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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-02-03-SC-min Page 27 February 3, 1977 A special meeting of the Lexington School Committee was conducted on Thursday, February 3, at 4:00 p.m. in the school administration build- ing. Those in attendance were Mrs. Swanson, Messrs. Brown, Michelman, Rotberg, Wadsworth, and Nancy Abelmann, student representative. Also present were Messrs. Lawson, Spiris, Pierson, Monderer, Barnes, Maclnnes. Dr. Monderer noted that the account included funds for 42 full time ACCOUNT 2300- and six part-time persons or an equivalent of 45.1 full time people. He 12-1 said that even though there was a reduction of 50 to 60 students in the SPECIAL NEEDS special needs department he did not contemplate a reduction of staff. He felt that the 12%-13% would continue to be the system' s enrollment for special needs students. He said that the typical guideline range was for 12% to 157.. He said there may be some staff reductions due to student transfers, however, this was not being considered at the moment. Mr. Michelman asked why were we staffing at the same level if the same percent of decline was true throughout the entire system for special needs students or for enrollment generally. He asked if we had passed the buildup stage in the area of special needs. Dr. Monderer said he was not sure, although Core evaluations were some indication. He noted that as of January 1, there were 136 full Core evaluations at the high school to complete, which were more than the previous year. Dr. Rotberg said it would be most helpful to receive a list of special classes in- cluding staff, number of students, etc. Included in this listing should be resource teachers who have no definite class assignment category in- cluding regional staff, etc. Dr. Monderer said that the list would be provided. Mrs. Swanson noted that it was reassuring to know that a study of Pupil Services was taking place as it was noted in the Arthur D. Little report as a priority item. The instructional materials account was reviewed. Dr. Pierson noted ACCOUNT 2500 that there would be a 7.6% increase for the coming year. He also re- INSTRUCTIONAL viewed the number of instructional materials specialists assigned to MATERIALS each building and the highlights of their programs. Dr. Monderer reviewed the Guidance Counselor acco.mt which includ- ACCOUNT 2700-1 ed funds for salaries for 23 full time and 3 part-time guidance counse- GUIDANCE lors. He noted that 8 were at the high school level plus one social COUNSELOR worker, 7.4 junior high school counselors and 8.6 elementary counselors. He said there would be a reduction of one counselor due to the decline in enrollment. This reduction would be .8 at the elementary level and at the high school level. Dr. Monderer then stated that the cluster concept put into existence at the high school last year had received many encouraging evaluations. He said there was a great deal of in- terest in the first parents night. A survey taken expressed a very pos- itive attitude and orientation programs for students were rated posi- tive. Nancy Abelmann noted that career center attendance had increased as well as the activities at the career center. She said there had been increased communication with students which she applauded. Dr. Lawson noted that Dr. Pierson and Dr. Monderer were looking at suitable ratios for counselors at all the high school levels. He said they were gathering data from other school systems and would make recom- mendations at the end of the year. He felt that by establishing guide- Page 2S February 3, 1977 lines reductions could occur in the next few years. Nancy Abelmann said there was some concern regarding counseling services for youth. She felt that there were duplications of effort going on in the town. Since money was scarce she suggested that the school system and the non-school services, such as the youth director for the town, develop common goals and perhaps each participate in funding such a position. Dr. Rotberg asked if counselors were specializing more than in the past. Dr. Monderer said the only specialization in effect resulted from the cluster concept and some counselors were specializing, but not to the level that he thought Dr. Rotberg hoped. He said the Career Center was the primary area of specialization taking place. Mrs. Swanson then said it was important for the school committee to justify the positions of elementary guidance counselors as well as resource persons, due to the fact that with the implementation of Chap- ter 766 it seems that there were many support personnel in the school now. She felt that many of the functions that guidance counselors per- formed, the special needs people were now doing. Dr. Rotberg requested that a description of the counseling consultants position be given to the school committee as well as resource persons so that the school com- mittee could get a more specific idea of roles. Dr. Monderer said that counseling consultants at the elementary level participated in kindergarten screening, interview of parents, helped with in-school scre. ing, helped with questions from the home, called parents, arranged conferences, talked with teachers regarding behavior, motivation, human relations, participated in Core evaluations, administered tests, interpreted test data. Dr. Wadsworth then coimuented that he felt guidance as it developed over a period of twenty-five years had developed to the point where the taxpayer could no longer afford the tremendous costs and there were overlaps due to Chapter 766, He felt that the teacher was the best guidance counselor that a child could have. He said the burden was too much for the taxpayer. He suggested the need for restrictions of the counseling consultant role, especially at the elementary and junior high school levels. He felt that guidance at those levels was not a priority and that where there were overlaps there should be appropriate cuts made. Mr. Brown said he shared Mr. Wadsworth' s concern. He felt that counseling was necessary at the senior high level, but had some reserva- tions regarding the junior high school level, and more reservations re- garding the elementary guidance due to the availability Of aides, re- source people, learning disabilities, special needs teachers, etc. He said he would welcome a job specification of the elementary counseling consultant. Mr. Michelman supported the need for an analysis and an articulation of roles. He said due to the stimulation of the state, there seemed to be overlaps due to Chapter 766, and there was a lack of a clear understanding of roles. Page 29 February 3, 1979 Dr. Lawson summarized saying Chapter 766 required elementary re- source teachers provide services for approximately 15% of the students where counseling consultants are supposed to provide service for 100% of the students. He said that the role of the counseling consultant would be studied this year. Mrs. Swanson said the format suggested for the meeting would be to MEETING SATURDK.. permit the superintendent to give answers to the public regarding their FEBRUARY 5, 197; questions on the school closing issue and permit public comments. Mr. Michelman agreed that it should not be a debate session among school committee members and audience, but rather a listening session. He agreed they should try to be succinct. He felt that any direct question or remarks to the school committee should be honored. Mrs. Swanson said she preferred it to be a public reaction to the report rather than a questioning of school committee members. Dr. Rotberg said that it was essential that the school committee win credibility. He said any proposal brought forth should have legit- imacy and this could only be realized if the school committee took the posture of being perfectly openminded and receptive to questioning. He felt that the public needed to be assured that it was being heard. Mrs. Swanson again reiterated that this would be a chance for the community and not the school committee to expand on their concerns at the meeting. In summary, it was stated that at the Saturday meeting the public would be invited to speak and express concerns, and the superintendent would react. School committee participation was to be minimal. A letter from the town was received and asked if the school com- TENNIS COURTS mittee had any objection to the building of tennis courts on the Diamond AT DIAMOND Junior High School land. After a brief discussion it was VOTED: to inform the town that the school couaaittee has no objection to the building of tennis courts on the Diamond Junior High School land, if the expenditure is approved by Town Meeting. (Brown, Michelman, Unanimous) It was VOTED: to adjourn at 6: 10 p.m. (Michelman, Wadsworth, Unanimous) Respectfully submitted, Richard H. Barnes /k Recording Secretary