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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-04-09-SC-min Page 99 April 9, 1975 The regular meeting of the Lexington School Committee came to order at 8:00 p. M. at the school administration bu_lding. Present were `Iles: Hhi-. . Swanson, Messrs. Brown, gig, .._ '.co Lh a71.d Also present were Messrs. Barnes, Maclnnes, Dr. Monderer and Dr. Lobe-rt. At a previous meeting, Mrs. Berchtold announced that the Massachusetts Historical Commission had notified the Board of Selectmen that the Hancock School is being considered for nomination to the National Register of Historical Places. The information was forwarded to the school comn:itte and reviewed briefly. The consensus of the committee at that time was 4 SS. HLS'i. that more input was needed before it could sign the form acknowledging SOCIETY - receipt of the notification. Mr. Brown spoke to Judy Dobbs of the ComiANo OCK and Mr. O'Connell. Both felt we should refer the request to the Lexington SCHOOL Historical Commission, once it is formed, and agreed that'there was no urgency to sign it at this time. At a previous meeting, a discussion was held-regarding the possibility of having a central resource center. The school committee asked that a committee be formed to visit the centers now in operation in Wellesley and Concord and report back as soon as possible. RESOURCE CENTER The centers have been visited by Miss Sara Jaffarian, Dr. Frank DiGiamma-rino Mrs. Ellen Weinstein, Mr. William Welch and Mr. Richard Barnes. After deliberation, they noted the following: 1. The needs identified in a memo to the superintendent on 11/14/73 (Section 1-A) remain. 2. Additional needs have been identified by the committee members. They are curriculum development; professional development, and special needs production. 3. The committee recommends a Learning Resource Center for Lexington. 4. Lexington should reassign and/or reallocate staff, as well as seek additional staff to operate the center. 5. One additional staff member should be sought under Special Education reimbursement. 6. Due to the limited time frame to prepare a comprehensive report, the committee feels a planning and development committee should be formed to delineate the operation for inclusion in the 1976-77 budget. .Mr. Barnes discussed the report in detail and said the budget figure for the center would be $15, 000 for staff and $1, 310 for additional equipment for a grand total of $16, 310. • Page 100 • April 9, 1975 After hearing the report, Mr. Rotberg made a MOTION that the committe.e cr e the admiflisthation to set up a resourceR._,. _ .. ... _ ,.a1 year. and «atho expenditures next year C C:'ildf N:11 of approximately $96, 310. The MOTION was not seconded. • • Mrs. Swanson suggested MOVING on the concept but naming no figure. Mr. Rotberg preferred to name a figure now and put it in next year's budget. He then rephrased his MOTION to read as follows: "That the school committee hereby direct the administration to begin setting up a resource center and that we budget $15, 310 for the next fiscal year. This was not seconded. Mr. Brown said he did not disagree with the concept but he would like to see some additional input.. Mrs. Berchtold said we might be able to get some input in the management study to help us use our resources. • • Dr. Fobert said it did not make sense to go further with specific plans without money in the budget to implement these plans. Mr. Rotberg then made the following MOTION "To direct the admini- stration to begin planning a Curriculum Resource Center and to return to • the school committee as soon as possible with detailed plans. " The MOTION was seconded by Mrs. Swanson. After a brief discussion, a vote was called. (Rotberg, Brown Swanson, Berchtold, Wadsworth UNANIMOUS ) Mrs. Berchtold introduced the following MOTION, which was seconded by Mr. Wadsworth, to clarify the school committee's action concerning • the science specialists: "The budget reflects a reduction of $30, 000 • in Personal Services for specialists. As per previous school committee • discussion, these reductions shall occur in the area of science specialists. The position, science specialists, was. eliminated February 18. The • dollar reduction to reflect this should be 4. 5 X $12, 000 or $54, 000. However, • we want to retain two positions now entitlted "science coordinator" with the net reduction for budgetary purposes being $30, 000". Mr. Rotberg asked if the intent of this MOTION was to discourage the science personnel from doing any demonstration work in the classrooms. Mrs. Berchtold said that this was not the case, adding that she thought it was much better to reduce the number of specialists now and redefine the • roles, if necessary, rather than to see them erode year after year. She • felt that , in. the long run, it was better to do it this way. Dr. Fobert did not agree with her.. He was concerned that this acti_on would set a precedent to cut other programs in the future. Mrs. Swanson replied that making a decision on the science program was not an indication that the same would apply to other programs. Page 101 April 9, 1975 A vote was called on Mrs. Berchtold's MOTION. (Brown, Wadsworth, Swanson, Berchtold YES, Rotberg NO) The school ca e_ r for 1075-76 was presented to LCe ccnir t e for its approval. Mr. Rotberg suggested that the calendar be examined by the public prior to acceptance by the committee. SCHOOL CALENDAR Dr. Fobert reviewed Calendars 1, 2, and 3. His first preference was Calendar #2 which indicated a full two week vacation at Christmas time. The second preference was Calendar #1. After a brief discussion, Mr. Rotberg made a MOTION to accept Calendar #2 as recommended by Dr. Fobert. This was seconded by Mr. Wadsworth, Mrs. Swanson MOVED to Table the preceding MOTION. This was seconded by Mr. Brown. Discussion of Personnel Changes was reserved for Executive Session. • PERSONNEL CHANGES Proposals for the management study have been received from the following firms: Harbridge House, Neville Associates, and Arthur D. Little Company. Mrs. Swanson suggested that we hold discussion of the proposals for Executive Session due to the nature of some of the information. Mr. Rotberg felt that the public should be allowed to listen to the discussion. Mr. Brown was in agreement. The consensus of the committee was to go ahead with the discussion. Mrs. Swanson said that committee members felt the contract should be awarded to a local firm rather than to have someone travel back and forth from out of state. Therefore, Booz, Allen, Hamilton, which is located in New York, will not be considered. The proposals were then discussed briefly. Harbridge House's fee will be $20, 000, Arthur D. Little Co. quoted $24, 500. Neville Associate's fee was not mentioned. Mr. Wadsworth felt we should invite representatives from these firms to answer questions about the proposals before we make a final decision. Dr. Fobert asked if we have considered the cost factor for the study. He pointed out that in a year when we have heard so much about austerity, • $24, 500 is a large figure. Mrs. Swanson replied that this is a small MANAGE- expenditure if'we are going to properly utilize a $10, 000, 000 staff. MENT STUDY (continued) Page 102 April 9, 1975 it was 1D. a T: ove 7Lo E.—, _.v eselen t .I0:00 p. Z__. re discus sc personnel matter (Wadsworth, Swanson, Unanimous) At that time, Personnel Changes (certificated) were discussed. The committee reverted to open session to cast the following votes: Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, it was PERSONNEL CHANGES VOTED: not to recommend the following names for reelection for (certificated) 1975-76. (Brown, Wadsworth, Unanimous) Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, it was VOTED: To elect Lawrence Clifford and Lillian Dinklage for second election for 1975-76. The meeting adjourned at 12:30 a. m. Respectfully submitted, Isabelle J. U Cummings Recording Secretary