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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-03-16 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, 1Massachusetts REGULAR SESSION March 16, 1998 CALL TO ORDER Chair Cavicchi called the meeting to order at 7 :35 p.m. at the Superintendent's conference room. Present were School Committee members Cavicchi, Spadafora, Stohlman and Williams. Also present were Student Representative Lanthier, Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards. BILLS & PAYROLL Bills and payroll are as follows: Bills 3/16/98 $146,802.94 Teachers' Payroll 3/12/98 $551,318.39 GIFTS Dr. Harutunian thanked the following for their donations: • Laurie Burns donated a Kodak slide projector to the Joshua Eaton School. • George Doucette donated 2 personal computers and support. • Mary Lautman donated 1 personal computer and was instrumental in setting up the Internet Training at Sun Microsystem. • Nicole Yankelovich and Martha Blance of Sun Microsystems provided Internet for Educators Training at'Joshua Eaton School CITIZEN'S INPUT None SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Ms. Cavicchi stated that she enjoyed read aloud day at Coolidge School with Ms. Zermanies' group of 6th grade students. At 7 :40 p.m. Ms. D'Antona arrived. C REGULAR SESSION -2- March 16, 1998 Dr. Harutunian distributed the 1997/1998 school calendar to the Committee. Dr. Harutunian announced that all Birch Meadow kindergarten students who have gone to Barrows will be able to go back to Birch Meadow for first grade next year. Dr. Harutunian thanked the student volunteers for their baby sitting services during the enrollment hearings. Dr. Harutunian distributed an update from Siebe on renovations at Joshua Eaton, Birch Meadow and Reading Memorial High School. Dr. Harutunian thanked individuals who worked with him on the, Coolidge project and thanked Town Meeting for approving the Coolidge Project. He stated that by approving Coolidge Project the 6th -8th grade project is complete for a generation. At 7;45 p.m. Chair Twomey arrived. STRATEGIC PLANNING Dr. Baugh updated the Committee on the status of the Strategic Planning Committee. She stated that there is a high consistency between criteria from this group and the School Committee's goals. Ms. Williams asked how focus groups were selected and if someone wanted to join focus group could they. Dr. Baugh advised that they targeted service clubs, parents groups and some people have gone into the neighborhoods to create a focus group. Dr. Baugh stated they are still looking for more. Dr. Harutunian stated that if more focus groups are needed, he can set up another one or two general groups. MCAS PRZS8NTATION Dr. Harutunian advised that the state is moving from MEAP tests which tested students as a group and had no direct correlation between questions asked and things being taught to MCAS tests which have a direct relationship to the curriculum frameworks. REGULAR SESSION -3- March 16, 1998 Jeffrey Nellhaus, Administrator Massachusetts Department of Education, Planning, Research, Accountability and Evaluation Services gave a presentation to the Committee on the new MCAS tests which will be given to students in grade 4, 8 and 10. Mr. Nellhaus opened the discussion up to questions. Dr. Harutunian asked if there is a 50/50 split on multiple choice and open ended questions on all tests and how the open ended questions will be scored. Mr. Nellhaus advised that yes it is a 50/50 split and will have over 5 million open ended responses. They have trained scorers, scoring guide gives points from 0 -4, there is direct criteria that have to be met and the scorers are continually monitored. Scorers include retired teachers, military personnel and most have bachelor's degree or better. Dr. Harutunian asked about the confidentiality of the questions and the scorers. Mr. Nellhaus advised that if Massachusetts' teachers are employed they will be allowed only to score questions which will not be used again. Ms. Cavicchi stated that the inclusion of all students factors into the accountability of schools. How will schools with high number of SPED students or English as second language students compare. Mr. Nellhaus advised that the state is only looking for school improvement year to year not comparing town to town. Chair Twomey asked if the criteria for open ended questions will be available to the public. He also asked if there are minimum thresholds for school districts. Mr. Nellhaus advised that will publish sample questions and will publish samples of students answers. Mr. Nellhaus advised that the first few years the Board of Education will not want to turn away from schools scoring low on the tests, they are looking for improvement from year to year. REGULAR SESSION -4- March 16, 1998 Mr. Stohlman asked whether the English test has more open ended question than the other tests. He also stated that the quality of the grader is crucial to legitimacy of results. The big challenge is to come up with consistent reliable graders. Mr. Nellhaus stated that the English test has the same number of open ended questions but also has writing components to it. He also stated that the scorers do have opportunity to work with table leader or questions may be scored by 2 people. He stated that by asking open ended questions, it influences what happens in the classroom. Dr. Harutunian stated that all SPED students will take test under this program and asked how you identify district doing good job with SPED but have students with different SPED capabilities. Also, can student on IEP who scores below proficient receive a diploma. Mr. Nellhaus stated that the policy is not yet set in stone, this is the Board of Education's decision. SPED students will be given accommodations parallel to their IEP. Chair Twomey asked about the security of the tests if not all areas are required to test on same days. Mr. Nellhaus stated that this is a concern and may have to put in penalties to deal with this. Dr. Harutunian asked what other states the MCAS test is modeled from. Mr. Nellhaus advised it is a combination of Maine, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri and is built on the success and mistakes of others. Ms. Williams questioned whether there will be a method in place checking between the grades when tests are scheduled to ensure students are keeping up and will be ready for the MCAS tests. She also questioned whether it is possible that someone could pass the MCAS test but not the Stanfords. REGULAR SESSION -5- March 16, 1998 Mr. Nellhaus stated that the local districts can look at standardized testing or implementing a writing test program district wide. He also stated that you absolutely can not correlate the MCAS test and the Standford tests. Ms. Cavicchi stated that there is a lot of talk about the difficulty of the test and that it is almost impossible to reach the high end. She stated this will be difficult to accept for high achieving districts. Mr. Nellhaus stated that the performance levels are pitched and results will not be as high. He stated that they may include a percentile marking on the test so that even though student may not have scored as well as expected, will be able to correlate score to that of other students by the percentile ranking. Dr. Harutunian asked how students, parents and school districts prepare for this test. Should school districts be teaching to the test and what about the quality of instruction, materials and in- service training how do they weigh in regards to the test. Mr. Nellhaus advised that school districts need to implement curriculum frameworks. There is nothing wrong with teaching to the broad academic objectives that this test is measuring. He also stated that it is often not how much district spends but how the district spends to help to achieve learning skills. He stated that guidelines elaborating on frameworks have been sent out to districts. Mr. Orlando stated that he realized state is looking for improvement but is concerned that as we improve we will leave behind some students who have no possibility to receive diploma without passing MCAS and they must get their GED. He asked if there is a move by the state to remove the GED and replace with MCAS. Mr. Nellhaus advised that he is not aware of any move to eliminate the GED. He stated that his personal belief is that if a student works hard should be able to pass test. The Board wants to raise standards and needs to set standards but don't want to set so high that only high achievers graduate. REGULAR SESSION -6- March 16, 1998 Mr. Orlando stated that there will be tremendous budget implications with regard to curriculum framework which are not mandatory but passing the test is mandatory. Dr. Harutunian suggested that as part of administering the test, the state should track what programs, textbooks, etc. a district that scores well is using. Mr. Nellhaus advised that they are trying to minimize data collection but that Dr. Harutunian has an excellent point and he will take that back to the Board. Mr. Mandell asked why using Advanced Systems when Kentucky and California just removed them. He also stated that the scope and sequence is out of line, most students do not take chemistry until the 11th grade. He also stated that Fordham ranked Massachusetts 44 out of 46 because math standards are so vague. Mr. Nellhaus advised that quality control is built into the system for scoring. The frameworks for new science at different levels is stated in the frameworks. He also stated that our math standards came out very early and we have just come out with guide which elaborates on the framework. A citizen asked if any thought had been given to the New York Regent Diploma system. Mr. Nellhaus advised that it could play out to something similar to the Regent Diploma system in the future. Chair Twomey thanked Mr. Nellhaus for his presentation and advised that School Committee would take a five minute break. CALL BACK TO ORDER Chair Twomey called the meeting back to order at 9:25 p.m. STANDARDIZED TESTING Dr. Harutunian reviewed the Administration's recommendations for standardized testing. REGULAR SESSION -7- March 16, 1998 Mr. Stohlman stated that we need to have scheduled dependable testing program that tests pretty much the same thing year after year. Dr. Harutunian advised that the district is mandated to give MCAS and administration wants to find where the holes are that the district should administer tests to. Meeting with administrators next month to coordinate. Will bring recommendations back to the Committee in the fall and will be ready to put into place for this coming school year. Mr. Spadafora stated that he also is concerned with the testing but also wants to know the monetary figure associated with these tests and requested that the administration provide this number. Mr. Mandell stated that administering the Stanford 8 test can give a curriculum analysis and would give closure to the Sth grade math controversy. He asked that the School Committee direct the Superintendent to administer the Stanford 8 test. PEAT MARWICR REPORT Dr. Harutunian advised that the Peat Marwick study on the assessment and complete review of custodial maintenance was included in the Committee's packet. Peat Marwick's recommendation for additional personnel is on page 28 of the report. He advised that Peat Marwick