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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-09-26-SC-min Page 120 September 26, 1978 The Lexington School Committee conducted a meeting on September 26, 1978, at 8:00 p.m. , at the School Administration Conference Room. Those in attendance were: Brown, Swanson, Michelman, Gaudet and student repre- sentative Mende. Also present were: Lawson, Spiris, Pierson, Monderer, Maclnnes and Barnes. It was MINUTES 9/12/78 VOTED: to accept the minutes of September 12, 1978, as amended. (Michelman, Swanson, Unanimous) It was EXECUTIVE MINUTE5 9/12/78 VOTED: to accept the executive minutes of September 12, 1978, as pre- sented. (Michelman, Swanson, Unanimous) Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS VOTED: to accept the following schedule of payments. (Michelman, Swanson, Unanimous) SCHOOL DEPARTMENT BUDGETS Personal Services September 8, 1978 Professional Payrolls #5 $411,703.23 September 15, 1978 Classified Payrolls #6C 67,999.67 Expenses September 15, 1978 Bill Schedules #26 10,076.54 September 15, 1978 #27 5,894.57 September 15, 1978 #28 3,055.18 September 15, 1978 #29 6,461.02 September 22, 1978 #30 771.37 September 22, 1978 #31 8,673.95 September 22, 1978 #32 1,768.75 September 22, 1978 #33 3,432.78 September 22, 1978 #34 9,831.81 September 22, 1978 #35 9,938.48 September 22, 1978 #36 601.84 September 22, 1978 #37 1,093.75 Expenses (Carryover) September 15, 1978 Bill Schedules #227 312.04 September 22, 1978 #228 1,649.28 September 22, 1978 #229 340.67 September 22, 1978 #230 96.70 SPECIAL PROGRAMS Non-Lexington Funds METCO September 8, 1978 Professional Payroll 3,598.77 September 15, 1978 Classified Payroll #1C 1,491.50 PL 94-142 Transition to Employment September 8, 1978 Professional Payroll 74.40 September 15, 1978 Classified Payroll #1C 1,388.85 Page 121 September 26, 1978 Title I: PL 89-313 Special Education September 8, 1978 Professional Payroll 197.91 ESEA Library September 9, 1978 Bill Schedules #1 2,009.86 September 15, 1978 #2 11,933.42 Title I Low Income (Summer Reading Program) September 22, 1978 Bill Schedule #3 48.09 Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was PROPOSED TUITION POLICY VOTED: to accept the policy on sending tuition students to Lexington (THIRD READING) Public Schools. (Michelman, Gaudet, Unanimous) "The Superintendent of Schools is authorized to accept tuition students when it is in the best interest of the Lexington Public Schools. The following circumstances are examples of students that may be accept- ed. 1. When families of students enrolled in the Lexington Schools move to other communities. 2. When families of students living outside of Lexington plan to move into Lexington. 3. When families of students living outside of Lexington petition to have their children attend the Lexington Schools because the Lexington Schools offer unusual programs or special opportunities which are not available in their own public schools. All requests to attend the Lexington Schools as tuition students, except those for participation in LABB programs, will be reviewed by the Superintendent of Schools upon recommendation of the principal of the school the students are attending or plan to attend. Any special needs students from other communities requesting to attend Lexington Public Schools because of our special needs programs must also be ap- proved by the Director of Pupil Services on the recommendation of the Administrator of Special Education. All ratios used by the Administra- tion in planning class sizes throughout the system will be adhered to when decisions are made to accept or reject tuition students. Tuition rates will be established annually by the School Committee upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools. In computing tuition rates the Administrative Assistant for Business will include all costs usually approved by the State Board of Education in setting tuition rates for local school districts." The superintendent reviewed the listing of School Committee priori- PROPOSED DATES ties as presented at a prior meeting and commented on proposed dates for FOR COMPLETION 01 completion of each priority. The following dates were agreed to by the 1978-79 PRIORI- committee: TIES 1. Review the School Closing Schedule - November 7, 1978 2. Completion of the Guidance and Phasing Studies with Accompanying, Recommendations - The Guidance Study will be completed November 30, 1978 for Grades R-9 and April 30, 1979 for Grades 10-12. Recommenda- tions resulting from the Phasing Study will be presented to the School Committee at the end of December, 1978. Page 122 September 26, 1978 3. Evaluation System for Teachers - September , 1979, if faculty respon- ses are positive. 