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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-10-15 School Committee Minutes365 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 15, 1984 Call to Order Chairman Allen called a regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:32 p.m. on October 15, 1984 in the Central Office Conference Room. All members were present at that time except Mr. MacDonald and Mr. Nissen, who arrived late due to prior commitments. Also present were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Super- intendent Munnelly. Assistant Superintendent Winslow was attending an out -of- state business meeting. There were about 18 visitors, including Mr. Albert Lahood, Principal of the Coolidge Middle School, Coolidge art teacher Mr. William Endslow, High School Principal Mr. Leonard D'Orlando, Mrs. Rena Mirkin, head of the High School Guidance Department, members of the Student Advisory Council, and representatives of the Finance Committee and the Daily Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of September 24, 1984 On a motion by Mr. Nigro, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, the minutes of the meeting of September 24, 1984 were unanimously approved. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows: Bills October 5, 1984 - General Expense - $23,281.51 October 12, 1984 - General Expense - $47,357.48 October 19, 1984 - General Expense - $91,901.69 Payrolls October 4, 1984 - Teachers - $316,384.78 October 5, 1984 - Weekly - $26,499.11 October 12, 1984 - Weekly - $26,397.29 October 18, 1984 - Teachers - $322,008.38 School Highlights Dr. Wells said that the "School Highlight" for this meeting would be a videotape of "Coming of Age ", which the Coolidge Middle School produced last year as a part of its transition from a junior high to a middle school. Mr. Lahood introduced Mr. Endslow and students Peter Haratunian, Michele Avola and Kelli Carter. Mr. Lahood said he was proud of the efforts of both the staff and the students in producing the musical and that the cooperation among the various departments - music, drama, art, etc., contributed greatly to its success. Mr. Endslow said that after the staff previewed a videotape of the musical they decided to rewrite so as to involve more students in the production and make it unique to Coolidge, He added that Mr. Cryan helped, Ms. Laarkamp worked on chore- ography and Mr. Mingolelli rewrote the musical score. The wood shop made the scenery. Four performances of "Coming of Age" were presented for parents and stu- dents. A total of 117 students were involved. 366 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 15. 1984 A videotape of excerpts from the production was shown, followed by a brief question and answer period between the School Committee and the Staff and students present. Chairman Allen thanked all involved. I Citizens' Input There was no citizens' input. Student Advisory Council Mr. D'Orlando and Mrs. Mirkin introduced Student Advisory Council (SAC) members, Patricia Callaghan, President, Susan Nordberg, Lisa Rotondo, Kenneth Lento, William Decoste and Richard Byron. SAC members discussed with the School Committee grad- uation requirements, activities of SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving), the new eouipment donated to the Graphic Arts Department by Compugraphic Corporation, and the role of the Guidance Department. One SAC suggestion was to move the "Career Explorations" course from the sophomore to the junior year to assist students applying to colleges. During a discussion of college preparation Mr. D'Orlando said SAT preparation courses can increase scores by about 10 %. Mrs. Mirkin added that she would like to see SAT preparation courses extended next year. Chairman Allen thanked the SAC for attending and commented on the success of the recent "College Fair ". MASC - Voting Delegate The Chairman announced that the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, Inc. had requested the name of a voting delegate to represent the Committee at the annual meeting on November 2nd. All members had prior commitments for that date. Killam School Acceptance Dr. Wells said it had been discovered that a formal vote to accept the J. Warren Killam School as a school building had been overlooked, probably because the build- ing was not finished on schedule and a check list of items remained even after the building was occupied. He added that an official vote was necessary if the State School Building Assistance Commission is to continue to pay their share (50 %) of the remaining principal and interest. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was voted unanimously that the Reading School Committee accept the J. Warren Killam School as a school building. Proposition 2 1/2 Update Mr. Nissen explained that he had been late for the meeting because he had attended a Lions Club meeting to speak on relaxation of Proposition 2 112. Mr. MacDonald said that he and Mr. Nissen would speak at a meeting to which all PTA /PTO's have been invited Wednesday evening at the High School, adding that they will try to present the financial picture as they see it. He said that "� 6 4 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 15. 1984 Thursday night they will participate in a debate, sponsored by the local League of Women Voters, on Ballot Question #3 (relaxation of Proposition 2 1/2). Mr. MacDonald added that the letter he and Mr. Nissen had written in favor of a relaxation of Proposition 2 1/2 has had a wide distribution. Mr. Nissen added that the Wednesday LWV sponsored meeting will be televised. Mr. Coco reiterated his minority position of opposing the relaxation of Proposition 2 1/2, stating there should be some streamlining of town government to make it more efficient. Dr. Wells noted that the School Committee added a gifted and talented program and a winter bus, neither of which were in the budget, adding that if every other Town board decides to add services, more funds will have to be raised, and this cannot be done without a relaxation of Proposition 2 1/2. Pearl Street School Issues Dr. Wells informed the School Committee that a ceramics studio has shown interest in renting space in the Pearl Street School. He also said that he felt it would be a good idea to have the building managed by a professional management firm, adding that managing the building was becoming very time consuming. He said the cost of such a service was not known and he expected that it would be disclosed wben a formal proposal was made. He said that another prospective tenant is a management firm which has expressed interest in submitting a proposal to manage the Pearl Street School building. Dr. Wells said no Committee action was needed at this time as he is waiting to hear from the Town Counsel. Psychological Testing Pilot Program Dr. Munnelly explained a plan, to be piloted at Killam School, to have psychological testing done by a third party, Tri -City Mental Health & Retardation Center, and paid for by the student's family's health insurer, as permitted by recent State legislation. He added that this will allow the School Psychological Staff more time for individual and group counselling and prevention activities. Dr. Munnelly said that in addition to having the necessary testing done for student evaluations Dr. Alexanian has been pursuing the possibility of having family insurance plans pay for physical therapy, occupational therapy and diagnostic evaluations. Dr. Munnelly said the most obvious hospital and medical costs are now usually paid for by insurance companies, but the areas being investigated by Dr. Alexanian are still "gray areas" and if the pilot program at Killam "works" it is expected that the range of psychological services at that School will be increased. Also, the program will, if successful, be extended to other schools. Gifted and Talented Program Dr. Wells said that by mid or late November he must inform the School Principals what figure they are to use for per pupil expense in submitting their expense budgets for FY86, therefore the Administration needs some direction concerning the Rifted and talented program. He said that the screening can be done and the eli- gible students identified by the end of the year, and it is understood a specialist 366 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 15, 1984 will be hired for the second semester, but it is necessary to know the short and long term expectations of the Committee and the expense which will be involved. The Superintendent said Killam School Principal Paul Guerrette is heading up the Committee to work on the gifted and talented program, that other elementary Prin- cipals are anxious to serve on it, and that Mr. Guerrette plans to have teachers from each grade level on the Committee. He added that plans will be made for FY86 and FY87, but the Administration needs to know if the Committee expects the gifted and talented program to be extended to the Middle Schools the next year and to the High School the following year. He added that High School teachers were working on a program but had to be told to "put it on hold" because it was too expensive. Mr. Nissen felt that there is not so much need at the High School as they now have a vehicle in the honors courses, etc. He added that there may be some need there, but at the elementary level where grouping is homogeneous, there is a great need. He noted that the Advisory Committee had not specified what kind of program it recommended and, after talking to various Principals, he has not formed an opinion as to whether the children should be taken out of class or whether another kind of program would be better. He suggested starting screening at the elementary level and also that some be done in the Middle Schools. Dr. Wells felt that screening should be confined to grades 3 -5, that the School Committee should plan on one or two positions for next year and that a reasonable amount of funds should be budgeted for supplies. He added that he did not need a definite answer immediately but would need to know in the near future the Committee" plan for financing the gifted and talented program. Mrs. Philbrick agreed with Dr. Wells suggestions, adding that she feels there also is a need to continue in- service training. She felt Dr. Wells` suggestions could be used as budget guidelines. Dr.'Wells agreed these guidelines would be suffi- cient for now, adding that he will wait until he hears from the Sub - committee. Mr. MacDonald noted that while the Committee has a commitment to parents of gifted and talented students, they have a commitment to other parents as well, adding that he would not want to see any cuts made in the existing programs to accomplish the establishment of this new program. Mr. Nissen felt this question should be taken up after the budget has been com- pleted. Dr. Wells noted that more information will be available in the next few months, adding that he will bring this matter up again in December or January. The Chairman felt it was not necessary to be concerned with the gifted and talented at the High School level. He said he was not suggesting that Middle School students not be evaluated but does not favor the program at that level at this time. Financial Statements Noted for the record were the following financial statements: Expense Accounts, as of September 28, 1984 and Account Balances, as of September 28, 1984. 369. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 15. 1984 "Thank You" from College Fair Steering Committee Noted for the record was a letter from Mrs. Rena P. Mirkin, Chairman, Steering Committee - College Fair, expressing the Committee's appreciation for the School Committee's support of the first Reading Cooperative College Fair, Over 3,000 students and parents availed themselves of the opportunity to meet with represen- tatives from more than 150 colleges and schools. She noted that the Fair is ex- pected to be an annual event. "Welcome to a Reading School Committee Meeting" In line with the School Committee's goal to improve communications, Dr. Munnelly suggested that a "welcoming" letter and an informational package be made up, to be available to everyone who attends a School Committee meeting. Information would include the names of the School Committee members, meeting schedule, an explanation of how Committee business is conducted, and information about the agenda, accompanied by pertinent material. Chairman Allen felt Dr. Munnelly's idea was a good one and the other board members concurred. Discussion of Education Reform Bill H5704 Dr. Wells led a discussion of the 24 original points of the Education Reform Bill 115704, as shown on Document C -7, noting that there have been many changes in the bill since it was introduced and that more are expected before final legislative action. He thought that after the November 6th election the School Committee might want to take a position on all or some points of the Bill and contact their Senators and Representatives. The Chairman asked Dr. Wells to forward to the School Committee any updating of the bill that he receives. Memorandum of Agreement - School Committee, Board of Public Works and Recreation Committee Chairman Allen said it was time to vote on whether the Committee wished to continue its agreement with the Board of Public Works and Recreation Committee regarding the maintenance and scheduling of Town -owned properties for educational, athletic and recreational activities. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously that the School Committee continue its Memorandum of Agreement with the Board of Public Works and the Recreation Committee regarding the maintenance and scheduling of Town -owned properties for educational, athletic and recreational activities for another year. The Chairman noted that the agreement is working well and there is better use of facilities because of it. Request for High School Band to Participate in Sunday Parade Dr, Wells said that he recommended that the High School Band be allowed to partic- ipate in the Lions Club sponsored parade in Woburn on Sunday, October 28th, 370 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 15, 1984 (School Committee policy allows Sunday participation only when the Committee votes to permit it.) He added that he felt comfortable in making the recommendation be- , cause of the Policy, but supported this request because the Band knows they have been invited and could see no advantage in disappointing them. He noted that some of the hidden factors involved in such requests are possible effects on the extra- curricular budget in time. Mr. Nissen noted that the Committee discussed this policy within the last year and decided not to change it, adding he agreed with Dr. Wells' recommendation in this case. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was voted unanimously that the Reading Memorial High School Band be allowed to participate in the Lions parade in Woburn on Sunday, October 28th. It was noted that will be no cost to the School Department, Appointments Dr. Wells spoke briefly on the candidates being recommended for the positions of Director of Reading and Director of the Chapter I Program, Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was voted unanimously that Mr. Ed- ward F. Sacco, 73 Parker Road, Needham, be appointed as Director of Reading, at the rate of Masters Maximum plus ratio of 1.15 - $32,045.90 pro rated, effective Novem- ber 26, 1984. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously that Mr. Robert A. Penta be appointed Director of the Chapter I Program, at the rate of $15.00 per hour, effective immediately. Executive Session - Adjournment At 10:51 Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, to enter into executive session to discuss matters relating to bargaining and negotiations. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. Following a brief recess the Committee remained in executive session until they adjourned at 11:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Robert S. Wells, Secretary