will be at the Budget Council meeting on March 18th to make a presentation to the Council. Mr. Spadafora stated that when this is presented on March 18, we know that we need more custodial staff but we can't afford it. Dr. Harutunian stated that we will either have to pay now or pay later. There are not enough custodians to maintain the buildings. It is difficult to ask for a new building if we can't maintain it. Mr. Stohlman asked why the cost per square foot including staff, materials, minor upkeep problems is not in the report. He stated that the figure per square foot could be greater than the cost for additional staff. REGULAR SESSION -8- March 16, 1998 Dr. Harutunian advised that the cost for that type of detail would have been twice what the Town Meeting wanted to spend for this study. Chair Twomey stated that the report is interesting but fear it will be competing with educational issues. Both the Town and the School will be dealing with reductions in the budgets. Mr. Stohlman stated that we should be looking at a multiple year operating budget as we have for the capital budget. Dr. Harutunian advised that the Committee should direct the Superintendent to work with town financial people to do a two to four year projection for the operating budget for both the town and the schools and bring back report in the spring. SUPERINTENDENT'S EVALUATION Chair Twomey advised to use old evaluation The School Committee Each School Committee the administration to 423 responses and 75% outstanding range. that several weeks ago the Committee agreed form while in the process of revising form. made some minor changes to the old form. member completed the form and will give to hold. Chair Twomey advised that there were of responses were in the above average to Mr. Stohiman stated that he compared his last year's markings to this years and they are about the same. He stated that some categories he put down two marks. Planning and Organization item #1 gave both a marginal and outstanding mark. Coolidge was pulled together wonderfully but plan results for elementary problem are marginal. Chair Twomey stated that comparing last year's to this year the number of marginal /average remain same, however, shift up for above average to outstanding. As a School Committee this tends to indicate we have seen improvement of Superintendent over the last year. This has been an exceptionally difficult year with a lot on the Superintendent's plate. He has shown an honest desire to move the school system forward. Reading is very fortunate to have Dr. Harutunian as a Superintendent. Chair Twomey thanked Dr. Harutunian for his efforts. REGULAR SESSION -9- March 16, 1998 Ms. D'Antona stated that she did the evaluation twice. She stated that the leadership from the Superintendent has helped us to define our role as a School Committee. The Superintendent has worked with the Finance Committee meeting crises and, with the enrollment size hearings, has brought the process out to the community at large. Ms. D'Antona stated that she has had the opportunity to interact with Superintendents in other districts and it is clear that we have an exceptional Superintendent. She stated she feels confident using outstanding to describe Dr. Harutunian. Mr. Spadafora stated that Dr. Harutunian is enthusiastic about his position here. He came into the system with operating and capital budget problems. He started a 10 year capital plan, maintains his vision and does not steam roll. Dr. Harutunian continues to improve as he becomes more familiar with the community. Ms. Cavicchi stated that Dr. Harutunian is a visionary person, not afraid to take on opposition. He listens and tries to understand where people are coming from. Ms. Cavicchi stated that she appreciates that he is so willing to do that. Dr. Harutunian provides all the information the School Committee could possibly want. Ms. Williams stated that it makes sense why Dr. Harutunian marks were in the above average /outstanding categories. When you ask him for information he responds, he treats people in the community with the same respect he treats the School Committee. She stated that Dr. Harutunian includes everyone in the process. Dr. Harutunian stated that it continues to be a personal and professional pleasure to work for this board. It is the highest honor to serve the wonderful group of students in Reading. Mr. Spadafora stated that this will and he wanted to thank the citizens and for the opportunity to serve. staff and the School Committee for that the majority of people in town he wishes the Committee luck in the be one of his of Reading for He also thanked their support. are behind the future. Last meetings their support the teachers, He stated Committee and REGULAR SESSION -10- March 16, 1998 Chair Twomey stated that the School Committee should consider doing a self - evaluation. He requested Dr. Harutunian prepare and distributed material on forms used for last year's evaluation. He stated that the Committee would like to have Mr. Spadafora's input if he would be willing to attend. Ms. Cavicchi suggested that the evaluation meeting also be an orientation meeting for the new school committee member. Tentative dates of April 4th and May 16th were scheduled. ADJOURN Ms. Cavicchi made a motion at 11: 15 p.m. to adjourn and enter into executive session for the purpose of conducting strategy session in preparation for negotiations with the Teachers Association, Custodians and Maintenance Employees, Association of Secretaries and Clerks and Educational Assistants Association. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Respectfully submitted, 0 Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools