Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-06-11 School Committee Minutes317 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 11, 1984 Call to Order Chairman Coco called a regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:30 p.m. on June 11, 1984 in the Central Office Conference Room. All members were present, as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. There were five visitors, including representatives of the Finance Com- mittee, the Parker Junion High School PTA, and the LaPierre School of Dance. Approval of Minutes of May 29, 1984 Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. MacDonald, and it was voted unanimously, to approve the minutes of May 29, 1984. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows: Bills June 8, 1984 - General Expense - $11,760.12 June 15, 1984 - General Expense - $9,340.24 Payrolls June 8, 1984 - Weekly - $24,987.09 June 14, 1984 - Teachers - $318,202.85 June 15, 1984 - Weekly - $25,435.71 Citizens' Input There was no citizens' input. Metco Dr. Munnelly told the Committee that after he had written to the State for a routine updating on the Metco Program the Town of Wakefield decided not to continue its cooperative bussing arrangement with Reading. This means an additional $17,000 in bussing costs for Reading. At the State's request Reading attempted to convince Wakefield to continue the bus sharing arrangements, but to no avail. Because of this Dr. Munnelly asked the School Committee to approve submission of an amended Metco budget for $242,090. He said that the State had committed to only a flat 10% increase in Metco funding this year, but indications are that if additional funds become available Reading will be given a high priority. Mr. MacDonald moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously, that the School Committee approve the request to the State for an amended 1984 -85 Metco Budget of $242,090, as delineated on Document B -2 -a. Proposition 22 Amendment The Chairman noted that at Mr. Nissen's request an item on amending Proposition 22 was placed on the agenda of the last meeting, but action was postponed pending the presence of a full Committee. 31� READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 11. 1984 Mr. Nissen said that as the two members absent at the last meeting have had the opportunity to read the discussion in the minutes, he would proceed with his motion. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, that the School Committee endorse a Propo- sition 22 relaxation and further that the School Committee take a leadership position in gaining support from the Board of Selectmen and the general citizenry for these questions. Mrs. Philbrick inquired as to the process involved and Mr. Nissen explained that this had nothing to do with Town Meeting but required a 2/3 vote of the Board of Selectmen to place the question on the ballot. He added that the first step would be to convince the Selectmen it should be on the ballot and the second would be to convince the Townspeople to vote for it. Mrs. Philbrick agreed that the School Committee should take a leadership role. Mr. MacDonald said he is opposed to Proposition 22, has been from the beginning, and would be willing to take a leadership role. Dr. Wells said he firmly supported amending Proposition 22, adding that he thought the School Committee would be better served if they were more specific in what change(s) they want. Chairman Coco noted that his opposition is clearly stated in the minutes, adding that he still supports Proposition 22, as he did three and a half years ago, and feels it has helped Massachusetts. His contention is that Reading has sufficient funds and it is just a matter of deciding where they should be spent. He said it is not Proposition 22 which should be attacked but rather the way money is allo- cated. Dr. Wells noted that there has been no attempt by the Town to increase funds for education. Mr. Nissen added that the School Department already has had a needed roof replace- ment cut from its budget. He said that if the State provides enough aid Reading will "muddle through ", but sooner or later there will be less State aid and "we will be left in the lurch ". He expressed the opinion that the School Department "should take out insurance rather than wait for the sky to fall ". Mrs. Philbrick said that although the School Committee has talked openly about their needs, no one has begun to set priorities and the School Department "has been taking a real beating for the last two years while other boards are not taking the same kind of beating ". She added that it seems logical for the School Committee to take their case to the people, which would allow them to raise funds for the School Department. She did not feel that this would be doing anything the School Committee has not talked about for the last two years. The Chairman said his sentiments had not been changed by the discussion and he was still opposed to the motion. Mr. Nigro said he feels it is the responsibility of the School Committee to tell the people when they are in trouble, warning them that unless something is corrected the educational process will be impeded. He added that the Town doesn't seem to be pre- pared to change budget priorities, and that he sees it as not only the role but the responsibility of the School Committee. 