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November 3, 1975 Page 214 Miss Ridill explained that the staff felt the need for a "specific DISCUSSION OF document" to use as a guide in teaching basic skills, and felt that hav- ENGLISH (.-,, ing a "standard" was a good idea. Miss Ridill, replying to questioning SYLLABUS from Mrs. Berchtold, said that a checklist is being used already. She (CONTINUED) added that there is a need to have level groupings for English instruc- tion. Mr. Rotberg said it was- puzzling to have four overall goals stated at the beginning of the syllabus, since the contents reflect much more practical emphasis. He felt there was a need to cut down on verbiage and get down to specifics. He also stressed the need for a sound writ- ing program. Mr. Lape replied that the philosophy covers most of the specifics included in the syllabus, but that it should certainly be "restated and reconsidered" as times change. Mrs. Berchtold felt that the general statement of philosophy which begins the syllabus "puts in a nutshell what the schools are trying to achieve." Mrs. Swanson agreed with Mrs. Berchtold and thanked Mr. Lape and Miss Ridill for appearing this evening. The School Committee examined class size lists in what Mr. Spiris CLASS SIZE called "the first step" in the budget process. The lists showed a median class size of 17.5 students in the kindergarten classes and 23 students in grades one through six. t - Median figures were not given for the secondary schools, but the report included a breakdown of all classes in each of the junior high schools and the senior high school. Mr. Spiris said that the class size figures showed a larger proportion of classes with 24 and more students than he had hoped, and urged the Committee to "help the classroom tea- cher" by lowering class size. He said this is important in view of Ch. 766 legislation for special needs students. He also recommended that the budget be worked out by examining each school situation inde- pendently, rather than by examining the average class size system-wide when determining staff sizes. Mrs. Swanson reminded the Committee that they must also set a schedule shortly for deciding whether or not to close an elementary school since the question has considerable budgetary implications. There was need for an Executive Session at 10:00 p.m. to discuss personnel matters. It was VOTED: to adjourn the meeting at 12: 00 midnight. (Wadsworth, Brown, Unanimous) Respectfully submitted, Isabelle J. Cummings Recording Secretary