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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-11-03 School Committee MinutesIr Reading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session November 3, 2003 CALL TO ORDER Chair Dahl called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee Members Carpenter, Dahl, McFadden, Russo, Spadafora and Webb and Student Representative Nelson. Also present were Superintendent Schettini and Associate Superintendent Richards. SUPERINTENDENT /CHAIR REPORT Superintendent Schettini discussed the Birch Meadow School's art sculpture. He discussed the tie into the current curriculum. Superintendent Schettini thanked the PTO and school community for their work on the project. Mr. Davidson thanked the Committee for the opportunity to speak about the art project. Mr. Davidson introduced Roberta McRae, the visionary behind the initiative, and Carole Davis art teacher and go to person on the project. Ms. McRae thanked the Committee and reviewed the history of the project. Ms. Davis reviewed her work with the students on the project. SUPERINTENDENT'S AWARD Superintendent Schettini discussed the criteria for the M.A.S.S. superintendent award. He stated that this year's recipients are Alexander Scott and Madeline Weber. BILLS & PAYROLL Bills and payroll circulated for signature. CITIZENS' INPUT There was no citizen input. CURRICULUM PRESENTATIONS Superintendent Schettini stated that this evening's discussion on curriculum would include the social studies curriculum and presentations on the middle school, 9`" grade academy and high school professional development. Regular Session 2 November 3, 2003 Social Studies Mr. Richards introduced Rosie Palmer, Karen Callan, Helen Sellers, Anne Saurman and Tom Darrin who discussed the social studies curriculum. Mr. McFadden asked what courses were utilizing the wireless computers. Mr. Darrin stated the computers are used across the curriculum and are very popular with teachers and students. Mr. Richards stated the future of the curriculum would depend on funding. Mr. Spadafora asked there is any thought of offering a civics course. Mr. Darrin stated that they are looking at re- instituting A Problems in Democracy course as an elective. Mr. Schettini stated that K -12 there is a discussion of adding civics and citizenship. Mr. Carpenter discussed rubrics and working to challenging students at all levels. Superintendent Schettini and Mr. Richards discussed the use of rubrics. Ms. Webb asked for clarification on repeat topics in the curriculum. Superintendent Schettini stated that when we repeat topics, students should be pushed to use higher level thinking skills. Mr. Russo distributed his analysis of the Standford 9 2001 -2002 results and discussed the results. Chair Dahl thanked the staff for their presentation. Middle School Mr. Doherty and Mr. Foye discussed the middle school concept. He discussed the transition from elementary school to middle school, the communication between students, parents and teachers. 9th Grade Academy Mr. Orlando and Mr. Fiore discussed the concept of a 9th Grade Academy. Mr. Fiore discussed the need for a transition from the middle school to the high school. Regular Session 3 November 3, 2003 Mr. Fiore stated that they were not talking about grouping students and the current leveling would continue. Mr. Fiore discussed the need for students to feel tied to the high school immediately and not be allowed to falter. He stated that he believed the team approach would improve instruction and challenge the level two students to meet higher expectations. Mr. McFadden asked why the program would take so long to implement. He stated that he would like to see the timetable moved up. Superintendent Schettini stated that the administration was excited to move this program forward but want to be sure that staff members are well - prepared to implement the program He also stated that parents need to have an opportunity to review the program. Ms. Webb stated that she would like to see community involvement in the program and perhaps use community members as mentors. Mr. Dahl stated that he would like to see how this program reviewed with 9th grade parents. Mr. Spadafora stated that he saw this as similar to college freshmen programs. Mr. Russo stated he supported the idea and thought that students and parents would also support the program. He stated his concern that teachers and department heads receive information regarding this program from studies or from staff of other towns where similar programs are run. Mr. Carpenter thanked Mr. Orlando and Mr. Fiore for the presentation. He stated that 9th grade students need and deserve more structure and carefully a thought out set of knowledge and skills. Professional Development Mr. Orlando and Mr. Finigan discussed the accreditation process the high school recently completed. Mr. Finigan discussed professional development. They discussed the number of teachers retiring from the high school in the next several years and the need to ensure the new teachers are adequately prepared to teach at RMHS including the technology piece. Mr. McFadden thanked them for their presentation. He stated that he was pleased with the level of energy and excitement about bringing the Reading Public Schools to the next level. Regular Session 4 November 3, 2003 Ms. Webb stated that she was pleased with the presentations this evening and the level of passion people have about serving the students of Reading. Mr. Russo thanked the staff for their presentation this evening. Chair Dahl stated that every presentation this evening was outstanding and that we want to make sure that every attempt is made to get the Reading Public Schools to the next level. TOWN MEETING WARRANT ARTICLES Superintendent Schettini stated that there is a letter in the School Committee's packet from the Department of Revenue stating that there is no violation in the proposed warrant article. Chair Dahl reviewed Warrant Article 9. Mr. Spadafora moved to support Warrant Article 9 on the Fall 2003 Town Meeting Warrant. Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb. Chair Dahl discussed Warrant Article 10. Superintendent Schettini stated that the Finance Committee voted not to support Article 10 at this time because they felt they did not have sufficient information. Mr. Spadafora moved to direct the Chair of the School Committee to table Article 10 or take other action as appropriate to delay the motion for a future Town Meeting. Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb. The Committee discussed meeting at 7:00 on November 10th prior to the Town Meeting. Town Counsel Ad Hoc Review Committee Chair Dahl stated that he was appointing Rob Spadafora as the School Committee representative to the Town Counsel Ad Hoc Review Committee. Regular Session 5 November 3, 2003 ADJOURN At 11:00 p.m. Mr. Spadafora moved to adjourn. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb. RWuub , P . S uperintendent of Schools