HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-09-09 Coolidge Middle School Council MinutesD
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Coutwif Minutes, September 9, 1997
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The meeting was called to order in the Coolidge Media Center at 7:30 PM by John Doherty.
Attending: John Doherty, John Carpenter, Larry Chomsky, Marie Pink, Rene Sbaschnig, Marge
Pacino, Roy Welsch, Robert Mandell, and Mary Ann Kozlowski.
As the June meeting of the Council was a dinner meeting without an agenda, no minutes were
presented.
Documents Distributed:
• Coolidge School Improvement Plan for 1997
• FY 1999 Budget Memo & Worksheets
• Reading School Committee Policy on Harassment and Discrimination
• Blue Ribbon School application materials
• Draft protocol for Council evaluation of improvement initiatives (Goal 6)
• School Report from 1958 Town Report
Discussion Items
New Members
Dr. Robert Mandell and Ms. Mary Ann Kozlowski were introduced as the two announced
- candidates for the vacant School Council parent seat.
School Council Protocol for the Year
Mr. Doherty discussed the operating schedule for the year, emphasizing the budget schedule. He
distributed the FYI 999 Budget memo with worksheets, including a budget worksheet for Council
members. He also distributed the "operating guidelines" sheet drafted last year. John Carpenter
distributed a draft guideline for periodic review of school improvement initiatives, to implement
Goal 6 of the Improvement Plan.
School Happenings
Mr. Doherty reviewed the start of the school year, new teachers, and program changes.
School Improvement Plan
The Council reviewed the released 1997 version of the Plan, with minor updates.
Blue Ribbon School Award
Mr. Doherty distributed the application materials and Coolidge's 1988 application for this award.
A writing committee is forming, which will require School Council participation. Larry Chomsky
and John Carpenter agreed to share a position, to read and edit the completed draft.
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A- W. Coolidge Middle School Council
Minutes, September 9, 1997
Building Project Update
The architect's population study shows a need for Coolidge to be expanded to at least a 600-
student facility. Coolidge is likely to be a 3-year school with about this population, regardless of
the other grade level decisions (location of 6th grade, 3-year high school, etc.). The next two
School Committee meetings will include discussion of the Coolidge project, and will require
Council representation. A copy of the 1958 Superintendent's Report in the Annual Town Report
of that year showed Coolidge being built, similar overcrowding problems (compared to today),
and a student population pattern (the baby boom) disturbingly similar to today's demographics.
Other
A letter to the editor of the Reading Chronicle was distributed and discussed. It was agreed the
article was not worthy of a Council response, as the author is not a Coolidge parent and
apparently not a Reading resident.
Next Council Meetings
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21St and 28`x', 7:30 PM in the Media Center.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30.
Respectfully submitted,
John E. Carpenter
Scribe du Jour
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