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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-01-05-SC-min CARY MEMORIAL LLI'SRARt Page 1 LEXINGTON, MASS. 02173 January 5, 1976 On Monday evening January 5, 1976 the Lexington School Committee held a meeting at the Jonas Clarke Junior High School. The meeting be- gan at 8:00 p.m. Those in attendance were Mesdames Swanson, Berchtold, Messrs. Brown, Rotberg, Wadsworth and student representative Alan Wachman. Also present were Messrs. Spiris, Maclnnes, Monderer, Barnes and Miss Quinn. Mr. David Westfall, 106 Kendall Road, expressed his concern about PUBLIC the possible closing of Munroe School, since some of the students would PARTICIPATION be reassigned to Franklin School. He stated that Franklin School, now, has several large classes and projections indicate increased enrollment. He requested the School Committee consider these conditions. Mr. William Paul, 2 Eustis Road, commented on a statement included in an article in the December 18, 1975 issue of the Lexington Minute-man, which quoted Mr. Spiris as saying that one of the drawbacks of a small school, such as Munroe, was the lack of flexibility. Mr. Paul requested Mr. Spiris to clarify the usage of the term, flexibility. He asked if the word was being used as an administrative term, or as an implication that all small schools are to be considered inflexible. Mr. Paul added that the example used in the Minute-man article stated that a Munroe School kindergarten enrollment of 21 would demonstrate inflexibility, yet identical enrollments in larger buildings were not referred to as hindering flexibility. Mr. Spiris explained that small numbers in a school provide for less flexibility. He added that he did not intend to state that Munroe was inflexible, except the small number of classes or students make any school less flexible for class arrangement and rearrangement. The minutes of December 1, 1975 were reviewed. It was MINUTES 12/1/75 VOTED: to accept the minutes of 12/1/75 as amended. (Brown, Berchtold, Unanimous) . The minutes of December 8, were discussed. The segment of the min- MINUTES utes pertaining to the special needs summer program policy was reviewed 12/8/75 by the town counsel as requested at a prior meeting. Mr. Spiris said he had received an opinion from Rhoda Snyder, legal counsel at the State Department, and the legal counsel for the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. Both of these sources interpreted that point #F3 regarding the residential placement of a student was legal. Dr. Rotberg suggested that prior to voting the minutes, the town counsel should reply, since the counsel was not an advocate of the state department or school committee. He felt the town counsel would consider the best interests of the town. He emphasized the critical need for town counsel review due to the implications of the policy. Mr. Spiris agreed to have the town counsel respond to the school committee 's inquiries and suggested that any school committee member place his or her comments in writing to the superintendent. It was VOTED: to accept the minutes of December 8, 1975 as corrected. (Brown, Wadsworth, Unanimous) Page 2 January 5, 1976 The minutes of December 15, 1975 were reviewed and it was MINUTES 12/15/75 VOTED: to accept the minutes of December 15, 1975 as corrected. (Brown, Berchtold, Unanimous) Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools it was SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS VOTED: to accept the following schedule of payments. (Brown, Berchtold, Unanimous) (please see next page) Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools it was NEW PERSONNEL VOTED: . Mr. Spiris presented the School Committee with the Personal Services PERSONAL Budget for 1976. Seven major items were included in the information SERVICES package: BUDGET 1. Elementary and Junior High School Budgets 2. Senior High School Budget 3. Systemwide Budget 4. Pupil Personnel Services Budget 5. Additional Charges 6. Teaching Assistants 7. Commitments from the 1975-76 Budget without change presented previously. He explained that the total change in the Personal Services Budget amounted to a 1.8% increase or $222,051. He noted that of this amount approximately 607, was due to the result of Chapter 766. The 1.8% in- cluded all increases recommended with the exception of the increases that will occur as a result of School Committee-Lexington Education Association negotiations. The Superintendent summarized his introduc- tion by saying the Personal Services Budget was a result of the effort of principals, program directors, and central office staff. He noted that it did not meet all of the needs, but felt that