Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-12-17 School Committee Minutes000 READING SC-HOOL CO'21ITTL E MINUTES. Call to Order DECEM -P-EP, 1.7., 198 Chairman Allen called a regular mcotiIls; of the R^ading School_ r0^Cn?_ttee to order at 7.31 n.r.l. on December 17. 1984, in the Contra?. Office Confe;-ence Room, All members were present when the. lneati_n? was called to crder ex,_ept ;frs. philL�ri_ck; who was out of the State, ria T1r. MacDonald, w1_lu arrived nt 8-,00 -1.m,. Also present were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. Thera werl- an-proxi_nate_ly 28 '7isitors l- ncl_uli.ng Birch 'lea!low School_ Principal Mr.. Denn._s 11ur-,.3hy, members of the Birch Meadow School Council, Mr. M.3; : Alteri.o, Director or the Adult and the Com- munity Educati_on. Prot;—am, and r2presentati_ves of the Finance Committee and the Daily Chronicle. Moment of Silence The Chairman announced the recent death of Mrs. Barbara Winkler, who had served on the School Committee for twelve years, and also had been a Library Trustee and Town Meeting Member. A moment of silence was observed in her memory. roval of Minutes of December 3, 1984 On a motion by "fr. ilissen, seconded 1-)`7 Mr. N17ro, the "Minutes of the meeting of DeceTriber 3, 19,94 were unanincus.1_y a?)p7oved with the folloxli_ng correction' Page h, second line, substitute the word "committee" for the word "plan ". Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and -.a_wrollr� ;7ere apprcved as folloTss : Bills December 7, 1984 - General Expense - $32,323.72 December 14, 1984 - General Exoerse - $71,215.05 Payrclls Decen-lber 13, 13:4 - Teaclie-rs - $321,356.44 Leceirlber 11+, 1984 - "eek1,7 .- 12 S, 365. Q4 D_celnber 21, 1984 December 21, 1984 - Weekly - $28,755.48 School _Ughlights In the academic spotlig':.'_ CC tlrJi ; n!ee ink )per;? _ ri ;cipal D nnis "rchV er.d t_,_n students fr"cll: r _c fog ±__h an,2 fift1 era;ts cf '�i.rch''ea:i ,, Schccl, all rf -ahc,n are members of the a c,lt Co",.Inc_il.. Dr. Wells said that the Student Council evolved from the "Circle Meetings" which were part of a project func,ed. ,y _. grant received '_,y tre ^.drool alout tvo ye-ars ago, and noted that t:- -ey had received Smite a tit of positive publicity ana . representatives of the School had been invited to Ha.rvsrd 'Tniversity to exolain the concept. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 17.'1984 Mr. Murphy added that there are actually two Student Councils, one made up of second and third grade students, and the other of fourth and fifth graders. He then introduced Council President Beth Woods, who in turn introduced Susanne Brown, who supervises the lower grades' Council, Treasurer Tod Cook, Secretary Edward Spadaforo, Michael Sullivan, a room representative, Jennifer Evans, Mark DiGiovanni, David Jessup, Brian Farrell and Susan Hutchinson. Each student spoke, explaining the way the Council works, telling about the School newspaper, "The Birchie Bugle'', about their work in raising funds for such charitable causes as The Globe Santa, Reading Jaycees' Christmas Fund, Restoration of the Statue of Liberty, etc., and about the "fun things" they do. Copies of the newspaper were distributed to the members of the School Committee and the Adminis- tration. After several questions from Mr. Murphy and the students success. Citizens' Input School Committee members, Chairman Allen thanked for their presentation and wished them continued There was no citizens' input. Adult and Community Education Dr. Wells said the Administration was bringing before the School Committee their concerns about the Adult Education Program and the program they hope to offer for the spring term. Dr. Munnelly added that they tried to anticipate any problems which might arise and questions the Committee might have in the enclosure sent in advance of the meeting. He then introduced Mr. Marc Alterio, Director of the Program, noting that he was attempting to heighten community interest in Reading's Adult and Community Education Program. Mr. Alterio said he is seeking more input into what adult education should be in Reading, observing that the trend appears to be less toward leisure and recreation courses and more toward skill and learning courses. He added that the Regional t Health Center in Wilmington is willing to offer, in conjunction with the Reading Program, courses in self - development such as "Stress Management ", ''Assertiveness Training" and "Stop Smoking ". He mentioned various courses which are gaining or losing in popularity. Mr. Alterio listed steps he is taking in an effort to infuse new life into the Program, i.e., provide additional skill and self - development courses, in addition to crafts and leisure courses; schedule four -week mini courses and courses that meet twice a week; develop more vigorous advertising methods; and continue to rejuvenate the program offerings through the establishment of a survey to assess the needs of the Community. Following a brief discussion of the Program, Mr. MacDonald moved, seconded by Mr. Nissen, and it was voted unanimously to approve fees for the Adult and Cnmmiinity Education Program as follows: 397 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 8 -week. courses Resident Adult Non -- resident Adult Resident Student Non - resident Student Resident Senior Citizen Non-resident Senior Citizen- S.A.T. rreparat3.or- . ate. zerol ?1CS Driver Education GED (F weeks) Financial Statements $24 29 24 (4 50 40 1C0 55 Resident 65 Pion -- resident DECEIVER 17 1984 Noted for the record were the following financial statements: Account Balances as of November 30, 1984; Expense Accounts as of November 30, 1984; and Cafeteria Statement for October l(lF4, Mr. Winslow said the rate of spei.uing; at this point is pretty much as it has been in the past, lie s.dded that tl.e $18,C00 in. t!-,,e rent acccunt now includes fear:! Street School rental income ane. tit is account will rluctue.te zs the need for heating the building increases, Mr. Coco questioned the $ 7 ^.23 left in the fu_Cs apnlop_iated to refurbish the High School Varsity Foot! ;all. Field. Yr. 17 nslow said '7c would che:cl: __nto whether it could be trans_Ferred to another. �.cco1.at and if it carnet, he will deter mine the proper rrocedure For return; .r,.g it to the Gener'�_1 Trea _:.rv. It T,,-as n.cte, that there is a possibility of some State reimbursement for conversion of the 1,T-"F;!-1 ;ic?-�.eol Track, voted for under the same Town Meeting Article, as it is considered a physical educat_on teaching station. R.M.H.S. Space Utilization - Purther Discussion Dr. Wells said that it occurred to h.;m after th-.e last discussion of util_izaticn of surplus space at Reading Memorial High School that decisions on what sections of the building to be closed. co, --.ld be -i.nfluencee by wiie,c use voila be ra.a.d.e of the vacated space, i.e,, private business, a school, or classrooms. He noted that even to leave space vacant would affect a sFv1ngs. Dr. r'ells a.ddee t'-at he needed to know whether the Sc-.ocl �Gi1lm?_rteP. TfiS t'.1n =;.'.i?g of Moving a:2 o.._-re school nto the building or some variation of add_:tic:..al grades. lle nctea t' -.t er.trar.ces' and access to the building could make a big difference in the way portions of the building are closfr'_. Chairman Allen asker_' how it ,•,o-lild be acco::nplis ;eJ if S._u&ents from another school were to be moved into the bu .l.di_ng; and ij: he a co,;imitt..e should be ainnoin tad to study this. Dr. T'7ells replied that no matter who conducted the study ary reconiendations to move pupils into the High School would be quite controversial. He added that if lower grades were moved into that building then there would have to be a decision about what to do with the vacated building. He noted that Mr. Maclaren's report said that a vacant building would be more saleable than a portion of the High School. 398 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 17, 1984 Mr. Nissen said that the only saving would be the cost of operating another building, adding that he is against, in principle, moving younger students into the High School. The Superintendent pointed out that there could be an upswing in the school population. Mr. Coco said he feels there are five alternatives -- (1) leaving the closed space vacant; (3) moving the Central Office into it; (3) commercial rental (he noted that the didn't think a business firm would want to rent space in a building with students and school busses to contend with) ; (4) use by some of the Town Offices (rather than building a connector); and (5) moving a school into the building. He added that he did not think the savings realized would be enough to make it feasible to move younger students into the building. Mr. MacDonald asked how much space Mr. Maclaren mentioned in his report and Dr. Wells replied that the figure Mr. Maclaren gave was 