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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-05-09-SC-min Page 59 May 9, 1978 A regular meeting of the Lexington School Committee was held at the School Administration Building, Tuesday, May 9, 1978, at 8:00 p.m. Those in attendance were Brown, Swanson, Michelman, Hoffman, Gaudet and Student Representative Mende. Also present were Lawson, Spiris, Pierson, Mac- Innes, Monderer and Barnes. Miss Diodati expressed her concern once again that passing physical PUBLIC education is a requirement for graduation. She also asked the school PARTICIPATION committee to consider less competitive sports. Miss Diodati noted she had made this statement before, and had not received any response from the superintendent except he suggested she see Dr. Clune or Mr. Lord. Dr. Lawson noted that physical education was an integral part of the preparation for a healthy existence, and was the requirement voted by the school committee. Miss Diodati challenged the right of the school committee to make physical education a criterion for graduation. Mr. Michelman explained the state law did provide within the role of the school committee to set the educational requirements for graduation. Miss Diodati said the choice should be given to each student. Mr. Hoff- man replied that it was not a matter of choice for the student but with- in the legal role of the school committee to decide graduation require- ments. It was MINUTES 4/4/78 VOTED: to accept the minutes of April 4, 1978 as presented. (Swanson, Michelman, Unanimous) VOTED: to accept the minutes of April 25, 1978 as amended. (Michelman, 4/25/78 Swanson, Unanimous) VOTED: to accept the minutes of April 26, 1978 as presented. (Michelman, 4/26/78 Swanson, Unanimous) VOTED: to approve the executive minutes of April 26, 1978 as presented. EXECUTIVE (Michelman, Swanson, Unanimous) MINUTES 4/26/78 Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools it was SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS VOTED: to accept the following Schedule of Payments. (Michelman, Swan- son, Unanimous) SCHOOL DEPARTMENT BUDGETS Personal Services April 28, 1978 Classified Payroll $ 64,646.23 April 21, 1978 Professional Payroll 436,517.11 Expenses April 28, 1978 Bill Schedules #162 1,939.72 April 28, 1978 #163 7,234.12 April 28, 1978 #164 12,009.08 April 28, 1978 #165 200.00 April 28, 1978 #166 611.73 May 5, 1978 #167 10,279.19 May 5, 1978 #168 981.58 May 5, 1978 #169 500.00 Page 60 May); 1978 Out-of State Travel May 5, 1978 Bill Schedule #16 $ 1,020.00 Athletics May 5, 1978 Bill Schedules #32 594.86 May 5, 1978 Payroll #17 144.00 SPECIAL PROGRAMS Non-Lexington Funds Adult Education April 21, 1978 Professional Payroll 685.71 April 28, 1978 Bill Schedule #9 36.75 May 5, 1978 #10 134.76 Driver Education-Adult Education April 21, 1978 Professional Payroll 1,393.60 April 28, 1978 Bill Schedule #9 231.37 METCO April 28, 1978 Classified Payroll 855.51 April 21, 1978 Professional Payroll 5,331.73 April 28, 1978 Bill Schedules #12 43.45 April 28, 1978 #13 50.00 May 5, 1978 #14 3.57 PL 94-142 Grant - Transition to Employment April 28,1978 Classified Payroll 229.11 April 21, 1978 Professional Payroll 603.84 April 28, 1978 Bill Schedule #12 1,162.80 PL 89-313 Special Education April 21, 1978 Professional Payroll 927.44 LEADS April 28, 1978 Bill Schedule #35 22.95 Pupil-School Material Recovery May 5, 1978 Bill Schedule #7 15.15 Small Classes (under fifteen students) may be held when it is PROPOSED POLICY desirable or necessary to provide a full program of instruction ON CLASSES to students in subjects and at levels suited to their abilities, (BELOW 15 STUDENT prior studies and learning needs. Recommendations for such clas- 3RD READING ses are made by principals to the superintendent for approval. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, it was PERSONNEL CHANGES VOTED: to accept the following professional and classified personnel CLASSIFIED & changes. (Michelman, Gaudet, Unanimous) (See Page 60A) PROFESSIONAL) A discussion was held on the process of early tenure. Mr. Spiris EARLY TENURE reviewed the process. Mr. Hoffman noted several concerns--anticipation of staff needs at each level, procedures for election to early tenure, number of staff entered in the process, criteria used in relation to all Lexington School Committee Meeting May 9, 1978 Page 60A New Business PERSONNEL CHANGES - PROFESSIONAL TENURE STAFF - Not Recommended for Increase LEVEL GRADE/ SCHOOL NAME & STEP SUBJECT SALARY COMMENTS RESIGNATIONS YRS. IN LEXINGTON EFFECTIVE REASON LEAVE OF ABSENCE CHANGE IN STEP AND LEVEL ) CHANGE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RESIGNATION ) YOUR SUPERINTENDENT RECOMMENDS ACCEPTANCE OF THE ABOVE. b Page 61 May 9, 1978 staff and total teachers being recommended. He suggested that the en- tire process of election of staff needed review due to the tightening of positions available and the thrust to assure that outstanding non- tenure staff be placed. Mr. Michelman noted his agreement with Mr. Hoff- man's remarks and suggested administration give thought to a new focus on the promotion and election process. Mrs. Gaudet asked if early tenure nominees had to perform at higher expectations. Mr. Spiris said they were subject to such expectation due to the conditions of jobs and Lexington's continuing high standards. The discussion concluded with a reiteration of the suggestion for a new focus. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was VOTED:to accept the following staff for early tenure election for the school year 1978-79 at the step and level indicated. (Swanson, Michelman, Unanimous) (See page 61 A) Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was BIDS - GENERAL & ART SUPPLIES VOTED: to place orders with the following companies based upon low unit prices meeting specifications for the following approximate to- tals. (Michelman, Swanson, Unanimous) American Cutlery & Hardware, Inc. $ 1,425.76 Beckman Co., Inc. 270.18 Brockton Potters, Inc. 349.35 Cutter Ceramics 656.50 Phyllis Damon Fiber Co. , Inc. 171.50 J. L. Hammett Co. 23,943.97 New England School Supply 5,987.78 Henry S. Wolkins Co. 10,870.69 43,625.63 Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was CUSTODIAL SUPPLIES VOTED: that orders be placed with the following companies indicated based on their low unit prices meeting specifications and that Item #26, Corn Brooms be rejected as being in the best interest of the Town of Lexington. (Michelman, Swanson, Unanimous) Vendor Item No. Total Banner Systems, Inc. 18,24,25,28,31,50 $ 405.64 Edison Chemical Co. 4-8, 10,11,13-17,19 22,23,27,29,30,32-49,51 3,566.02 Fuller Brush Co. 20,21 304.54 George T. Johnson Co. 2 342.00 The Merit Corporation 3,9,12 986.85 M. D. Stetson Co. 1 178.60 $ 5,783.65 • Lexington School Committee Meeting May 9, 1978 Page 61A New Business THIRD ELECTION (EARLY TENURE) (See back-up sheets following.) These people have previously received two contracts and are recommended for early tenure election at the level and step indicated. LEVEL GRADE/ SCHOOL NAME & STEP SUBJECT SALARY* COMMENTS *Subject to change as a result of negotiations. YOUR SUPERINTENDENT RECOMMENDS THE EARLY TENURE ELECTION OF THE ABOVE STAFF FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1978-1979 AT THE STEP AND LEVEL INDICATED. Page 62 May 9, 1978 Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was BIDS - FILTERS VOTED: that orders for filters be placed with Filter Sales and Service, Inc. , based on their low bid meeting specifications in the approx- imate quantity of $1,101.23. (Michelman, Swanson, Unanimous) Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was FLOOR WAX & CLEANER VOTED: that orders for floor wax and cleaner be placed with the Merit Corporation based on the testing program conducted in the Lex- ington Public Schools and their bid considered to be the best buy for Lexington. (Michelman, Swanson, Unanimous) Company Item Total PAPER TOWELS & TOILET TISSUE Goldman Paper Co. No. 1 - Paper Towels (recycled 657 cases @ $8.29 $ 5,446.53 No. 2 - Double-Fold Tissue 1,026.10 (Recycled) 62 cases @ $16.55 Rourke Eno Paper Co. No. 3 - Roll Tissue(recycled) 36 cases @ $18.15 653.40 $7,126.03 Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was VOTED: that orders for paper towels and toilet tissue be placed as above, based on their unit prices meeting specifications in the approximate totals. (Michelman, Swanson, Unanimous) Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was DUPLICATING SUPPLIES VOTED: that orders be placed with the following companies based upon low unit prices meeting specifications in the following approxi- mate totals. (Michelman, Swanson, Unanimous) Approximate Vendor Item Total Audio-Visual Communications Corp. 17,20 $ 133.40 Audio-Visual Educational System, Inc. 24,29 927.35 Butler Dearden Paper Service, Inc. 5,6,8,9,11 17,622.96 Carter Rice Storrs & Bement Co. 7,10,12-14 3,075.95 Copy Craft 2,4,19 2,641.30 Garith Plastics Co. 21 3.00 New England School Supply 23,28 124.14 Spaulding Co. 16,22 558.40 Standard Duplicator Sales, Inc. 1,3,15,26,27 2,967.63 U.S.I. , Inc. 25 58.80 Visual Impression Systems 18 188.50 $28,301.43 Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was TITLE I SUMMER READING VOTED: to accept the following personnel for the Title I Summer Reading PROGRAM 1978 Program, 1978. (Gaudet, Swanson, Unanimous) Page 63 May 9, 1978 • Name Position School Salary " CLASSIFIED STAFF FOR TITLE I SUMMER READING PROGRAM 1978 Name Position School Salary Rate Aides - $3.80 per hour Secretary - $4.22 per hour Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was METCO STUDENTS ATTENDING VOTED: that the Lexington METCO students desiring to attend the Minute- man Regional Vocational Technical School be considered as part of the Lexington METCO quota of 289 students. As such they would be enrolled in the Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School and their tuition would be paid from Lexington's METCO budget. (Michelman, Hoffman, Unanimous) Page 64 May 9, 1978 Mr. Spiris presented a report on the minority recruitment program. MINORITY He traced the background of the personnel administrators collaborative RECRUITING (PAC) which consisted of several suburban communities in the greater Boston area who combine together to recruit staff for their systems and for the needs of its member systems. He noted that equal opportunity governmental agencies