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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-10-25-SC-min Page 179 October 25, 1976 The Lexington School Committee met in the Science Lecture Hall at 8:00 p.m. on October 25, 1976. Present were Mrs. Swanson, Messrs. Michelman, Wadsworth, Rotberg, and student representative Nancy Abel- mann. Also present were Messrs. Lawson, Spiris, Maclnnes, Pierson and Barnes. None. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Mrs. Swanson on behalf of the school committee paid public tribute TRIBUTE TO DR. to the late Dr. Herold Hunt, resident and educator. She outlined the HEROLD HUNT many fine contributions Dr. Hunt made to the town of Lexington and to the profession. It was MOVED by Mr. Michelman and seconded by Mr. Wadsworth that a letter of expression of sympathy be sent to Mrs. Hunt. The motion was passed unanimously. Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools it was SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS VOTED: to accept the following Schedule of Payments. (Michelman, Rotberg, Unanimous) SCHOOL DEPARTMENT BUDGETS Personal Services October 15, 1976 Classified Payrolls #8 $ 69,457.84 October 15, 1976 #8-A 7,888.26 October 22, 1976 Professional Payroll #10-C 424,985.74 Expenses October 15, 1976 Bill Schedules #48 5,801.02 October 15, 1976 #49 28,358.86 October 15, 1976 #50 3,469.05 October 15, 1976 #51 15,783.45 October 15, 1976 #52 17,446.18 October 22, 1976 #53 3,826.74 October 22, 1976 #54 3,526.44 October 22, 1976 #55 26,971.46 October 22, 1976 #56 5,826.09 October 22, 1976 #57 10,448.53 Expenses (Carryover) October 15, 1976 Bill Schedule #203 224.45 October 22, 1976 #204 202.36 Out-of-State Travel October 22, 1976 Bill Schedule #7 100.00 October 15, 1976 #6 107.30 Athletics October 15, 1976 Bill Schedule #11 3,135.85 October 22, 1976 Payroll #3 410.00 Page 180 October 25, 1976 SPECIAL PROGRAMS (Non-Lexington Funds) Adult Education October 22, 1976 Professional Payroll $ 1,553.87 Driver Education(Adult Education) October 22, 1976 Professional Payroll 174.02 Adult Education October 22, 1976 Bill Schedule #2 49.47 METCO Program October 15, 1976 Classified Payrolls #2 1,460.15 October 15, 1976 #2-A 134.29 October 22, 1976 Professional Payroll 4,117.64 October 15, 1976 Bill Schedule #2 14,869.25 Title III-Administrative Grant October 15, 1976 Classified Payroll 80.00 October 15, 1976 Bill Schedule #2 11.28 LEADS Program October 15, 1976 Classified Payrolls #3 793.20 October 15, 1976 #3-A 139.50 ESEA Library(Part IV-B) October 15, 1976 Bill Schedule #1 30.00 Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools it was MINUTES OF OCTOBER 12,19 VOTED: to accept the October 12, 1976 minutes as corrected. (Rotberg, Wadsworth, Unanimous) NEW PERSONNEL Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools it was (PROFESSIONAL) VOTED: Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools it was PERSONNEL CHANGES VOTED: Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools it was PERSONNEL CHANGES VOTED: to accept the following Personnel Changes, Classified, *subject (CLASSIFIED) to change upon completion of negotiations, (Rotberg, Michelman, Unanimous) Transfer Page 181 October 25, 1976 New Personnel PERSONNEL CHANGES Nancy Abelmann, student representative to the school committee sub- PROPOSED DATE mitted a proposal for the date of the highschool graduation. She said CHANGE FOR HIGH the reasons were that: SCHOOL GRADUA- TION Summer schools, camps begin programs prior to graduation date, and there is a consequent increase in job competition. She recommended that the school committee adopt a policy for a graduation date and the last day of senior classes be consistent with the state guidelines. The following statement was read by a representative of the Senior Class Committee. "Whereas many summer schools and camps begin their programs prior to the current graduation date, and 'Whereas there is a shortage of jobs and a consequent increase in job competition, the opportunity for Lexington seniors of getting jobs is further decreased because of the earlier graduation of seniors in surrounding high schools '1. It is recommended that the School Committee adopt the following policy relative to graduation and the last day of senior classes: That graduation ceremonies for the graduating class be held on the first Wednesday in June that falls within the State guide- lines for graduation, i.e., Section 4, Chapter 71, Massachusetts General Laws "that the date of graduation from such high school may precede the regular closing date of the school by not more than twelve school days. . . ." It is further recommended that the last day of classes for seniors be one week prior to the date of the graduation cere- monies. '2. Be it proposed that: Graduation ceremonies be moved from June 15, 1976 to June 8, 1976, and that classes for seniors end June 1, 1976." Dr. Clune recommended adoption of the proposal and said he had con- fidence in the class and that things worked well last year with the change in the graduation date and felt that it would be a positive move. Dr. Lawson complimented Nancy Abelmann and the Senior Class Council that presented the proposal. He was very happy about their method of develop- ment. He said they had asked about the development of the proposal and followed channels and he commended them for working within the framework for change. He summarized saying we needed a policy since students and parents were anxious to know exact dates. 