1976-02-23-SC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 39 February 23, 1976 On Monday evening February 23, 1976 the Lexington School Committee conducted a meeting at the Clarke Junior High School at 8:00 p.m. In attendance were Mesdames Swanson and Berchtold, Messrs. Rotberg, Wads- worth and student representative Alan Wachman. Also present were Messrs. Spiris, Maclnnes, Monderer, Barnes and Miss Quinn. Mr. William Paul, 2 Eustis Street, asked the School Committee a PUBLIC series of questions regarding the Educational Program Study Committee PARTICIPATION report. 1. May citizens be assured that release of the Educational Program Study Committee report will be made to Lexington Minuteman for Thursday's publication? 2. Will copies be placed in the libraries immediately? 3. Will the School Committee take 15 minutes this evening and give views on the conclusion and the recommendations of the report due to the imminent election? Mrs. Swanson reviewed the process of making up the School Committee agendas and said the Educational Program Study Committee Report would be placed on the March 1, 1976 agenda. The process of dissemination would be decided upon at that meeting. She said the committee did not have time to read it, having obtained copies at home only a few days prior to the meeting, therefore it would not appear on this evening's agenda. Mr. Paul requested a yes or no response to each of his questions. Mrs. Swanson replied "no" to all three questions. Dr. Rotberg suggested the chairman consider points #1 and #2 as stated by Mr. Paul. There was no other support for discussion of these points. Mrs. Swanson repeated her concern with the lack of time for an ex- tensive reading of the report due to the arrival of the report only a few days ago. She said it was an excellent report. She emphasized that the School Committee had initiated the Educational Program Study Committee in September, 1974 indicating support for acquiring such valuable infor- mation. She disagreed that it was a political document and felt the tim- ing of the report submission had led to unfortunate and unfounded impli- cations. Mrs. Berchtold agreed that it would be irresponsible for the com- mittee to discuss such a document without sufficient preparation time. She also wanted to hear from the Citizens Committee and administration prior to discussion. She saw no connection with the town election. Alan Wachman, student representative, asked if a separate meeting would be held prior to election. Mrs. Swanson replied that the committee would not meet such a request.