HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-02-13 Coolidge School Council MinutesA. W. CooLi ge Middle School
Councif Minutes, February 13, 1996
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The meeting was called to order in the Coolidge Media Center at 7:30 PM by Roy Welsch.
Attending: John Doherty, John Carpenter, Larry Chomsky, Sue Redgate, Peter Hichborn,
Marge Pacino, and Roy Welsch.
The minutes of the January meeting were approved as presented.
Documents Distributed:
• Minutes of the Coolidge Building Committee meeting of January 31St
• List of 46 building improvement items, "Brainstorming Session with Faculty on February
6, 1996"
• Technology Plan (updated, as presented to Fincom)
Discussion Items
Building Committee
John Carpenter gave a report on the January meeting of the Coolidge Building Committee. He
summarized the recommendations of Dr. Jack Delaney regarding a successful start to a building
program. John Doherty reported on his meeting the following night with the townwide building
committee and the Capital Outlay Committee. The Committee toured the campus and noted
many of the problems previously noted by the Coolidge Building Committee.
Joint School Council
John Doherty reported on the January meeting of the school council chairs. The main topic of
discussion was how to let people know what's going on in the schools. It was agreed to create a
newspaper-style report that presented each level of education and described the recent
achievements at each school. Each level gets a 2-page layout. The middle school section will be
titled, "Making It in the Middle - Celebrating a World of Difference." The report will be
distributed to all Reading residents.
Budget Committee
The three Town boards that constitute the Budget Committee (Selectmen, School Committee,
and Fincom) will meet March 2nd to determine the disposition of the $480,000 shortfall, and to
recommend how much of the Town's "free cash" should be used to bridge this gap. Roy Welsch,
John Carpenter, and Larry Chomsky agreed to attend. Fincom meets March 6t`' to finalize the
budget for presentation to Town Meeting.
Technology Plan
John Doherty distributed updated copies of the Technology Plan. John Carpenter described Dr.
Harutunian's presentation of this plan to the Fincom.
School Improvement Plan
The remainder of the evening was spent reviewing the Coolidge School Improvement Plan and
determining what updates are necessary. Peter Hichborn suggested that we "retire" implemented
A. W. Coolidge Middde School Council
Mftuaes, Fe6nuuy 13, 1996
items to an appendix, so that current work is clear. This appendix could be called, "Ongoing
Initiatives." We would need to establish "exit criteria," such as completing the item's action plan,
or ongoing operation of the intended program. Items in this appendix would require periodic
review.
The Technology objective should have a statement regarding faculty access to computers.
This year's plan may require a new objective for facility improvement.
Review of the plan will continue at the March meeting.
Next Council Meetings
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 19'', 7:30 PM in the Media Center. The April
meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 9th
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15.
Respectfully submitted,
John E. Carpenter
Acting Scribe