4. Study of the High School - Initial discussion, November 7, 1978. 5. Energy Conservation in the Schools - To be determined by the Energy Conservation Committee. 6. Enrichment and Development of Curriculum - October 17, 1978 7. Basic Skills Program Adoption - Timetables to be developed by the committee appointed by the School Committee. 8. Re-organization of the Central Office Administration - September, 1979. 9. Re-organization of Pupil Services - Recommendations will be given to the School Committee by the superintendent upon receipt of sugges- tions from Pupil Services Division. It was ACCEPTANCE OF CLARKE VOTED: to accept the Clarke Junior High School, and authorize the return SCHOOL JR. HIGH to the contigency fund of the Town of Lexington, the sum of $12,646.89, and notify the Permanent Building Committee of this vote, and express the gratitude of the School Committee to the Permanent Building Committee for an excellent job. (Michelman, Gaudet, Unanimous) Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, it was NEW PERSONNEL VOTED: to accept the followingnew (PROFESSIONAL) P personnel as listed. ) Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was PERSONNEL CHANGE; (PROFESSIONAL) VOTED: to accept the following personnel changes (professional). (Swanson, Michelman, Unanimous) (See attached) Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was PERSONNEL CHANGE (CLASSIFIED) VOTED: to accept the personnel changes. (Gaudet, Swanson, Unanimous) (See attached) It was noted that under the new certification requirements for SPECIAL EDUCATIO] special education personnel, it is necessary to have a vote of the WAIVER REQUEST School Committee in order to request a waiver of certification require- ment. Lexington Public Schools has two long term staff members that are in this category. In each case, the individuals are presently en- rolled in programs which will lead to certification within one or two years. PERSONNEL CHANGES - PROFESSIONAL DEGREE CHANGE CORRECTION CHANGE IN PER CENT OF TIME *Subject to change upon completion of negotiations. YOUR SUPERINTENDENT RECOMMENDS ACCEPTANCE OF THE ABOVE. b • PERSONNEL CHANGES (Classified) • 1 Effective_ Resignations Effective New Personnel Effective Change of Hours Change due to resignation of 9/22/78 " • Retirement Effective Resignations Effective Transfers Effective ) New Personnel Effective • • Page 123 • September 26, 1978 Upon the recuuuLendation of the superintendent of schools it was A VOTED: that the •Lexington Public Schools request a waiver of provisions of Section 1005.0' of Chapter 766 for (Swanson, Michelman, Unanimous) Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was BIDS - STAGE CURTAINS VOTED: to award a contract for stage curtains to John M. Walker Company, as the low'bidder. (Michelman, Swanson, Unanimous) Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was TYPING DESKS VOTED: to purchase typing desks from Educational Installations, Inc. , in the sum of $2364. (Michelman, Swanson, Unanimous) Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was LANGUAGE LAB EQUIPMENT VOTED: to award a contract to Grant Burtnett Associates in the amount of $3064 for the purchase and installation of Language Lab equip- ment. (Michelman, Swanson, Unanimous) Dr. Lawson noted that last December, a plan was submitted to elimi- SOCCER PROGRAM nate sophomore athletics due to decreased participation and decline in enrollment. This recommendation was based upon the information available at that time and with the understanding that the junior varsity could incorporate sophomores. The superintendent said that there were now an excess of twenty sophomore students who needed to be accommodated in a soccer program. Dr. Clune said he recommended the plan be adopted, and according to Mr. Lord the present coaching staff could meet the needs of the students by planning an abbreviated schedule of games. Mr. Lord said that he would assume responsibility for the sophomores, and since there would be a savings in the Personal Services account, it could be used to pay the coach of the new program. Dr. Lawson said he recommended the program and also noted he would recommend similar action in an academic area if the situation were simi- lar. Mr. Michelman asked the superintendent where the funds would come from. Dr. Lawson noted that Dr. Clune said that possibly gate receipts, items of equipment, and personnel savings could accommodate the need. Mr. Brown stated that he was pleased that the operation of the schools and budget was flexible enough to accommodate twenty youngsters when the need was validated. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was VOTED: to authorize the establishment of a modified sophomore soccer pro- gram and the use of funds as described in the memorandum of Sep- tember 15, 1978, as submitted to Dr. Clune by Mr. Lord. (Michelman, Gaudet, Unanimous) VOTED: to authorize a stipend of $456 for Sherrard Arch as coach of the sophomore team. • • Page 124 • September 26, 1978 Dr. Pierson presented the School Committee with a review of the PHILOSOPHICAL Program in Philosophical+Reasoning. The program began in January, 1978, REASONING when five elementary classrooms at the fifth and sixth grade levels par- ticipated in a program developed by the Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy for Children, which was underwritten by a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation. The program was based upon a children's novel Harry Stottlemeier's Discovery, by Dr. Matthew Lipman. Dr. Pierson noted that seventeen weekly seminars were conducted by the professional philoso- pher from the institute to train Lexington teachers in the use of the ma- terial. Approximately 125 students were involved in the program for which lessons were conducted two or three times a week. He noted that an eval- uation of the pilot program has been promised. He presented the material to the School Committee, and recommended the program be expanded. He said further evaluation would be conducted for the academic year 1978-79. Dr. Pierson noted that based upon the encouraging evaluation, he supported continuing the program, and that there would be three new additional schools and three or four more classrooms, making a total of nine classrooms. All students in the program would be new to the pro- gram, and the program would function at grades five and six only. Mr Michelman said since all fifth and sixth graders would be involved even- tually and also in Race Awareness Program, would it be too much for stu- dents. He said he made hisremark not as one of criticism but as one with real excitement. Mr. Pierson responded that if all fifth and sixth graders were participants in the program, it would have to displace some language arts, social studies material, but not displace Race Awareness material. He said the Philosophical Reasoning materials were highly in- tegrated into the language arts, social studies areas. Mrs. Gaudet said she felt that same of the parent responses were negative, such as those that expressed concern for replacement of ba- sics with this material. Dr. Pierson responded that the materials would develop basic learning skills. He emphasized that logical thinking, which was a learning skill, was essential to all academic areas, and thinking was basic to all skills. He noted in his summary that School Committee members were invited to the seminars and a special parents night would be held to introduce the program. It was the concern of the committee to endorse the program as pre- sented. Dr. Lawson presented a brief history of the Metropathways Program. EDCO He said that Brookline had been the LEA for several years, and had served METROPATHWAYS as the LEA for several EDCO projects. It was suggested that now the LEA (local education agency) be Lexington. Dr. Lawson noted that Lexington would contract with EDCO to carry out the project. After a brief discus- sion and upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was VOTED: that Lexington be the local education agency for the Metropathways Project and that EDCO be contracted to carry out the grant. (Swanson, Gaudet, Unanimous) Mr. Michelman stated that he voted in favor of the program, and would participate in future EDCO votes. Since he was chairman of the Board of Directors of EDCO, he said that he asked Town Counsel if there were any problems of conflict of interest, and Town Counsel said there was no barrier for participation in any vote. . Page 125 September 26, 1978 Dr. Monderer presented plans for completion of the Guidance Study. GUIDANCE REPORTS He noted that in Octobereand November advisory committees would be estab- PLANS FOR COMPLE- lished. PTA meetings will be devoted to the Guidance Program in the TION OF STUDY, schools. He said that a Guidance Advisory Committee would be established SPECIFIC DEADLINE by Rex Jarrell with the assistance of David Clune by October, 1978. He FOR REPORTS added that another committee which would focus on elementary and junior high school programs would be organized by him during October. Dr. Lawson suggested that parents serve on these committees. It was also suggested'that perhaps parents be made aware that they could volunteer for the committee. Dr. Monderer said that Mr. Jarrell would