1 Page 182 October 25, 1976 Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools it was VOTED: to set the graduation date as June 8, 1976 this year, and classes for seniors to end on June 1, 1976, and graduation ceremonies for the graduating class be held on the first Wednesday in June that falls within the state guidelines for graduation, and the last day of classes for seniors be one week prior to the date of the graduation ceremonies. (Michelman, Rotberg, Unanimous) A discussion was held regarding the "trick or treat" for UNICEF. UNICEF The school committee endorsed the superintendent's recommendation that the annual trick or treat be allowed in the Lexington Public Schools and be handled in a similar manner as in the past year, and that any future UNICEF requests be handled in the same manner. Dr. Lawson sug- gested that the administration develop a general policy regarding such requests for collections, etc. , in the schools. Mr. Michelman supported Dr. Lawson's suggestion. He inquired whether the program would be under P.T.A. sponsorship only. Dr. Lawson summarized saying that the UNICEF this year would be handled as in the past which would be P.T.A. sponsor- ship for those schools wishing to participate and that staff would have no involvement. He said that a policy would be developed. Miss Evelyn Brega, Coordinator of Foreign Languages and Mrs. Edythe EXCHANGE PROG. Gibson, presented a proposal for a Lexington-Puerto Rico exchange program. The exchange program would be between Lexington-Puerto Rico selected 9th grade students and would include teachers and curriculum materials. They said the cost of the trip per pupil would be approximately $230. Room and board would be provided by host-families in the host country, al- though it would be subject to negotiation. Miss Brega and Mrs.Gibson felt that with fund raising activities in Lexington and Puerto Rico, transportation could be reduced to less than $200. They outlined some of the possible fund raising activities. Dr. Pierson said there are several schools or departments considering student exchanges this year and there was great value in the programs. Mr. Michelman said that he was sympathetic with the aims of the program, hut policy questions arose in his mind, especially those dealing with expenses and equal opportunity. He expressed concern about public schools sponsoring programs that might have the effect of denying experiences to some students because of fi- nancial restrictions. Mrs. Swanson said that perhaps the school commit- tee should not sponsor any activity for which expenses are such that the students might not have the ability to pay. It was noted the dilemma was that those who can pay also get the benefit of contributed. funds. The question of school time release was critical because those students who stayed behind were receiving instruction by a person who was in the eyes of those responsible for staff selection, not the best qualified and attainable person. Mr. Michelman emphasized his confidence in sub- stitute teachers, complimented their dedication, and hoped his remark would not be misinterpreted, but substitutes were not the ones selected as the "best people" through the process of selection. Mrs. Swanson supported Mr. Michelman's comment and said there were other programs such as the ANNEX program and OATS program, etc. , that should be re- viewed. Other members said they did not have any reservation about the quality, but the access by individual students, financially or academi- cally raised questions in their minds. Dr. Lawson said there was no • Page 183 October 25, 1976 question in his mind on the value, but the procedures did raise questions. EXCHANGE PROGRAT He suggested the administration develop a policy and asked for input from (CONTINUED) parents, students, etc. He agreed to present a policy at a future meet- ing to the School Committee. Dr. Rotberg said this was a most valuable suggestion and supported the superintendent in the achievement of a gen- eral policy regarding such exchanges. Dr. Wadsworth said that he agreed with this policy direction and felt that any funds raised should be used for those who can' t afford the costs for the excursion. In conclusion the committee supported the superintendent' s suggestion that a policy be developed. A letter was received from Co-Presidents Mr. and Mrs. Carl Pitha P.T.A. of the Diamond Junior High School. The letter requested that Dr. Lawson CONFERENCES support a proposal by the