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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-12-19 School Committee Minutes235 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 19, 1983 Call to Order Chairman Coco called a regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order on December 19, 1983, at 7:35 P. m., in the Central Office Conference Room. Mrs. Philbrick was absent. Mr. Allen was representing the School Committee at a meeting of Town Boards early in the evening but arrived at 8 :45 P. m. All other members were present when the meeting was called to order, as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. During the course of the meeting there were approximately 18 visitors, including Mr. Donald Welford, Director of the Adult and Community Education Program, Reading Memorial High School Principal Mr. Leonard D'Orlando, Assistant Principal Maureen Zolobus, Guidance Department Head Mrs. Rena Mirkin, also Advisor to the Student Advisory Committee (SAC), SAC members Susan Nordberg, Tricia Callaghan, Phil Daly, Robert Griffin, Rick Collari, Rob Collari, Alex Jessiman, Sonja Fasciano and Ronald Bashford, and representatives of the Finance Committee and the Daily Times and Chronicle. Approval of the Minutes of December 5, 1983 Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. MacDonald, to approve the minutes of the meeting of December 5, 1983. Mr. Nigro then said the following addition should be made to the end of paragraph 2 on page 3: "Mr. Nigro said that one solution to the seat belt safety issue is that part of the next school bus contract requirements would be that school busses be equipped with safety belts." Chairman Coco said that on page 1, last paragraph, 6th line, the word "of ", following the word "intent" should be changed to the word "to." The minutes, as amended, were approved on a 3 -0 vote, with Mr. MacDonald abstaining because he was not present at the December 5th meeting. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were authorized as follows: Bills December 16, 1984 - General Expense - Total - $58,443.59 December 23, 1983 - General Expense - Total - $56,9+6.00 Payrolls December 15, 1983 - Teachers - Total - $311,616.46 December 16, 1983 - Weekly - Total - $26,166.32 December 23, 1983 - Weekly - Total - $28,336.27 December 23, 1983 - Teachers - Total - $310,712.76 Citizens' Input There was no citizens' input. Adult and Community Education Program Chairman Coco introduced Mr. Donald Welford, Director of the Adult and Community Education Program, who made a presentation with slides, on the Fall 1983 Program. He gave a brief history of the Program, noting that in the past few years it had gone from a State and School Department subsidized program to one which is self- 236 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 19, 1983 supporting through tuition rates, which are approved each year by the School Committee. Tuition is based on the cost of operating each course, as well as the cost of the Program as a whole. He added that he is now allowed to contract for outside courses. Also, the Program has been condensed from three School buildings to two. Mr. Welford said that there is a Citizens Advisory Committee now which meets at least twice a year to plan and assess the Program. He went briefly into the courses to be offered for the next semester, most of which start January 31st. He noted that there were 37 course offerings in the fall, three of which failed to have the minimum enrollment, and that 42 will be offered for the spring semester. The courses are divided into four types - Recreational /crafts, employment related, self improvement, and community services. Highlighting the Driver Education Program, which is part of the Adult Education Program, Mr. Welford said that they have been able to- accommodate all seniors who wanted to take the course, as well as some juniors, Reading Memorial High School students receive first preference. Five sessions of driver education courses are offered each year. Both road instruction (in two leased, dual - control cars) and classroom instruction take place after regular school hours. Concluding, Mr. Welford said that the Adult and Community Education Program has the support of the teaching staff, Administration, local media and the community - at- large. A question and answer period followed and Mr. Welford, responding to various questions, said that he tried to keep computer course enrollments to 16 but they have had as many as 20, that many students are in the 30 -40 years old age group, and that, due to the demand, a second level computer course is now offered. He also said that the courses which failed to have the minimum enrollment were of the recreational type. Chairman Coco suggested that thought be given to increasing tuition for the computer courses because of the high cost of equipment repair. Mr. Nigro felt that the community was not informed about the Program far enough in advance, resulting in some Reading people enrolling in programs in other communities. He suggested a newspaper advertisement listing all courses. Mr. Welford said advertisements have been placed but the cost of listing all courses is prohibitive. He added that he was placing brochures in local stores. The Chairman thanked Mr. Welford for his presentation. Student Advisory Committee The Chairman welcomed members of the Reading Memorial High School Student Advisory Committee (SAC), their advisor Mrs. Mirkin, Principal D'Orlando and Assistant Principal Zolubos. Mr. D'Orlando prefaced his introduction of SAC members by saying these were exciting days for many Seniors because, with Mrs. Mirkin's encouragement (in her capacity as Head of Guidance), they had applied early to the college of their choice and some have already been accepted. 237 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 19, 1983 He went on to state some of the accomplishments of the SAC and the student body, i. e., they collected over 34 cases of food for the "Home for Little Wanderers," are working for the "Globe Santa" and Rotary Club Christmas drives, and have sponsored blood banks for the Red Cross. Mr. D'Orlando said that SAC members, with some members of the faculty, have been discussing graduation requirements, in light of the recent recommendations by the State Commissioner of Education. SAC President Robert Griffin thanked the School Committee and Administration for inviting them. SAC members then gave their opinions on graduation requirements, interspersed with questions and comments from members of the School Committee and Administration. Generally SAC members agreed that if students were required to take a course they should also be required to pass it. Some felt additional courses should be required, such as foreign language, computer literacy, industrial and fine arts, and science. Others felt more required courses might discourage non college -bound students, prevent them from taking courses to explore their potential, and possibly increase the drip -out rate. Some felt there should not be too many required courses but that students should be encouraged to take more academic and exploratory courses. The importance of non college -bound students acquiring employment skills, particularly through business education courses, was also brought out. When asked if there was a consensus, SAC President Griffin said they were still thinking about it. Chairman Coco thanked SAC members for the interesting exchange of ideas and asked them to return in April. Secondary School Curriculum Recommendations - State Department of Education Dr. Wells read excerpts from a letter from Mr. D'Orlando to State Commissioner of Education John H. Lawson, stating his views on the Commissioner's recommendations for increased secondary curriculum requirements, i. e., four years of English, two - thress years of mathematics, two years of social studies, two years of foreign language, two years of fine arts, two years of computer science, two years of physical education and two years of applied art. In general Mr. D'Orlando agreed with the recommendations. However, he felt requiring non - college bound students to take two years of a foreign language would be impractical and could prevent them from taking as many business courses to prepare them for work and life. He did object to the.recommendations taking the form of a mandate. Dr. Munnelly read a letter which he had written to the Commissioner, in which he shared Mr. D'Orlando's concerns. He said he particularly favored the recommendation for computer science courses and agreed that more emphasis should be given to "Higher order skills in reading, problem solving skills in mathematics, thinking, study and writing skills in all areas." The Committee agreed with the context of the letters and, after some discussion, it was decided that Mr. MacDonald would write a letter on behalf of the School Committee. Staff Professional Development - Computer Education Instruction 238 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MIISUTES DECEMBER 19, 1983 The Committee discussed document C -4, which listed the results of a survey of the professional development in computer education of the Staff of the School System. In summary, it showed that one -third of the teachers (35 %) have had extended coursework in computers and about one -third have participated in introductory and skill building workshops. Central Office Location or Relocation Chairman Coco said he plans to have the subject of the location of the Central Office on the agenda of the January 9th meeting but wanted the Committee to have the information (Documents c -5 -1, C -5 -2, and C -5 -3) and to ask the Administration any questions they have before a full discussion takes place. He noted that there appears to be four choices for the Central Office location, i. e., status quo (34 Gould Street), the High School, Pearl Street School or the Town complex, but that the Committee members may think of others. Mr. Nissen, School Committee representative on the Space Study Committee (SSC), said he will need instructions from the School Committee as to whether or not the Central Office would become a part of the Town complex, or whether the decision would be left to the SSC. Mr. Nigro said he would rather the School Committee make that decision. Cafeteria Statement Mr. Winslow briefly recapitulated the Cafeteria Statement for October, noting the profit, possible future expenditures, and the increased participation in the School Lunch Program. Private Schools (Special Needs) Tuition A private school tuition (9000 series) status statement was distributed to members. Dr. Wells said Mr. Nigro had, at the last meeting, asked for details on this account. He added that the account was at present well within the budget but that it is impossible to project this account with any degree of certainty because a family with a child in a special needs private placement could move into Town at any time. Leave Dr. Munnelly spoke on the request of Mrs. Eunice Mosher, a special education teacher at the High School, for a savvatical leave for the 1984 -85 school year. He said she plans to gain a personal knowledge of the use of computers in education, especially as applied to special education, and to continue to work with the RMHS computer team for the development of long -range computer education plans. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted that, on the recommendation of the Administration, the School Committee grant a sabbatical leave to Mrs. Eunice Mosher for the 198+ -85 school year. READING SCHOQL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 19, 1983 Resignation Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. MacDonald, and it was voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Mrs. Michele deGrace Edelsberg, a French teacher at RMHS, effective January 27, 1984. Appointments Mr. MacDonald moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was voted unanimously to appoint Mrs. Dorothy J. Morris, 63 Tennyson Road, to the position of Assistant Payroll /Bookkeeper in the Central Office, effective as soon as her position can be filled, at a rate to be determined by the contract. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was unanimously voted to appoint Mrs. Marjorie F. Joyce, 52 Pilgrim Road, to the position of Secretary to the High School Principal, effective as soon as her position can be filled, at a rate to be determined by the contract. Executive Session — Adjournment At 9:36 p. m. Mr. MacDonald moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, that the Committee enter into executive session to discuss matters pertaining to bargaining and negotiations. The motion carried by a unanimous roll call vote. The Committee remained in executive session until adjournment at 10:37 P. m. Respectfully submitted, 'iii 6611 9� Robert S. Wells, Secretary