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Home My WebLink About1978-03-21-SC-min Page 43 March 21, 1978 A meeting of the Lexington School Committee was held on March 21, 1978, at 8:00 p.m. at the school administration building. Those in attendance were Gaudet, Swanson, Michelman, Brown and student represent- ative Jonathan Miller. Also present were Lawson, Spiris, Maclnnes, Monderer and Barnes. Mr. Brown, on behalf of the Lexington School Committee presented PRESENTATION OF service awards to Joseph Bluteau, Stephen Lichtenberg, and Francis AWARDS Flynn in recognition of twenty or more years of service to the Town of Lexington. M. Diodati, Lexington High School student expressed concern to the PUBLIC School Committee that there were students who felt that passing physical PARTICIPATION education was not necessary for graduation, and also supported less com- petitive sports. She presented a letter to the School Committee which noted her concerns. It was MINUTES OF 2/13/78 VOTED: to accept the minutes of February 13, 1978, as amended. (Michel- man, Gaudet, Unanimous) VOTED: to accept the executive session minutes of January 24, 1978, as EXECUTIVE amended. (Michelman, Gaudet, Unanimous) MINUTES 1/24/78 VOTED: to accept the executive minutes of January 31,1978, as corrected. EXECUTIVE (Michelman, Swanson, Unanimous) MINUTES 1/31/78 It was moved that the school committee recommend to the Town Meet- UNPAID BILLS ing, under Article 7, that the sum of $10,884.06, be appropriated to pay unpaid bills listed in Dr. Monderer's memo to the superintendent of schools of 3/7/78. (Michelman, Swanson, Unanimous). Dr. Lawson noted that these unpaid bills resulted because the State approved rates retro- actively to the previous fiscal year. He said there was a bill (H2525 in the House which was an act introduced primarily to help school com- mittees with the problem of rates being established retroactively to previous fiscal year. He suggested that the School Committee let its representatives and others know of its position on House Bill H2525. It was moved to request the superintendent to notify the Massachusetts legislators with constituencies in the Town of Lexington that the School Committee unanimously favors enactment of House Bill H2525. (Michelman, Gaudet, Unanimous). The Financial Statement was discussed. FINANCIAL STATEMENT Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS VOTED: to accept the following Schedule of Payments. (Swanson, Gaudet, Unanimous) Page 43A March 21, 1978 SCHOOL DEPARTMENT BUDGETS Personal Services March 3, 1978 Classified Payroll #19C $ 68,136.95 March 10, 1978 Professional Payroll #19 427,919.82 Expenses March 10, 1978 Bill Schedules #131 2,526.56 March 10, 1978 #132 8,206.79 March 10, 1978 #133 13,010.56 March 17, 1978 #134 36,270.22 March 17, 1978 #135 2,736.27 Match 17, 1978 #136 505.00 March 17, 1978 #137 2,362.28 March 17, 1978 #138 4,799.64 March 17, 1978 #139 2,250.00 March 17, 1978 #140 32,475.68 Out-of-State Travel March 10, 1978 Bill Schedule #11 654.45 Athletics March 10, 1978 Payroll #14AP 2,369.34 March 3, 1978 Bill Schedule #24AE 188.03 March 10, 1978 #25AE 3,725.00 March 17, 1978 #26AE 1,671.04 Vocational Education March 10, 1978 Transportation #11V 133.54 March 17, 1978 #12V 75.90 SPECIAL PROGRAMS - (Non-Lexington Funds) Adult Education March 10, 1978 Professional Payroll 1,170.92 Driver Education-Adult Education March 10, 1978 Professional Payroll 1,900.68 March 10, 1978 Bill Schedules #7 219.40 March 17, 1978 #8 162.96 METCO March 3, 1978 Classified Payroll 761.42 March 10, 1978 Professional Payroll 4,031.73 March 17, 1978 Bill Schedule #9 881.92 LEADS March 3, 1978 Classified Payroll 2,303.78 PL 94-142 Grant-Transition to Employment March 3, 1978 Classified Payroll 245.28 March 10, 1978 Professional Payroll 603.84 March 17, 1978 Bill Schedule #9 750.35 Title I: PL 89-313-Special Education March 10, 1978 Professional Payroll 632.69 Ticket Account March 17, 1978 Bill Schedule #5 1,177.75 Page 44 March 21, 1978 It was PARKER SCHOOL VOTE VOTED: to authorize the chairman of the school committee to send a let- ter to the Board of Selectmen informing them that the school com- mittee no longer needed Parker School and the land site for school purposes from and after August 1, 1978, and the school committee requests the Board of Selectmen assume responsibility for the building and grounds as of August 1, 1978. (Michelman, Swanson, Unanimous) Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was PERSONNEL CHANGES VOTED: to accept the following personnel changes (classified) (Swanson, CLASSIFIED Gaudet, Unanimous) Transfers Correction of Resignation Date New Employees Dr. Lawson reviewed the opening of the newly created Curriculum RESOURCE CENTER Resource Center and distributed a copy of the Resource Center catalog to members of the School Committee. He noted that there had been many positive comments about the opening of the center and the services it would provide to staff. He said an additional open house would be scheduled for secondary teachers, PTA presidents, etc. He added that one long range objective was to merge some of the services of the Pro- fessional Library and the Curriculum Resource Center. The Boston University Cluster Program was reviewed by Mr. Spiris. BOSTON UNIVERSITS He noted one unique aspect of the program was that schools would re- CLUSTER PROGRAM ceive services from the universities in the form of courses, workshops, etc. , as well as student teachers. He said the program started