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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-06-24 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts School Committee Meeting Regular Session Minutes June 24, 1996 CALL TO ORDER Chair Cummings called the regular session to order at 8:05 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present. Also present were Superintendent Harry K. Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Dennis Richards and a Chronicle reporter. MINUTES Mr. Spadafora moved to approve the revised April 30 1996 meeting minutes Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. Mr. Stohlman requested a few minutes to review the minutes. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for bills: June 24, 1996 - Bills - $28,825.51 The warrant for payrolls: June 20, 1996 - Teachers - $1,533,337.84 LIAISON REPORTS Mr. Spadafora, who is the liaison for the Winchester Health Advisory Group that represents different towns in the area, explained they want to explore Reading regarding school and domestic violence. He added we are moving forward to get those statistics and would also like to see how Reading High Schools'" Words not Weapons" group is doing. CITIZENS REPORT There was no citizen report. REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR AND SUPERINTENDENT Dr. Harutunian stated in the School Committee packet there is a reconciliation of the Parker Project and a June 20, 1996 update of the projected budget for FY96. He stated we need to REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 JUNE 24, 1996 move money in the budget, $248,000 where we have deficets. Dr. Harutunian asked for permission to move the lines around to just pay the bills. He would come back later with a complete list. Mr. Stohlman said if these are minor items and have nothing to do with a policy shift then it would be acceptable. Mr. Cummings asked if it was simply to pay the bills within the next 5 days. Dr. Harutunian noted that we have a surplus of money in maintenance that he would like to move into Special Education. Mr. Cummings added that we need more flexibility on moving the money. He asked that after accounts are closed for the Superintendent to then report back in detail how that money was moved around. Dr. Harutunian stated bills will still be coming in for the next couple of weeks and they will need to be paid. Mr. Stohlman requested that we vote to put the money into special needs tonight. Dr. Harutunian added he would be happy to call another meeting when figures are more accurate. Mr. Cummings asked if there is an opposition by School Committee to allow the Superintendent and the Town Accountant to move the figures and to incur new amounts. There was no opposition. Mr. Spadafora asked the following questions about the Parker figures: 0 regarding computers and hardware and software - what were Dr. Delaney's plans for his furniture and equipment. Is it plan B for the $225,000 increase? Dr. Harutunian replied it was. 0 why the $15,000 that was waived by Boston Gas shows the amount of $16,500. Dr. Harutunian said he would look into this. Mr. Twomey questioned if the amount for Construction Contingency of $53,214 reported under Approved Increase to Date was Change Order #1. Dr. Harutunian replied yes. Mr. Twomey then asked if it should show up as a negative number in the Post Bid column of $9,919,101 so our current adjusted figure then would show the $53,214 in parenthesis. How much is furniture REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 JUNE 24, 1996 and technology? Most of the technology is to the tune of $275,000. Dr. Harutunian added we are buying all the technology in the front end in the $217,000 figure . School Committee suggested it would be helpful if it was split out. Mr. Twomey asked where do the amounts of $92,000, $16,500 go in the Approved Increase to Date column. Dr. Harutunian said in the next two months we will submit to the School Committee from Design Partnership an update of this form. He asked the secretary to make a note that by the end of August we will have Design Partnership come to a School Committee meeting and explain the figures of Phase 1. Dr. Harutunian then presented the two letters that were sent out to school staff and parents regarding time and learning schedules. NEW BUSINESS EDUCATIONAL REFORM .Associate Superintendent Richards presented a curriculum update. CURRICULUM UPDATE *Goals •Instruction •Curriculum *Assessment *Teaching Standards READING'S CURRICULUM REFORM *Math & Science/Engineering - Fall 1996 *English Language Arts, Social Studies & Health/P.E. Spring or Fall 1997 *World Languages & the Arts - Begin September 1997 COMPONET ONE: STATE REFORM •Common Core - Goals *Common Chapters - Instruction 07 Curriculum Frameworks - Curriculum COMPONET ONE - STATUS *Assessment Level Achieved *Elementary has 7 Frameworks *Reading is in Line with Guidelines COMPONENT TWO: MATH & SCIENCE/ENGINEERING REFORM *PALMS - Partnership for the Advancement of Math and Science *Purpose - To bring about systemic reform *Reading - Demonstration Site in Feb. 1996 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 JUNE 24, 1996 Mr. Richards outlined that there are six staff people who are involved in the Leadership Team, the teachers that were sent to Technology Training, and the Establishment