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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-04-04-SC-min Page 70 April 4, 1977 On Monday, April 4, 1977, the Lexington School Committee met at the school administration building at 7:00 p.m.. Present were Swanson, Gaudet, Brown, Michelman, Hoffman and student representative Jonat' an Miller. Al- so present were Lawson, Spiris, Monderer, Barnes, Pierson, Maclnnes. Mr. William Paul, 2 Eustis Road stated that he read in last week' s PUBLIC Minuteman a comment that there had been meetings held and responses PARTICIPATION given to persons who had submitted plans regarding the school closing issue. He traced his experiences by submitting a plan regarding school closings and claimed that he had had no response. Mr. Paul then stated that he would like a response to his plan and felt that the statement that responses had been given to people who had submitted plans was in error. Mr. Spiris reviewed his conversation with Mr. Paul regarding the plan and felt that there was no further response needed. He said that perhaps it was not as comprehensive as Mr. Paul wanted, but he had given a response. Mrs. Swanson said that a detailed response to Mr. Paul would be appropriate. Dr. Lawson said that based on the information given to him that he did make that comment as reported in the Minuteman. He knew that staff had spent time with individuals but did not know of the completeness of responses given but felt that all had been satisfied. He said that he would be willing to meet with Mr. Paul and Mr. Spiris. Mrs. Ruth Barton, 6 Abbott Road, said that the matter of responses • from the school committee was a continuing problem. She felt that any comments presented in public during the public participation period should have a response from the school committee, either in public or in writing so that the person being responded to could release it if he/she wished. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS VOTED: to accept the following Schedule of Payments. (Michelman, Brown;. Unanimous) SCHOOL DEPARTMENT BUDGETS Personal Services March 25, 1977 Professional Payroll #21C $418,520.57 Expenses April 1, 1977 Bill Schedules #144 6,154.63 April 1, 1977 #145 1,347.12 April 1, 1977 #146 82,476.32 Unpaid Bills Prior Years April 1, 1977 Article 7 355.00 Athletics April 1, 1977 Bill Schedule #29 50.00 SPECIAL PROGRAMS Non-Lexington Funds Adult Education March 25, 1977 Professional Payroll 1,048.80 Driver Education (Adult Education] March 25, 1977 Professional Payroll 1,874.57 Page 71 April 4, 1977 Metco Program March 25, 1977 Professional Payroll $ 4,371.06 April 1, 1977 Bill Schedules(Spec.Acct.) #2 2,394.28 April 1, 1977 #14 17.33 LEADS Program April 1, 1977 Bill Schedule #9 342.90 March 25, 1977 Professional Payroll 811.53 Adm. Grant April 1, 1977. Bill Schedule #7 8.40 Pupil-School Matr. Rec. April 1, 1977 Bill Schedule #6 49.88 MTA Southwick Salary March 25, 1977 Professional Payroll 745.38 The Financial Statement was discussed. FINANCIAL STATEMENT Mrs. Swanson read the following statement: "I think we should com- RE-ELECTION 0 mend the superintendent for his emphasis on evaluation--particularly the STAFF evaluationof administrators. This has been an area of considerable concern to the school committee, and I am sure we are all pleased to EVALUATION see that Dr. Lawson agrees with us on the importance of thorough evalu- PROCESS ation of all personnel. This is more important than ever in the pre- sent declining enrollment situation. 'There are several recommendations being made by the superintendent which I believe various members of the committee are accepting with some reservation and concern. We are cognizant of the fact that Dr. Lawson is dealing with a situation not of his making--a lack of thorough evalu- ation of administrative staff in the past--and that it is going to take longer than several months to rectify the situation and present recom- mendations to us that are based on evaluations made over a longer period of time, and thus more fair to everyone involved. 'We, I believe, have individually expressed our concerns to Dr. Lawson, he is aware of them and I feel will be responsive to them. I trust that he will follow up on all areas that he feels necessary and - give us a supplementary report as the next year progresses, so that we will not find ourselves in the same position in the future. 