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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-03-05 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES Call to Order MARCH 5. 1984 273 Chairman Coco called a regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7 :33 p. m., on March 5, 1984, in the Central Office Conference Room. All members were present with the exception of Mr. MacDonald, who arrived a few minutes later. Superintendents Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow were also present. There were approximately 25 visitors, including Chairman of the Advisory Committee on the Gifted and Talented, Mr. Paul Guerrette, also Principal of the Pearl Street School, other members of the Committee, and representatives of the Finance Committee, Citizens Advisory Council, League of Women Voters, and the Daily Times and Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of February 13, 1984 Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted to accept the minutes of the School Committee meeting of February 13, 1984. Approval of Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were authorized as follows: Bills February 17, 1984 - General Expense - Total - $40,466.12 February 24, 1984 - General Expense - Total - $76,254.51 March 2, 1984 - General Expense - Total - $24,452.57 Payrolls February 24, 1984 - Weekly - Total - $25,572.10 March 2, 1984 - Weekly - Total - $25,282.62 March 8, 1984 - Teachers - Total - $317,819.76 March 9, 1984 - Weekly - Total - $26,659.71 Citizens' Input There was no citizens' input. FY85 Budget Update Chairman Coco reported that the Finance Committee has voted not to approve the Special Article for a new roof for the Coolidge Junior High School - not becauuse it is not worthwhile, but because of the constraints on the Town budget and that it would have tapped into the reserve fund substantially. He added that he told the Finance Committee that money for the roof could come from other funds, such as the sale of real estate, but the vote to disapprove was unanimous. The Chairman said this does not mean the Article is dead, and that the School Committee will speak in favor of it at Town Meeting. Dr. Wells added that he wanted the visitors present to know that the School Committee is interested in all the support they can get on this project. He added that expected State reimbursements would pay about 50% of the $195,000 cost of the roof. The Superintendent pointed out that the roof is leaking and money has already been spent to try to repair it. He also noted that the roof replacement is part of the Five =Yeas C^ 'tal Out-^ Pla. which also cont-----s plans to repair other roofs app uy r� ^r adding that postponing the first roof replacement would back up all the others. )i4 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 5, 1984 Dr. Wells then pointed out that Reading has fallen even further behind the State level in per pupil expenditures, noting the figures shown on Document B -2 -a. Chairman Coco announced that on March 29th he and Vice Chairman Philbrick will appear on Cable TV (Local Channel 3) at 7:30 p. m., to make a public presentation of the budget. Report of the Advisory Committee on the Gifted and Talented. The Chairman gave a brief history of what led to the formation of the Advisory Committee on the Gifted and Talented (ACGAT), and then called unon Dr. Wells. Dr. Wells said he has been receiving progress reports from the ACGAT and expressed his appreciation to the Committee for the time and effort of the members. He added that he will give his recommendations on the report at the next meeting. Chairman Coco noted that the Committee is composed of parents, teachers and two High School students. He then introduced Mr. Guerrette, ACGAT Chairman. Mr. Guerrette began by saying that the ACGAT received its charge in October and since then has been meeting almost weekly. He then highlighted the Report, using overhead slides from time to time to emphasize a point. After explaining the methods of approach used by the ACGAT, Mr. Guerrette gave their recommendations on identifying gifted and talented students, subject matters around which the curriculum should revolve, objectives of the curriculum, design features of the instructional program, long and short term goals, inservice training, evaluation of the program, and budgetary implications. For the initial year of the program the ACGAT Report (Document C -1) has recommended that it encompass grades 3, 4 and 5 students identified as gifted and talented, who would spend one full day each week, by grades, with a full - time, specially trained teacher, in a central location, in a program focused on traditional academic areas. (The ACGAT felt that there is sufficient opportunity for the gifted and talented students in the areas of art, music and athletics.) The two days the teacher does not spend with the students would be used to consult with classroom teachers of those students in the program, so that they share the responsibility of planning and meeting the learning goals of each child, and to work on curriculum, staff development, screening procedures and program development for the second year. Transportation to and from the program site would be the respcnsibility of the parents of the children involved. Also recommended was that inservice training of classroom teachers be made a top priority. Budget needs for the initial year would include the salary of the teacher, supplies and materials, and the cost of inservice training, some of which could possibly be met by a grant. The ACGAT Report recommended that a study of program design and student identi- fication for students in grades K -2 and 6 -12 continue with the goal of incorporating these children into the program the second year or as soon as deemed feasible. Following Mr. Guerrette's presentation the Chairman thanked him and noted that the ACGAT had completed its study and report in four months, which he felt was remarkable. He then called for questions from the School Committee and visitors. 277 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 5. 