2012-07-23 School Committee Minutes

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July 23, 2012 4. Assistant Superintendent Ms. DeLai updated the School Committee on the FYI budget status and requested approval of two cost center transfers. Mr. Croft moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to authorize the transfer of $10,000 from the Other Programs Cost Center to the Special Education Cost Center. The motion carried 6 -0. Mr. Croft moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to authorize the transfer of $27,000 from the Regular Day Cost Center to the Special Education Cost Center. The motion carried 6 -0. B. Continued Business Middle School Enrollment Discussion Dr. Doherty provided facts about the current Middle School district lines which were established in 1993 in an effort to balance class sizes across the district. The redistricting has been effective in maintaining class sizes at the middle schools. The middle schools were not affected when the elementary redistricting was done. The Superintendent went on to review the middle school request process used since 1993. He reviewed the 2012 -13 sixth grade enrollment and the requests received. This year there were a total of 29 requests to attend Coolidge for a variety of reasons. To maintain class size only 4 requests were honored. Next steps to address the concerns that have been discussed include revising the middle school district lines, reviewing the current school splits and the locations of our Special Education programs The School Committee asked clarifying questions. Mrs. Janowski stated that both middle schools are excellent and this seems to pit one against the other. Mrs. Gibbs cautioned that programming needs may factor into student placement and class size. Mrs. Young asked if the lines were revised what impact would it have on younger siblings that would be entering middle school before the incoming sixth grader had moved on to high school. Parents could have children at two different middle schools. Dr. Doherty indicated he would verify who would be impacted by the placement of younger siblings. Continuation of ElementM Space Study Discussion The focus of this evening's discussion will be to continue to present information from the Locker Study and other sources, to identify the direction the District should take in reference to the following areas; full day kindergarten, integrated preschool, special education programming and specialized classrooms. The school Committee will need to review long and short term options and which options are feasible to pursue.