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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-01-09 School Committee Minutes2 4.3 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 9, 198+ Call to Order Chairman Coco called a regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:30 P. m., on January 9, 1984, in the Central Office Conference Room, at 34 Gould Street. All members were present except Mr. MacDonald, who arrived at 7:45 P. m. Also present were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. The three guests included a representative of the Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) and the Daily Times and Chronicle. Approval of the Minutes of December 19, 1983 The minutes of the December 19, 1983 meeting were unanimously approved on a motion by Mr. Nigro, seconded by Mr. Nissen. Citizens' Input There was no citizens' input. Ratification of Contract with Reading Association of Secretaries & Clerks Chairman Coco announced that a settlement had been worked out successfully with the Reading Association of Secretaries and Clerks. Before announcing the details of the settlement, the School Committee, at 7:35 P.m., voted on a unanimous roll call vote to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing bargaining and negotiating issues. The Committee returned to open session at 7:45 P. m., at which time the Chairman asked Mr. Allen, School Committee representative on the negotiating team, to announce the details of the settlement. Mr. Allen said the contract is for three years, starting July 1, 1983. The salary settlement for the 1983 -84 year (first year of the contract) was 6% accross— the — board, which is comparable to settlements with other employee groups. A salary opener for the remaining two years will have involved parties entering into discussions in the near future. Other features of the settlement include a change in the probationary period from 30 to 26 weeks, and time as an employee of other Town of Reading departments will be counted for seniority purposes. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and the Committee voted unanimously to ratify the contract agreed upon in earlier bargaining sessions with the Reading Association of Secretaries and Clerks. Pearl Street School Use Chairman Coco opened the discussion of eventual use of surplus space at Pearl Street School by offering four options with regard to the location of the School Committee and Central Offices: -12� READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 9, 1984 1 - Place School Committee and Central Office at Pearl Street School 2 - Place these Offices at the High School 3 - Place them in the Town Hall 4 - Remain at 34 Gould Street The Chairman encouraged School Committee members to express their concerns about the use of space at the Pearl Street School during this preliminary session, adding that, "No decisions will be finalized tonight." Some of the points made by members were: Rent part of the Pearl Street School building and use the income collected in a revolving fund to offset expenses was suggested by Mr. Nigro. Mrs. Philbrick suggested considering leaving the Central Office at 34 Gould Street and renting space at Pearl rather than mothballing it. She noted that renting to a private school for school purposes may not be a "change of use." Mr. Nissen noted that costs of keeping Pearl open would need full rental to break even. He believes that a status quo should be maintained while the Space Committee studies space issues of the entire Town, and that School Committee action now would be premature. He added that the amount of rental fees reasonable and needed to "break even" should be established and also cautioned that a change of use triggers codes about barriers to the handicapped. Chairman Coco suggested moving the Central Office to Pearl to save the costs of renting 34 Gould Street and avoid damages to Pearl which might result if it is mothballed. Mrs. Philbrick commented that rental costs at 34 Gould Street are not high - so the move away should not be short term. Mr. MacDonald's priority is that the School Committee should be a visible part of Town government and suggested moving the Central Office to the Town Hall rather than a school away from the Center of Town. He added that in the meantime Pearl should be mothballed and the School Committee wait for the recommendations of the Space Committee. Mr. Allen suggested the Committee wait until May to see what happens, adding that his top option would be to move the Central Office to the High School. Chairman Coco proposed a two - person committee to study space issues of the System, including the High School. He and Mr. Nigro will serve on this Committee. Mr. MacDonald requested that the School Committee develop a flow chart, in order to see the options. Budget Review FY85 Opening the subject of the FY85 Budget, the Chairman said, "If there was ever a time for the Town of Reading to examine how Proposition 22 is affecting the Town, the time is now." TheSchool Committee then began deliberations of a level- funded budget, as requested by the Finance Committee. It was noted that for budget development purposes, The School Committee instructed the Principals to use 5% per pupil as an inflation factor. The direct financial impact of this is 22%. 245 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 9, 1984 Mr. MacDonald said he is "uneasy with a level - funded amount," adding, "There is a need to sell the Town on the need for more money." Chairman Coco agreed, saying, "This is an annual fire drill panic. There is a need to develop town -wide priorities." The School Committee proceeded to discuss the budget. After some questions and discussion on each major budget line, the Committee voted to give preliminary approval as follows: Mr. MacDonald moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was voted unanimously to approve $11,380 for School Committee expense (1100 series). Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was unanimously voted to approve $18,075 for Superintendent's Office expense (1200 series). Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted to approve $2,240 for Supervisors and Directors expense (2100 series). Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. MacDonald, and it was unanimously voted, to approve $27,493 for Principals' Office Expense (2200 series). Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted 5 -1, with Mr. MacDonald casting the dissenting vote to approve the amount of $165,706 for teaching expense (2300 series). Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously to approve $44,014 for textbooks ( 21 00 series) . Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously to approve the amount of $28,610 for Library Expense (2500 series). Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. MacDonald, and it was voted unanimously to approve $21,078 for Audio - Visual Expense (2600 series). Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted 5 -1, with Mr. Allen casting the dissenting vote, to approve the amount of $10,020 for Guidance Expense (2700 Series). Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously, to approve $4,040 for Health Services (3200 Series). Vote on the transportation segment of the budget was delayed until more information on the contract can be provided. Citizens Advisory Council Correspondence The School Committee took note of a letter Mr. Keith Manville, Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Council (CAC), stating the following: "I am writing to inform you that at a regularly scheduled meeting of the CAC, held on December 13, 1983, it was voted unanimously to no longer have the CAC associated ?:ritl": -tha icc,U n4` cant _ha ltc �n Paarling CnhnnI 'hiicag Th.- rF?acnn fnr +hi c zrnt.a? i g that the present draft concerning seat belts no longer reflects the objectives of the report accepted by the CAC last Spring." 24v READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 9, 1984 "Mrs. Barron has been informed of this decision." Personnel Actions It was noted for the record that Mrs. June O'Neill, a teacher at the Birch Meadow School, will be on maternity leave starting January 13, 1984. Her return is expected at the end of February vacation - February 27, 1984. On a motion by Mr. Allen, seconded by Mr. MacDonald, the Committee voted unanimously to grant 30 additional days of sick leave to Mr. Charles Perry, custodian at the Joshua Eaton School, retroactive to December 14, 1983, as provided for in the Contract. Appointments Mr. MacDonald moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, to appoint Ms. Karen L. Laarkamp, 569 Washington Street, Winchester, as a reading teacher at Coolidge Junior High School for the remainder of the school year (replacing Mrs. Dorothy Ryan) at Salary Step M -9, pro -rated at the rate of $20,467.38. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. MacDonald, and the Committee voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, to appoint Mrs. Patricia Johns, of Reading, as attendance Clerk at Reading Memorial High School at a salary established by the Contract, to start as soon as possible. Announcement Mr. Allen ammounced that he will be a candidate for re- election to the School Committee. Executive Session - Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Nigro, seconded by Mr. Allen, the School Committee voted at 10:20 p.m. to enter into executive session for the purposes of discussing issues of bargaining and negotiations. The motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote. At 11:00 p. m. the Committee returned to open session. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was unanimously voted to adjourn. The next meeting will be held Monday, January 23, 1984. Respectfully _.4 Robert S. Wells, Secretary