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Home My WebLink About1975-07-14-SC-min CARY MEMORIAL LIBRARY LEXINGTON, MASS. 02173 July 14, 1975 Page 159 The regular meeting of the Lexington School Committee came to order at 3:15 p.m. at the school administration building. Present were Mrs. Swanson, Mrs. verCi'1t01.^<, Mr. Wadsworth, Mr. Rotberg, Z'. Brown, and Mr. :iachman. Also present were Dr. Fobert, Dr. Monderer, Mr. Spins, Mr. acTnnes, and Mr. Barnes. Mrs. LoLLaine Baron, representing Clarke parents, presented the school committee with a letter and charts indicating concern for the heating and air circulation system at the school. She reviewed room temperatures for specific rooms at PUBLIC various times during the school day. She said the school nurse had commented PARTICIPATION that perhaps the high heat and poor air circulation problem was related to the increase in respiratory infections. The parents' delegation, through Mrs. Baron, expressed hope for action before September. • Mr. Naclnnes reported his discussion with the architect; Richard Rosane, who noted that increased complaints have resulted due to the heat. He offered the following suggestions. - 1. Put exhaust fans on during the day, intake fans on during the evening. 2. Don't run intake fan during the day since it will bring in hot air. 3. Purchase recorders for in-out temperatures for staff information TEMPERATURE and decision-making. PROBLEM.AT 4. Staff needs to hear fans to feel something is happening eventhough CLARK; JHS Point no. 2 states that this is a negative effect. Fan noise is more .:psychological than helpful. Mr. Rotberg asked if small portable fans Placed in exits would help. Mr. MacInnes felt that they were not efficient and would be illegal in such a position. He felt the only solution was to refrigerate the air. In summary, he said that other schools had the same conditions and in some, higher temperatures are present. Mr. Rotberg suggested a cost estimate be presented by Mr. .'aclnnes for air- conditioning or for large fan installation at Clarke since the parents have presented data on the-problem. If other schools have problems, they too should present supportive data. Ls. Swanson replied that to imply that the school committee is considering airconditioning buildings is unfair and unreasonable. She felt this would not be efficient use of Mr. PacLnnes' time. Mr. Rotberg ZaYtthat we should find out which schools have similar problems and do something about it since the learning environment is being affected; Alan 'iachman stated that if the purpose of extending school in the month of June was to continue the learning process, the situation, as stated, demanded investigation. Dr. Fobert suggested that no fans be installed until a heating engineer could review the -situation. Mr. Brown noted that the system was now operating at Clarke in the proper manner. He felt that Lexington Resident and Specialist, Irving Nabee, could be consulted regarding alternatives. In summary, he said that the law was being met-and the buildings had passed all state inspections. Page 160 July 14, 1975 Mr. Hal Singly, Bushnell Drive, reinforced parent concern about Clarke as follows: 1. The temperature and humidity could be related to increased health problems. 2. He questioned whether state standards existed for temperature, air, etc. • 3. He asked for possible consideration to form Lexington (local) standards for closing schools during excessive heat days. Dr. Fobert and the school committee explained that the option to close schools in such a case rested with the Superintedent of Schools. Mrs. Swanson said that a report will be made in September. Mrs. Marian Reilly, 25 Walnut Street, questioned the legality of executive session which was conducted by the school committee prior to the scheduled 8:00p.m. public meeting. Mrs. Swanson replied thattthe meeting was not an executive session but an informal meeting with a staff member who was leaving Lexington. Mrs. Reilly disagreed with the intetyretation of the meeting and suggested that the school committee be aware of the law. Ms. Roberta Newman, a teacher at Clarke, requested that the white chalk boards be replaced. She said the problems exist with their usage and Mr. Maclnnes said that he is aware of the situation and is working on a solution. The minutes of June 23, 1975 were reviewed and it was MINUTES 6/23/75 VOTED: To accept these minutes as amnded. (Brown, Wadsworth, Unanimous) Mrs. Berchtold questioned the order of approximately 350 staplers. Mr. Maclnnes said he would ask the principals why they needed them and would report back to the committee. Mrs. Berchtold felt that a similar number had been ordered last year. She also wondered if other areas were being- checked. SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, it was VOL::.): To accept the Schedule of Payments as presented. (Berchtold, Brown, Unanimous) (See next page) Mrs. Swanson asked