1976-01-26-SC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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"l-_ SS - Page 15 January 26, 1976 On Monday evening January 26, 1976 the Lexington School Committee conducted a regular meeting at the Jonas Clarke Junior High School. The meeting began at 7:30 p.m. The following were in attendance: Mesdames Swanson and Berchtold, Messrs. Brown, Rotberg, Wadsworth and student representative Alan Wachman. Also present were Messrs. Spiris, Monderer, Barnes and Miss Quinn. After the opening of the public session by the Chairman it was VOTED: to go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. (Berchtold, Wadsworth, Brown, Swanson Yes; Rotberg not in attend- ance) It was VOTE ON GRIEVANCE VOTED: to deny the grievance that was held in Executive Session. (Brown, Wadsworth, Swanson, Berchtold, Yes; Rotberg abstain) Mr. Spiris acknowledged the fact that there were some roof leaks CLARKE ROOF LEAKS at Clarke Junior High School earlier in the day. This was a result of the ice build-up on the flat roof. He wished to make it known to all, that the administration was cognizant of the leaks and measures were being taken to alleviate and solve the problem. Mrs. Swanson asked the administration to check to see if the roof were still covered by a war- ranty and if so to take appropriate action to have it repaired. Mrs. Daniel Fenn, 130 Worthen Rd. , commented on the size of mathe- PUBLIC matics classes at Muzzey Junior High School. She stated that it appeared PARTICIPATION the upper two levels were very small in class size, making other classes larger. She felt that the larger classes included students who needed extra help and individual attention. This seemed to be opposite of what the children's needs were. She wanted to know if this phenonema of small class sizes was a conscious policy on the part of the School Committee and the Superintendent. She wondered if it did not seem like a form of elitism. She asked the committee to think about this topic as they dis- cussed the junior high school programs. Mr. Spiris responded saying it was true that small numbers of math students did cluster at the upper levels and classes were very small. However, this was true because they were advanced students and if there were enough advanced students to bring the class size up to the school would do so. Donald White, member of the appropriations committee spoke on be- half of that committee. He said that it was their hope to see the budget maintained as close to the present level as possible with fiscal respon- sibility and quality education being kept in mind. He said that he was concerned over the possibility of a $1,000,000 increase. He suggests reducing this increase by scaling down some operations. He suggested reorganization of administration, postponement of sabbatical leaves, ex- amination of costs in pupil-teacher ratios. He felt that cuts could be made in other areas rather than reducing pupil-teacher ratios, etc. An- other area he suggested was the area of vandalism which was costing the