'At the same time, I feel we owe it to Dr. Lawson and our staff, to express any and all concerns we have regarding any staff member to Dr. Lawson as the year progresses, so that those responsible for evaluations will have sufficient time to look very closely at any situation, regard- ing staffing." Dr. Lawson said that he valued excellent evaluators as much as any- thing. He said discriminating evaluations are critical so that indivi- duals could be complimented, improvemen' s cited and recommendations given. He said that he was working with a group of administrators to improve and standardize the process. He stated that principals and administra- Page 72 April 4, 1977 tors would be evaluated on achievement of their goals, general admini- stration, instructional improvement, qualities of one's own evaluations of teachers or members of their division, business affairs, 766 activi- ties, 622 activities, school committee relations, transportation, cafe- teria and custodial management. He said he had conferred with each ad- ministrator for at least one hour, making commendations and suggesting improvements. As a result of this process, he was submitting a list of recommendations regarding employment of administrators to the school com- mittee. Mr. Michelman said that he had great confidence in the format and integrity of the process that Dr. Lawson had instigated. He said one of the principal objectives of the evaluation process should create a climate for maximum possibility for continued improvement of staff, even though it was a screening process. He asked Dr. Lawson what assurance could be given that evaluations would be treated judiciously and fairly. Dr. Lawson said that the superintendent had to be open and responsive and he guaranteed this would be the way it would be done. He said that trust has to start with the school committee, noting that the atmosphere the school committee developed would spread throughout the system. He said that it was necessary for the school committee to be open and forth- right with the superintendent also, and this atmosphere would permeate the system. He said the accuracy of his evaluations would determine the credibility. He stated that evaluations should not be construed as nega- tive if there were recommendations for improvement. Mr. Michelman asked Dr. Lawson if he provided for parent and school committee input. Dr. Lawson said there was no formal system at this point, although parents do call or write, but it is not regularized. He said the system was a long way from what his idea of a fine, flowing, input system should be. Mr. Michelman agreed that it was too irregular and hap- hazard. Mr. Brown said he also had concerns with some names on the list, but at this point in time would accept the superintendent' s recommenda- tion. He then moved: that the names listed on Page 1 concerning the salaries of tenured certified staff be accepted, seconded by Mr. Michel- man. Mrs. Swanson announced that the second name on the list should have a salary setting figure of $42,400. It was VOTED: to accept the superintendent recommendation that the names on Page 1 and salaries listed be accepted. SETTING OF SALARIES OF TENURED CERTIFIED STAFF ADMINISTRATION (effective July 1, 1977) Step Name Salary Level Stipend ** Based on L.E.A. Contract Based on past practice (ratio from prior personnel policies) Salary set by School Committee 1 Page 73 April 4, 1977 Step & COORDINATORS Salary Level Stipend PRINCIPALS (effective July 1, 1977) Mrs. Gaudet asked what opportunities were given to principals to learn how to evaluate. Dr. Lawson said that there had been some work- shops this year to assist all evaluators and in June additional work- shops would be conducted. Mrs. Gaudet expressed her pleasure that these types of activities were being held. Dr. Hoffman said the evaluation process should be the main goal of the school system and realized that there was difficulty associated with strengthening the evaluation pro- cess and applauded Dr. Lawson for his efforts and renewed vigor restored to the evaluation process in the last few months. He said he hoped to see fruitful results. A vote was called. It was VOTED: to accept the superintendent's recommendation to appoint the ad- ministrators on Page 2. (Michelman, Brown, Unanimous) Step & Name Salary Tevel A communication entitled, "Save Chapter 70 Day" was received from COMMUNICATION the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, announcing a CHAPTER 70 DA hearing in the Gardner Auditorium and requested members of the school committee and teacher association attend the hearing. Dr. Lawson noted Page 74 April 4, 1977 that the meeting had been cancelled but would give the school committee L-e new time and date. Mr. Brown stated that he had a resolution that he would like to ask Town Meeting to vote on. This action would permit town meeting to state their concerns regarding Chapter 70, thus carrying a message to the Legislature. Mrs. Swanson added that taxpayers should realize that much of the tax increase was due to decrease in funds re- ceived from the State and not due to a spending program at the local level. It was moved that the school committee chairman be authorized to present to the Town Meeting under Article 2, a resolution in approxi- mately the form presented before the school committee. (Michelman, Gaudet, Unanimous) (see attached) Page 74 (a) Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was PERSONNEL CHANGES - VOTED: to accept the following personnel changes, professional and PROFESSIONAL- classified. (Brown, Michelman, Unanimous) CLASSIFIED Secondary Extra Curricular Assignments 1976-1977 - William Diamond Jr. High School Resignation Classified Retirement Resignation Dr. Lawson presented plans, submitted by Dave Terry, principal of PARENT Muzzey Junior High School for implementing parent conferences. Dr. CONFERENCES Lawson said that it differed slightly from the Diamond Junior High MUZZEY School plan, but felt it was good to have two models to evaluate be- fore standardizing any secondary conference procedures. It was also noted that two of the junior high schools are scheduling parent con- ferences this year. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was VOTED: to accept the conference schedules submitted by Muzzey Jr. High School. (Michelman, Brown, Unanimous) (see attached Page 74 (b) Mrs. Swanson noted that the school committee had hoped that there ANTICIPATED would be a balance of approximately $200,000 in the 1976-77 budget to BALANCE return to the Town. However, with the increasing uncontrollable costs Page 74 a 1) C.rqMassachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Inc. ‘9% March 22, 1977 MEMORANDUM To: All Active Members From: Executive Secretary-Treasurer Subject: SAVE CHAPTER 70 DAY Onceagain we are coming together in an all out effort to appeal to the legisla- tors to increase Chapter 70 funding for the 1978-79 fiscal year. As you know, Governor Dukakis' House 1 budget has again limited Chapter 70 to 453 million dollars. As the amounts for special education and bilingual education increase, it leaves less and less in the general fund to help reduce local property taxes. This year we have been able to involve the Mass. League of Cities and Towns; Selectmen's Association; Mayor's Association; Municipal Management and Town Finance Committees to form a coalition (CLEF) to assist us in this endeavor. In addition, the School Bus Contractors Association has indicated willingness to assist us (see enclosure). (__ We, therefore, are strongly recommending that you work with us again this year by bringing a represenative of the school committee and representative of the teachers association with you to the hearing, which is scheduled in the Gardner Auditorium at 10:00 a.m. , Tuesday, April 5. We hope at that time you will also make an effort to contact your representative and/or senator in his State House office to request his support for increasing Chapter 70 funding when House 1 comes up for final vote. If you cannot attend yourself, we hope you can send a representative, and we respectfully request that you give release time to your local teachers associa- tion representative so that he may also attend. As you recall , through our concentrated efforts we were able to increase Chapter 70 funding last year by 46 million dollars. The job this year will be even tougher and will require the cooperation and interest of all parties concerned. On the reverse side of this notice we have indicated the plans for the day, which include meeting and signing in at the MTA Office at 20 Ashburton Place. This will probably be the most important legislative effort that your Association will undertake this year and your 100% cooperation will help make it a success. ROOM 1114. 73 A aak..