 -2 vote - Mrs. Philbrick, Mr. Allen, and Mr. Nissen voting for and Mr. Coco and Mr. Nigro against. Appointments Appointments were made as follows: Mr. Missen moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted to appoint Mrs. Marjorie Joyce, 52 Pilgrim Road, to the position of clerk - attendance, at Reading Memorial High School, effective August 30th. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously to appoint Mrs. Clara Bellman, presently secretary at Coolidge Junior High School, to fill the secretarial vacancy at Joshua Eaton School upon Mrs. Wardrope's retirement. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously to appoint Mrs. Rita McGrail, 56 Putnam Road, secretary in the Pupil Personnel Services Office, effective August 30th. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was unanimously voted that, upon the recommendation of the Administration, the following teachers be appointed: Mrs. Kathryn M. Tildsley, 514 Lowell Street, Andover, as fifth grade teacher at the Killam School at the M -9 rate of the salary schedule, one -year contract, non- renewable. Mrs. Maryanne Dechayne, 8 Plymouth Road, West Peabody, as a second grade teacher at the Killam School, at the M -8 step of the salary schedule, one -year contract, non - renewable. Mr. Nicholas Quaratiello, 283 Vernon Street, Wakefield, as a fifth grade teacher in the Pearl Street School, at the M -10 rate of the salary schedule, one -year contract, non - renewable. 192 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 29,:1983 Miss Laura R. Nash, 79 Myopia Road, Winchester, as a fifth grade teacher in the Pearl Street School, at the M -2 step of the salary schedule, one -year contract, non- renewable. 1 Ms. Paula G. DiT`ullio, 31 Presentation Road, Brighton, as a foreign language I teacher at Coolidge Junior High School, at the M -7 step of the salary schedule. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously, to appoint Ms. Joan DeSalvo as Department Head of the Focus Program, to replace Mr. Kenneth Feit who has transferred to the Guidance Department. Dr. Wells said that 33 applications had been received for the position of Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, 13 candidates had been interviewed by a principal, head custodian and Mr. Winslow, and that he had interviewed the four finalists. He recommended Mr. Lawrence Moore, who holds a similar position at Simmons College be appointed to the position. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was unanimously voted, on the recommendation of the Administration, to appoint Mr. Lawrence Moore, 2 Chesterfield Avenue, Billerica, as Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, at an annual salary of $24, 000. Executive Session At 10:32 p.m. Mr. Nissen 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. Return to Open Session - Adjournment At 11:01 p.m. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously to return to open session. Mr. Allen said that he would like to have a policy developed to set academic standards for those who wish to participate in extra - curricular activities and hoped this would be on the agenda of a future meeting. Chairman Coco said his remarks on the opening of school, after reading the report issued in April, were based on looking into what the School Committee can do to improve the School System. He added that this was what he alluded to when he spoke earlier of having a single goal for the School Committee. The Chairman said the Committee should look into setting guidelines for homework and other areas, e. g., grade standards. At 11 :07 p.m. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and the Committee voted unanimously to adjourn. Respectfa'_iy Robert S. Wells, Secretary