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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-01-23 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES Call to Order JANUARY 23, 1984 Chairman Coco called a regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:33 p. m., on January 23, 1984, in the Central Office Conference Room. All members were present, as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. Among the Five visitors present were representatives of the Finance Committee, Citizens Advisory Council and Daily Times and Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of January 9, 1984 On a motion by Mr. Nissen, seconded by Mr. Nigro, the Committee unanimously approved the minutes of the meeting of January 9, 1984. Approval of Bills and Payrolls Warrants for payment of bills and payrolls were authorized as follows: Bills December 30, 1983 January 6, 1984 - January 13, 1984 January 20, 1984 January 27, 1984 Payrolls - General Expense General Expense - General Expense General Expense General Expense December 30, 1983 - Weekly - Total January 6, 1984 - Weekly - Total - January 12, 1984 - Teachers - Total January 13, 1984 - Weekly - Total - January 20, 1984 - Weekly - Total - January 26, 1984 - Teachers - Total Citizens' Input There was no citizens' input. Portables - Pearl Street School - Total - $38,494.15 Total - $14,755.22 Total - $73,577.71 Total - $26,385.61 Total - $41,488.61 - $24,891.05 $25,222.87 - $317,075.97 $26,150.54 $24,851.56 - $311,614.42 249 The Chairman said that since it became known that the Pearl Street School would be closed at the end of this school year there have been a number of inquiries regarding the two portable classrooms. He added that the School Committee cannot sell these portables - only the Board of Selectmen has this power. He therefore recommended that the School Committee vote to release the portables to the Board of Selectmen so that they could sell them if the opportunity presents itself. Mr. Allen inquired as to whether the Selectmen also had the options of leasing the portables or maintaining them for some other use, for example, for senior citizens. Chairman Coco replied that the Selectmen could use or dispose of the portables according to their discretion. Mr. Nissen posed the question as to whether the portables future school population growth by moving them to another projections distributed at the beginning of the meeting s ,.ovfln.., h ut- not onn„nh to fill n crlhnnl nrlrlino that tho the portables for this overflow. could be used to handle school. He noted that the cowed there might be a slight Crhnnl rnmmitrPP might I cP_ 25U READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 23. 1984 Dr. Wells said he didn't envision needing them in the future because the Pearl Street School would be available. He added that if the School was going to be mothballed then he would advise keeping the portables. It was brought out that while all classrooms will be in use next year, all will not be filled to capacity and some increase in students could be absorbed. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, that the School Committee declare the two portable buildings being used as classrooms at the Pearl Street School to be surplus and turn them over to the Board of Selectmen as of July 1, 1984. The motion carried 5 -1, with Mr. Nissen opposed. FY85 Budget Review The budget review was opened with a discussion on transportation, i. e., the school bus contract and the option available to continue the present contract with the North Shore Bus Company next year at the rate of $99 per bus per day- with kindergarten $119 per bus per day - up from $89.50 and $104.50, respectively. Mr. Winslow, after noting the higher rates paid by other communities, as shown on Document B -2 -a, recommended exercising this option rather than rebidding, stating that it appears a savings of $25- 30,000 would be realized. Mr. Nigro said that in view of the favorable rate he would withdraw his request (made at a prior meeting) that the School Committee advertise for bids for school busses equipped with seat belts. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted that the School Committee exercise the option of continuing the current transportation contract with the North Shore Bus Company at the rate of $99 per bus per day without a Kindergarten route and $119 per bus per day with a Kindergarten route. 3300 Series Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was voted unanimously to approve $151,606 for transportation - regular day school (3300 series) for FY85. 4000 Series Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously to approve $745,929 for the 4000 Series (includes custodial supplies, heating of building, utilities, maintenance of grounds, maintenance of buildings and maintenance of equipment - buildings and instructional) for FY85. During the discussion which preceded the vote Chairman Coco said he was proud of the way the school buildings have been maintained and it was unfortunate that because the Finance Committee (FinCom) asked the School Committee to level the budget for FY85 deep cuts were necessary. He added that the above figure allows for no painting and very little maintenance. He said that he understood , however, that the Admin- istration will ask the School Committee to "Take another look at the budget." Dr. Wells said that the Administration will recommend putting back into the budget a lot of items which have been deleted. He also noted that a figure of 82G per gallon for fuel oil has been used, at Mr. Winslow's recommendation, and that he had read in the local naner that tha FinCnm harl cPt a fiaiira of ROC- adding that baCPd on the projection of 283,854 gallons to be used, 2C per gallong is a big difference. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 23, 1984 Dr. Wells said he has found Mr. Winslow's approach to projecting prices for oil, .gas, etc. to be vary realistic and that he does not believe it is the role of the FinCom to set these prices as they don't have the expertise. He also said that the $90,000 surplus in the budget two years ago was the result of following FinCom recommendations on prices. Dr. Wells pointed out that he was calling this to the School Committee's attention because the FinCom could ask that this budget item be reduced to be in line with their price projection. The Chairman said that during a tour of the buildings Mr. Winslow had suggested bringing back on line one of the small oil burners at the High School, to use for heating water for the gym in the spring. He added that he figured there would be a six - months payback on this. Chairman Coco also mentioned the need to replace the roof at Coolidge Junior High and the fiberglass gym windows with a Kal -Wall type window, to reduce heating costs. Dr. Wells said he hoped by next meeting to bring to the School Committee a proposal to obtain funds - probably $100- 250,000 - from the School Building Assistance Bureau, due to new legislation concerning rehabilitation of buildings, retroactive to 1982, which could pay for such things as roof replacement. He added that the Administration will need professional assistance to draw up the proposal. snnn q'Pri PC Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted to approve $10,115 for the 5300 series (rental of Superintendent's Office) for FY85. 