P.T.A. of Diamond Junior High School that formal parent conferences be scheduled for Diamond Junior High School parents. The P.T.A. felt that conferences would be a most positive program for Diamond Junior High School. Dr. Lawson said he supported the idea of parent conferences for all secondary level schools. He said he encouraged this idea in his past superintendency and found it to be one of the most positive programs for teachers, parents and stu- dents. He noted that he was presenting this proposal to the school com- mittee to see if they would encourage him to investigate details of such a program and report back at a future date: All members of the school committee indicated their strong support for a formal program of parent- teacher conferences in the secondary schools. Nancy Abelmann said she was encouraged by the school committee's support of this program and felt it was a most positive suggestion and thanked the Diamond Junior High School Co-Presidents for making such a presentation. Secondary principals in attendance also indicated support. Dr. Lawson said he would investigate details of such a program and report at a future date. Dr. Pierson presented a report on the Language Arts and Math LANGUAGE ARTS 6 Curricula. Miss Betty Murray, Principal of the Franklin School and MATH CURRICULA program manager for language arts, reported on the program developed this last summer. She said they chose a focus which identified a se- quence of skills that were closely allied to the act of writing. With- in the twelve day period they felt that they could write a program that would address this focus, even though there were time limitations. She explained that there would be informal assessment plans for this year, and the program would be utilized in the Franklin School as well as by representatives in each of the other elementary buildings. The users of the pilot program would comprise a feedback vehicle. Dr. Rotberg complimented Miss Murray and the language arts curricula committee for the emphasis on writing skills and hoped that assessment would be a focus of the next few months. He said formal and informal student feedback should be considered, also. Paul Foley, Principal of the Parker School, and program manager for mathematics reviewed the development of the mathematics program and the work done this last summer. He noted the materials had been field tested last year in one school, and in several other schools. Teachers evalua- tions had been received and these evaluations served as a basis for the 9 Page 184 October 25, 1976 workshop this summer. He said the program up to level 17 was rewritten with some segments to be completed, including a focus on basics and mas- tery of facts and skills, and was written in behavorial terms. He said that due to time limitations it was not possible to update references, or to include a' new section on problem solving, or a new section on met- rics. He said the math specialists had been released by Dr. Pierson and the individual principals to use some time for development of level tests in order to assist staff. Dr. Wadsworth said that he was glad to see there was stress on the basics once again in the mathematics curric- ulum, because he had found through his experience that mathematical ma- turity was lacking at the college entrance level. The school committee thanked both committees and members of the committees for their fine work and presentation. were The summary of college board tests/presented to the school committee COLLEGE BOARD for the school year '75-'76. Dr. Lawson noted that Lexington unlike TESTS many communities in the nation who were experiencing a decline in the scores were doing well. In all tests, except Spanish, Lexington students scored above the national average. Dr. Lawson summarized the presenta- tion by saying it was just one measure of what is happening. He felt the school committee was entitled to receive such information. A listing of secondary school class sizes was reviewed. Dr. Lawson SECONDARY CLA; said that further analysis was needed prior to making a definitive rec- SIZES ommendation regarding class sizes and class loads. Questions need to be answered about larger class sizes where one may not expect to have them; or classes below 15. Also needing review is the effect of phas- ing on the size of classes. He said principals were being asked to give responses to the statistics and that an attempt would be made wherever possible to reduce larger classes unless specialized assignments were needed. He said that Mr. Spins and Dr. Pierson would be working with the principals on further analysis and such information would be given to the school committee. It was VOTED: to go into Executive Session at 10:00 p.m. for the purpose of approving executive committee minutes. (Rotberg, yes; Michelman, yes; Swanson, yes; Wadsworth, no) It was noted that the school committee would not be coming out of executive session. Respectfully submitted, fRid a es /k Recording Secretary