the people who have reviewed the budgets had taken a realistic look at every area. The budget discussion began with a review of elementary staffing. ELEMENTARY Mr. Spiris noted that the recommendation was for an increase of i SCHOOLS kindergarten teacher for the next school year due to the size of class. However, the additional kindergarten teacher may not be used at the Bowman School as the outline suggested, but might be needed somewhere KINDERGARTEN else due to a possible enrollment shift. He felt that the enrollment TEACHERS justified an increase. Mr. Brown voiced reservation to an increase of a z position at the kindergarten level saying that if enrollment did go up in September then Mr. Spiris should come back to the School Committee recommending the hiring of such a staff member. He felt the committee would be most receptive to such an increase due to past practice. Page 2 A January 5, 1976 SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS The following schedules of payments were available for scrutiny and approval prior to this meeting: SCHOOL DEPARTMENT BUDGETS Personal Services December 19, 1975 Professional Payroll $403,560.97 December 26, 1975 Classified Payroll #13NC 67,883.47 January 2, 1976 Professional Payroll 397,328.49 Expenses December 19, 1975 Bill Schedule #87 9,526.15 December 19, 1975 #88 2,968.58 December 19, 1975 1,89 4,429.63 December 19, 1975 #90 4,935 .62 December 19, 1975 #91 14,234.90 December 19, 1975 1692 766.83 December 24, 1975 #93 3,908.51 December 24, 1975 #94. 370.87 December 24, 1975 1695 3, 391.50 December 24, 1975 #96 420.37 January 2, 1976 #97 2,808.50 January 2, 1976 #98 2,706.84 January 2, 1976 #99 17,093.57 Expenses (Carryover) December 24, 1975 Bill Schedule #183 72.77 January 2, 1976 #184 32.86 Out-of-State Travel December 19, 1975 Bill Schedule #7 410.00 January 2, 1976 #8 58.00 Athletics December 24, 1975 Bill Schedule #15 2,804,35 January 2, 1976 #16 971.70 January 16, 1976 Payroll #14 300.00 Vocational Education December 12, 1975 Transportation ff8V 184.72 December 19, 1975 Tuition #9V 63.00 January 2, 1976 Transportation #10V 98.60 SPECIAL PROGRAMS (Non-Lexington Funds) Adult Education December 19, 1975 Professional Payroll 684.00 December 19, 1975 Bill Schedule 965 78 . 76 Driver Education (Adult Education) December 19, 1975 Professional Payroll (inc. trans. ) 1,033.00 January 2, 1976 Professional Payroll $753.00 788.00 Page 2 A (Cont. ) January 5, 1976 Metco December 19, 1975 Professional Payroll (inc. tutor.) $3,555 .44 January 2, 1976 Professional Payroll (inc. Tutor. ) 3,309. 14 December 26, 1975 Classified Payroll #7NC 738.80 Teacher Training Program II December 19, 1975 Professional Payroll 363.85 December 26, 1975 Classified Payroll #8NC 86 .40 January 2, 1976 Professional Payroll 368.85 December H, 1975 Bill Schedule #2 1,434. 20 December 26, 1975 Bill Schedule #3 137. 79 Title III Administrative Grant December 26, 1975 Cla sified Payroll #8Ad.G. 35.00 December 26, 1975 Bill Schedule 10.56 LAB Pre-Vocational Life Care Program December 19, 1975 Professional Payroll 967. 96 January 2, 1976 Professional Payroll 862. 96 December 26, 1975 Classified Payroll #8LAB 784.50 January 2, 1976 Bill Schedule #7 112. 76 LEADS December 19, 1975 Professional Payroll 1,403 .87 December 26, 1975 Classified Payroll (inc. tr. $60.35) #8 451. 85 January 2, 1976 Professional Payroll 1,403.87 January 2, 1976 Bill Schedule #5 200.00 Autistic Program - Lexington December 19, 1975 Professional Payroll 717.96 December 26, 1975 Classified Payroll #8 140.40 January 2, 1976 Professional Payroll 717. 96 Autistic Program - Arlington December 19, 1975 Professional Payroll 2,667.45 December 26, 1975 Classified Payroll #9 76 . 80 January 2, 1976 Professional Payroll 2,667.45 Multi-Handicapped - Burlington December 19, 1975 Professional Payroll 449. 65 December 26, 1975 Classified Payroll #8 168.00 January 2, 1976 Professional Payroll 425. 65 January 2, 1976 Bill Schedule #3 78.04 Pre-School Program - Burlington December 19, 1975 Professional Payroll 1,475 . 78 December 26, 1975 Classified Payroll #7 336 .00 January 2, 1976 Professional Payroll 1,475. 78 December 19, 1975 Bill Schedule #7 94. 67 January 2, 1976 Bill Schedule #8 558.87 LABB - Pre-K (Bedford) December 18, 1975 Professional Payroll 269.23 January 2, 1976 Professional Payroll 269.23 January 2, 1976 Bill Schedule X12 179. 