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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-06-20 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES JUNE 20, 1994 CALL TO ORDER Chair Roberta D'Antona called the regular School Committee meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. in the Superintendent's Con- ference Room. All members were present with the exception of George Shannon who was expected to arrive later. Also pre- sent were Assistant Superintendent Dennis Richards and a reporter from the Chronicle. ROUTINE MATTERS MINUTES Matthew Cummings moved to approve the retreat minutes of May 2, 1994. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Susan Cavicchi moved to approve the all boards meeting minutes of May 25, 1994. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Matthew Cummings informed the audience that no meeting was held on Saturday and that meeting will be held on Thursday, June 23, 1994. He also advised that the meeting will be an Open Meeting and not an Executive Meeting as previously re- ported. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for bills was as follows: June 13, 1994 - Bills - $ 98,734.36 June 20, 1994 - Bills - $137,641.29 The warrant for payrolls was as follows: June 10, 1994 - Teachers - $439,392.02 June 17, 1994 - Biweekly - $128,468.80 CITIZENS' INPUT Reading citizen Kendra Cooper suggested we take up the Attorney General's Office offer to explain the Open Meeting Law on the Search Process. Chair Roberta D'Antona explained that a meeting is in the process of being arranged. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 JUNE 20, 1994 The Assistant Superintendent informed the audience that criteria meeting for the Eaton Principalship has been set for Tuesday, June 21 and a meeting for the Director of Special Ed- ucation has been set for Wednesday, June 22. ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Assistant Superintendent Richards presented a short video clip of the NBC television show featuring Reading Memorial High School Science teacher Leo Kenney and a Vernal Pool Association student who participated in the competition at Busch Garden. Mr. Richards explained that the R.M.H.S. Band has been invited to participate in the World Cup Soccer Program on June 21. This is the first day of finals therefore it will not be possible for them to perform. He added the R.M.H.S. Band has also been invited to perform in the Rose Bowl Parade on New Year's Day, 1996. Each unit funds their own transportation and accommodations costing approxi- mately $500 to $1000 per person. No decision has been made about participation. The Assistant Superintendent congratulated the National History Day participants after competing at the national level of competition held at the University of Maryland. One student received a special award and three of our entrees reached the finals. Meagan 0' Connell won 2nd place for the Irish History Award for her individual performance entitled "Dear Kathleen: A Tale of the Irish Potato Famine." Matt Pothier, Andrew D'Agostino, Kris Doucette, Jason Gracilieri, Matt Klane, Josh Platt, Nicole Lanthier and John Zorabedian were other recipients of recognition. VISITORS: READING MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE REPORT GUIDANCE DIRECTOR JANE DARVEAU AND GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT MEMBERS Guidance Director Jane Darveau reviewed the philosophy and work of the guidance department. Members present were Ed Brady, Guy LoConte, Dot Quinlan, Camille Visconti and Assistant Principal Bob Quinn. Ms. Darveau outlined the Statement of Philosophy that encourages students to better understand their relationships with others, to make wise choices regarding the social and emotional issues they must confront, to begin to explore the world of work while assessing realistic options, and to grow as productive, contributing members of their families, school and community. In short, they chose to educate the whole student. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 _ JUNE 20, 1994 Ms. Darveau defined the Personal Counseling Goals as the attempt by counselors to help individuals cope with educational, personal, and social problems that may be inhibiting their abilities to learn, to achieve greater self - understanding, and to grow as individuals. In regard to Academic Counseling she noted assistance given to students in planning their academic schedules, helping students coordinate these schedules with their future goals and interests, and offering students and parents issue - oriented information meetings appropriate to the particular grade level. Academic counseling is available to students throughout the year, however, several periods during the school year services are more concentrated. The Guidance Department Head stated the assistance to the student for Post - Secondary Counseling begins in their sopho- more year but is most heavily used during their junior and senior years. The student receives assistance in assessing realistic options for post- secondary schooling, in particular the examination of available programs, college /university entrance requirements, important dates, costs and financial aid information. Options for Career Planning are discussed with students in thinking about the world of work, in establishing objectives for achieving career goals, in relating their abilities, aptitudes and interests to current and future occupational goals, and in providing students with information about obtaining employment after high school. Ms. Darveau explained from a monthly perspective some of the duties and responsibilities of the guidance counselors. She highlighted the numbers of students applying to 2 and 4 year colleges and universities that showed the highest percentages for 1994, 1993 and 1992. School Committee members asked if any follow -up from graduates has been done about their assessment of the guidance depart- ment. Ms. Darveau stated a survey for this fall class of 1993 and one for the 1989 is being developed at a cost of $600 -$700 and plan to continue with surveys more often than every 5 years. Chair D'Antona stated an annual assessment of services should have to be done in house per the recommendation of the N.E.A. S.C. evaluation. Ms. D'Antona thanked Ms. Darveau and the guidance department and let them know School Committee is looking forward to the high school's November report on the N.E.A.S.C. recommendations. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 JUNE 20, 1994 NEW BUSINESS (out of order) MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM AND GROUPING REPORT Parker Middle School Principal Dr. Delaney reported on the status of instructional practices around the grouping of students and the impact it has had on the curriculum and student success. He noted Parker Middle School is in their third year of heterogenous grouping and shared some responses from a staff survey: .reluctance to label a child .single greatest challenge on the class teacher - a real learning process .do not have a group of low achievers, they are spread out through all the classes .strong students (top 5 %) show no evidence of being adversely effected .Gifted and Talented still struggling with resources Coolidge Middle School Principal Al Lahood expressed his schools philosophical orientation, "Every child can learn, every child can learn on a higher level". He added that it is important at the middle school level to provide a strong playing field. Mr. Lahood informed the audience that Coolidge began a few years ago with 3 levels in grade 7 and 8 and proceded to 2 levels in those grades. They eventually moved into the heterogeneous grouping at the 6th grade and last year 100% of grade 6 and 7 were in the heterogeneously grouped. This year was the first full year throughout the school everyone was heterogeneously grouped, with the exception of math. He noted School Councils felt they were not reaching the top students and asked what else could be done. Mr. Lahood added they will build upon Dr. Risulli's model for students that need more of a challenge within the regular classroom. The school's survey led them to believe they are headed in the right direction. Coolidge Sciece Department Head John Doherty stated he enjoys heterogeous groups. They are able to have a variety of experiences in science, extra help is always available and discipline problems are less. In regard to questions from the School Committee on the top 5 %, the Assistant Superintendent stated it is hard to figure out who falls into that category. The school wants to stay away from labeling yet continue to offer a challenge. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 20, 1994 The Committee thanked the principals for their update and look forward to meeting with them again soon. PERSONNEL The Assistant Superintendent presented the personnel report: Janet Latham, Grade 5, Birch Meadow, New Appointment, 8/30/94 Sarah Nadolny, Grade 2, Birch Meadow, New Appointment, 8/30/94 Helen Pelley, Athletic /Nurse Secretary, New Assignment, 6/15/94 Jill Preshong, Resource Room, Coolidge, Resignation, 6/27/94 When asked about hiring an experienced teacher, Mr. Richards stated they look for the best teacher for the position being offered within the budget parameter. He added new teachers come in with new ideas. Chair D'Antona advised the retirement of the Superintendent depends on Early Retirement and asked Committee members how we will handle the transition. The Superintendent was asked to contact the Mass Retirement Board for a list of names that might be used for an Interim Superintendent and any other names he might recommend. George Shannon moved to appoint an Interim Superintendent for the 1994 -95 school year, though not necessary for the whole year, beginning as soon as possible. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. OLD BUSINESS ELEMENTARY CLASS SIZE ISSUES - REPORT OF PROGRESS Assistant Superintendent Richards presented the scenarios of the 1994 -95 elementary class size beginning in May and offered options. He presented class size guidelines that asked when is the best time for grade 1 class size decisions for 24 -26- 28-30? May, June, July or August? He noted the Kindergarten class sizes as of June 6, 1994 - 6 classes of 23, 4 classes of 24 and 3 classes of 25. He added the all grade average as of June 6, 1994 is 24.4. School Committee members stated it is the job of the Adminis- tration to solve the problems of class sizes. Another added the policy is to have equal educational experiences across the system. Mr. Richards advised options will be reviewed again with prin- cipals so a recommendation can be presented next week. He noted it is traditional that we know numbers for kindergarten and grade 1 students by now but anticipates the number of students in the school system by September will change from today's figures. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 JUNE 20, 1994 CHANGE ORDERS - BIRCH MEADOW SCHOOL Mr. Richards presented a summary of the upcoming change orders #06 and #07 for the Birch Meadow Elementary School. School Committee members asked if the work has been done and why the cost to revise the floor finish in the Facility Toilet Rooms and the Boys and Girls Toilet Rooms was not anticipated. School Committee members asked for a running cost of change orders for soil work. Members of the School Committee decided to wait for more in- formation before voting on these change orders. ADJOURN At 10:45 p.m. George Shannon moved to adjourn. Thomas Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Susan Cavicchi Matthew Cummings Roberta D'Antona George Shannon Thomas Stohlman Timothy Twomey ed NO 1 $U W. SIlp11I 1-1-W a Schools Secrebry To 7W Sew Committee