about the true cost of the Leadership Program. She L.ADERSHIP requested cost figures be presented inorder to understand what comnittment AWARDS is being made when one votes for such a program. Dr. Fobert noted figures which were given- at a previous meeting and said these were the -approximate total costs to the program since 1961. Mrs. Berchtold said that her major concern was the large number of people being awarded leadership; not the dollar amounts. She felt that with approximately 25% of staff on Leadership, it makes the pros am less than selective. July 14, 1975 Page 161 SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS Personal Services June 30, 1.975 Professional Payrolls #290 $16,202.86 June 30, 1975 #300 355,977.65 June 30, 1975 ,`31C 11,623.90 June 30, 1975 #320 4,381.00 June 30, 1975 #330 22.50 July 3, 1975 #10 9,394.26 June 27, 1975 Yon-Certificated Payrolls #26N0 78,099.56 June 30, 1975 #26ANC 2,656.84 July 11, 1975- #11TC 43,276.29 Ex7enses (1974-75 Budget) June 26, 1975 Bill Schedules - #161 2,102.50 June 26, 1975 #162 14,697.77 June 26, 1975 #163 1,440.56 June 26, 1975 #164 8,592.99 • June 26, 1975 • #165 674.56 June 26, 1975 #166 3,120.97 June 26, 1975 #167 464.27 #168 31,985.51 June 26, 1975 - :tenses (1975-76 Budget) July 3, 1975 Bill Schedules #1 4,482.50 July 3, 1975 #2 6,677.35 July 10, 1975 #3 9,580.89 July 10, 1975 -4 3,888.34 July 10, 1975 #5 2,220.00 Out-of-State Travel June 26, 1975 Bill Schedules #37 68.50 June 26, 1975 #38 265.00 Athletics June 26, 1975 Bill Schedules #33� 5,172.85922,74 June 26, 1975 June 30, 1975 Payroll . #31 15.00 Driver Education June 30, 1975 Professional Payroll 426.00 Vocational Education June 26, 1975 Tuition #20V 1,880.00 June 30, 1975 Transportation - #21V 231.20 June 30, 1975 Tuition #22V 623.17 - July 14, 1975 Page 162 Title TTT - Learning Disabilities Training Film Project June 30, 1975 Professional Payroll 1,025.08 June 27, 1975 Non-Certificated Payrolls #26 321.75 July 11, 1975 #27 321.75 June 26, 1975 Bill Schedules #90 1,360.07 July 3, 1975 #91 52.16 Mateo Program June 30, 1975 Professional Payrolls 4,294.98 - June 30, 1975 238.33 June 30, 1975 July 3, 1975 Bill Schedules #21 250.00 July 10, 1975 #22 • 195.26 Autistic Program (Lexington) June 30, 1975 Professional Payrolls 654,54 June 30, 1975 300.00 Autistic Program (Arlington) June 30, 1975 Professional Payroll 1,898.82 June 27, 1975 Non-Certificated Payrolls #18 146.40 July 11, 1975 #19 146.40 July 3, 1975 Bill Schedule #17 46.17 Multi-Handicatped (Burlington) June 30, 1975 Professional Payroll 949.96 • June 27, 1975 Non-Certificated Payroll 192.00 July 3, 1975 Bill Schedule #15 4.95 LAB. Pre-Voce Life Care Pro,ran June 30, 1975 Professional Payroll 712.04 June 27, 1975 Non-Certificated Payrolls #21 - 1,047.78 July 11, 1975 #1 1,047.78 July 3, 1975 Bill Schedule - #24 116.66 Low-Income (Summer Reading Program) July 11, 1975 Non-Certificated Payroll 181.10 TS7A Library June 26, 1975 Bill Schedules #14 2,572.73 July 3, 1975 #15 2,498.57 . Pupil-School Material Recoveries June 26, 1975 Bill Schedule #30 313.69 July 14, 1975 Page 162 Mr. Rotberg felt that by denying leadership to outstanding teachers, we may lose significantly more than we gain. He emphasized the need to reward outstanding service. In addition, he said he would agree to award leadership to only those who never received it before, thus, the year's figure would be about 3 1/2%. Mrs. Berchtold felt that she could not agree to that stipulation. Mrs. Berchtold made a MOTI0N "To award leadership to 3% of staff this year". The MOTION failed for lack of a second. LEADERSHIP AWARDS (cont'd) Dr. Fobert stated that perhaps at budget time a dollar figure should have been decided upon and then the committee could have ranked candidates for recommendations. Mrs. Swanson noted that discussion of the program was minimal at budget time. Mr. Rotberg asked if the present committee could do a ranking by the next school committee meeting. Dr. Fobert stated that the committee was not available during the summer but could meet in September. Mrs. Swanson reiterated that she was still uninformed as to the true cost of the program and also felt that the recent teacher survey supported a need to redesign the pro�uam. Dr. Fobert commented upon his memo to- the school committee regarding Leadership and again outlined the five options which he had recommended. Mr. Brown asked if the school administration was familiar with the Town Merit Program. Dr. Fobert responded that he knew some of the details but has been unable to get specific information from the Town eventhough he has been requesting it for a few years. The committee felt that this information could be obtained. Dr. Fobert said he would aske the Town Manager to provide this information. Upon the recommendation of the Superintdendent of Schools, it was VOTED: To award Leadership Awards for 1975-76 as presented. (Berchtold, Swanson, Wadsworth, NO, Brown, Rotberg, YES - 3-2 AGAINST) Dr. Fobert gave the committee a review of vacancies as of this date. STAFFING Elementary - 3, Secondary 6 2/5 and PPS 4 1/2. He felt that by the end of the Week, the total available positions would be 4 or 5. Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, it was Yen- : To accept the following Personnel Changes (Professional) as presented. (Berchtold, Brown, Unanimous) . PERSONNEL CHANG July 14, 1975 Page 163 Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, it was NEW PERSONNEL VOTED: To accept New Personnel as presented, with the exception of the fifth name on the "Secondary" list. (held for Iycecutive Session) Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, it was PERSONNEL CHANGES VOTED: To accept Personnel Changes (non-certificated) as presented. (non-cert) (Brown, Berchtold, Unanimous Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, it was BIDS Student Insurani VOTED: To award the Student Accident Insurance to Market Plans Insurance Agency (Puritan Life) for the school year 1975-76 as the low bidder ..meetinrfl specifications. (Brown, Berchtold, Unanimous) . Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, it was VOTED: To place orders with the following companies in the approximate totals mentioned based on their low bids meeting specifications. (Brown, Wadsworth, Unanimous) Printed FoLms Items Approx. Totals Concord Press Corporation 8, 9, 13, 14* $ 619.25 Lexington Press 1 764.00 Mass. Envelope Company 2-7, 10 683.15 Merrimack Valley Publishing 12 5555 2 Sir Speedy Instant Printing 11 73.IJ0 ,ali char.._ stat d vendor 1r.c_ 2,694.65 July 14, 1975 Page 164 Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, it was VOTED: That the towel service be awarded to Sportcraft Company based on their low bid of .12 per towel for the school year 1975-76. (Wadsworth, Berchtold, Swanson, Brown YES, Rotberg NO) Towel Service Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, it was VOTED: To award Typewriter Service to Oayne Typewriter Company, as the low bidder meeting specifications. (Brown, Wadsworth, Unanimous) Typewriter ($15.00 for manuals, $24.00 for- electric typewriters) • Service Upon the recommendtion of the Superintendent of Schools, it was VOi'iu: To award the rubbish container service to Miller Disposal Inc. based on their low bid_ meeting specifications. (Wadsworth, Berchtold, Swanson, Rotberg, YES, Brown, ABSTAIN) 3 yards $2.15 4 • $2.65 $3.65 5 " $4.65 8 " 55.65 10 " $7.55 Mr. Brown abstained due to the fact that he had business dealings with one of the bidders. Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, it was VOTED: That the contract for exterior doors at the Fiske School be awarded to the Parker Comprly as the low bidder meeting specifications. Exterior i.�erior DOors Fiske School 7 doors $3,430 High.School 2 sets 2 doors $3,580 Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, it was VOID: That the contract for the operable partitions for Diamond Jr. High School be awarded to the Modernfold Co. , Inc, for $3430.00 as the low bidder meeting specifications. (Wadsworth, Brown, Unanimous) Operable Partitions Mrs. Berchtold questioned the procedure of awarding salary credit for • coaches on the basis of student teaching experiences. It was decided not to discuss this topic until the next meeting. Tr. Ralph Lord will be asked to COACHIi`TG attend the meeting. SALRLS 75-76 It was VOT'E'D: To ratify the contract between Local #17 and-the Lexington School Committee effective September 1, 1975 (Wadsworth, Brown, Unanimous) SCHOOL LUNCH EMPLOYEES Dr. FObert informed the committee that as of July 14, 1975, we will notCONTRACT need an additional supplemental appropriation for Food Services. July 14, 1975 • Page 165 The -=x-gid Advisory Committee Report was given to the school committee. n ig ED Discussion will be held at the next meeting. PROPAM Drs. -Virginia and Lars Culdager reported on the pre-school pro,,iam for PRE SCHOOL students with substantial disabilities. The plans outlined noted the PRO:PAN exransion in September to a four town collaborative. (Arlingtom;Lexington, Bedford, Burlington) Drs. ':uldager outlined the reimbursement and budget, as well as answered questions. Another report will be presented to the school committee approximately December 1. It was VOTED: To move to Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. _ (11:04 p.m.) Berchtold, Brown, Unanimous. Tt was . VOTED: To return to open session at 11:29 p.m. (Rotberg, Brown, Unanimous) Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, it was - VOTED: To appoint Joseph Kelley to the position of English teacher at Diamond Jr. Jigh School and to be English Department Chairman for the 1975-76 school year. (Brown, Rotberg, Unanimous) NEU PERSON EL It was VOT:D: To return to Executive Session at 11:41 p.m. (?Tad.swworth, Brown, Unanimous) - The meeting adjourned at midnight. Res-Tectfully submitte , z- {v/- ,�c.., Richard H. Barnes