1975-02-10-SC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 46 February 10, 197 Mrs. Berchtold opened the discussion on METCCby reading a statement on policy in "Images" relative to the history of METCO. It stated that METCO would not be used to avoid the racial imblanace problems in Boston. Dr. Fobert told those present that last Spring the school committee reached the goal set in 1968 to place 240 METCO student in the Lexington Public Schools. He said the committee can now consider setting a new goal which provides for a ratio between the enrollment of resident and non- resident minority students to the total school enrollment in grades 1-12. The Federal Government uses 9. 4% as the ratio of resident and non-resident minority school population in the standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) for the Greater Boston Metropolitan Area. Dr. Fobert asked that we consider adding an additional 154 students over the next three years. He said that our enrollment projections, even with the additional METCO pupils, have consistently exceeded the actual enrollments. The actual recommendations were as follows: 1. The school committee should approve a three year plan to meet in 1977-78 the 9. 4% ratio resident, non-resident minority student enrollment to total enrollment grades 1-12 (approximately 50 students per year for three years). 2. The school committee should set the tuition rate for all METCO pupils in September 1975 based on 75-76 rates. 3. The Superintendent should be authorized to add about 50 METCO students in 1975-76 at the elementary level on a space available basis. 4. The Superintendent should be instructed to prepare a METCO budget for the State Department of Education which includes costs for tuition, transportation and other services. The discussion which followed covered the new tuition rates, the hiring of additional black teachers, class size,distribution of METCO students, and a comparison of our policy with other towns. Mrs. Swanson felt we should stay at the 240 figure now that the goal has been reached. She said many people who are opposed to the plan have children who are not being serviced. She questioned the feasibility of adding 154 students while trying to keep class size down. Dr. Fobert said if we are not serving our students as well as we are serving METCO students, it is our fault and not the fault of the METCO program and we should look into it. Dr. Fobert discussed reasons for hiring additional staff saying that the extra support will be needed and that it is important for the black students to have more role models in the schools. Mrs. Swanson disagreed with the statement and said she hoped black teachers would be hired for white students and white teachers for black students.