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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-02-13 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES Call to Order FEBRUARY 13. 1984 265 Chairman Coco called a regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:11 p. m. on February 13, 1984, in the Central Office Conference Room. All members were present, as well as Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. Executive Session Immediately after the meeting was called to order Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. MacDonald, that the Committee enter into executive session to discuss matters pertaining to bargaining and negotiations. The motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote. Return to Open Meeting The Committee returned to open meeting at 7:45 p. m. Visitors present included Reading Memorial High School Principal Leonard D'Orlando, RTA President Joseph Terilli, and representatives of the Citizens Advisory Council, League of Women. Voters and the Daily Times and Chronicle. Approval of the Minutes of January 30, 1984 On a motion by Mr. Nigro, seconded by Mr. MacDonald, the Committee unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the meeting of January 30, 1984, as amended. The minutes were amended by substituting the following (distributed at the meeting) for the last paragraph on Page 2: 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 Preparatory 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. Bills and Pavrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were authorized as follows: Bills February 10, 1984 - General Expense - Total - $85,662.26 February 17, 1984 - General Expense - Total - $40,466.12 Payrolls February 17, 1984 - Teachers - Total - $306,052.08 February 17, 1984 - Weekly - Total - $35,547.59 Citizens' Input There was no citizens' input. Band Parents Club Mr. Paul Geoffrion, President of the Bank Parents Club, addressed the Committee on their fund raising activities which, to date, have realized $200 - 300.00, and told about a "Spring Fling" fund raiser being planned. He said the Club had a membership of about 40 parents. He also spoke of the increased enthusiasm among V READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 13, 1984 band members since the reorganization of the Music Department. Mrs. Philbrick inquired about the status of the Band Uniforms. Mr: Geoffrion said that he had talked with Mr. Bunten, the Band Director, and they agreed that new uniforms would be nice, but expensive (approximately $400 each), and that by long -term planning the present uniforms could be expanded by adding gauntlets, sashes, hats, etc. Chairman Coco said he found it noteworthy that so many parents are interested in and supportive of the Band and added that he, too, had noticed a remarkable improvement in the Band. Mr. MacDonald then made a motion, seconded by Mr. Allen, that the School Committee increase line item 6 -804 (band, baton, cheerleaders) of the budget from $280 to $1,280. Chairman Coco said that the budget had been discussed at the last three meetings and there had been ample opportunity to make changes, but that now, after having gone before the Finance Committee, he would feel uncomfortable about going back to that body and saying the budget had been changed - even though it is a small amount. Mr. Nigro said he favored more support for the Band, but expressed concerns about the ramifications of changing the budget. o_,1 Mr. MacDonald noted that the amountuin `iis motion was small, but large symbolically. He said that he felt the budget was "alive" until it comes to the Town Meeting floor, adding that he appreciated the fact that the School Committee didn't want to keep meddling with the budget, but that this is a small amount and the budget would still be under the level- funded guideline. He said he would be glad to talk to the Finance Committee. Mr. Nigro then made a substitute motion, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, to continue in the spirit of support to improve the band's appearance that the School Committee resolve that at the end of FY84 if there are any residual amounts in the budget that $1,000 be allocated for the Band's use. The Committee voted unanimously to accept the substitute motion. The substitute motion passed by unanimous vote. Mr. Geoffrion noted that his group had not told the Music Department how to use any money they raised and that is the Department felt it should be put into something other than uniforms, instruments, for example, it was fine with the Band Parents Club. Personnel Recommendations - FY85 Dr. Wells introduced the subject of the reduction in force which will be necessary for the next school year because of the closing of the Pearl Street School. He said also that between the School closing and the initiation of Middle Schools many staff members will be transferred from one school to another. He added that the Administration would like to be able to notify staff members of changes as soon as possible. 26 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 13. 