6000 Series Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously, to approve $800 for private school transportation (6900 series) for FY85. 7000 Series Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was voted unanimously to approve $261,930 for the 7000 series (building improvement, purchase of new equipment, replacement of equipment and vehicle replacement) for FY85. Regarding the 7000 Series, Dr. Wells noted that it will cost $194,000 to reroof Coolidge Junior High, but only $100,000 is in the budget, as half could be done next year and half the year after. He added that if the School Committee and Town Meeting vote $194,000 for the CJH roof it is one of those projects for which they could be reimbursed. Mr. Nigro noted that doing the roof in two stages would cost more. Chairman Coco said he felt it important to approve a level - funded budget now, but also that the Committee should vote some things back into the budget next week. Mr. MacDonald added that the Committee should look at individual priorities as well as the recommendations of the Administration. The Chairman noted that the message the Committee is getting is that the School System cannot be run the way the Committee would like it to be on a level - funded budget. 9nnn qPri PC Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously to approve $8,500 for the 9100 Series (tuition- vocational) for FY85. X52 READING SCHOOL COMMzTTEE MINUTES JANUARY 23. 1984 Special Education Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted to approve $317,374 for the special education budget for FY85 (includes 2000, 3000, 4000, 6000, 7000 and 9000 Series). Dr. Wells noted that there is no way of accurately predicting the cost of outside placements (9000 Series); if even one child in need of such a placement moved into Town it could greatly increase the figure. Athletics Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, to approve $66,150 for the total expenditures for athletics (3510 Series) for FY85. Following a lengthy discussion, the motion passed on a 5 -1 vote, with Mr. MacDonald casting the dissenting vote. Dr. Wells started the discussion, saying he had instructed the Athletic Director to use a 5% increase, as he had the Building Principals, and noting that gate receipts and donations by outside organization, which total $19,250, were listed on a separate sheet. He said the main increase in this year's budget was for transportation for golf and tennis. There was a question raised as to the total amount donated by the Friends of Reading Hockey, and Mr. Philbrick said she would like a clearer picture of the actual cost of the hockey program. The Administration will obtain these figures. Mr. MacDonald questioned the fact that the budget contained funds for reconditioning of uniforms for the band and baton squad, but no funds for new uniforms. He said he felt a double standard exists in that the School Department buys uniforms for athletic teams and not for the band and baton squad. He added, "I would like the School Committee to seriously consider that, if they are going to outfit athletic teams in uniforms, that the band be outfitted in proper uniforms." Mrs. Philbrick said she agreed with part of what Mr. MacDonald said and would like to know what the plans are for replacing band uniforms. Dr. Wells said he has been told that the Bank Parents are raising funds for new uniforms. He told Mr. MacDonald that the School Department does buy band uniforms. Dr. Munnelly added that white shirts were purchased for band members this year. Both Mrs. Philbrick and Mr. Allen suggested that band uniforms be part of the music budget rather than the athletic budget. Dr. Wells said that historically they had been part of the athletic budget, noting if they were transferred to the music budget a decision would have to be made about baton squad uniforms. The Administration will look further into the matter of band uniforms. Total Expense Budget Chairman Coco noted that the last vote completed the expense portion of the level - funded budget recommended by the FinCom, totaling $1,896,287, an increase of $1,244 over the FY84 budget. He said that at the next meeting the Administration will be recommending items to be put back into the budget. Superintendent's Mid -Year Evaluation The Chairman said that Dr. Wells will give a progress report on his goals next week, 253 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 23, 1984 in accordance with the new policy and process adopted by the School Committee last year. He added that the School Committee members would each fill out an evaluation form and he will appoint a subcommittee of two or more members to bring a report to the full Committee in February. He added that the end -of- the -year evaluation will be scheduled for early in June. Leave It was noted for the record that Mrs. Eileen Shine Litterio, teacher at the Barrows School, expects to be on maternity leave from February 27 to April 23, 1984. Appointment Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, to appoint for the remainder of the school year (to replace Mrs. Edelsberg) Mr. Lawrence C. Mastri as a French teacher at Reading Memorial High School at the M -4 Step of the salary schedule - prorated at $16,742. Resignation Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. MacDonald, and it was voted unanimously to accept the resignation for purposes of retirement of Mr. Charles D. Perry, custodian at the Eaton School, effective January 27, 1984. Executive Session - Adjournment At 9:27 p. m., on a motion by Mr. Allen, seconded by Mr. Nissen, the Committee unanimously voted, by roll call vote, to enter into executive session to discuss matters pertaining to barbaining and negotiations. Following a ten - minute recess, the Committee was in executive session until it adjourned at 10:37 p, m. Respectfully sub�ii:tEQ, Robert S. Wells, Secretary