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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-01-30 School Committee Minutes257 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 30, 1984 Call to Order Chairman Coco called a regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order on January 30, 1984, at 7:30 p. m., in the Central Office Conference Room. All members were present, as well as Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. Also present were representatives of the Finance Committee, the League of Woman Voters and the Daily Times and Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of January 23, 1984 On a motion by Mr. Nissen, seconded by Mr. Allen, the Committee voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the meeting of January 23, 1984. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for payment of bills and payrolls were authorized as follows: Bills February 3, 1984 - General Expense - Total - $90,140 Payrolls February 3, 1984 - Weekly - Total - $26,689.46 Citizens' Input There was no citizens' input. Superintendent's Mid -Year Education by Objectives Progress Report Dr. Wells reported on the progress of his three goals for the 1983 -84 school year. Goal #1 A. Complete the task of implementing policy for transportation and establishing school district lines for the two Middle Schools. B. Continue development of curriculum and course options for students of Middle Schools. C. To set up criteria for staffing the Middle Schools and implement in- service programs for staff on Middle School philosophy and specific curriculum work. Dr. Wells said that the goal of reorganizing the System to a Middle School was well on its way by mid summer. He noted that early in the fall his recommendations on redistricting and revising the transportation policy were accepted by the School Committee and later his recommendations concerning curriculum were accepted, the details of which are being worked out. He added that Spanish will be offered to eighth grade students for the first time, that the Industrial Arts Department is being consolidated, and that some courses in computer science will be offered. Dr. Wells said it remains for the RTA to accept certain staffing changes, i. e., in two seniority areas, but that he and Dr. Munnelly feel they are very close to it. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 30, 1984 Dr. Wells told the Committee that in- service programs for teachers are being carried out and will continue to be carried out during the summer, with Dr. Munnelly' help. Goal #2 A. To bring members of the Computer Literacy Committee before the School Committee to discuss the instructional goals, implementation schedules and budgetary implications of their report. B. To discuss plans proposed by a Reading Memorial High School Computer Faculty workshop Group with the School Committee. There are implications in this report for construction costs, program needs and funding for hardware /software. Dr. Wells noted that the computer Literacy Committee had been working last year, continued through the summer, and gave their report in the fall - mostly dealing with the subject at the elementary and middle school levels. At another School Committee meeting High School Principal Leonard D'Orlando and Assistant Principal Maureen Zolubos discussed the subject as it relates to the High School level, stating that they hoped to have a computer science room, so as not to have terminals in each subject area. He added that the terminals will remain in the business education area - because they go along with that subject - and one or two will remain in the mathematics area. Dr. Wells added that Mr. MacLaren, an architect, is looking at the upper story of the library area and should have some specific costs and drawings in the near future. He noted that there is $35,000 in the budget and it is hoped that the System will receive about $10- 12,000 (which it must share with Austin Prepatory School) from Chapter 4, adding that this total should meet the requirements at all levels. Continuing, he said that while this will not meet the desires of everyone, it would be a major step forward and in a year or two there should be a major course in computer science for Senior High School students. Goal X13 To establish committees composed of parents, students, teachers and Administration that will review our present practices, policies and /or regulations in the areas of homework expectations, attendance requirements, grading philosophies, promotion policies, and graduation requirements. The Citizens Advisory Council could become a major partner in the effort. The nature of this overall goal requires an understanding that this would probably be a series of reports to be made to the School Committee, not as one report. These are to be completed before June of 1984. Dr. Wells said there has been less progress on this goal than the others. He pointed out that the School Committee had participated in an exchange with the Student Advisory Council in a discussion of graduation requirements, grading philosophies, homework expectations, etc., following his discussions with them. He added that he had talked this goal over with the entire Administrative staff and Principal D'Orlando has, in turn, been working with his entire faculty. He also mentioned letters written by Mr. MacDonald, on behalf of the School Committee, Mr. D'Orlando, and the Administration to the State Commissioner of Education regard -i ing that Board's curriculum proposals, and the fact that both he and Dr. Munnelly t_.....