97 Page 2 A (Cont. ) January 5, 1976 Title 1 (P1 89-313) December 19, 1975 Professional Payrolls 102.89 January 2, 1976 Professional Payrolls 102.89 ESEA Library December 19, 1975 Bill Schedule #3 1,904.48 Bus Ticket Account December 26, 1975 Bill Schedule #3 1,556.50 ACE Program December 26, 1975 Bill Schedule #1 613.00 Page 3 January 5, 1976 Dr. Rotberg commented that the hiring of a person in September was very difficult due to the problem of finding funds after budget develop- ment. He felt that the most appropriate time to include funds for new staff would be in the initial budget phase. He felt that the beginning of school was so important to children that it was a wise investment to keep the size of the kindergarten classes small. He emphasized the need for good ratios, and felt it was an inexpensive way to deal with a real problem. After further discussion it was MOVED: to reduce the total kindergarten positions by i from the recom- mended total of 12.0 kindergarten classroom teachers to 11.5 for the 1976-1977 school year. (Brown, Berchtold, Swanson, Wadsworth, YES, Rotberg, NO) . Mrs. Berchtold commented that 20 kindergarten youngsters per session GRADES 1-6 for one teacher should be a maximum amount and asked if any other resour- TEACHERS ces could be provided for teachers. Mr. Spiris responded saying that a proposal for para-professional would be included in the budget. Mrs. Berchtold inquired if there were other alternatives such as increased teacher-aide time. Mr. Spiris replied saying a role description would have to be developed. He noted his concern for the instruction of the youngster and felt that a para-professional rather than an aide would best be able to service the youngster in conjunction with the classroom teacher. The School Committee reviewed the staffings of each of the elemen- STUDENT-TEACHER tary schools. Mrs. Swanson emphasized that the School Committee was try- RATIOS ing to take each school, each class and eliminate large classes. The fo- cus of the budget development was not to decrease the overall student- teacher ratio, but to evaluate each individual school and each classroom. Mrs. Berchtold supported Mrs. Swanson's comment and added that if the committee wanted to make a further impact they should consider a reduc- tion in the number of support staff. Dr. Rotberg listed student-teacher ratios of comparable towns noting that Lexington was not at the top of the list in advantageous ratios, but at the bottom of that list. He felt that the emphasis should focus on a reduction of the overall pupil-teacher ratio, without a dismantling of support staff for teachers. Mrs. Berchtold responded saying that non-class specialist ratios were also included on that chart and Lexington compared extremely favor- ably with other school systems. Mr. Spiris interjected that he didn't feel the classroom teacher load was being reduced by the budget recommendation of a .6 child reduc- tion per teacher. -If there were a further decline in support staff it would not alleviate the load but would add to the burden of the teacher. Student representative Alan Wachman expressed concern about compari- sons with other towns. His feeling was that Lexington should not worry about what other towns were doing, but should look at our own situation, and view it as an opportunity to improve the classroom teaching situation for students. He also felt that .6 reduction in ratio was not an improve- ment. Page 4 January 5, 1976 After discussion it was MOVED: to accept the Superintendent 's recommendation to reduce classroom teachers (grades 1-6) by 4 persons for 1976-77 school year. (Brown, Rotberg, Unanimous) A discussion of support staff followed. Dr. Rotberg asked the super- SUPPORT intendant why he was recommending a reduction of 2 which consisted of a STAFF half art, music, foreign language and physical education person. Mr. Spiris responded that there was no committee that recommended this, but there were a lot of inputs. He said that Mr. Lombard worked with the department heads in these four areas. He felt that with declining en- rollments the program could function most effectively with 82 persons. Dr. Rotberg responded saying he questioned what the sensible sacrifice would be since it would affect program, pupil activities, teacher con- tact time, etc. Mr. Spiris noted that people were being subtracted, but the loss would not be felt in the programs. He also emphasized that pro- gram directors disagreed with his recommendation. Mr. Lombard was asked by the School Committee for his comments regarding this topic since he worked with the program directors. Mr. Lombard said reduction could lead to fragmentation of persons, less time spent with students, less special needs accomodations, reduction of enrichment programs or less teacher contact time. Dr. Rotberg asked the committee to consider this reduction very ser- iously. Mrs. Berchtold said her feeling was that sacrifice was not neces- sarily needed. Maybe there could be other ways of rearrangement, or other alternatives in