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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-11-30 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session November 30, 1998 CALL TO ORDER Chair D'Antona called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee members Dahl, D'Antona, Stohlman, Twomey and Williams. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 7:02 p.m. Mr. Dahl made a motion to enter into executive session for the purpose of conductin2 strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with the Teachers' Association, Custodians and Maintenance Workers, Cafeteria Employees, Association of Secretaries and Clerks, Educational Assistants, Nurses and Tutors and to discuss the possible sale or lease of real estate and to discuss pending litigation. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Mr. Dahl Ms. D'Antona Mr. Stohlman Mr. Twomev and Ms. Williams. CALL BACK TO ORDER Ms. D'Antona called the meeting back to order at 7:35 p.m. BILLS & PAYROLL Bills and payroll were as follows: October 16 $148,003. 56 Payroll October 19 $100,502.02 Bills October 22 $573.814.16 Payroll October 26 $254,485.05 Bills October 30 $184,131.81 Payroll November 2 $191,921.18 Bills November 5 $573,460.90 Payroll November 9 $51,466.52 Bills November 13 $156,163.61 Payroll November 16 $362,144.54 Bills November 19 $578,139.93 Payroll November 23 $190,881.16 Bills November 27 $158,506.57 Payroll November 30 $156,923.56 Bills HIGHLIGHTS Dr. Harutunian advised that the conference room artwork this month was done by the students at the Parker Middle School. The Barrows Elementary School video tape, A Day In the Life of a Barrows Student, was shown to the Committee. Dr. Harutunian thanked the staff at Parker and Barrows. CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen input. Regular Session -2- November 30, 1998 PEER LEADERSHIP PRESENTATION Jane Fiore gave a presentation to the Committee regarding Peer Leadership and the notebook entitled Harassment — A Guide to the Harassment Policy of Reading Memorial High School put together by Ms. Fiore. Chair D'Antona stated that she felt the book was an excellent resource and she thanked Jane Fiore and everyone who worked on the project for their hard work and dedication. Ms. Williams questioned whether any thought had been given to bringing the program to the middle schools. Ms. Fiore stated that she was working on bringing the program to both middle schools. Chair D'Antona advised the Committee would take a short break. CURRICULUM UPDATE Associate Superintendent Dennis Richards advised the Committee that Foreign Language, Science and Mathematics were the curriculum areas that would be covered this evening. He stated that in the spring, Social Studies and Language Arts will also be presented to the Committee. Foreign Language — Bill Cowles and Tony DiSanzo Mr. Cowles advised that foreign language opportunities have increased in the middle schools. He stated that every 7`h and 8`h grade student is taking a foreign language on a full -time basis. He also advised that there is a proposal to introduce foreign language to grade six students twice per week cycle on a 6 -day cycle. Mr. DiSanzo stated that RMHS wanted to use the same text series that is being used at the middle school. He stated that next year the staff was hoping to offer AP Spanish and AP French. Mr. Stohlman asked if there were plans to change RMHS foreign language curriculum now that foreign language is offered full time in the 7`h and 8th grades and would possibly be moving to the 6`h grade. Mr. DiSanzo stated that 7`h grade students that are taking full time language will be able to enter the Spanish 2 or French 2 course in the 91h grade. He stated that the best way to measure students abilities is not by courses taken but proficiency ratings. He stated that he hopes to move to those proficiency ratings. He stated that there are no current plans to change the curriculum. Mr. Twomey stated that he is pleased that there is a proposal to bring foreign language to the 6`h grade and asked whether the expectation would be for students to reach a certain level of proficiency rather than just having taken a certain number of courses. Regular Session -3- November 30, 1998 Mr. DiSanzo expressed his desire to move to a system of proficiency. Mr. Richards stated that the state will mandate that students be able to read, write and speak a second language before graduation from high school. He stated that there is still no time frame on when this requirement will go into effect. Ms. Williams asked whether a student can switch from one language to another if they are not happy with the language they are taking or would like to try another language. She also questioned how parents could assist their children who are having problems with foreign language. Mr. DiSanzo stated that students can switch languages. Mr. DiSanzo stated that there are computer software programs available if a parent wanted to learn a language with their child and help them that way. Dr. Harutunian advised that he believes that changes will be made in the near future, including summer academic programs, to assist children that may be having difficulties with a subject and to ensure that