Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-05-31 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting May 31, 2000 The meeting convened at 7:45 p.m. at the Coolidge Middle School Community Room, 89 Birch Meadow Drive, Reading, Massachusetts. This was a joint meeting of the School Committee, the Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council and the Board of Selectmen. Present for the Board of Selectmen were Chairman Sally Hoyt, Vice Chairman Matthew Nestor, Secretary George Hines, Selectman Matthew Cummings, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean, Health Administrator Jane Fiore. Present for the School Committee were Chairman Pete Dahl, School Committee Members Bill Griset and Sue Cavicchi, Associate Superintendent Dennis Richards, Superintendent Dr. Harry Harutuman (School Committee Member Robin D'Antona came late at 8:45 p.m). Present for the Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council were Chairman Dale Merrill, Vice Chairman Sandy Michaud, John Costigan, Bill Carrick, Cathy Kosta, Michael Hanifan, Lori Leland, Leone Sullivan, David LiBassi, Michael Lucey, Marc Alterio. In addition, the following interested parties were present: Bruce Hitchcock, William Brown, Debra Kwiatek, Jean Leahy, Laurie Tocco-Burns, Thomas Zerfas, Emily Hegarty, Bill and Linda McKenzie, Mary Cookson, Barbara Simione, Philip McGinty, Eileen O'Shea, J. H. Barrett, Lorrie and Brian Langton, Bill and Carolyn Cataldo, Leslie Kame, Ralph Marulli, Erin and Ed Callahan, Ruth Brophy, Anne Doyle, Margaret Cowell, Lisa Ratacik, Barbara and Richard McDade, John Arena, Kate Murphy, Joanne Douglas, Susan Chandler, Thomas and Colleen Barrett, Kathleen Garey, Jeanne Duran, Debra Leahy, Elaine Leach, Susan Cameron, Marsie West, Steven Koenig, Joyce Josephson, Karen Epstein, Susan Sullivan, Tina Cormio, Maureen McIsaac, Joanne Jolly Kay, Karen Ghirardi, Joan Boegel, Laurel Kluge, Kathy Therrien, Bill Doyle. Chairman Sally Hoyt opened the meeting and turned the Chairmanship over to Vice Chairman Matthew Nestor. Discussion/Action Items Youth Risk Behavior Survey - Selectman George Hines was recognized. He noted that the Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council and their staff work very hard on behalf of the community. He hopes that all present will show respect for the council and staff. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that he has been receiving calls about the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The concerns are about it going to sixth graders, a modified questionnaire to seventh and eighth graders, a concern about the process and lack of dialogue, whether or not the survey is needed for statistics or for grant purposes, whether or not there is a test/retest methodology to giving the questionnaire two years ago and currently, a lack of clarity that an "off the shelf' survey is a reflection of the community, a concern about the process of parents being able to opt out and to receive a copy of the questionnaire, and a concern about the school system being the distribution channel. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that he was on the Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council for five years, and the Department of Education suggests other sources of data other than or in addition to a survey. Board of Selectmen Meeting May 31, 2000—Page_2 School Committee Chairman Pete Dahl asked if Jane Fiore, the Health Administrator, could talk about what the data is used for. Chairman Sally Hoyt noted that questions on the survey were brought to the attention of the Board of Selectmen by a concerned parent. She feels that parents should be aware of the survey and decide whether or not they want their children to participate in it. She also understood that the survey will help to identify problems. Vice Chairman Matthew Nestor noted that concerns he had were that portions of the survey were suggestive or leading questions. He had concerns about the order of the questions and also about a negative parental consent and the format. Selectman Matthew Cummings reiterated that he is concerned about the role of the parents in such sensitive matters versus the role of government. If we do a survey, it should reflect the values of the community. School Committee Chairman Pete Dahl noted that the goal of all present is to protect the children. He feels that we should give professionals the tools they need, and that opting in or opting out may affect the validity of the sample. Bill Carrick from the Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council asked about the comment on community values. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that issues of sexuality, drug and alcohol use, and a continual asking the same questions in a variety of ways seemed inappropriate. Vice Chairman Matthew Nestor added that questions like "how old were you when" are leading questions indicating that someone has done the particular behavior. Members of the Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council and staff noted the following points. ♦ The questions are not leading — they use a survey technique of repeatedly asking a question to screen out intentionally false answers. e Eighteen people opted out of the survey that was done in June of 1998. This survey was initially prepared 14 years ago by the Center of Disease Control and 75% of the questions are still from CDC. States may add or subtract questions as appropriate to their State. ♦ It was recommended for the initial survey that we use the CDC survey as a baseline data point. Questions are repeated to increase the internal validity of the survey. ♦ When data is collected from adolescents, it allows the community to see whether programs that are running are effective over time. For example, Reading surveys showed depression at two times the State rate, and efforts to deal with issues were increased in Reading. e Additional focus in High School health classes on drinking and marijuana use were a result of the survey. Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 31 2000—Page 3 ♦ The survey helps to focus preventive efforts. ♦ The survey was available to parents at five locations. There had been a misunderstanding that the survey could not be available but now that the SAPAC knows that it can be, it will be made broadly available. ♦ The SAPAC voted twice this year unanimously to support the survey. ♦ The survey is not mandated but a great deal of weight is put on surveys when evaluating grants. If Senate 1823 passes Congress, then surveys will be required. ♦ A survey can't be done this school year—there is no time. ♦ There is student representation on the SAPAC. Superintendent Harry Harutunian noted that he has received input from the School Committee, parents and the SAPAC. This survey is still being revised and will be during the Spring. The community will have an opportunity to have input in the survey. The School Department is planning on doing the survey in the Fall. In addition to survey work, records from the Fire Department, Police Department, etc. are valuable but they tell what happened, not what might happen. He believes using the CDC survey as a base is appropriate. There is no funding to send a copy of the survey home to all. Surveys will be available in a public place. The Town receives through the School Department an $86,000 grant that might be in jeopardy if we don't do a survey at all. It is important to the School Department. School Committee Member Sue Cavicchi noted that she was disappointed in the timing of the Board of Selectmen's action. She asked about a liaison from the Board of Selectmen to the SAPAC and asked why the SAPAC was not present at the Board of Selectmen meeting. Vice Chairman Matthew Nestor agreed that the timing was unfortunate. School Committee Member Bill Griset noted that he supports the concept of a survey. He is confident that it can be developed as a useful tool. He noted that the public was aware. At Coolidge Middle School, the PTA received a presentation by Sandy Michaud. He does not believe that any of the questions in the survey are immoral or inappropriate — some of the questions are sensitive. He is concerned about a survey of middle school kids and about leading questions and the validity of the results. Health Administrator Jane Fiore noted that the draft revised middle school survey left out four questions on sexuality and several on nutrition. Superintendent Harry Harutunian noted that the survey is still in the former stage and is being modified. SAPAC Members noted that the accuracy of the survey is consistent with other States and consistent with other data. The no skipping of questions was done in order to ensure confidentiality. The SAPAC has worked with experts on this survey, and is glad to see this number of people interested in the issue, and expected to see that number two years ago when the results were presented. This is a process that is time crucial. The SAPAC is concerned about reactive versus proactive information. Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 31, 2000—Page 4 Mike Lucey, SAPAC Member and a parent, made a presentation. He complimented the work ethic of the SAPAC and staff. He noted that they were under the gun to get the survey out and they had inaccurate information about being able to change questions and about being able to control access to the survey. Survey questions are made up of information from the United States Department of Education and the Massachusetts Department of Education. Sixty-three districts in Massachusetts use a survey from the State with State trained administrators. There is a 3% - 6% confidence interval. He felt it was important to keep the trust between parents and the school system. Several residents from the audience spoke and expressed the following concerns: ♦ The survey get the information that is needed. ♦ The survey may suggest behavior that is inappropriate. ♦ The survey needs to identify risky behavior. ♦ Lack of a survey may jeopardize grants. ♦ This is a health issue and should be better left to health professionals. ♦ Allowing parents to opt in as opposed to opt out of the survey will create problems with the scientific study size. ♦ This survey is used in 200 communities in the State and works well ♦ Ecstasy is a drug that is currently in wide use—its use is not surveyed. ♦ Solid statistics are required in order to write effective grants. ♦ There is a large zone of agreement between those who advocate for the survey and those who would want modifications. [ ♦ The conflict is about this survey and suggestive questions. ♦ Dr. Harry Harutunian has addressed certain problems with the process that he is proposing. ♦ Many parents are looking at this from an individual perspective rather than a statistical perspective. They know their kids. ♦ Even though this is a health issue, this should not be left to professionals —this is extremely personal and parents need to be involved. ♦ The communications so far have not worked—trust was violated. ♦ This survey is neutral and it shouldn't be— there should be some values included in the survey. ♦ There is a lack of positive questions—the survey is directed about negative behavior. ♦ The survey is extremely long—can it be shortened, and do we need to do a survey at all? ♦ The survey is too sensitive. The survey process should be explained to youngster ahead of time. It should be accompanied by information about not doing the behavior in the survey. ♦ The survey should be tested on parents. ♦ We should try to get a parent panel who is impartial to review the survey and questions to "take the edge off." Board of Selectmen Meeting—May 31 2000—Paize 5 Next Steps - It was conceded that the Superintendent will be working on this survey with staff during the Summer. The steps will be the Superintendent's further actions on the survey in the Fall. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Cummings, the Board of Selectmen adjourned their meeting of May 31, 2000 at 10:15 p.m. by a vote of 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, f Secretary` �_