approx- imately a year ago when the Boston University announced it would no longer give vouchers to systems for teachers to take courses. Instead, the new cluster program coordinated by a consortium counsel consisting of a representative of participating school systems would provide a variety of services to each system. This innovative part of the pro- gram gives Lexington an input into the policy direction. Mr. Spiris noted that a proposal submitted to Boston University would provide approximately $8500 of services to the Lexington staff. Another focus of the Cluster Program was to link inner city schools with suburban schools, thus, providing for an exchange of ideas as well as student teachers and other experiences. Page 45 March 27, 1978 Dr. Lawson added that if the program was successful Lexington might have administrative interns in the fall. Dr. Lawson said teachers in Lexington will also receive teaching fellowships at Boston University. He felt the cluster program could provide enriching services to students and teachers in the Lexington Public Schools. The School Committee ex- pressed its appreciation for the report and encouraged participation in the program. Mrs. Martin, Administrator of Special Education, and Jack H. Mon- TUTORING BUDGET derer, Director of Pupil Services, reviewed an updated report on tutor USE OF TUTORS hours and special needs staff loads. Dr. Monderer traced the history of the program. He noted that last year there were problems and a large deficit was projected in the tutoring budget at that time. He had made recommendations and suggestions to the principals and staff that would control expenditures more efficiently. This was done, and Lexington was able to keep its deficit much lower than the projection. He felt that services provided last year were comparable this year and were at reduced costs. He said the results were due to two or three main rea- sons: more frequent evaluations of students, less one to one tutoring, and controlled guidance of hours from the central office. Mrs. Martin reviewed the development of a formula to establish the number of tutor hours in the schools. Mr. Brown asked why there was no tutoring indicated in the report for the high school through January '78. Mrs. Martin said the decrease was a result of the needs of students being accommodated with our own teaching staff. Mr. Michelman noted the school- to-school variations and questioned the equity among the schools. Mrs. Martin said that it was no easy answer to the question as each school had specific reasons why there were variations. She said she was con- cerned with equity and understood the School Committee' s concern, and was trying to do what could be done within the constraints and complex- ity of the problem. Dr. Monderer reviewed the special needs teacher assignments and their class loads. Mrs. Gaudet asked for a review of the reasons for the notation of students with plans and without plans. Mrs. Martin noted that those without plans were not Core evaluated and even though it varied in schools, some schools provided services without plans due to the time frame, she felt it was more beneficial in dollars and time to do it in this manner. Mrs. Gaudet then asked how a child could get into such a learning environment without plans. Mrs. Martin said that a teacher, parent, principal, etc., via staffing could achieve this status and felt that it has worked out very well. Mr. Brown, on behalf of the Committee, complimented Dr. Monderer and Mrs. Martin for the re- sults noted in the reports. Dr. Lawson said the School Committee had indicated a desire to dis- GUIDANCE REPORT cuss the Guidance Report after the budget had been voted. He said the report would be scheduled in the next few weeks. He reminded the School Committee to send any questions that they might have to him or Dr. Mon- derer. Page 46 March 21, 1978 • Mr. Brown on behalf of the School Committee and Administration, ex- LEXINGTON HIGH pressed congratulations to the Lexington High School Basketball Team SCHOOL STATE and coaches for their outstanding achievement in winning the State Bas- CHAMPIONSHIP ketball Championship. BASKETBALL TEAM It was VOTED: to convene in executive session at 9:11 p.m. for a matter relat- ing to collective bargaining and to discuss the character and reputation of one or more individuals. It was announced that the school committee would not be coming out of executive ses- sion. (Michelman, yes; Gaudet, yes; Swanson, yes; Brown, yes) Respe,p tfully submitted, Richard H. Barnes /k Recording .Secretary tt I:II .cereus it is a beclareb purpose of the ` Uexington Public Schools to help each stubent realize his or her aims i ani capabilities to the utmost; unit 4 , .111.jrrtas fulfillment of that purpose is signallg i encourageb lig the example of stubents attaining, faith grace unit self-possession unit the support of many frienis, a pinnacle of success; ani i .ereas the 1978 Pugs . arsitg Paslzetball Team has attaineb such a pinnacle bg fuinning the (*tate i Chanpionship; p Nu r, ttjer.efure, 1,6e it r.esuhwh hg the i ` Eexington School fllommittee that its congratulations he `p' 2conbegeb to each member an.it coach of the team bg a copg ba of this tesolution, anb that its text be entereb as a remembrance, together faith the names of the suit players P 2 anIt roaches, in the official retort's of the emumittee„ S i Ia.___H 2-2-K-, c_o_______,---,` .5(k),,,„di, in to,. (1)-�Otis S. Brown, Jr., Chairman Kenneth M. 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