the utilization of specialists. She felt that we had re- duced 1444 students in the last few years and that there should be some appropriate parallel reduction in specialists . Dr. Rotberg said that based upon numbers he would agree, however, the numbers concept was not the main consideration, but the servicing of students and teachers was the main concern. Dr. Rotberg MOVED: to restore specialists (1 art, 2 music, 2 phys. ed. , 2 French) in the amount of $26,000 to the 1976-1977 Personal Services Budget. Since there was no second to Dr. Rotberg 's motion, the motion failed. Following the discussion of the elementary staffing needs the junior high school staffings were discussed. Mr. Brown asked Mr. Hibbard to respond to his request for 2 additional teachers. Mr. Hibbard commented that last year due to a misjudgment in enrollment projections, sufficient staff were not added. The increase was a matter of catching up plus the inclusion of these new people would enable the full operation of the team concept at Clarke. Mr. Spiris said that matrons were being recommended in the junior MATRONS high school budget for the 1976-1977 school year. Mrs. Swanson and Mrs. Berchtold voiced opposition to the pay differential of .25/hr. for women versus men. It was also requested the term matron not be used, and the term custodian be used both for men and women. A role description was requested by the school committee. Page 5 January 5, 1976 Dr. Rotberg asked why a commensurate reduction wasn't being made MATRONS in the custodial account similar to that of support services and other (CONTINUED) professional services. Mrs. Swanson responded saying that the increase of vandalism, need for building maintenance, etc. , required the inclu- sion of additional classified help. The proposed High School Budget was reviewed. It included the re- HIGH SCHOOL duction of 1 assistant principal, 1 housemaster, 4 teachers, and the BUDGET addition of .6 guidance counselors and 1.0 person as student activities advisor. Dr. Rotberg suggested that since the student activities coordi- nator position had yet to be developed, and the committee on MAX-ED had yet to report its recommendations, the amount of $20,000 be placed in escrow. He stressed the need for a rationale for this role. Mr. Spiris said that he could not promise reports would be in prior to the town meeting, and felt that the money should be included in the budget at this time. Mrs. Berchtold voiced concern with the number of counselors and housemasters at the high school and felt that this topic should be dis- cussed separately. The committee agreed that the Pupil Personnel seg- ment of the recommended high school budget should be kept separate and discussed at a future date. It was also agreed that Dr. Monderer would provide a listing of all the people in the 2700 and 2800 accounts. In- cluded would be the location of these persons. Mrs. Berchtold expressed her compliments to the staff for looking at the entire High School picture. She felt it looked promising. Her only question was whether it was necessary to have 2 housemasters for each house. Dr. Wadsworth felt that he would like to see a role descrip- tion for each category recommended. With the exception of the request for an increase of 2.5 secretaries for the guidance counselors and a .6 guidance counselor the staff pro- posal page 90-5A received tentative approval. Dr. Rotberg in summary requested a one line rationale for all major increases in the Personal Services Budget. Mr. Spiris agreed to provide this to the School Committee. A review of the report from the science specialists was received by the school committee. Mrs. Berchtold pointed out that after reading the report it renewed the need for inventories in other departments. She again requested that a central inventory program be undertaken for the Lexington Public Schools. Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools it was PERSONNEL CHANGES VOTED:to accept the following Personnel Changes (Classified) (Brown, CLASSIFIED Berchtold, Unanimous). Transfer Page 6 January 5, 1976 Resignations PERSONNEL CHANGES New Personnel A copy of the central office space needs report of January 16, 1967 ADMINISTRATIVE was presented to the school committee for their information. This REPORTS report reviewed plans on the remodeling of Munroe School to an Ad- SPACE NEEDS ministration Building if the time presented itself to use the fa- ADMINISTRATION cility as an administration building. It was VOTED: to go into Executive Session at 10:58 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter (Brown, Berchtold, Unanimous) Respectfully submitted, '.Cc %c 2 /L- . Richard H. Barnes Recording Secretary /k Pro Tem