1984 Continuing, he said that the teaching staff will be reduced by 17.3 teachers, as follows: 1 Guidance /Psychologist, 1 Librarian, 1 Special Education teacher, 1 reading teacher, 4/5's physical education teacher, 112 elementary classroom teachers, and 1 High School industrial arts teacher. Also, a change in curriculum as Middle Schools are initiated will necessitate replacing two industrial arts teachers with two computer education specialists. He noted that the Industrial Arts Department Head at the High School is retiring in June, but, as a department head, he teaches only two classes. Mr. MacDonald moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was voted unanimously that, on the recommendation of the Administration, the teaching staff for the 1984 -85 school year by reduced by 1 Guidance /Psychologist, 1 Librarian, 1 Special Education teacher, 1 reading teacher, 4/5's physical education teacher, 112 elementary classroom teachers and 1 High School industrial arts teacher - for a total of 17.3 teachers. Preceding the vote on the above motion, and in answer to questions from Mr. MacDonald, the Superintendent said there will be no significant change in the teacher -pupil ratio and there will be no loss of services, adding that there will be additional offereings - Spanish and computer science - at the.Middle Schools. In answer to a question from Mr. Terilli, Dr. Wells said that the industrial arts staff will be reduced by three, Mr. Wales position at the High School and one industrial arts teacher at each of the Junior High Schools. Dr. Wells said that the Administration was recommending laying off two tenured teachers and a School Committee vote is necessary before they can be notified. He said Ms. Stephanie Kendall, Librarian, is tenured but has the least seniority in that area, so he was recommending she be selected to be laid off. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. MacDonald, and it was voted that on the recommendation of the Administration, Ms. Stephanie Kendall be notified that as least senior member of the Library Staff she has been selected for layoff in accordance with the contract between the Reading School Committee and the Reading Teachers Association. Dr. Wells said his second recommendation is in the industrial arts area. He said that Article XXI, Section F of the Reading School Committee (RSC) - Reading Teachers Association (RTA) Contract states, in part, "that the' Committee may make exceptions to inverse seniority in unusual circumstances and in doing so shall give due weight to subject area teaching experience in Reading, quality of performance, educational bac kground and special teaching qualifications within a seniority area," and that because of significant differences in the quality of performance, educational background and special teaching qualifications of other industrial arts teachers, he was recommending that Mr. Michael Tierney be selected for layoff. Mr. MacDonald moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, that, on the recommendation of the Superintendent and based on significant differences in the quality of performance, educational background, and special teaching qualifications of other Industrial Arts teachers, the School Committee notify Michael Tierney, pursuant to the Committee's discretion to make exceptions to inverse seniority, that it has selected him for layoff effective at the first day of the 1984 -85 schnnl vear_ Fnllncain� a 1Pnothv rlicriiccinn n��tlined },el�y. the mntinn nprried by a unanimous vote. 2,68 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 13, 1984 Prior to the discussion of the motion Chairman Coco asked Mr. Tierney if he would like the matter discussed in executive session and Mr. Tierney said, "No." It was noted that of the three industrial arts teaching positions to be eliminated, one would be a retirement, and one would be a non - tenured teacher, which does not require a School Committee vote. Mr. Terilli addressed the Committee on behalf of Mr. Tierney. He expressed the opinion that the matter should be dealt with under Chapter 71, Section 41, (Teacher Dismissal Law) of the General Laws. He read and distributed the following RTA position: "The contract language was designed to allow the Committee to retain a teacher with some special teaching qualifications within a seniority area and who was absolutely necessary to a particular program. It was meant to be used only in unusual circumstances and in these cases the Committee has an obligation to prove that the teacher retained is special. Even under this provision, the Committee would not be able to go anywhere on the list to make its selection but must follow the seniority list from the bottom up." "The Association recognizes the need for the Committee to retain only qualified._, teachers. It is for this reaaon the contract establish a procedure for unusual circumstances. In this case, the teacher is qualified for the position from which he is being riffed. This is not the exception the contract language addresses." "If this decision is based on the opinion that the teacher's performance may be marginal or borderline, it cannot be done under the language of the current contract. It would be proper to discuss this in a negotiation session. In previous negotiation sessions, the RTA has always made it clear that the RIF language could not be used for this purpose." "The Association is not at liberty to make exceptions and the contract language must speak for itself." "The Association asks that the recommendation to select Michael Tierney for Layoff be denied." There was a lengthy discussion among the School Committee, Administration and Mr. Terilli regarding the interpretation of the RIF language of the contract. Mr. Terilli disagreed with the School Committee stand that there are unusual circumstances. Mrs. Philbrick disagreed with Mr. Terilli's stand that the matter should be a negotiations issue. She stated that she was a member of the negotiations team, that this had been thoroughly discussed, and that the RTA had agreed to the language in the contract. Mr. Tierney spoke briefly, saying he was qualified, had 17 years of teaching experience, and that he considered this a firing rather than a layoff. Mid -Year Evaluation - School Committee Goals The School Committee discussed their progress on their 1983 -1984 goals, set in September, i. e., Primary Goal - To study and review the educational standards 269 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 13. 