319 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 11, 1984 The vote on Mr. Nissen's motion was then taken and it carried 5 -1, with Chairman Coco casting the dissenting vote. Painting Bids Mr. Winslow briefly recapitulated the bids for painting portions of the Senior High, Junior Highs, Barrows and Eaton Schools, as shown on Document B -3 -a. Mr. MacDonald moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, that painting contracts for Reading Memorial High School, Barrows School and Eaton School be awarded to B & P Painting Contrac- tors of Lynn for a total of $8,300 and that the painting contracts for the two Junior High Schools be awarded to William K. Lazarakis Painting and General Contrac- ting, Inc., of Lynn, for a total of $9,750 (the low bidder in both cases) for a grand total of $18,050 ($950 over budget). Printing Equipment Chairman Coco announced that a letter had been received from The Old Schwamb Mill of Arlington expressing an interest in acquiring the old printing press at R.M.H.S., which is to be replaced by equipment being donated by Compugraphic Corporation. Mr. MacDonald moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, that the R.M.H.S. printing equipment (Chandler & Price press, four - two double - California job cases of type, compos- ing stone and other related equipment), to be replaced by equipment being donated by Compugraphic Corporation, be donated to the Old Schwamb Mill providing it bears all costs of moving said equipment. Pearl Street School Chairman Coco reported that the Subcommittee composed of he and Mr. Nigro met Thursday with Selectman Paul Landers and Mrs. Margaret Russell of the Finance Committee to discuss how to go about renting the soon to be closed Pearl Street School. He added that before the meeting legal advice had been sought from the Town Counsel who said that if the building is not used for school purposes it must be turned over to the Board of Selectmen, who would be the renting authority, although the School Committee would maintain control and be liable for the upkeep of the building. He continued, saying that if a portion of the building is used by the School Depart- ment the State would decide whether the Selectmen would still be the renting authority. If the School Committee becomes the renting authority it could use rent monies to offset maintaining the building, with any remaining funds going to the Town Treasury. Chairman Coco said the feeling of the group is that some administrative offices, e.g., adult education, should be in the School so the School Committee could retain control. He added that it was the sense of the group that the School should be rented rather than left vacant. There will be another Subcommittee meeting June 19th. The Chairman also noted that it was felt that rental fees should be enough to at least cover building maintenance costs. He added than an affirmative vote of the School Committee was needed before a rate structure could be set and a joint meeting scheduled with the Board of Selectmen. He also noted that the Selectmen were amenable to the School Committee having veto power concerning prospective tenants. 32U READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 11. 1984 Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. MacDonald, and it was voted unanimously that the School Committee be on record as in favor of renting the Pearl Street School. Prior to the vote there was a brief discussion about rules concerning architectural barriers, what constitutes school use, the financial impact of renting only a portion of the building, and possible future costs if the building is reopened as a school. Telephone Answering Service - PTA's Chairman Coco stated that a concern of parents voiced to some School Committee members and the Administration is how to let the school know when a child will be absent. He said that one proposal is that PTA's buy a telephone answering machine and provide a telephone line and volunteers to transcribe messages. Mr. Nissen pointed out that this would give parents the assurance that if their child did not arrive at school and they had not called the school that they would be notified. If a parent forgot to call there would be no problem, otherwise if a child who had been sent to school did not arrive within a reasonable time an investigation could start immediately. Mrs. Philbrick noted that the Birch Meadow School has such a system in place and, as a parent, she is pleased with it. She said it put an extra burden on the office staff, adding that she understood PTA members will volunteer to transcribe messages and call parents. Mrs. Leslie MacGonagle, representing the PTA's, said that it is a matter of educating parents to call, just as adults call when they will be absent from work, to make sure that if a child does not arrive at school it is known well before he /she is due to arrive home. She told the School Committee that at a joint meeting of PTA's and School Principals Mr. Murphy, Birch Meadow School Principal, had reported on any problems he had encountered, and the PTA's decided to adopt as a Town -wide proposal having a system for parents reporting to schools when their children will be absent. She added that PTA members would volunteer their services. Mrs. MacGonagle said the Birch Meadow School had sent a form to parents asking for their participation and 90% agreed to participate. Dr. Wells said that if the School Committee accepted the offer it should be under the conditions that the PTA's purchase the machine, pay for the telephone line, and fur- nish people to man the line until 10:00 a.m. Mrs. MacGonagle said that the two middle schools would be involved as well as the elementary schools. Dr. Wells noted that Dr. Delaney, Parker Junior High School Principal, had said he understood the service was for elementary schools only. The Chairman said that if the Committee votes for this proposal he will ask the Subcommittee on Policies to draft a policy to cover the situation. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. MacDonald, to endorse the PTA proposal as out- lined in Section C -1 of the Superintendent's Memorandum, and request that a policy be drafted. Mr. Allen amended the motion, seconded by Mr. MacDonald, to include in the proposal a telephone answering machine, a dedicated telephone line, and sufficient PTA volunteers to transcribe what is on the tape and make telephone calls regarding children not accounted for. Following a brief discussion as to whether 321 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 11, 1984 the middle schools would be included, the motion carried by unanimous vote. Basic Skills Testing Report Dr. Munnelly noted that every year at this time the School Committee hears the results of the Basic Skills Testing under the Reading Schools' improvement plan. The results were delineated on Document C -2. He added that this is the fourth year, and Reading students did very well considering the large numbers who take the tests. He said the number of students exceeding the minimum standard cut- offs on the tests is, in every case except one, in the 90th percentile. Dr. Munnelly also made note of a very positive letter - Document C -2(a) - from the State Basic Skills Coordinator, following a visit to three Reading Schools, commending Reading for several aspects of its Basic Skills Program. He also described the followup for students who did not pass. Achievement Tests Dr. Munnelly spoke about the achievement tests results, as shown on Document C -3(2) and C -3(3), noting that on these tests, which are more for information on individuals, Reading students do very well compared to the national average. He added that these results are used to show patterns. Exchange Program - France Chairman Coco noted that two years ago the School Committee had approved an exchange program similar to the one proposed by the Foreign Language Department, for a cul- tural exchange between Reading Memorial High School and a French High School, for approximately twenty students. Mr. MacDonald moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously to approve the proposal for a French Exchange Program, as outlined on Document C -4. Citizens Advisory Council Noted for the record was a letter from Mr. Keith Manville, Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Council, stating that the Council, at its May meeting, had voted unan- imously to revert to an inactive status through the end of June 1985, with the inten- tion of disbanding at that time. The letter cited low membership and declining public interest in the Council's activities as the reasons for this action. Nove's Fludde Noted for the record was a proposal by Music Director James Roth and Art Director Susan Wheltle to the Reading Arts Council for a sum of $2,200 to produce Noye's Fludde, a play set to music, in conjunction with the Musical Committee of Reading. R.M.H.S. College Bound (1984) Also noted for the record was a list of colleges and universities and the number of Reading Memorial High School Students who have been accepted to them. Dr. Wells commented that about 60% of the class go on to four -year institutions of higher learning. c1�GG . READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 11. 1984 Leaves Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was voted unanimously, on the recom- mendation of the Administration, that child - rearing leaves for the 1984 -85 school year be granted to Mrs. Lynne Cameron, second grade teacher at the Eaton School, and to Mrs. Beth DelForge, elementary art teacher. Appointments Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. MacDonald, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, that Mrs. Cynthia M. Jamison be appointed to replace Mrs. Lynne Cameron for one year at the Eaton School, Contract #2, at Salary Step M -6, and that Mrs. Nancy K. Cleary be appointed to Contract X12, at Salary Step B -6, assigned to the Barrows School, Grade 1. Mr. MacDonald moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously, on the recommendation of the Administration, to appoint Mrs. Mary C. Abegg as Head of the Mathematics Department at Parker Middle School. Resignation Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Mr. Donald Welford as Head of Adult Education only, effective June 30, 1984. Other Chairman Coco said Dr. Wells had brought to his attention the Beacon Fellowship Church's request for the use of the Eaton School Auditorium and two classrooms on Sundays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and cited various precedents of church services being held in schools. Dr. Wells said he did not need a vote of the Committee since, if there was no objection, he would grant the request with fees to be charged according to the regular schedule. The Chairman reminded the Committee of the self - evaluation workshop scheduled for June 18th. Executive Session At 9:47 p.m. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, to enter into executive session to discuss bargaining and negotiations matters. The motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote. The Committee remained in executive session until 11:20 p.m. Open Session - Adjournment At 11:20 p.m. the Committee returned to open session. At this time Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was voted unanimously that the School Committee declare Friday, June 22nd, as the last day of work for teachers provided the teachers complete necessary closing tasks to the satisfaction of the Building Principals. The Committee adjourned by unanimous consent at 11:23 p.m. Respectfully submitted,