30 -35 classrooms by about two -three years from now. Chairman Allen said his only thought about future consolidation was to move the eighth grade up to,make a five -year High School, as it would require less partitioning, but he would not support moving up any grades lower than eighth. The Chairman said it probably would make sense to relocate the Central Office there, but it may take two years as funds would have to be budgeted. Mr. MacDonald said he would not favor moving any lower grades into the High School. He asked if there are any national studies on grade spans such as 6 through 12. Dr. Wells replied that most schools in this country are organized based on economic necessity and probably any arrangement could be made to work. He added that there are studies but they do not deal with the social aspects of various grade organizations. Dr. Wells said that after hearing the opinions of the Committee members he will just go about closing classrooms and maybe in a couple of years the money will be available to move the Central Office into the High School. He added that the areas he was thinking of closing first are "E" and "G" sections because they have traditional classes that could be interchanged with "A Wing ". Passes to School Department Activities - Former School Committee Members Dr. Wells suggested that a permanent pass, in the form of an identification card similar to those issued to Golden Agers, be issued to everyone elected to the School Committee and to former Committee members. After a brief discussion Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was voted unanimously that it be School Committee policy that present and former School Committee members, if living in Reading, may attend school - sponsored functions such as concerts, sports events, etc., free of charge and that a permanent identification card be issued by the School Department upon request. It was agreed that the Administration would draft a policy and present it to the School Committee for approval, 399 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 17, 1984 TJ4 -+-or R,,. Mr. Winslow reported that the winter bus started December 3rd with about 40 students eligible. He added that the bus is pretty full in the morning but only about 24 ride it in the afternoon because of after- school activities. He said he hopes this trip may be continued without the necessity of adding an additional bus. Finance Committee Guidelines Relative to the Finance Committee Guidelines, Chairman Allen noted that on January 31 and February 5, 1985 the School Committee is scheduled to present its budget to the Finance Committee. He added that the budget will be discussed at the January 7th, 14th and 21st School Committee meetings. Mr. Winslow said he plans to deliver the budget to the School Committee by December 31st, Tentative Winter Schedule Noted for the record was the tentative winter schedule of School Committee meetings. Town Meeting Announcement Also noted for the record was an announcement of a Special Town Meeting scheduled for February 25, 1985. The Warrant will open at 12:00 noon on February 4th and close at 5:00 p.m, the same day. Discontinuance of Contract with "735" Dr. Wells said that Dr. Munnelly had received word from our coordinator with "735" that something disruptive had occurred at that agency, that the director had been dismissed, and that they will be unable to fulfill their commitment to the High School for completion of the program for the prevention of smoking and alcohol and drug abuse. The program started but had not reached the point where peer leaders have been trained. Dr. Munnelly said the Board of Health has funds for this program and arrangements will be sought for another way of continuing the program, Appointment Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. MacDonald, and it was voted unanimously that Mrs. Irene Dillon be appointed a teacher aide at the Joshua Eaton School, to work 22 hours per week, starting on the first step of the salary scale, effective immediately. Executive Session - Adjournment At 9:19 p.m. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, that the Committee enter into executive session to discuss matters pertaining to bargaining and negotiations. The motion carried by a unanimous roil call vote. After a brief recess the Committee remained in executive session until it adjourned at 9:55 p.m. A 111 Respectfully submittedo Robert S. Wells, SecretarSP