1983-12-19 School Committee Minutes

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236 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 19, 1983 supporting through tuition rates, which are approved each year by the School Committee. Tuition is based on the cost of operating each course, as well as the cost of the Program as a whole. He added that he is now allowed to contract for outside courses. Also, the Program has been condensed from three School buildings to two. Mr. Welford said that there is a Citizens Advisory Committee now which meets at least twice a year to plan and assess the Program. He went briefly into the courses to be offered for the next semester, most of which start January 31st. He noted that there were 37 course offerings in the fall, three of which failed to have the minimum enrollment, and that 42 will be offered for the spring semester. The courses are divided into four types - Recreational /crafts, employment related, self improvement, and community services. Highlighting the Driver Education Program, which is part of the Adult Education Program, Mr. Welford said that they have been able to- accommodate all seniors who wanted to take the course, as well as some juniors, Reading Memorial High School students receive first preference. Five sessions of driver education courses are offered each year. Both road instruction (in two leased, dual - control cars) and classroom instruction take place after regular school hours. Concluding, Mr. Welford said that the Adult and Community Education Program has the support of the teaching staff, Administration, local media and the community - at- large. A question and answer period followed and Mr. Welford, responding to various questions, said that he tried to keep computer course enrollments to 16 but they have had as many as 20, that many students are in the 30 -40 years old age group, and that, due to the demand, a second level computer course is now offered. He also said that the courses which failed to have the minimum enrollment were of the recreational type. Chairman Coco suggested that thought be given to increasing tuition for the computer courses because of the high cost of equipment repair. Mr. Nigro felt that the community was not informed about the Program far enough in advance, resulting in some Reading people enrolling in programs in other communities. He suggested a newspaper advertisement listing all courses. Mr. Welford said advertisements have been placed but the cost of listing all courses is prohibitive. He added that he was placing brochures in local stores. The Chairman thanked Mr. Welford for his presentation. Student Advisory Committee The Chairman welcomed members of the Reading Memorial High School Student Advisory Committee (SAC), their advisor Mrs. Mirkin, Principal D'Orlando and Assistant Principal Zolubos. Mr. D'Orlando prefaced his introduction of SAC members by saying these were exciting days for many Seniors because, with Mrs. Mirkin's encouragement (in her capacity as Head of Guidance), they had applied early to the college of their choice and some have already been accepted.