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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-05-24-SC-min Page 105 May 24, 1976 On Monday evening May 24, 1976 the Lexington School Committee con- ducted a meeting at the Clarke Junior High School at 8:00 p.m. Present were Mrs. Swanson, Messrs. Brown, Michelman, Rotberg, Wadsworth, and student representative Nancy Abelmann. Also present were Messrs. Spiris, Barnes, Maclnnes, Monderer. Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent it was VOTED: to accept the following Schedule of Payments. (Brown, Michelman, Unanimous) SCHOOL DEPARTMENT BUDGETS Personal Services May 21, 1976 Professional Payroll #24C $402,668.97 Expenses May 21, 1976 Bill Schedule #161 2,778.52 May 21, 1976 #162 1,910.44 May 21, 1976 #163 4,438.66 Out-of-State Travel May 21, 1976 Bill Schedule #20 700.01 Athletics May 21, 1976 Payroll #28AP 196.00 May 21, 1976 Bill Schedule #32AE 1,458.77 Vocational Education May 21, 1976 Transportation #26V 156.00 SPECIAL PROGRAMS (Non-Lexington Funds) Driver Education - Adult Education May 21, 1976 Professional Payroll 769.63 LABB Pre-Kindergarten, Bedford May 21, 1976 Professional Payroll 304.74 METCO May 21,1976 Professional Payroll 4,082.50 Teacher Training Program II May 21, 1976 Professional Payroll 368.85 LAB Pre-Vocational Life Care Program May 21, 1976 Professional Payroll 995.46 LEADS Program May 21, 1976 Professional Payroll 1,403.87 AUTISTIC Program, Lexington May 21, 1976 Professional Payroll 717.96 AUTISTIC Program, Arlington May 21, 1976 Professional Payroll 2,667.45 Multi-Handicapped, Burlington May 21, 1976 Professional Payroll 425.65 Page 106 May 24, 1976 Pre-School, Burlington May 21, 1976 Professional Payroll $ 2,066.54 May 21, 1976 Bill Schedule #19 21.36 Title I - P.L. 89-313, Spec. Ed. May 21, 1976 Professional Payroll 102.89 ACE Program May 21, 1976 Bill Schedule #12 1,681.00 , Upon the -recommendation of the Superintendent it was RE-ELECTION OF STAFF VOTED: Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent it was PERSONNEL CHANG (PROFESSIONAL) VOTED: to accept the Personnel Changes (Prefessional) (Brown, Michelman, Unanimous) Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent it was PERSONNEL CHANG (CLASSIFIED) VOTED: to accept the Personnel Changes (Classified) (Brown, Michelman, Unanimous) The financial statement was discussed. FINANCIAL STATEMENT Dr. Clune presented a Professional Development Proposal for the HIGH SCHOOL school year 1976-1977 regarding House Advisorship Programs. He said PROFESSIONAL the accomplishments this past year were not that successful and wished DEVELOPMENT to adopt an advisor system that would allow for dialogue between the PROPOSALS student population and the house team. He felt the proposal suggested for the summer would accomplish this. Dr. Rotberg said that he felt it was difficult not only to understand the proposal but the problem which had not really been stated. Mr. Robbat replying to Dr. Rotberg's query, gave an overview of the objectives. Dr. Rotberg said he would recommend defeat for the motion, but would accept a new motion for administrative funding of the program. He also noted that an outside expert was needed to assist in the development of the objectives and evaluation instrument for an improved house advisorship program. He reiterated that this work- shop might be a good investment and should be funded under management Page 107 May 24, 1976 rather than professional development fund. Mr. Michelman said that the establishment of a functioning advisorship system was an appropriate objective and probably could be focused on in the summer but he had res- ervations about using funds for this purpose and should be limited to that which was budgeted for. He preferred that the money be found in another account, since he also felt that it was an administrative kind of project rather than a professional development proposal. Mr. Spiris said that he could concur with the redefinition of the phrase, profes- sional development, but the budget had been designed and accepted, and there was no money in any other account. He suggested that perhaps an- other year this interpretation could be reviewed. Dr. Rotberg asked Dr. Clune, if he could find the money in other programs at the high school, since it was such a small request. Dr. Clune said he didn't know where he could find any money. The only alternative was to have people volunteer their services, as they had been doing. Mrs. Swanson stated that she felt the advisorship system would build up a better un- derstanding among students and house teams and thought it was a worth- while investment. She was concerned, however, with the labeling of some students. Nancy Abe3mann, student representative agreed with Mrs. Swan- son's concern for labeling students. However, she felt the ultimate goal of the proposal was to reach as many students as possible, and to make education a personal experience. Dr. Clune said that the second segment of the proposal titled, Effective Management, would provide housemasters with the appropriate inservice time necessary to under- stand the ramifications of their new roles for 1976-1977. Dr. Rotberg again reiterated his stance which was stated in the previous discussion that it seemed worthwhile, but was not a professional development pro- posal, but an administrative management program. Mrs. Swanson disagreed saying the skills in administration were closely aligned to professional development and that professional development was not soley just for classroom teachers. Mr. Michelman said he agreed, since it gave staff concentrated time and would require systematic thought and effort as to what skills would be needed by the professional. A vote was called upon the first request--the House Advisorship Program (Yes, Brown, Wadsworth, Swanson; No, Michelman, Rotberg) A vote was called for the second request, Professional Development Proposal-Effective Management (Yes, Wadsworth, Brown, Swanson, Michelman, No, Rotberg) . Dr. Saulsberry presented the METCO program request in conjunction METCO PROGRAM with the Interim Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Saulsberry said that he was recommending that the level of 280 students be retained for the school year 1976-1977. He said that we would replace approximately 12 students due to graduation, assignment to Minuteman School, drop outs, etc. After a brief discussion a vote was called. It was VOTED: that the METCO student enrollment be maintained at the present level of 280 students for the 1976-1977 school year. (Brown, Wadsworth, Unanimous) . The co-directors of the Summer Reading Program, Miss Kay Dillmnre, STAFF READING and Mr. Paul Lombard reviewed the criteria for selection of staff for PROGRAM ESEA the ESEA Title I program. Mr. Barnes briefly reviewed the State require- TITLE I ments. It was VOTED: that +-he following staff be elected for the Summer Reading Pro- grar 1976. (Frown, Michelman, Unanimous) Page 108 May 24, 1976 STAFF FOR SUMMER READING PROCRA'k - 1976 The following are recommended: Professional Staff: 33,034.00 1976 Budget Allotment for Projects: Title I $32,036.00 School Budget 5,000.00 37,036.00 Balance 4,002.00 Secretary, aides, custodian, insurance, supplies, etc. , still uncommitted . Page 109 May. 24, 1976 Dr.-Clune presented materials and evaluations of the present smok- ing policy to the school committee authored by the members of the high school staff. Also a student house statement was presented to the school committee as follows: Memo to: The School Committee From: The Student Advisory Board to the School Committee The question has arisen as to whether the smoking policy at the High School is as effective as was hoped for. The Student Advisory Board felt that in order to answer the question accurately we had to solicit the opinions of other students. Most of the stu- dents we talked to felt that the policy had led to a definite im- provement over last year. There was a better rapport between tea- chers and students, less apathy toward the school administration, and improved appearance of the High School in many places. Some students sighted problems, however, such as the girls' lavatories and areas where cigarette butts littered the ground. In conclusion, we are in favor of continuing the smoking policy at the High School as it exists, with the understanding that improvements and evalua- tion will continue. Respectfully submitted, The Student Advisory Board Pasial Kahne Douglas Gallagher Judy Madoff Evanthia Speliotia David Stern The Student Government representative commented on the number of pro- grams held at the high school regarding smoking. It was noted that they were sparsely attended, yet there were films, doctors, and approximately three clinics