•.gh t1flIc r professional organizations. to influence and have made ellvi��, t����u�.. ,��� Y�.,_",.,__ - ---- promote official positions of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents. 259 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 30, 1984 He concluded that he expects input on this goal from the Citizens Advisory Council before the end of the school year. Chairman Coco briefly went over the process adopted last year for evaluating the Superintendent, as described in Policy CBA. Committee members then discussed and commented on Dr. Wells' progress report. Mrs. Philbrick asked if the committee studying graduation requirements would report in May directly to the School Committee or to the Superintendent, who would then make recommendations to the Committee. Dr. Wells said he hoped to be making recommendations based on the CAC's recommendations and possibly on State mandates, as well as the report of this Committee. It was brought out that any changes in graduation requirements that might come about would have to be implemented gradually, over a period of years. Mr. Nigro asked about the location of terminals in the High School if a computer center is established and Dr. Wells replied there probably will be some terminals among the business education, math and science areas. He added that he looked to the center to be a tool to use not only when students are with a class, but independently, and that it would probably be open many more hours a day. Chairman Coco felt that there should be a requirement to pass, as well as take, American History. He also said he felt that the guidelines for the amount of homework required at the various grades should be looked into, and tightened, particularly for non college -bound students. Dr. Wells replied that the subject lended itself easily to guidelines but didn't work out ss well in practice, and that commonsense must be applied. The Chairman said he felt Goals #1 and X12 were moving along nicely and showed progress. Mr. MacDonald added that there has been good progress on some worthwhile goals, that he was impressed by what has been done towards computer literacy, and also the leadership on organizing the Middle Schools, but added that he would like to see specific objectives in the goals. Upon completion of the discussion, the Chairman appointed Mr. Nigro and Mr. Nissen as a Subcommittee to collate individual members' evaluation forms and report to the full Committee. He said that hopefully the evaluation process will be completed by the last meeting in February or the first one in March. MASBO Consultant Service The Superintendent told the Committee that early last year he became aware of new legislation expanding the School Building Assistance ACT (SBAA), and it occurred to him that Reading was in a good position to profit from it because of such expenditures as $129,000 for the Birch Meadow School roof, $54,000 for refurbishing the practice field, burner replacement, etc. He went on to say that new SBAA regulations were coming out, because communities were not building new schools, to Gs515t .1"l:I1VV1 systems w1 L11 major renovations � ----- costing a minimum of $10,000). Dr. Wells said he believed the Town could recover $150- 300,000 under this new legislation, partially in FY84. 1)60 .�J READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 30. 1984 Dr. Wells said that because professional assistance is required, and because the Organization has a good reputation, the Administration was recommending that the School Committee enter into a contract with the Massachusetts Associa- tion of School Business Officials ( MASBO) Cooperative Corporation for con- sulting services, in the amount of $9,500, in accordance with the proposal described on Document B -3 -b, entitled "Energy Facilities Management Proposal - Reading School Department." Mr. Winslow Explained that the MASBO Cooperative Corporation is made up of MASBO members, has many experts on its staff, and that they are consulted by the State as well as many school systems. Also, they are helping develop forms for the SBA Commission. He went over the projects in the proposal, noted MASBO's success rate, and pointed out that the Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds would get valuable training working with MASBO. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, that the School Committee approve $9,500 for the MASBO Energy Facilities Proposal. During the discussion of the motion Mr. Nissen noted that it did not specifically state that the writing of grant applications was included. Mr. Winslow said it is part of the package. Mr. Nigro questioned the amount of State funds available versus the communities which will apply. Dr. Wells said he would like Reading to be "first in line" for those funds which will be available. Mr. Allen felt it would be a sound investment. Mr. MacDonald then amended the motion, with Mr. Nissen's consent, by adding, "pending clarification on the extent of services and any limitations on Document B -3 -b and that it is satisfactory to the Administration." The amended motion carried by a unanimous vote. Mr. Nigro noted that any funds received would be returned to the Town, not to the School Committee. "Lend- Lease" Program - Public Library Dr. Wells said that the Public Library could use some help in moving from its present facility to the new location - the former Highland School - adding that he would like to be free to "loan" the School System's professionals. He noted that the Public Library has always been most cooperative with the Reading Public Schools. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was voted unanimously that the Superintendent be authorized to offer the assistance of the professional staff to the Town Library in its move to the new facility. Four -Town Collaborative Efforts Dr. Wells advised the Committee that, triffered by Proposition 22, the towns of Reading, North Reading, Lynnfield and Wakefield have been exploring the possi- bilities of collaborating on their adult education and other programs. He said it is expected that tii0 Higii Scii00i Eii Oiiiiieiit dt Suiic -Pviiit viii dcLLcCSc t0 800 -885, and North Reading and Lynnfield will be even lower, and there will be a time when there would be only 4 -5 students for a calsulus, Spanish 1V class, 261 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 30. 1984 etc. Therefore, the four School Systems are trying to work out some cost - effective solutions on a collaborative basis, which eventually will have budgetary implications. Annual Report to Town Chairman Coco assigned the writing of the annual School Committee report for the Town Report to Mr. Nissen. Winter - Spring Schedule Noted for the record was a tentative winter and spring schedule of School Committee meetings. Correspondence - Police Department - Safety Officer Veno Noted for the record was a letter from Safety Officer Joseph Veno of-the Reading Police Department stating that Registry Investigator George Saterial who, in conjunction with his Department, had just completed a safety program in the elementary schools, had commented frequently on the excellent behavior of the Reading elementary school students. Budget Review Dr. Wells said he recommended putting back into the FY85 budget a list of items (Document B- 2 -a -1) which total $180,104. He noted that he originally told the Principals to increase their per pupil costs 5% - this in effect would be 10 %. The Superintendent explained that per pupil costs were based on statistics, adding that this year he had consulted Educational Research. He noted that the 5% per pupil cost increase actually netted out to 3% because of the Pearl Street School closing. He also explained that the Principals work out their own priorities, before they have their budget discussions with the Administration. Dr. Wells then went over the list, item by item, explaining the need for each. Mr. MacDonald moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously to accept the revised budget by adding those items listed on Document B -2 -a -1 and incorporate the total into the summary budget presented to the School Committee on the Summary Sheet dated January 27, 1984. Mr. Nissen referred to a prior discussion to break out $195,000 for reroofing Coolidge Junior High School, making it a separate article, adding that it would make up for the increase over the level - funded budget because there was not a similar item last year. He also noted that the cost could then be bonded. Chairman Coco said that he recommended making the roof a separate Town Meeting article. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was unanimously voted that $195,000 for the Coolidge Junior High School roof be broken out of the budget and made a separate article for Town Meeting. 262 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 30, 1984 During the discussion which preceded the vote on the above motion, Dr. Wells said the Town Treasurer recommended that the article be worded so that it could be funded by bonding, sale of real estate, from the tax levy, or a combination thereof. He added that he didn't believe there would be much support for bonding. Mrs. Philbrick recommended keeping this item in the budget because if the School Department is only allowed a 2% increase for FY86 it would have a lower base. Dr. Wells said he didn't believe it would be removed from the base if it was a separate article, adding that some advantages of a separate article were that it could be funded from sources other than the tax levy and that it could not be amended. He pointed out that it was a large expense to have in an operational budget. Mr. Nissen felt the School Committee would still be leval funding its budget because there was no expense last year comparable to the Coolidge roof. Chairman Coco felt the Town Meeting should be aware of such a large expense in the budget. Mrs. Philbrick said it should be presented in the context of the budget, but as an extraordinary expense. Mr. Allen said that since he had opened this subject for discussion, at the last meeting, he learned another town was making a separate article for computer purchases. He added that maybe there are other items in the budget,,..,. such as computers, which would be worthwhile to the entire community, which could be separate articles. Continuing the budget discussion, Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was voted unanimously, to insert in the budget a line item of $13,000, in the 7200 series, to cover the costs of possibly mothballing the Pearl Street School. The Chairman commented, during discussion of the motion, that the Administration has had at least one inquiry about renting that buidling, adding that if it is rented it could not be boarded up. Also, he felt the Town would be missing an opportunity if it boards up the School. He noted, however, that the word "possibly" was in the motion. Executive Session At 9:45 p. m. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, to enter into executive session to discuss bargaining and negotiation matters. The motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote. The Committee remained in executive session until it adjourned at 10 :19 p. m. �' 40 Robert S. Wells, Secretar3Fi