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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-09-27 School Committee Minutes203 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 27, 1983 Ca11 to Order A regular meeting of the Reading School Committee was called to order on September 27, 1983, at 7:30 p.m., in the Central Office Conference Room, by Vice Chairman Philbrick, acting Chairman in the absence of Chairman Coco who was out of State on business and did not arrive until 10:02 p. m. All other members were present, as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. There were approximately 30 visitors, including Principal Leonard D'Orlando, Assistant Principals Dr. Allan A1son and Mrs. Maureen Zolubos, Teachers Mr. Ronald Howland and Mr. Leo Kenney, all of Reading Memorial High School, Pearl Street School Principal Paul Guerrette, and representatives of the Citizens Advisory Council, the Finance Committee and the Daily Times and Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of September 12, 1983 On a motion by Mr. Nissen, seconded by Mr. Nigro, the Committee voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the meeting of September 12, 1983. Approval of Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were authorized as follows: Bills September 23, 1983 - General Expense - Total - $71,148.09. September 30, 1983 - General Expense - Total - $57,924.79 October 7, 1983 - General Expense - Total - $67,601.58 October 14, 1983 - General Expense - Total - $17,161.55 Payrolls September 22, 1983 - Teachers - Total - $284,494.91 September 23, 1983 - Weekly - Total - $24,222.57 September 30, 1983 - Weekly - Total - $26,821.74 October 6, 1983 -- Teachers - Total - $310,093.99 October 7, 1983 - Weekly - Total - $25,149.11 Citizens' Input Mr. Gerald Zerfas expressed his pleasure that the School Committee will be reviewing policies on homework and eligibility requirements for participation in extra- curricular activities. Five -Year Capital Outlay Plan Following a brief discussion of the proposed Five -Year Capital Outlay Plan, revised since the last meeting, Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was voted unanimously to forward to the Finance Committee the revised Five -Year Capital Outlay Plan, with accompanying explanation sheet - documents B -2 -a (1) and B -2 -a (2). Bids - Light Fixtures - Parker Junior High School Mr. Winslow Recapitulated the six bids received for replacement of electrical fixtures at Parker Junior High School, recommending the low bidder. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was unanimously voted to award the contract for replacement of electrical fixtures at Parker Junior High School to 204 READING SCHOOL CQMM�TTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 27, 1983 Willard Electric, of Reading, the low bidder, vor $5,175. ($1,325 under the amount budgetted.) Citizens Advisory Council Report on the Gifted and Talented Acting Chairman Philbrick introduced the Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) Subcommittee on the Gifted and Talented, Mrs. Elaine McDonald. The School Committee had previously received a copy of the report. Mrs. McDonald introduced Subcommittee members Sharon Borggaard, Diane Chapin, Joan McKinnon, Judy Shannon, Donald Shepheard and Stephen Tucker. Mrs. McDonald stated that in 1982 the CAC had voted as one of its goals to study the education of gifted and talented students. The Subcommittee began by visiting Reading Schools, then schools in several communities in the area. In May the CAC sponsored a lecture on the gifted and talented child - which, she said, drew an audience of about ninety. She noted that a support group had been formed - "Con- cerned Citizens for the Gifted and Talented." Mrs. McDonald then spoke about the conclusions and recommendations of the Report. She said the CAC felt that the School Committee policy was good but cannot be met without a formal identification process and without individual curriculum initiated at the elementary level. She noted that the Report recommended formation of a steering committee to plan an appropriate system -wide program to meet the specific needs of Reading's academically gifted students; that there should be extensive in- service training for teachers, including methods of identifying the gifted, as well as preparation for teaching these students; and that implementation funds should be included in the FY85 budget. Concluding, Mrs. McDonald said that there will always be academically gifted children who will function well in Reading or other school systems, but there will also always be the unrecognized gifted child, adding that she hoped the School Committee would bear this in mind when considering the report. There was a brief discussion among School Committee members and CAC members and CAC members concerning possible budgetary implications, timetables, etc. Dr. Wells said that the Administration had read the Report and received it favorably. He cautioned, however, that all research material available to him termed it dangerous to identify as academically talented only those who score high on tests. There are others, he added, who are talented in other areas, such as mechanical or artistic ability, who may not score high on academic tests. He said he hoped enrichment programs would not be limited only to those who score high on intelligence tests. Dr. Wells expressed the hope that the School Committee would agree to having an advisory committee, similar to the Middle School Advisory Committee, and which would include one or two of the more mature High School students. He added that he would like to appoint the committee by the next meeting, with a time schedule which would allow for input in the budget discussions and that the committee would report to the School Committee by February or March. He noted that in- service training could not be done until July or August 1984. He agreed that there should be a program for the gifted and talented but added that a lot is already being done in this area and that there are many options, such as skipping grades, tutoring, mentoring, therefore any new program should not be one- dimentional. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted that the Administration be directed to establish an advisory committee for the study of the 205. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 27, 1983 education of the gifted and talented in Reading, the makeup of which would be approved by the School Committee at the next meeting. Volunteers for the Committee were requested to contact Dr. Wells by the next day. Reading Memorial High School - Review of Policies Acting Chairman Philbrick noted that one of Dr. Wells' goals was examining the quality of education in Reading in light of recently published National reports. In conjunction with this goal the School Committee will hear a series of reports on policies, rules and regulations, the first of which would be during this meeting as they reviewed High School policies with Principal D'Orlando. Dr. Wells added that the High School would be the starting point and the Committee will work down through the junior high and elementary school levels, reviewing all areas which have been cropping up in the National reports. He said that while he was unaware of anything negative in Reading, the School Committee wants to leave no stone unturned. Mr. D'Orlando distributed copies of the Student Handbook and grading policies. He noted that RMHS policy on eligibility for sports is pretty much dictated by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) (page 16 of the Handbook), but that the High School does have its own rules, which go a bit further than those of the MIAA. There was a general discussion of eligibility for extra - curricular activities, whether they were restrictive enough, and parental responsibility in this area. Mr. D'Orlando noted that 526 of the 1+00- member student body were now participating in interscholastic sports (he expects that figure may go to 700 by year -end), and in excess of two - thirds are A -B students. Promotion and graduation requirements were discussed next. Mr. D'Orlando said that the High School regulations had been tightened six years ago and students are now expected to earn a minimum of 20 credits per year - sum total of 84 for graduation. He added that most students are able to earn this amount of credits before their senior year. He also noted that there may be some changes before the end of the year, and that there is no such thing as a "social promotion." School Committee questions centered around the percentage of students taking various subjects, which courses are mandatory, course selection, honors courses, and college admission requirements. Speaking on the subject of homework requirements, Mr. D'Orlando said that, although the "Nation at Risk" report recommends increasing the amount of homework, there is a wide spectrum of students in the High School and the capabilities of the various students must be kept in mind, as well as the types of courses they are taking. In general, he said, a minimum of one -half hour per major subject is expected, adding that over 90% of the students take five major subjects. Either homework is checked, or a quiz is given on the material. Attendance was the next area of discussion. Mr. D'Orlando said that if a student misses a certain number of classes he does not pass, adding that absenteeism averages only 4.2 /,. An aids:, CU-11s the home when an absence is and a letter .1+-, sent to parents, but there is a problem with a small number of chronic offenders. 206 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 27, 1983 Mr. D'Orlando said the High School does not have an open campus but does have "Senior Passes" which allow twelfth graders to leave the campus during free periods if they fulfill three requirements - permission from parents, passing grades, and returning promptly. Acting Chairman Philbrick thanked Mr. D'Orlando and his staff for their informative review. MASC Meetings Noted for the record were Massachusetts Association of School Committees, Division 1, meeting October 6th and the annual meeting November 4th, for which a voting delegate will be selected at a later meeting. Leave Noted for the record was a letter from Mrs. Jill Pelunis, speech /language therapist at Barrows School, stating that she expects to be on maternity leave from November 8, 1983 to January 3, 1984. Appointments Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, to appoint Mrs. Jean Kirby, 54 Audubon Road, to fill the secretarial position at Coolidge Junior High School, effective Sep- tember 28, 1983, to be paid in accordance with the Secretarial Union Contract. Executive Session - Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Nissen, seconded by Mr. Allen, and followed by a unanimous roll call vote, the School Committee entered into executive session at 9:25 P. m. to discuss matters pertaining to bargaining and negotiations. The Committee remained in executive session until it adjourned at 10:42 p. m. Respectfully suubmiit /te /cll,�%�� Robert S. Yells, Secretai7