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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-02-24 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES CALL TO ORDER FEBRUARY 24, 1992 Chair Barbara Philbrick called the regular meeting- of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:08 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present with the exception of Stanley Nissen and Mary Williams. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak, Student Representative Carrie Bither and a reporter from the Chronicle. MINUTES Matthew Cummings moved to approve the minutes of February 10, 1992. George Shannon seconded the motion. The date for School Committee to receive information regarding standardized testing was acknow- ledged and the correction made. The vote was unanimous. BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for Bills was as follows: February 18, 1992 Bills $121,767.67 February 24, 1992 Bills $ 15,653.48 The warrant for Payrolls was as follows: February 14, 1992 Teachers $539,106.08 February 28, 1992 Biweekly $ 94,047.59 CITIZEN INPUT There was no citizen input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Munnelly recognized Reading Memorial High School Social Studies teacher Anna Normand O'Brien for receiving a 1992 -93 mentoring grant from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Ms. O'Brien and Reading Memorial High School have formed a collaborative with the University of Massachusetts Lowell in this effort. Dr. Munnelly also noted that Reading Memorial High School Science teacher Judith Donovan has been selected by the DuPont Boston Area Outreach Committee to attend the National Science Teachers Association National Convention in Boston. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 OTHER School Committee suggested FY93 continue after the FinCom meet further clarify the Town budget. FEBRUARY 24, 1992 school budget discussions could on Wednesday, February 26th and INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS (out -of- order) Chair Philbrick asked for a School Commi -ttee member to volunteer to serve as a Legislative Liaison who will be linked through mailings and a telephone tree to the Massachusetts Association of School Committees office and the Legislative Counsel. Ms. Philbrick advised that with a Legislative Liaison an additional mechanism will be provided to bring local concerns to the attention of MASC and needed support for the advocacy work of our Legislative Counsel, other MASC staff and members of the Board of Directors. She volunteered to serve in that capacity. Ms. Philbrick added that Education Reform will be added to a March School Committee agenda. It was suggested to invite Senator Tisei, Representative Krekorian and Massachusetts Municipal Associa- tion Director Beckwith to speak at that meeting. VISITORS: READING MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE Reading Memorial High School Principal Rena Mirkin introduced members of the high school Student Advisory Committee. Allison Bastiani shared with the School Committee information about the Sophomore Fund Raiser that will involve students in babysitting during the Easter /Passover holidays. Allison advised the School Committee that she will have more details about this community service at a later date. Sophomore Jennifer Massa stated a children's birthday party for Big Bird is another method of raising funds. Junior class member Shannon Blaney presented alternatives to pumpkining. A few of the suggestions to raise funds included having a haunted house, games, and refreshments. Principal Mirkin added that the second school dance was held without incidence. Chair Philbrick relayed a message from the Selectmen that they would like to be of help in curbing pumpkining. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 FEBRUARY 24, 1992 Ms. Philbrick thanked the students for their information and invited them to come back in the spring. Dr. Munnelly invited School Committee members to observe the improvements made in the foyer of the high school during vacation week. NEW BUSINESS SPECIAL EDUCATION PRESCHOOL PROPOSAL R.I.S.E. The Superintendent, as a follow up of Special Education main- streaming efforts already underway in several schools, introduced presenters of the proposal Killam Elementary Principal Paul Guerrette and Director of Pupil Personnel Services Dr. Alex Alexanian. Dr. Alexanian advised that the proposed program, R.I.S.E. (Reading Integrated School Experience Preschool) would integrate 14 -16 regular education students into the preschool program for children with special needs. He added that this program would offer a wider range of education and socialization for all of the children. Dr. Alexanian included that the fee for the preschool program would be $60 per month per child. Principal Guerrette noted that this program was developed by the preschool's team. Anticipating a great interest by Reading parents a lottery system would be needed to fill the slots. Discussion continued with School Committee members raising ques- tions about the cost and the need for additional personnel. Dr. Munnelly stated further back -up information would be provided at the March 9th School Committee meeting. EVALUATION REPORT - READING MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE SERVICES In introducing the High School Guidance Evaluation, Assistant Superintendent Bak noted that Guidance Department Head Jane Darveau has been the major source of energy over the past nine months for the Evaluation. She then turned the presentation over to Ms. Darveau. Ms. Darveau presented her report via overheads beginning with an outline of goals of the guidance and counseling services developed in concert with the "General Educational Philosophy of the Reading School Committee" and the "Goals of Education in Massachusetts" that incorporate current guidelines established by the American Association of Secondary School Counselors. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 FEBRUARY 24, 1992 Ms. Darveau proceeded to describe the services of the program which include: • educational counseling • career planning /counseling . review and modifications of students' schedules • scheduling and orientation of new students • information - sharing and consultation with parents • issue - oriented individual and group counseling • helping students develop a process which equips them to make rational, well- informed decisions • continuing the development of student self- awareness • providing information about the referral to community resources • providing information about and referral to pupil personnel services • scheduling student /teacher /parent /counselor conferences • preparation for school /work experiences after high school The Department Chair then profiled a typical day of the counselor's responsibilities, and outlined the monthly responsibilities of each. Ms. Darveau added that in 1990, 1142 college applications were sent from the Guidance Office; 79% of Reading Memorial High School students applied to a 2 or 4 year colleges and universities. Ms. Darveau noted that three methods of evaluation were used to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the high school Guidance y Department as perceived by students, parents and the department. The first method included sending 100 post - graduate questionnaires to randomly selected 1990 graduates, 51 were returned. A large percentage indicated that the Guidance staff were very helpful in the course selection process and the college application process. The second aspect of the evaluation process focused upon the parents. Ms. Darveau added that of the 25 questionnaires sent to parents only 8 were returned, and though disappointed in this small response, comments and suggestions made by those families were helpful and very much appreciated. Ms. Darveau noted that all parents indicated that they had been very adequately informed of the evening meetings sponsored by the department, and found the junior and senior parent meetings particularly informative, as well as the College Fair, which they all attended. Ms. Darveau reported that the third evaluation tool used by the Guidance Department was a Self Audit published by the American School Counselor Association entitled, "Professional Development Guidelines for Secondary School Counselors." The examination indicated that our guidance department meets 90% of the Basic Principles as set by the American School Counselor Association. . 4 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 FEBRUARY 24, 1992 Jane Darveau then presented the Commendations of the Guidance Department as follows: • Student awareness of post- secondary options and the knowledge needed to pursue those goals • The large proportion (71 %) of students accepted by their first choice school • The individual recommendations (versus "form- letters ") which are written for each student going on to some form of post- secondary education • The substantial majority of students feeling very satisfied with their educational experience on the college level • The expertise and ability of the counselors to meet the varied needs of all students • The amount of personal counseling being delivered by the counselors to students who have serious issues • A guidance program which meets the American School Counselor Association Basic Principals Professional dedication and growth of staff members Ms. Darveau noted the concerns and correlated recommendations identified by the Guidance Department: 1. CONCERN: Lack of a quality program sponsored by the Guidance Department to orient ninth graders to the role of the Guidance Counselor and to the function of the department 1. RECOMMENDATION: Explore ways to improve the orientation program for ninth grade students to make it more memorable and meaningful 2. CONCERN: Lack of job placement information in the Guidance office for students interested in work after graduation 2. RECOMMENDATION: Explore the concept and mechanisms of maintaining job placement services for the student anticipating full -time employment immediately after high school 3. CONCERN: Lack of funding for a standardized testing program at Reading Memorial High School, and for updating Career Resource Room material 3. RECOMMENDATION: Provide adequate funds to the Guidance Depart- ment to update and maintain the educational /vocational materials in the Career Resource Room REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 FEBRUARY 24, 1992 4. CONCERN: Lack of professional development opportunities to allow department member to stay current in the field 4. RECOMMENDATION: Provide adequate time and funding to attend appropriate seminars and workshops Program Considerations were then identified: • Alphabet split versus one counselor per class • Servicing the ninth graders • Academic counseling versus personal counseling • Counselors in the classroom In conclusion Ms. Darveau discussed the Future Directions of the Guidance Deapartment to include: . Continuing to refine a guidance program that reflects the needs of students and parents; that offers currently updated information; that incorporates strong career, college and personal counseling components . Providing intensive career counseling for all students . Providing future opportunities for students to be able to have privacy while researching college, career, and voca- tional materials in print, on video and on computer software . Continuing to address current demographic and societal issues affecting all students School Committee members discussed anonymous surveys as another way to approach student /parent responses, time frame for meeting with Juniors, the availability of books, catalogs, videos and software for parents, and consideration of instituting standardized testing for high school students. The Committee expressed their disappointment that other members of the Guidance Department were not present. The School Committee complimented and thanked Jane Darveau for an excellent presentation. ADJOURNMENT At 10:12 p.m. Matthew Cummings moved to adjourn. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Respectfully Submitted Roberti. Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee