HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-02-17-MMTECH-min.pdf t^
( 123)
MINUTES OF THE MINUTEMAN REGIONAL VOCATIONAL DISTRICT SCHOOL COMMITTEE
February 17, 1976 , at the Minuteman School
PRESENT Bilodeau, Cormier, Cron , Heinrich , Kelsey , Shimkus , Smith , ,
Wales , Zeoli ;".
Lombardo "i'
v
ABSENT Courtright, hall , Merluzzo 5; ; ,,
,,
STAFF Whitney, DellaPenna, Delaney, Eminian ,
s;
VISITORS Included students , parents , two representatives of the press S+ Cita,
The meeting was called to order at 7 38 p m -',
, .'. .
MINUTEMAN There was a general discussion of philosophical issues , with A. i '
O'y
PHILOSOPHY Dr Fitzgerald presenting specific statements and asking if ,
committee members concurred l tai.
'!it
Scope_ Dr Fitzgerald proposed that the committee is adthorized.,,;\ ` '
to act as a Board of 'Education , undertaking to fill the ti t,;
career education needs of all in the region., rather than focusing
primarily on the limited goal of a program for 9th through 12th
grade day students Under the broad plan he envisioned, the
school would actually be a regional education center, offering y, ,,,,,
services to a wide range of age groups , in a wide ''range 6f
courses , on a year- round basis , and based in Industrial plants
and in the community as well as in the Minuteman facility ,itsetf
Committee members , though not in complete agrejent on speci,ti,c '. +..
programs , did share the superintendent 's goal o* full use rolghe., 4 *`� %"
facilityAt least two felt strongly that the firsti.vt=.. _
9 )' goal mus'ti.�b an .; ..:: ,y
full enrollment In 9th through 12th grades , and- that no other: :r=; ` ,,',:k
_o
should be allowed to interfere until t1is goat' has been. , s t ;,to
reached (time sharing might be a potential into ference) ,,At itt °.
least one other member felt that some towns in the di-st'rill
ct.. wi - it
never use their quota for the four grades , and •tha,.t these 'towns 3"'
could certainly use soneof the other services sU gested 'b' D '4 , 51
Fitzgerald -- It was noted that in some cases' tT'& addition, T
services suggested might bring in more revenue, th'lismaking, ±
possible to provide a better program for the reg+rtar `;th thr.
12th grades tf, v
Balance In order to provide excellent academrc J,Uc ar ,"1 Y ..
well as vocational , said Dr Fitzgerald;,,'it Wot �o' E
necessary to develop a more demanding educational ogram : y
wi l l have to ask our students to work .harde,r , y iAdout ' ++
distributed which outlined academic objectiv 0 ", uWon a,tl` d'
a recent staff seminar While no committee : sCs-"
, , bjected t'o,
(124)
raising the standards of Minuteman 's academic education , it was
pointed out that the school ' reasonefor existence, and therefore
its primary purpose , is the development of vocational skills
Further, the academic study For eaLh student must be related to
his drain interest or career choice
Individualization The committee agreed with Dr Fitzgerald
that individualized inst -uction did not mean
merely independent study, as some individuals believe , but it
means a program tailored to the needs of each student, and
including both group and independent study formats
Standardized Tests After sour! discussion , it was MOVED by
Mr Zeoli , SECONDED by Mrs Wales , and
VOTED UNANIMOUSLY, that the Minuteman District will use basic p;
skill tests primarily to identify instructional needs of
individual pupils , rather than to support statistical compari-
son among school or community populations " .
Dr Fitzgerald said he hoped to begin standardized testing in
March or April , using tests that include Ohio, Differential
Aptitude , Task Series , Otis , and others In future years , new js
students will be tested when applying or at the beginning of
their first year
Members of the committee wanted assurance that a) the test y
results would .be used in program planning, b) all staff members
would understand the philosophy and purpose of this testing, arid
c) results would not be given out to prospective employe'r's o�
Minuteman graduates (unless sock information is specifi.ca-_jy
requested)
Competency Certification Dr Fitzgerald proposed that a student
at Minuteman should attain at least a
minimum level of competence in all required fields of study,' and ;' qi
that upon completion he should receive a certificate of competed- t," -, ,y
cies rather than the usual form of diploma At present there isv w s'
no set of "minimum standards", they will have to be developed
"1
Types of Learning Dr Fitzgerald emphasized the need for the
school to concern itself with developing, not i_
only a student 's skills and knowledge of facts (the cognitive,
domain) , but also his ability to understand and appreciate, his f
sensitivity to human concerns (the affective domain) There was
no disagreement with this observation
Other Questions were discussed briefly under this general heading
Language , though less frequently, is still re- ex
quired for admission to some post-secondary schools ill- Hayward
and Dr Fitzgerald are checking on these requirements Music '-`-
some members thought a Marching Band would be a great asset to,
the school , and could be initiated without a full -fledged music
4
{
(125)
I
1
department Use of non-school resources Dr Fitzgerald sug-
gested that the employer-based and community-based programs
would make it possible to serve twice as many students as could
be served in the Minuteman facility alone Public Relations
Superintendent Fitzgerald predicted that the school 's image
would improve as the committee and the administration concern
trate more on objectives than on problems He expressed great
admiration for the present student body and the staff, and their
commitment to this kind of education Greater Involvement The
Superintendent felt that parents and students should be drawn
into much more involvement in school affairs and decisions ("until
it becomes a habit") Fiscal Management A buying freeze through
it
March 1 , on all except essential purchases , is temporarily de-
creasing cost effectiveness , but will enable future economies by 4
better purchase planning School Equipment It will be necessary
to let out for bid and purchase some equipment now on loan; a vote
will be required in the near future
IN- HOUSE Chairman Cron noted that several problems occurring in the school
MAINTENANCE plant had been solved with efficiency and economy by maintenance
staff, faculty and students Thanks to Mr Hanlon , phones that fl
could not be heard at night are now connected with clock buzzers
which can be heard clearly -- Mr lovine and students are
keeping temperature records throughout the building as part of a l'.
climate control plan, a buffer for the heating system control in
the penthmuse is being installed students have made changes in
the entrance doors which will make the chains unnecessary -- It
was MOVED by Mr Zeoli , SECONDED by Mr Kelsey, and AGREED by aril ,
to commend all these individuals who are helping the schtool-N.to
run smoothly and economically '41,•T , .rr
CONTRACT At the Superintendent-Director' s recommendation, it was MOVED by
WITH Mr Zeoli , SECONDED by Mrs Smith , that the committee accept the k
TEACHERS changes in wording of the contract as ratified and submitted by.
the teachers ' association VOTED UNANIMOUSLY '•
APPOINTMENT It was MOVED by Mr Zeoli , SECONDED by Mrs Wales , and VOSED
UNANIMOUSLY, that Mr Robert Tiernan be appoihted as an associate dE
science teacher, at an entry level of $9,000 per annum plus an' $4,„;, >u'.
adjustment according to the new union contract, this -appointment
to become effective February 16 , with the conditions that (1 ) ” ` "'
this applointment is temporary for the remainder .of this school W
year; (2) the school shall request a state waiver of certifi- f;'
cations and (D) a 1976-77 appointment will not b4 considered` ;i
unless and until Mr Tiernan satisfies state cert'fication aryd i
Minuteman evaluation requirements for regular empyment "
g :i o
RESIGNATIONS At the recommendation of the Superintendent Direc5r, it was.
EA,
MOVED, SECONDED, and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY, to acc,%pt with dee
regret, the resignation of Harold Resnick, Assi:stint for PI , 'ning
and Evaluation, effective February 27 Also at his recommen tion,
it was MOVED, SECONDED, and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY,. to accept with. :b
deep regret the resignation of Robert Marotta, Acttng Duan af;�s ,, ,-
Students , effective March 1 ; „ 'ai4i
4x�t
(126)
DEAN OF There was a discussion of the position of Dean of Students
STUDENTS Dr Fitzgerald presented his views ,4 that the position of Dean
POSITION of Students is an essential one in the school , and that it has
been burdened to date with far too many responsibilities , some
of which are now being allocated to other staff members
Committee members AGREED that this should be a management
position with a salary in the appropriate range
It was MOVED by Mr Zeoli , SECONDED by Mr Kelsey, and VOTED
UNANIMOUSLY
a) To place on the agenda for the next meeting the estab-
lishment of a permanent position of Dean of Students ;
4y�
b) To authorize the Superintendent-Director to advertise
this position both in and out of school , with the intent v+
of filling this position as soon as possible,
c) To authorize the Superintendent-Director to appoint an
Acting Dean of Students , with no implications or rami-
fications about this temporary appointment affecting the
eligibility of the appointee for permanent appointment ,
to the position
It was emphasized that anyone who feels qualified, and is
interested in this position, should apply (some qualifications
will be specified) - Regarding the position being left vacant
by Dr Resnick, Dr Fitzgerald expressed hopes that Dr ,Resni'ck
could serve Minuteman as a consultant in this field as the need
arises, until a replacement is found 411
" "'
RECRUITING A paid ad has been sent to newspapers in seven district towns, at
a cost of $184 Minuteman Publications is -helping in a program
to reach high school students , and is also planning to(, feature
the school in town editions and in the supplement -4 Mr Heinrich .
'ti
lh
suggested advertising in the Town Crier, to reach Weston, Waynd, _, h J"0ke
and part of Sudbury Several members wanted copies of ,the article
by Mrs Smith which appeared in the Concord Journal February 12
There was some discussion as to how to reach the largest number of
potential applicants , and whether the cost and effort of a district`
wide mailing would be justified The general consensus was that {
every effort should be made to utilize every possible means to
publicize the school and attract students
,F <
TREASURER'S Mr Lombardo reported a balance in the Operating anij Payroll
REPORT Account of $27,569 49, and in the Site and Constructln' Account
of $5 ,930 15 Mr Lombardo also reported receipt of 0 check
from Metco for $23,341 ¢'
There was some discussion of the Treasurer's suggestion to replace
the Treasurer's Petty Cash Account with a vote .of.,authorizatiOn
It was AGREED by consensus to consult the fiscal 11(anagement consult-
ants , Peat , Marwick and Mitchell , to get their opinion on this
matter, and also to obtain legal counsel
a�i�
(127)
it
MINUTES It was MOVED by Mrs Wales , SECONDED by Mrs Smith, and VOTED
UNANIMOUSLY, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of
February 3 as submitted
CORRESPONDENCE Dr Fitzgerald reported on
a) A hearing on Revised Student Regulations being held in Hanson
on the 27th (MAYA reviews all state educational legislation in
detail )
b) Parental request to use the pool for physical therapy (the
discussion brought out that people calling now about the pool
often are given misinformation; town recreation committees
should be given the correct information and private citizens ;,.��,�;
encouraged to work through them) ` i• .
c) The Massachusetts Association of Vocational School Committee
Members , which had planned to meet at Minuteman , will meet 'at "'
Shawsheen instead this month , and meet at Minuteman another
time (Chairman Cron AGREED to appoint a representative to this
association)
OTHER SCHOOL COMMITTEE BUSINESS
Mrs Smith commented on the excellence of the recruiting pre-
sentation on Thursday, February 12 , in Concord -- At the
chairman 's suggestion, the members of the Policy Sub-Committee
chose a Chairman, Mr Kelsey -- Some new copies of the
General Laws of Massachusetts related to School Committees,
updated to January 1 , 1976, were distributed Mr Cron. REQUESTED"' r9
that all members receive copies
It was MOVED by Mrs Smith , SECONDED by Mr Kelsey, and VOTED
UNANIMOUSLY, to adjourn the meeting to reconvene in edcutive
session to consider strategy with respect to litigation and staff
negotiations Meeting adjourned at 10 45 p m
%poi
Respectfully submit'te 4ci,„,\N„
\
Recording Secretary
Approved (711-'=V) IEl
c L In LA_QC'J
Ruth W Wales,, Secretary
s
>rY" e
Summary of Minuteman School Committee Votes
February 17, 1976
Executive Session (9 present)
MINUTES APPROVED and MADE PUBLIC (UNANIMOUS)
(no other votes)
trff000::
in
-itCL:
;At
e,
sfr
oirvis's ic,
4
f
kfr
,
4.*cit