of a Change Team that includes: 16 Reading Staff, 7 Parents,and 9 Partners that are involved in the education of our children. He stated that the Mission statement for PALMS Project is to implement quality mathematics, science and technology education that: *actively engages learners, *emphasizes quality of understanding, *uses assessment to improve instruction, *uses cooperative and collaborative learning, *is accessible and equitable for all students, *stresses learning as a life -long process, *has a problem - solving focus, and *is hands -on and inquiry- based. COMPONENT TWO STATUS *Leadership Team Formed *Mission and Vision Drafted *Change Team Formed *Elementary Science Institute Attended The Associate Superintendent added that UMA Lowell has invited us to participate in an Elementary Science Institute. Ms. D'Antona asked how do you access the systemic change and how is that being addressed in the Mission Statement. Mr. Richards stated one major thing that we are bringing in along with businesses, are parents who are being identified through each school, they will also be working with teachers and help to teach other parents, they will stand side by side with teachers. This will offer a more comprehensive, district organization, implemented over time. It will be hands on situations for students to apply their knowledge. NIs. Cavicchi explained last year when she and Ms. D'Antona attended some sessions with the Department of Education they were broken up into two separate groups that were given problems that helped them use science and math and philosophy. Dr. Harutunian added that this pushes cooperative learning to a higher level. In industry they have to work in groups to share their ideas. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 JUNE 24, 1996 Mr. Richards provided an example of a hands on electrical problem that engaged all students in learning to a degree that they couln't experience in a text book. Mr. Richards then continued with the overheads: COMPONET THREE MCAS - MA COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM *New Curriculum Requires: • New State Test for Information and Explanations -Math, Science, Social Studies and History, English and World Languages *New Reading Schools Test for Information and Explanation - Health and the Arts *New Reading Schools Assessment for Performance An alarm went off in the building and Mr. Spadafora made a motion to recess, this was unanimous with the School Committee members after a few minutes. Chair Cummings asked what standardized test do we plan to use. Associate Superintendent Richards stated there may be a change in plans by the DOE to just start with Math and Science. Arts and Health will have to be assessed by the school department. Dr. Harutunian stated we need to review both ERB's and MEAP's and the Stanford Achievement Test to have a comprehensive look at the testing we are doing. In time and learning the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will not count any testing that is done by the district that is not MCAS. Mr. Cummings added we have traditionally relied on the MEAP test as one standard of indication that we will no longer be able to rely on what do we use in the mean time? The Associate Superintendent advised that we do need to do standardized testing. We need to look at what format we have identified for students to know and how they use that knowledge. The new MCAS is supposed to be able to do that_ This will offer expanded open ended questions on the MCAS test and local accountability of an accessment system that will allow us to do this.. Chair Cummings stated that one of the critisims of the MEAP test was that it failed to allow us to report on individual students. Mr. Richards continued that we are working to target what students know and again how they use their knowledge. Monitor student growth on personal knowledge as well as compare within schools and districts. Performance will be identified by school and district and we will have on class information. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 TUNE 24, 1996 V1s. D'Antona questioned if will we be able to compare performance with other districts based on some common base of currilum expectations. Mr. Richards stated all areas will be tested by the state with the exception of arts and health. The Superintendent added that if you would go into the Curriculum Frameworks right now it is divided into different grade levels. One thing Massachusetts will be moving forward with would be a report card by school - parents may be able to get the results of test scores as well as attendance. Mr. Spadafora stated we need to get people to buy into this as a good measurement and asked how can we respond to that - MCAS system will be able to pin point it more thoroughly. Mr. Richards said we now have a blueprint because we will know what is on the test - the reports that we get back are going to be tied into a great degree of what we are trying to do in the classroom. Dr. Harutunian added that many parents were against students using a calculator before they learned how to multiply, so when worksheets are not being used they will have to adjust to this new method. Parents need to be encouraged to learn this new testing. Ms. Cavicchi suggested that this is a wonderful way for students just starting out but asked if he could foresee a problem for older students? NIs. Cavicchi stated when will Grade 10 students understand this concept and added it may be difficult for them. Mr. Richards added we will be testing every year. Students will know what they are learning in the classroom. In the future, this will also be a competency test for graduation. Dr. Harutunian stated that 4 years ago grade 10 was chosen instead of grade 12 because there is nothing remedial that can be done for a grade 12 student. He stated the 3 diploma system - graduate with distinction; regular diploma; and a certificate of attendence. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 7 JUNE 24, 1996 COMPONENT THREE STATUS • State Assessment Advisory Committee Member *Performance Assessment *Base Line Data - Portrait Project -Four times from Feruary - June -All classroom teachers -An assignment -Two examples of student work representing a range of student work from good to superior Mr. Richards added that the Portrait Project is needed to understand what students are currently doing. COMPONENT FOUR: TEACHER AND ADMINISTRATOR PERFORMANCE STANDARDS *State Standards •Current System •Local Refinement and Adoption COMPONENT FOUR: STATUS *Teacher Standards - Meetings with the RTA -Draft accepted - Revise Draft this Summer - Orientation in September *Administrator Standards -In Discussion KEY ISSUES *School Committee Endorsement of Curriculum Process - Common Core - Goals - Common Chapters - Instruction - Curriculum Frameworks - Curriculum - Assessment- State & Local -Teaching Standards *State - School Committee - District - School Goal alignment *Develop Consensus NEXT STEPS *Portrait Project Workshop *State Budget for Assessment *School Committee Endorsement of Teacher and Administrato Performance Standards *Math & Science & Engineering Report in the early Fall *Budget Support REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 8 JUNE 24 1996 Mr. Richards concluded his primary presentation. He stated in this packet he tried to summarize on one page the Common Core of Learning's broad goals for education identifying what students should know and be able to do. Students should be able to think and communicate effectively, -ain and apply knowledge and work and contribute effectively. Ms. D'Antona said they would need to move forward with reform and get teachers to work with it Mr Richards stated the RTA has jointly come up with a process to assess teachers. Mr. Spadafora thanked Mr. Richards on his presentation. It is important to note the change and have everyone across the board buy into this. Dr. Harutunian stressed it is important that the community understand how lucky we are to have someone like Dennis in our system. We have become a model and he is impressed with the work that is being done for Reading kids. Mr. Richards complimented and thanked the wonderful teachers and department heads that have been working with him. He mentioned that 8 teachers will be coming to Central Office tomorrow to work on the Portrait Project. LABOR COUNSEL Mr. Twomey, on the recommendation of the Superintendent moved that School Committee continue the arrangement for legal representation to Deutsch Williams Brooks DeRensis Holland & Drachman, P.C. Attorneys at Law in FY97 at the current hourly rates set forth in the June 4 1996 letter, $135 for senior attorneys and $130 for associates respectively. Ms D'Antona seconded the motion. Mr. Stohlman questioned the rates for senior and associate attorneys. Dr. Harutunian stated that Mr. Drachman has agreed to take over more often. The motion was unanimous. SCHOOL COMMITTEE REORGANIZATION Mr. Cummings passed the gavel to Dr. Harutunian who then took nominations for the Chairman of the Reading School Committee. Mr. Cummings nominated Ms. Cavicchi as Chair for the School Committee for 1996 -1997 school_ year. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. Mr. Cummings moved to close nominations Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The motion was unanimous It was unanimous 6 -0. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 9 JUNE 24, 1996 Mr. Cummings nominated Mr. Stohlman as Vice Chair for the 1996 -1997 school year. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. Ms. Cavicchi asked if there were any other nominations. The vote was unanimous. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS Mr. Spadafora asked if School Committee was going to give either July or August a rest from meeting? Dr. Harutunian said he would like to bring the new high school principal, Eaton Principal, New Technology Coordinator and the RMHS Assistant Principal in in the middle of July. Ms. D'Antona suggested that School Committee members turn in their vacation schedules. Dr. Harutunian asked the members to turn in their schedules by the end of the week so they could send out a goal setting date. ADJOURN At 10:10 p.m. Mr. Spadafora moved to executive session for purpose discussion of non -union personnel. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion. It was unaimous. Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Cummings, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora Mr. Stohlman Mr. Twomey Ms. Angelo was dismissed from attending the second part of the executive session. es ectfully itted, Harry Harutunian, Ph.D. Super ntendent of Schools