1984 In answer to the various questions Mr. Guerrette and ACGAT members said that classroom teachers would compact the regular program of children in the gifted and talented program to four days; that it was felt that there is a group of students whose needs are not presently being met formally; that the recommendation for a program which removes the gifted and talented child from the classroom, versus one where the child would remain, was the result of compromise - with fiscal restraints being one of the considerations; that the program would be evaluated by the System; that the figure of 5% of the student body was used for planning purposes, but a screening procedure will determine the exact number; the gifted and talented teacher would be expected to lead inservice workshops; that the ACGAT desires to see staff development start in September and the program to start, at the latest, in January; and that children could participate in the gifted and talented program for reasons other than a high I.O. - multiple criteria are recommended. Following the question and answer session Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. MacDonald, and the School Committee voted unanimously to accept the report of the Advisory Committee on the Gifted and Talented. School Committee Meetings _ Locations Chairman Coco said he had been thinking of holding School Committee meetings in the various schools in the hope that more of the public would attend. A discussion ensued on how to generate more public interest. Suggestions include more advance newspaper publicity; discussing something relative to the school, or at least the grade levels, of the school in which the meeting was held; and meeting in conjunction with PTA's - having a limited agenda, with the remainder of the meeting devoted to citizens talking with School Committee members on a one -to -one basis, and possibly including the administration and teachers of that school. The Chairman said it was a good discussion and thanked School Committee members and visitors for their comments and suggestions. Arts Lottery Grant Dr. Munnelly reviewed the Arts Lottery Grant, as detailed on Document 3 -C. The Reading Arts Council, administrators for the local Arts Lottery Fund, has awarded to the School System $1,400, which will be used as follows: Reading Memorial High School - $500 - to continue its series of artists in residence - will invite a sculptor to work with students. Joshua Eaton School - $400 - to be used for in- school programs, including classroom teachers and specialists in art, music and reading in conjunction with Hammond Castle staff members - in the study the Medieval Period - for sixth grade students. Elementary Schools - $5 -0 - will be used for supplemental instruction on instruments of the orchestra and a program especially for elementary level students by professional musicians. Financial Statements Noted for the record were the following financial statements: Accounts Balances as of February 29, 1984, Expense Accounts of February 24, 1984, and Cafeteria Statement for January. 278 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 5, 1984 Mr. Winslow briefly recapitulated the statements, noting the Cafeteria Statement showed a loss because retroactive cafeteria wages had been paid in January. He added that January is usually a slow month because of illness and mid -year examinations. Mr. Allen pointed out that participation in the lunch program was 41 %, still remaining high. Resignations Dr. Wells read a letter from Killam School Principal Herbert Baron, stating that he would like to resign as Principal at the end of the current school year and return to classroom teaching in September, Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Mr. Herbert Baron as Principal of the Killam School, effective at the end of the current school year, and to honor his request to return to classroom teaching in a position to be decided by the Administration. Mr. MacDonald moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted, to accept the resignation of Mr. Bruce Appleby as Department Head only of the . Social Studies Department of Reading Memorial High School in order that he may return to full -time classroom teaching, effective at the close of the current school year. Leave Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously that Mrs. Jean Maloney- Stewart be granted, on the recommendation of the Administration, a child- rearing leave from her teaching duties at Killam School from March 15, 1984 to the close of the school year. Appointment Mr. Winslow noted that Mrs. Susan Rowland, who had been appointed to a Grade 4 clerical position at the last meeting, had declined the appointment, Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously on the recommendation of the Administration, to appoint Mrs. Norma L. Degel, 417 Lowell Street, Reading, to fill the clerical position vacant at the High School, Grade 4, working a school year 35 hours per week - half time assigned to the Health Depart- ment and half to work assigned by the Principal, effective immediately. Other Business Dr. Wells read a letter from the State Retirement Board regarding Mr. Donald Green, who has been a music teacher at Parker Junior High School. Mr. MacDonald moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, that Mr. Donald Green be retained as a person on authorized leave without salary effective March 20, 1984. --------------- - Chairman Coco said he had received a call from a Mr. William Simpson regarding a program on the use and abuse of alcohol among school children, to be held March 12, 7:30 p.m., in the Guild Hall of the First Congregational Church, and asking if the School Committee might be represented. Dr. Munnelly said he hoped Mr. Simpson could work with "Students Against Drunk Driving" (SADD) , 735, Inc., it READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 5. 1984 and the Town Health Committee in view of the upcoming prom season. Mrs. Philbrick mentioned that the League of Women Voters' Candidates night, scheduled for March 15th, will be held in the new Library (formerly the Highland School). Dr. Wells told the Committee that the Library Trustees had invited all former Highland School employees to a preview of the formal opening recently and he found it to be a most pleasant afternoon, seeing the renovated building and meeting many former employees of the School System. Mr. Allen and Mr. MacDonald suggested that a School Committee meeting be held in the new Library Meeting Room in May. Executive Session — Adjournment At 9:46 p, m. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, to enter into executive session to discuss matters pertaining to bargaining and negotiations. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. The Committee remained in executive session until it adjourned at 11:00 p. m. Respectfully submitted, Robert S. Wells, Secretary