might question a system's intensity of recruiting efforts for minorities. He suggested that even though the PAC had coord- inated efforts in the past to locate, identify and encourage minority applicants a renewed cooperative effort was needed. The communities of Belmont, Brookline, Cambridge, Concord, Framingham, Lexington, Needham, Newton, Wayland, Wellesley, Weston, Winchester would combine their re- cruitment efforts in this endeavor. Objectives of the program would be to implement the equal opportunity or affirmative action policies of the respective communities; to comply with federal and state regula- tions calling for equal opportunity or affirmative action programs; to increase the supply of minority applicants available to each partici- pating community; and to improve the ability of each community to de- velop a staff that reflected the larger society. Mr. Spiris noted that Lexington had budgeted money for several years for the cooperative endeavor and now recommended that John Modest, METCO Coordinator, be appointed as the minority recruitment specialist to work under his direction. A stipend of $400 would be given to Mr. Modest for the added recruitment responsibility. Mrs. Swanson noted that Lexington had an Equal Opportunity Policy, and felt that endeavors should be continued to attract all qualified persons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age or handicap. She added that it was not necessary, in her opinion, to have a special recruitment program for one group if the school system had an Equal Opportunity Policy. She expressed some concerns with some statements of Mr. Modest, METCO Coordinator, in his memo to Mr. Spiris. Particularly to the inference that the promotion of minority groups would be different from other employees. Mr. Michelman said there was no doubt in his mind that special work effort and energy was required, and felt it was realistic to take the view that had been stated by Mr. Spiris. Dr. Lawson stated that the program would assure equal access, would be consistent with the policy,and would further promote quality. It was VOTED: that the following two recommendations relating to minority re- cruitment be implemented. (Yes, Michelman, Hoffman, Gaudet, Brown; No, Swanson) 1. For Lexington participate in the PAC Cooperative. (The money has been budgeted for this.) 2. To appoint John Modest as the Minority Recruitment Specialist to work under the direction of the Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Personnel. A stipend of $400.00 is suggested for this added responsibility. Page 65 May 9, 1978 The Guidance Report was postponed to a future agenda due to the GUIDANCE REPORT fact that questionnaires recently mailed to parents and to students, would be important to include in the report. A brief discussion was held on possible dates for the report and the schedule for receipt of information would be available. The superintendent said he would re- view the matter with administrators. He noted that the school committee had set goals for itself. One was a major study of grouping and phas- ing. Another a study of guidance. He suggested that the superintendent through individual administrators receive the results of such studies and submit a complete report on specific dates to the school committee for review and discussion. He said this process should provide utmost efficiency. Mr. Barnes gave a report on the status of Chapter 622/Title IX in CHAPTER 622/ the school system. He reviewed the roles and functions of the Committee TITLE IX PRO- on Human Differences which consisted of nine staff members, seven repre- GRESS REPORT sentatives from town organizations and himself, Compliance Officer. He outlined conferences that members of the committee and staff attended, the in-service assistance being provided, highlighted changes in the Com- pliance Report that would be implemented in June, and made several obser- vations related to the implementation of the laws. The school committee thanked Mr. Barnes for the report and expressed its continued support for implementation of the laws. Dr. Pierson reviewed the Mayfest activities outlined in an infor- mational brochure presented to the school committee. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was FOOD SERVICES SATELLITE VOTED: to accept the following plan for the distribution of food by the Food Services Department in the individual schools for the school year 1978-79. (Swanson, Gaudet, Unanimous) In the past, food has been sent to the Parker School from the Diamond Junior High School. With the closing of the Parker School this will no longer be necessary. However, as the Diamond is equipped to send to another school, we suggest that the Fiske be picked up as a satellite. Reasons for closing the Fiske kitchen are: 1. low participation, 2. program running deeply in the red, 3. poor facilities and equipment in the kitchen. For ease in delivery of food we suggest that the Fiske School be satellited from the Senior High and the Diamond pick up the Hastings. This would shorten the run for the Senior High truck as it could first go to the Fiske, then Harrington via Lowell Street and then on to Adams. Our satelliting program has proved to be most successful in