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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-04-11 School Committee Minutes_"A READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES April 11, 1984 Call to Order Chairman Coco called a regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 8:01 p. m. on April 11, 1984, in the Central Office Conference Room. Mr. Nigro was absent. All other members were present, as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. There were approximately eight visitors, including Reading Memorial High School Principal Leonard D'Orlando and a representative of the Daily Times and Chronicle. The Chairman explained that most of the meeting would be in executive session because bargaining and negotiating matters will be discussed. Approval of Minutes of April 2, 1984 Approval of the minutes of the meeting of April 2, 1984 was postponed until the next meeting. Citizens' Input There was no citizens' input. Two visitors asked questions about the agenda at this time. Executive Session At 8:06 p. m. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, to enter into executive session to discuss matters concerning bargaining and negotiations. The motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote. Return to Open Session - Teacher Aides' Contract The Committee returned to open session at 9:17 p. m. Chairman Coco asked Mr. Allen, as Chairman of the Subcommittee negotiating with Teacher Aides, to give an update on negotiations. Mr. Allen said he and Mrs. Philbrick, the other member of the Subcommittee, had come to an agreement with the Teacher Aides bargaining team and the latter had signed a two -year agreement with a 6% increase for the first (current)year, and a re- opener clause. He added that they are now in the process of negotiating under the wage reopener for the 1984 -85 year. He said it had been a positive experience and strongly recommended that the School Committee ratify the agreement. Mr. MacDonald moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was voted unanimously to ratify the agreement with the Teacher Aides Association, as described by the Chairman of the School Committee's Subcommittee which has been negotiating with the Teacher Aides Association, effective July 1, 1983 through June 30, 1985. Professional Staff Reappointments and Related Action Chairman Coco then stated that during the executive session the Committee had a long discussion on the budget process and, with great difficulty, had decided to adhere to the Finance Committee guidelines for a level- funded budget, which means a total of cin o�� ��,i, Th LA r; yLV,iVL, )I./. L1J, tae continued, meant accepting some reductions 111 serVll�es lV the school children, adding that the Administration has prepared recommendations as to where cuts should be made. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 11, 1984 Dr. Wells said he was recommending, in order of priority, the following: 1. Cut Summer School; 2. Cut Intramurals; 3. Eliminate one speech /language teaching position; 4. Eliminate one art teaching position; 5. Eliminate one music teaching position; 6. Eliminate one elementary teaching position at Birch Meadow School; 7. Eliminate one English teaching position at the High School; and 8. Eliminate one business education teaching position at the High School. The Superintendent said that if the School Committee accepts these recommendations six teachers would be notified of non - reappointment instead of thirty -five. He explained that State Law calls for teachers whose contracts are not being renewed to be notified by April 15th. The Chairman noted that this is the first time the Committee has had facing them the actual reducing of the amount of teachers because of limited income. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, that the Committee delete from the budget the Summer School Program, Intramurals Program, one speech /languate teacher, one art teacher, one music teacher, one elementary teacher at the Birch Meadow School, one English teacher at the High School, and one business education teacher at the High School. Mrs. Philbrick stated that she had made the motion to be in compliance with the State mandated date for teacher notification, but that once negotiations were complete and the budget picture known she will recommend another look at the total budget to sort out its final priorities and, if possible, retaining the six teaching positions. Mr. Nissen said that it should be noted for the record that looking ahead to the next fiscal year, it is likely to be worse unless there are changes in the Proposition 21-2 legislation. Mr. MacDonald said he would vote emotionally and not support the motion, but that he didn't see what else the Administration could do. Mr. Allen expressed concern that staff would not know whether or not they would be employed and that two programs are being cut, and that the motion would eliminate the entire intramurals program. He added that he hoped it was realized that this was not an easy decision and not an easy motion to make, or even to second. The Chairman said it was clear that none of the Committee approached the vote on the motion with any relish, and that there is great concern about what the Committee is in the process of doing. He then called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried on a 3 -2 vote, with Mrs. Philbrick, Mr. Nissen and Chairman Coco voting in the affirmative and Mr. MacDonald and Mr. Allen in the negative. Dr. Munnelly asked that the Committee rescind its prior vote to grant tenure to Sally Mucica and that her name be in the same "pool" with the others, and that appointments of teachers be made as recommended on the revised version of Documents B -3 -c (1) and B -3 -c (2) . Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, that the following teachers be granted a fourth year tenure contract: 295 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 11, 1984 Mary C. Abegg, Joan C. Clifford, Ellen Convisser, Leslyn A. Cowan, Judith M. Donovan, William E. Endslow, III, Ellen J. Howland, Margaret M. MacIsaac, Rena P. Mirkin, Debra F. Murray, Jeffrey Nelson, Cheryl O'Halloran, Donna M. Pappalardo, Dominique Vintejoux, Mary B. Correia, Beth A. R. Delforge, Louise F. Flippin, Patricia L. Herrington, Francis P. Muccio and Kristin F. Abbott (Part -time, music). Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, that Claudia T. Bowe, Ruthann Budrewicz, Keith Jones, Deborah Sweeney, Philip N. Vaccaro, and Sandra M. Martin be appointed to third year contracts and that David F. Bunten, Paula G. DiTullio, Eleanor F. Withe and Edward P. Jack (part -time, music) be appointed to second year contracts. Mr. Missen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick,that, on the recommendation of the Administration and with reluctance, Barbara Ann Lanney, Ellen J. Gelpke, Sally Mucica, Warren R. Hopkins and Kristin A. Killian be notified that they will not be reappointed for the next school year, with the intention that the School Committee will take this action up at a later date and will possibly reappoint them at that time. The motion carried, 4 -1, with Mr. MacDonald casting the dissenting vote. Adjournment At 9:22 p. m. Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and the Committee voted unanimously to adjourn. Respectfully sub-_:itted, /le -�-�l "3 - Gf/.R� Robert S. Wells, Secretary