held. They suggested that if schools were to make any in- fluence upon smoking the elementary and junior high school levels needed to be integrated into the program. Also lounges were needed to alleviate the problems for smokers during bad weather, winter weather, etc. They suggested matrons and monitors be appointed. Mr. Spiris said that he felt that when Dr. Lawson arrived it would be most appropriate for the principal of the high school to make a recommendation to the new super- intendent in light of the September 8, 1975 minutes which contain the original objectives of the smoking program at the high school. Comments should be made on whether the conditions were met or not met, and what recommendations should be made. Mrs. Swanson agreed that the school committee should review the smoking policy in the future after the arriv- al of the new superintendent. Dr. Clune said that it had been past practice to have the invoca- GRADUATION tion and the benediction as part of the graduation ceremonies. A poll conducted of students resulted in the recouu endation that this practice be continued. Dr. Clune announced that it would be. Page 110 May 24, 1976 Mr. Barnes presented a suggested grievance procedure for complaints TITLE IX of discrimination on the basis of sex within the Lexington Schools. He outlined the requirements of the Federal Government in relation to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. He said there were four things needed to be done' by the Lexington Public Schools. 1) They must begin an internal evaluation of its current policies and practices. 2) They must designate one employee to coordinate the efforts of Title IX. 3) They should adopt a public grievance procedure. 4) They should pub- licly state that it does not discriminate on the basis of sex. He noted that adoption of a grievance procedure would indicate that the ,policy of Lexington schools was not to discriminate on the basis of sex in any educational programs, in compliance with Title IX of the Edu- cation Amendments of 1972. The grievance procedures were reviewed and it was suggested that a few minor changes be made and presented at the next meeting. He agreed to do this. Mr. Spiris presented a list of Professional Salaries for 1976- PROFESSIONAL 1977 school year. Dr. Rotberg said he did have some concern that the SALARIES school committee was being asked to vote on the names of administra- tors without reviewing the administrators evaluations. He said that he would like at least one week to look over the evaluations, since this was the first year we had a formal evaluation and it would be dere- lict of the school committee not to use it. Mr. Spiris said he took ex- ception with the viewpoint that the administrator evaluations were de- veloped for school committee use. He said there were intensive evalua- tions that were prepared for the superintendent to analyze prior to his recommendation. His recommendations were based upon satisfactory per- formance, and stated that the role of the superintendent was to recom- mend to the school committee. Mrs. Swanson agreed with him saying that it would be wrong for the school committee to get into the area of eval- uation of staff. Dr. Rotberg disagreed saying he was unable to vote before being properly prepared with evaluations, and that it would be prudent to review the material prior to a vote. Mr. Spiris again dis- agreed saying the material was prepared for the superintendent. A vote was called and it was VOTED: to accept all professional personnel salaries for the school year 1976-1977 contained on pages 170A-170Z, with the exception of the 11th name on page 170R and the 1st and. 11th name on page 170Z. (Yes, Brown, Wadsworth, Michelman, Swanson, No, Rotberg) (See next page) It was VOTED: at 10:10 p.m. , to go into Executive Session to discuss the charac- ter and reputation of one or more individuals. It was announced that the School Committee would be coming out of Executive Ses- sion to Public Session at a later time. (Yes, Rotberg, Yes, Swanson; Yes, Brown; Yes, Michelman; Yes, Wadsworth) . Page 111 May 24, 1976 It was VOTED: to return to public session at 10:55 p.m. (Brown, Wadsworth, Unanimous) It was VOTED: It was VOTED: It was VOTED: to adjourn at 11:15 p.m. (Michelman, Brown, Unanimous) Respectfully submitted, At l-4-2 LL.�il 'Lvct=.i Richard H. Barnes /k 4- Recording Secretary, Pro tem