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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-11-01 School Committee MinutesC, READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 1, 198 Call to Order A regular meeting of the Reading School Committee was called to order by Chairman Coco at 7:32 p. m. on November 1, 1983, in the Central Office Conference Room. All members were present as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Super- intendents Munrelly and Winslow. There were six visitors, including Mr. Albert LaHood, Principal of the Coolidge Jr. High School, Mr. Charles Papandreou, Principal of the Barrows School, Mrs. Mary Abegg; mathematics teacher at Parker Junior High School, and Mr. John Kelliher, sixth grade teacher at the Killam School, all representing the Computer Literacy Committee, Ms. Janice Durham, of Youth and Family Resources, Inc., and a represen- tative of the Daily Times and Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of October 24, 1983 On a motion by Mr. Allen, seconded by Mr. Nissen, the Committee voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the meeting of October 24, 1983. Bills & Payrolls Warrants for payment of bills and payrolls were authorized as follows: Bills October 28, 1983 - General Expense - Total - $85,255.98 November 4, 1983 - General Expense - Total - $32,517.24 Payrolls November 3, 1983 - Teachers - Total - $315,971+.37 November 4, 1983 - Weekly - Total - $26,569.82 Citizens' Input There was no citizens' input. M. A. S. C. Resolutions The Chairman announced that Mr. Nigro, delegate to the Massachusetts Association of School Committees' annual meeting, would be unable to attend and asked if any other member could attend in his place. No one could. However, the Committee briefly discussed the M. A. S. C. resolutions, favoring all but the last one - number eight. Sunday Participation by Girls Hockey Team Dr. Wells said that Athletic Director Gilbert Congdon had requested permission from the School Committee (under Policy IGDDA for some, or possibly all members, of the Girls Hockey Team to participate, if selected, in a Middlesex League All Star game to be held on a Sunday. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was voted unanimously that the Reading Memorial High School Girls Hockey Team in part or in total be allowed to participate as requested on a future Sunday date. X16 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING NOVEMBER 1, 1983 Evaluation Report - Alcohol and Drug Education in Reading Dr. Wells noted that while this was being called an evaluation report, it comes under the general umbrella of the System's health education program. He added that there are great problems in these areas in the country and that Reading does not escape these problems. He said Reading's program has been under publicized, but is rather unique. Dr. Munnelly added that Reading piloted this program and it has received quite a bit of recognition. He noted that there had been much help from "735•" In introducing Ms. Janice Durham, Director of the Prevention Program at the Youth and Family Resources, Inc, Dr. Munnelly said she had prepared her report to continued updating the School Committee and would be glad to answer questions. (Youth and Family Resources replaced "735`x•) Ms. Durham spoke enthusiastically about the drug and alcohol prevention program, which stresses peer leadership. Peer leaders are High School students who receive nine hours of training and then, on a voluntary basis, instruct students in the lower grades. She said the peer leaders can articulate what they have learned, state the goals of the Program, and can distinguish between circumstances. She added that half of the students expressed an interest in becoming peer educators. The Program is now in its fifth year. Mr. McDonald asked if this Program is part of the "Decisions" course. Dr. Munnelly said it wasn't yet, but they were thinking about it. Mr. Lahood noted that it is integrated into the seventh grade science program, and added that he was quite pleased with the Program. Mr. Allen raised the question of funding, saying that the School Committee, at a future date, should discuss whether the program should be funded from the School budget rather than the Board of Health budget. A general discussion of funding - in Reading and other communities - followed. Also discussed briefly were the resources available to students with problems and the families of these students - both preventative and clinical. Upon the conclusion of the discussion of the Report Chairman Coco thanked Ms.Durham for her presentation. Computer Literacy Plan - Preliminary Draft. Dr. Wells noted that the Computer Literacy Plan distributed to the School Committee was actually a preliminary, or progress, report and that specific recommendations will come later. He said a large Committee, co- chaired by Mr. Lahood and Mr. Papandreou, had been working for nearly a year on a long range, system -wide computer education plan. He added that at the same time a group at the High School is working on different aspects of attaining this goal. Mr. Papandreou, first spokesman for the Computer Literacy Committee (CLC), said that the membership had started at 14 and grown to 23, and was diverse in that there are teachers from various levels and subject areas, as well as administrators. He said the C1C had met with consultants, visited other school systems, and initiated a pilot program, luying the groundwork, for the future. 217 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING NOVEMBER 1, 1983 Mr. Lahood briefly went into the establishment of a philosophy - it tenets being rooted in recognition of the technological revolution and the School Committee philosophy on education. Next the CLC developed goals and objectives, and then a preliminary plan for programs, and the hardware and software which would be needed. Mr. Papandreou then spoke about the pilot program, which uses the LOGO language, that was initiated, in- service training for teachers, and the positive reactions of both teachers and students. He noted that the LOGO Program, with its "turtle" graphics, is a very strong program, with a sound basis in mathematics and multiple applications, and is an excellent tool for developing a higher order of thinking. He added that it lends itself to the PASCAL language. In the elementary grades LOGO is being used with the Apple IIe Computers owned by the System. In the middle schools the emphasis will gradually shift from LOGO to BASIC. Mr. Papandreou presented School Committee members with a report entitled, "LOGO - A Pilot Program," which gave more specifics than the general report. Mr. Lahood briefly described the present computer curriculum at the Junior High Schools, a preparation for more advanced RMHS courses. Mrs.. Abegg spoke on expectations for computer use at the Middle Schools next year. Mr. Kelliher expanded on the use of the LOGO program in the elementary grades, adding that by using it the children are "learning how to learn." Following a brief question and answer period the Chairman thanked the CLC members for their progress report. Executive Session - Return to Open Session At 9:06 p. m. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. MacDonald to enter into executive session to discuss bargaining and negotiations matters. The motion carried by a unanimous roll call vote. Attorney Allan Drachman joined the Committee for the executive session. The Committee returned to open session at 10:31 p. m. Financial Statements Noted for the record were the October financial statements - Account Balances and Salary and Expense Accounts. R PSIrYnt..i r)n Mr. Allan moved, seconded by Mr. MacDonald, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, to accept the resignation of Mrs. Annette D. Varnier as a teacher in the FOCUS Program, effective November 4, 1983. Appointment Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted, on the recommendation of the Administration, to appoint Mrs. Janice L. Deveau to the Central Office secretarial vacancy created by the retirement of Mrs. Virginia McCormick, at an hourly rate of $86.35, effective when her position is Tilled in November. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Nissen, seconded by Mr. Allen, the Committee voted. unanimously to adjourn at 10:44 p. m. Respectfully subm'it`ted,, J Robert S. tells, Secreta \j