cutting labor and food costs. Schools now satellited are: Franklin - from Clarke Hastings Harrington,=- from Senior High Adams Munroe - from Muzzey Parker - from Diamond Page 66 May 9, 1980 The superintendent of schools presented an informational bulletin SCHOOL TRANS- to the school committee which noted the decrease in reimbursement to PORTATION cities and towns for school transportation. He noted the entitlement for 1978 was approximately $118,000 and Lexington would receive approxi- mately $70,000 reimbursement which was at the fifty-nine percent level. He suggested that members of the school committee make their wishes known to their local and State legislators that the level of funding for reim- bursement for school transportation to towns and cities was not suffic- ient and needed improvement. Dr. Pierson presented a memorandum to the school committee listing ADDITIONAL EARLY activities to be performed on June 1, which he suggested be scheduled RELEASE DAYS as a professional and curriculum development release day. He noted that this would be a make up of the one cancelled in February. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was VOTED: that June 1, be accepted as professional release day. (Michelman, Swanson, Unanimous) Because of the weather and scheduling difficulties, only three of the six secondary professional and curriculum development days have oc- curred. I would like to propose that a fourth day be scheduled for Thursday, June 1. Most of the secondary departments have developed plans for the use of this time: Music Curriculum Development - junior high: decision as to format - senior high: decision as to format, inclusions, timetable, responsibilities - budget planning Math Junior High committees Workshop planning Parent meeting to examine goals and objectives English Examination of literature program and selection of titles Science Junior High (7th and 8th) - Coordination of objectives Grades 9-12 Review of Curriculum - development progress Planning for topic outline and performance objectives Social Studies U. S. History Decision re: scope of 8th grade program. Modification of Clarke curriculum to satisfy departmental goals. Statement of goals and priorities of U.S. History in grade 11. Skills Sequence Adoption of model skills sequence; planning decision re: student placement and evalu- ation of progress. Defining and standard- izing skills sequence. Page 67 May 9, 1980 Physical Education Care and Prevention of Sports Injuries Foreign Language Speaker from Tufts or M.I.T. as yet to be determined Business Will work with Dr. Andolina on reading comprehension in con- tent areas and business edu- cation. Mrs. Swanson noted she and Mrs. Gaudet had attended an energy con- SCHOOL COMMITTEE ference, and she had been asked to chair the Massachusetts Association REPORT ON ENERGY of School Committees Energy Committee. Mrs. Swanson reviewed the status CONFERENCE of present energy needs and the projection that an even more critical situation would exist in the 80' s. She recommended a local task force be formed to review the school's energy needs and to suggest conserva- tion techniques. At this juncture, Mrs. Swanson noted a letter had been sent from the Hastings staff which had been concerned that the 65 degree room set- ting for thermostats was the accepted temperature. Mr. Brown said he had some concern since the law noted that rental units in the city of Boston could not be lowered below 68 degrees, and felt that when the discussion took place in January of this year he probably would have sup- ported 68 degrees if he had been in attendance. It was noted that the school committee voted to lower the temperature on a 3-2 vote in Febru- ary, 1977, and consensus of opinion was to retain it at 65 degrees at the meeting of January 31, 1978. Mr. Michelman said that this issue should be scheduled as an agenda item in the future. It was agreed to do this prior to the opening of school. Dr. Lawson said he strongly supported the Energy Task Force as sug- gested by members of the school committee and felt that if anyone had any suggestions such items should be forwarded. Mr. Michelman then sug- gested that the Energy Task Force be an item of New Business on the next agenda. Mr. Maclnnes added that the school committee had requested informa- HEATING PLANTS - tion about heating plants when a former employee had made the accusation FUEL that the schools were using the improper type of fuel and the plants were in poor condition. Mr. Maclnnes said he supplied the heating and fuel expert with information but had not received any response from him in writing. He said the expert had been in contact by phone, however, and said that the type of fuel was not incorrect and that plants that were inspected were in excellent condition. A study of fuel usage and type would be conducted. It was VOl'LD: at 10:29 p.m. to adjourn to executive session to discuss collec- tive bargaining matters, and the character and reputation of one or more individuals. It was announced that the school committee would not be coming out of executive session. (Michelman, yes; Hoffman, yes; Swanson, yes; Gaudet, yes; Brown, yes) Respectfully submitted, i Richard H. Barnes Jk Recording Secretary