approach the PTSA at the High School for names of possible members. Mrs. Swanson suggested that the committees represent a balance of view- points. She felt that people who were critical of the program should serve on it to give another perspective which may prove of great value in evaluating the program. The superintendent suggested that Dr. Mon- derer consider having students on the advisory committee regarding guidance services. Dr. Monderer concluded the discussion by noting the study would be completed in April. Mrs. Martin reviewed the Training Grant which was approved in 1977, BOSTON UNIVERSITS but did not start until this year. She said the grant would provide TRAINING GRANT inservice training for special needs teachers and parents in the area of behavorial management. She said the exciting part of the grant was that it would not only provide intensive training to staff but would seek to transfer the skills so participants would become trainers. She stated the partnership of teachers and parents was innovative and prom- ising. The information report on the Career Center was given to the School CAREER CENTER Committee and outlined the services and programs conducted during the 1977-78 academic year. Mrs. Swanson said she had some concerns regarding the hours, since some students would like to have access to the Career Center beyond school hours. Dr. Monderer said that Mr. Jarrell, Coordinator of Pupil Services at the high school, had suggested a 3:30 p.m. extension time, and this would be reviewed in the next few weeks. Mrs. Gaudet added that she thought that students were not getting information, and asked how the activities were disseminated. Paul Mende said that they were posted everywhere, and felt that the Career Center had one of the most effective dissemination programs at the high school. Dr. Lawson suggest- ed that maybe Paul Mende might ask the Student Advisory Committee to poll students to find out how communications with students could be improved. The committee expressed its thanks for the report. Mr. Barnes presented a draft of the Rules and Regulations Document, RULES AND REGULA- developed in collaboration with two committees (elementary and secondary) TIONS DOCUMENT during the past year. The committees consisted of: Elementary Secondary Paul Foley, Franklin School John Hibbard, Clarke Charles Como, Fiske School Eugene Sullivan, Diamond Betty Murray, Curriculum Resource Center Dave Terry, Muzzey Edward Jacobus, Adams School Dave Clune, High School Jonathan Miller, Student Repr. to School Committee • Page 126 September 25, 1978 • He noted that the Rules and.Regulations Document was developed to meet the requirement of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 467 that School Committees publish their rules and regulations pertaining to the conduct of students and be made available to any person upon request, free of charge. He noted that the Rules and Regulations Document was consistent with the School Committee policy on students' rights. After approval by the School Committee, copies would be made available to parents and students, and would be filed with the Bureau of Student Services of the Massachusetts Department of Education as required. He noted that Mr. Michelman had forwarded several suggestions re- garding changes in the draft document and invited other committee mem- bers to do likewise. Dr. Lawson then noted that the PTA's would be given a copy of the document and forward reactions. Mr. Barnes then said the Student Advisory Committee would meet with him in order to have input into the document. After the various reactions were received, the document would then be revised and re-submitted to the School Commit- tee at a later date for approval. The superintendent noted that a total of $56 was received from the BOOK SALE surplus book sale. The superintendent announced that twenty-two Lexington High School NATIONAL MERIT students were named National Merit Semi-finalists and forty-five high SEMI-FINALISTS school seniors received letters of commendation. He noted that this was an outstanding achievement since 10% of the senior class had received such high honors. He said that on behalf of the school system he had written personal letters to the parents. The School Committee and super- intendent expressed its appreciation to the staff, K-12, and congratula- tions to the parents. It was VOTED: to adjourn at 9:37 p.m. to discuss matters of collective bargain- ing strategy. (Brown, yes; Michelman, yes; Swanson, yes; Gaudet, yes) The chairman announced that the committee would not be coming out of executive session. Respectfully submitted, Richard H. Barnes /k Recording Secretary