1984 and achievements of the Reading School System; Secondary Goal - To address the question of the education of gifted and talented students. Chairman Coco noted that the first goal was a result of the Committee's reading "The Excellence Report," adding that it compliments one of Dr. Wells' goals. Regarding the second goal, the Chairman said that a Committee has been appointed to study a program for gifted and talented students and a report is expected within the next few weeks. Members agreed that reducing the number of goals and reviewing them mid year were steps in the right direction. There was some disagreement as to the means of carrying out the goals. Some members felt having reports from the Administration and various committees, followed by questions, giving their opinions and making ` suggestions, was an adequate way for the School Committee to meet its goals. Other felt more individual effort might be in order, such as motions, working in subcommittees, and /or having representatives on study committees. Mr. Allen said he felt that the essence of setting goals is to identify them to the Committee. He added that maybe they should be called concerns and in the course of the year the School Committee should speak to people in a position to give them the answers. Mr. Nissen said the Committee should decide what role to take - whether to work through the goals at meetings or assign a subcommittee to work on them. Mrs. Joan McKinnon, a representative of the Citizens Advisory Council, then volunteered the services of that organization to assist the Committee in any goals or concerns they may have. It was generally agreed that there has been some progress and the Chairman said there will be a final discussion of the goals in June. Financial Statements Noted for the record were the following financial statements: Account Balances as of January 31, 1984, Salary and Expense Accounts as of January 27, 1984, and the Cafeteria Statements for November and December. Mr. Winslow briefly recapitulated the statements. Mr. Nigro asked about unexpended balances remaining in the Library Funds Account for FY81, FY82, and FY83 and was informed that a motion was necessary to enable funds to be returned to the State. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously $6.38 remaining in Library Funds for FY81 and $.30 remaining for FY82 be returned to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MASBO Contract Mr. Winslow reported that the MASBo contract will be ready for signing next week. He said MASBO would first seek all reimbursement funds available under Chapters 515 and 613, and then concentrate on Cycle VI Grants. One of their services will be reviewing and updating the High School energy management system. In addition, they will instruct the custodial staff in a combustion efficiency program, update the lighting survey, and instruct the Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds on 270 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MI_ATUTES FEBRUARY 13, 1984 energy management, thereby making it possible to phase out the contract, probably in two years. He added that during the life of the contract the School Department may change its emphasis if it wishes. J Correspondence For the record it was noted that the Committee had received an acknowledgement of the letter which Mr. MacDonald had written on behalf of the Committee from the State Commissioner of Education. Also noted for the record was a letter from the Birch Meadow School PTA commending the performance of the custodial staff of that School, giving special mention to Earl Opland for the long hours he has worked to accommodate special events at the School. Channel 3 Program on Middle Schools The Chairman announced that Dr. WTells would appear on a "talk show" program on Cable TV's local Channel 3, answering viewer questions on Middle Schools Thursday, February 16th, at 7 :30 p. m. Resignations Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Mr. Ronald Morrison, effective this date, from his position as science teacher at Coolidge Junior High School. He is currently on a one —year, unpaid leave of absence. Appointments Mr. MacDonald moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was unanimously voted to appoint Ms. Susan S. Rowland, 21 Locksley Road, Lynnfield, to fill the clerical position vacant in the High School, Grade 4, working a school year, 35 bourse per week — half time assigned to the Health Department and half to work assigned by the Principal, at a rate in accordance with the contract, effective February 27, 1984. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted to appoint Mr. George H. O'Brien, 99 High Street, Reading to fill the custodial vacancy in the Field House, 3 -11 shift, at a salary in accordance with the contract, effective from February 11, 1984 through June 30, 1984. Adjournment At 10 :17 p. m. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. MacDonald, and the Committee voted unanimously to adjourn. F>es%%pectl-u--l``'_'';, U„ r:�.ite7� Robert S. Wells. Secretary f