students will be prepared for the MCAS tests that they will be required to pass in order to graduate. Mathematics Elementary — Paul Guerrette and Chris Redford Mr. Guerrette advised that Everyday Math is now in Kindergarten through 5`h grade classrooms. He stated that teachers deserve credit for working hard to make the program successful. He stated that last summer Reading hosted University of Chicago Math Users Conference. Ms. Redford stated that Children's Hospital gave a workshop to help those teaching Everyday Math to children with special needs. Secondary — Rick Comeau. Joe Finigan and Peter Moscariello Mr. Comeau advised that the Everyday Math program will continue in the 6`h grade and 7`h and 8`h grades will be using Connected Math. Mr. Moscariello advised that they are working to align the curriculum with the state frameworks. He stated that the department would like to add additional AP courses. Mr. Dahl stated that Everyday Math is aligned with the framework for 4`h graders and he asked what the expectations were for the MCAS results. Ms. Redford stated that she hopes the 4`h grade results will be good but she could not give any firm information until she has the opportunity to review and the test results. Regular Session 4- November 30, 1998 Dr. Harutunian advised that the students were introduced to the concepts but the benchmark is quite high. Mr. Moscariello advised that the state provides information from the MCAS tests that will help to pinpoint students' strengths and weaknesses. Mr. Dahl asked whether the math portion of the MCAS test was one of the first or one of the last sections of the MCAS test given. He stated that he believed the students may have become burned out by the end of the testing period and that may be a significant factor in test results. Ms. Williams asked what was built into the K -8 program for children who get the math quickly she questioned whether there is anything to challenge them. Ms. Redford stated that there is so much information in the program children should always be challenged. Science Elementary — Richard Davidson, Karen Rickershauser and Chris Redford Mr. Davidson stated that they were in the 2nd year of a 3 -year initiative fully implementing physical science. He stated that they are currently piloting an earth science unit. Mr. Davidson stated that professional development remains important. Ms. Rickershauser stated that this year the earth science kit is being piloted and she is hearing mixed reviews. She stated that she cares very much about the match to Reading and she had heard from teachers that they may want to continue with their unit on planets rather than the earth science unit. Mr. Comeau stated that the middle school staff received FAST (Foundation Approach to Science) training. The goal is to align content of the curriculum, how we teach and how we test. Mr. Doherty stated that we continue to struggle with a mile -wide curriculum and the need to go into areas in depth to teach. Ms. O'Brien stated that RMHS staff was also involved in the FAST training and was looking at the earth science unit this year. Mr. Richards thanked the PALMS parents for their work. He explained to the Committee that the parents were asked to help educate other parents, be aware of the kinds of programs and to work on special projects, for example, the website project. Regular Session -5- November 30, 1998 HIGH SCHOOL RESTRUCTURING Frank Orlando and Cheryl O'Brien provided the School Committee with an update of the high school's restructing committee's work. Mr. Twomey asked when Mr. Orlando felt he would be back before the School Committee with recommendations on increasing the graduation requirements. Mr. Orlando stated that he expected to have recommendations ready in the spring. OPERATING BUDGET FY2002 Dr. Harutunian made a presentation regarding the FY2002 operating budget including the timetable for the new elementary school, the timetable for the Barrows renovation, enrollment births and projections K -5, program/space analysis for 5 school option, staffing costs in fall 2002 with four /five schools and the approximate number /cost of portable classrooms 2002 -2006. Mr. Lindbergh stated that he was concerned that there would be no opportunity for design input from neighbors of the proposed school. Mr. Stohlman stated that he wanted a commitment to a public forum where neighbors can give input. Mr. Twomey stated that the architect should put together a schedule for public input. Mr. Stohlman moved that the School Committee direct the architect to include in his time table sufficient opportunity for neighbor, community and interested parties to give input for the proposed design for the new elementary school. Ms. Williams seconded the motion The vote was 5 -0 Mr. Dahl Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. BIRCH MEADOW PROJECT Mr. Twomey moved the School Committee vote to accept the Birch Meadow project for school purposes. Ms. Williams seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. ADJOURN Mr. Twomey made a motion to adjourn at 12:15 a.m. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Mr. Dahl Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Res ctfully s it , arry arutunian, Ph.D. Superin ndent of Schools