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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-10-20-SC-min Page 206 • October 20, 1975 A regular meeting of the Lexington School Committee came to order at 8:00 p.m. at the school administration building. Present were Mesdames Berchtold and Swanson, Messrs. Brown, Rotberg, Wachman and Wadsworth. Also present were Miss Quinn, Messrs. Barnes, Maclnnes, Dr. Monderer, Mr. Spirts and Mrs. Cummings. Mrs. Ruth Barton made general comments about the Outdoors as Teachers Program (OATS), which is being conducted at Diamond Jr. High School for four - two week sessions during the school year. Specific questions raised were as PUBLIC follows: (1) Under what budget are the two full time substitutes being paid, PARTICIPATION and (2) Is the learning process of the chidren who don't participate in the program being disrupted? Mrs. Barton suggested that the School Committee ask Mr. Sullivan to provide additional information at the next meeting. Mr. Frank Sarno said the LEA found the Management Study of little value and felt the community would have gained more if we had used the money to hire two teachers. He commended Mrs. Berchtold for giving advance notice of her intention to not seek reelection and noted that someone else had wondered how she had voted on sabbatical leaves when that issue was debated during the summer. Mrs. Berchtold stated that this would not be "her sabbatical" and her interest was in the Lexington School Budget. If Mr. Sarno wanted to, he could take on M.I.T.'s budget, but, in fact, professors apply for grants to supplement their half salaries for a sabbatical year. Mrs. Swanson told Mr. Sarno that ADL was hired to do a managerial study which the LEA should support since many members of the professional staff have repeatedly questioned the management staff. She added that the report was well worth the money spent and expected it to be of benefit to everybody. Regarding the comment on sabbaticals, she told Mr. Sarno that as long as the LEA felt it should matter where a member's spouse is employed, perhaps they should know that her husband works for the telephone company which never gives sabbaticals. Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, (Interim) , it was VOTED: To accept the Schedule of Payments as presented. SCHEDULE OF (Brown, Wadswroth, Unanimous) (see next page) PAYMENTS The Financial Statement for the period of 7/1/75 through 9/1/75 was FINANCIAL discussed briefly by the School Committee. STATEMENT Upon the recommendation of the Interim Superintendent of Schools, it was VOTED: To accept Personnel Changes as presented. (Brown, Berchtold, Unanimous) Upon the recommendation of the Interim Superintendent of Schools, it was VOTED: To accept New Personnel (Classified) (Secretary, Metco Office and Metco Bus Monitor) as presented. (Rotberg, Wadsworth, Brown, Berchtold YES, Swanson ABSTAin Page 207 October 20, 1975 Personal Services October 10, 1975 Professional Payroll #80 $395,434.86 Expenses October 9, 1975 Bill Schedules #47 12,036.08 October 9, 1975 #48 7,440.31 October 9, 1975 #49 6,048.42 October 9, 1975 #50 3,919.26 October 9, 1975 #51 18,292.15 October 16, 1975 #52 1,500.00 October 16, 1975 #53 9,992.22 October 16, 1975 #54 2,860.80 Vocational Education October 10, 1975 Transportation • #1-V 245.28 Special Programs hon-Lexington Funds Adult Education October 10, 1975 Professional Payroll 1,591.00 Metco October 10, 1975 Professional Payroll 3,269.03 _ IAB Pre-Vocational Life Care Program October 10, 1975 Professional Payroll 1,007.96 LEADS Project October 10, 1975 Professional Payroll 1,403.87 Title I October 10, 1975 Professional Payroll 640.02 Autistic Program (Lexington) October 10, 1975 Professional Payroll 717.96 Autistic Program (Arlington) October 10, 1975 Professional Payroll 2,667.45 Multi-Handicapped (Burlington) October 10, 1975 Professional Payroll 425.65 LABS Pre-School Program (Burlington October 10, 1975 Professional Payroll 1,475.78 October 16, 1975 Bill Schedule 524.31 Page 208 October 20, 1975 Before the vote was taken, the School Committee questioned Mr. Maclnnes and Mr. Spiris regarding the duties and need for the new Metco personnel. Mr. Spiris said the Committee's questions were valid and assured the members that the people being voted on are all within the ?ETCO budget. Mrs. Swanson requested a list showing the number of personnel (including part time tutors) who are now servicing METCO students. Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, it was VOTED: Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, (Interim) BID it was SAFETY SHOWER SUPPLY AND VOTED: That an order be placed with Metropolitan Pipe and Supply Co. for EQUIPMENT Safety Shower Supplies and Equipment for $3,000.20, the total of items 5,6,7,9, based on their low bid meeting specifications. (Brown, Berchtold, Unan) Dr. Monderer introduced two new programs which, if approved, will be offered shortly at MMRVTS. The first, Occupational Competency, which will be funded by an occupational competency grant, will enable Lexington students grades 9-12 to use the MM training facilities after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The students will be provided the opportunity to explore any field among 18 which might interest them. Although the program is greared for 9th graders, those in grades 10-12 will be considered. This program could begin January 1, 1976. The second program, Time Sharing, will enable students in our system to attend morning or afternoon programs at WIRVTS with the other half day being spent at their home schools. The program, if approved, will run in five week cycles and will enable students to take shop courses in core areas which interest them. Dr. Harold Resnick, Acting Assistant Superintendent of Schools at MMRVTS, will propose the time sharing program to the MMRVTS School Committee on November 4. If accepted, the latter program can begin December 15. Mrs. Swanson felt the program should include 8th graders because decisions to go to MMRVTS have to be made before completion of that grade. Dr. Monderer said that the grant does not provide for 8th grade participation, but felt it was a good idea. Mrs. Berchtold asked what would happen if a student who took part in the program decided to enroll. She was told that if there is space for the student, an individualized program can be provided. The committee was told that about 100 students can be included in this program but only a handful are expected to take part. The committee approved of the program. Mrs. Swanson said that many people have been waiting for something similar to be presented for quite awhile. Page 209 October 20, 1975 Mr. Spiris reminded the Committee that UNICEF time will be here shortly and asked the members for permission to continue the practice of allowing the children to pass collection boxes for this cause. The general consensus of the committee was to allow this practice to continue as long as the PTA handles everything. UNICEF (No formal vote was taken) Mrs. Swanson asked Alan Wachman to represen the School Committee on the Youth Advisory Board. Mr. Wachman accepted and was reassured that he will be YOUTH ADVISORY able to vote on issues while serving on the Board, BOARD A draft letter to the Superintendent's Interview Committee was reviewed briefly by the School Committee. Mrs. Berchtold suggested that one man and one INTERVIEW woman be appointed from each association listed in the letter. This will be to COMt4ITTre assure even representation. A discussion followed regarding the procedure to be used for name selection. Mrs. Swanson said that we could ask each group to submit names for approval. Mr. Spiris commented that we should allow the groups to have free choice when naming representatives. Mr. Rotberg agreed with Mr. Spiris, He then recommended that the Interview Committee Guide be updated. J:items. Swanson asked Mr. Rotberg to work on this plant and present ideas to the Committee at a future meeting. The School Committee examined an overview of the IPS Testing Program LES TESTING which was preapred by Dr. Monderer. This information was to be used as a tool PROGRAM to generate some alternatives as to how the testing program can be discussed. Mr. Spiris, in his memo of 10/17/75, offered the following alternatives and asked the Committee for its comments. 1. The Committee may wish to suggest names of some people, knowledgeable in the field of testing, who would be willing to study our testing program, meet with the professional staff to discuss the progLem, and then have an open discussion with the Committee. 2. The Committee may wish to have a presentation and discussion with the professional staff regarring the testing program, either at a regular meeting or at a special meeting. 3. The School Committee may wish to have a presentation from people outside of the system on testing treands in general and then have our staff respond to their suggestions. 4. The Committee may wish to have a presentation by the staff and have some knowledgeable people react. 5. A combination of some or all of the above. Page 210 October 20, 1975 Mrs. Swanson felt No. 1 could end up as a "circus" at an open meeting and so she did not approve of this alternative. Mr. Rotberg liked No. 4 arid said that a knowledgeable outsider and insider could help us by interacting with the staff. He called for a neutral approach. Mrs. Berchtold agreed with Mr. Rotberg. She felt we should hear from the professional staff and hold discussions on the testing program. Mr. Brown suggested combining Nos. 2 and 4. Mr. Rotberg suggested inviting Dr. Bernard Harleston, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Tufts University and Dr. Frederick Mosher, Carnegie Corporation in New York to attend the meeting. He has already spoken to the gentlemen and both would be willing to attend. Mr. Wadsworth suggested that questions from the audience be submitted in writing. The meeting adjourned at 11:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Isabelle 3 C 'mings' 7J Recording Secretary