>nONT ST., BOSTON. MAw 2108 1 617-5"23-4263 1 FY 1977 69% Actual FY 1978 48.7% City/Town Entitlement Distribution Entitlement H. Bill 1 Holliston $ 1,660,975 $ 1,146,073 $ 2,027,067 $ 987,182 Holyoke 4,011,489 2,767,927 6,376,388 3,105,301 Hopedale 499,592 344,718 .478,173 232,870 Hopkinton 445,532 307,417 492,048 239,627 Hubbardston 232,174 160,200 216,779 105,571 Hudson 2,046,849 1,412,326 2,564,425 1,248,875 Hull 1,846,013 1,273,749 2,126,242 1,035,480 Huntington 206,585 142,544 291,967 142,188 Ipswich 889,271 613,597 1,045,082 508,955 Kingston 588,409 406,002 503,720 245,312 Lakeville 484,224 334,115 483,615 235,521 Lancaster 513,505 354,318 583,241 284,038 . Lanesborough 464,202 320,229 470,097 228,937 Lawrence 4,732,500 3,265,425 6,702,916 3,264,320 Lee 574,101 396,130 595,445 289,982 Leicester 1,260,373 869,657 1,316,610 641,189 Lenox 222,290 153,380 263,031 128,096 Leominster 2,868,617 1,979,346 3,296,290 1,605,293 Leverett 54,039 37,287 53,482 26,046 Lexington 1,614,749 1,114,177 1,635,964 796,714 Leyden 43,908 30,297 19,891 9,687 Lincoln 207,714 143,323 217,070 105,713 Littleton 743,492 513,009 509,031 247,898 Longmeadow 1,205,877 832,055 1,601,440 779,901 Lowell 8,401,107 5,796,764 10,790,470 5,254,959 Ludlow 1,896,593 1,308,649 2,070,342 1,008,257 Lunenburg 1,217,655 840,182 1,333,891 649,605 Lynn 7,098,727 4,898,122 9,163,667 4,465,141 Lynnfield 925,486 638,585 873,423 425,357 Malden 2,930,527 2,022,064 4,820,565 2,347,615 Manchester 222,507 153,530 241,797 117,755 Mansfield 1,550,415 1,069,786 1,214,009 591,222 Marblehead 782,688 540,055 891,837 434,325 Marion 130,893 90,316 142,728 69,509 Marlborough 2,481,962 1,712,554 3,050,507 1,485,597 Marshfield 2,709,029 1,869,230 2,391,526 1,164,673 Mashpee 48,744 33,633 117,186 57,070 Mattapoisett 201,881 . 139,298 251,097 122,284 Maynard 721,752 498,009 780,697 380,199 Medfield 1,297,849 895,516 1,350,921 657,899 Medford 5,028,633 3,469,757 4,794,870 2,335,102 Medway 1,508,835 1,041,096 1,473,419 717,555 Melrose 2,791,130 1,925,880 3,424,923 1,667,938 Mendon 214,342 147,896 274,233 133,551 Merrimac 619,271 427,297 686,598 334,373 -4- - Page 74 b 1 Muzzey Junior High School Lexington, Massachusetts TO: Dr. Lawson Subject: Conferences FROM: David S. Terry DATE: March 29, 1977 Our faculty met on March 28, 1977, to discuss parent conferences. We , were unanimous in our support for the project. We propose the following plan for your consideration. 1. Two days in late April or early May for grade 7, 8,9 conferences - pupils not in the building. A. Day I - 1:00 to 7:30 P.M. Day II - 7:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. This will make time available to working parents and or couples who wish to be together. 2. Conference time to be scheduled in 15 minute blocks in a pattern similar to this • Hour 1 7:00 Eng. Math Specialists 7:15 Sci. Specialists Eng. 7:30 Math Soc. St. Sci. 7:45 Specialists Mod. For. Lang, Soc. St. Hour 2 8:00 Hod. For. Lang. Eng. Specialists 8:15 Soc. St. Sci. Mod. !or. Lang. 8:30 Specialists Math Soc. St. 8 :45 &ng. Specialists Math Hour 3 Etc. Names and room numbers would be included, A. During the English block all English teachers are available, and so on. 3. We plan to send a master schedule to each family. The family would then contact the school and confirm the time(s) of their visit, and the teachers they wish to see. 4. The plan is in keeping with the total amount of released time approved for the Diamond Junior High School proposal by our School Committee. Page 75 April 4, 1979 of utilities and tuitions, this may not be true. She suggested that before the end of the Town Meeting, the administration come up with a figure. She said that any dollars saved would be of great assistance because it could have an effect on the tax rate. Dr. Lawson said that the budget was short on the expense side but perhaps savings could be realized in the Personal Services Budget. He said that it was esti- mated that approximately eighty to ninety thousand dollars may be rea- lized. Mr. Maclnnes commented that the warm weather for the past two months could assist in utility reductions. He added that any purchases were being denied unless they were absolutely essential. Dr. Lawson said that things were being cut back as long as they did not reduce the quality of the program. The school committee agreed with this process. Dr. Lawson then said that one area that was volatile was the special needs tuition account. He noted that there was always a possibility that special needs students might move into town, in some cases unknown to us, and the school department would be required to pay for tuition. This could have an effect on the final figure. It was the consensus of the group that the topic be discussed at the next meeting with figures being provided on minimum-maximum savings. It was VOTED: to adjourn at 8:06 p.m. (Michelman, Brown, Unanimous) Respectfully submitted, Richard H. Barnes /k Recording Secretary