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Notes provided by: Charlotte R. Pierce School Committee Meeting — January 27, 2004 Meeting called to order at 7:30 pm by Chair, Suzanne Owayda. Public Participation Amy Cohen, president of the town wide PTO and Ottoson parent reported on a Jan. 28 meeting of elementary PTO presidents and noted that reported concern regarding teacher contract negotiations. Elementary school PTOs said that the spirit draining out of the schools, there is volunteer burnout, and teachers are frustrated. Recognizing the difficulty of the negotiations, Cohen asked the committee for some kind of initiative that would produce even a bit of progress for people to hold onto. Outstanding Friends of Public Education Award to ASF Paul Schlichtman in his role as president of the Mass. Association of School Committees and Glenn Koocher, executive director of MASC, presented the Outstanding Friends of Public Education Award for an "unprecedented bit of philanthropy" to the Arlington Partners in Education (now Arlington Schools Foundation). Board members Julie Dunn, Cindy Friedman, Judi Bohn, Donna Eidson, and Leslie Mayer accepted the award. Julie Dunn recognized the contributors who "came through in an incredible way." Superintendent's Contract The School Committee next conducted a public vote on the superintendent's contract, which it had already deliberated in executive session. Kay Donovan's current contract was due to expire in July, when Ms. Donovan had planned to retire. In discussion prior to the vote, Suzanne said that Kay had agreed to extend her retirement until 2005, and that the SC and Kay had been negotiating since late summer on this contract. Even though fiscal '05 is looking a little better than 04, Suzanne noted that Kay's leadership was still needed on such projects as the Peirce field remediation, the Dallin rebuild, and AHS accreditation; and that the extension would give the SC and community time to conduct a thorough superintendent search. Kay's current salary is less than those of superintendents in equivalent communities ($124K vs. $135-150K in surrounding communities). Suzanne noted that this was "not inconsistent" with the current offering to the teachers, and is the "fair and right" thing to do. Other SC members noted that Kay did not take health insurance benefits like other superintendents, and that in addition to than other towns, and that the SC is "extremely fortunate" to have someone they can work well with; that she had manned the phones during override, and is out several nights per week doing extra work. The SC also voted Kay a retroactive salary increase in various stages to July 2002. AHS Curriculum APS curriculum director Joanne Gurry presented a review of issues at AHS, starting with the no pre-requisite policy. Referring to the packet she had distributed to the SC, Gurry noted that this policy was "not voted in isolation" but that discussion and debate goes back to 2002. Gurry referenced the packet with comparison with other communities, including Brookline, which eliminated AP requirements, and experienced a 65% increase in enrollment in AP courses over when there were prerequisites. Gurry explained that the move comes in the context of charged environment of budget reductions, postponement of new graduation requirements. A report from AHS department heads showed that many students took advantage of policy, especially freshmen. However, juniors and seniors clearly made more informed decisions. A better system for advising 8th and 9th grade students will help. Gurry also noted that the packet includes results that are based only on reporting from one term (Fall 2003) of students taking a course not at their recommended level. In general, students did satisfactory work (C or better), though the administration is continuing to collect data and study the prerequisite policy. She noted that the change was made in the spirit of improving access and achievement levels. SC Discussion of AHS Curriculum Issues Sue Sheffler said she had a "great deal of trouble with this policy. With a load of 200 students per guidance counselor, adequate advising of parents, teachers, and students is not possible, she said. Suggested skill levels are not clear to most parents, and there is no structure in place for parents to consult with teachers moving up a level. Ostensibly there is better access to AP courses, but actually the policy allows students to enter classes in which the teacher is forced to deal with widely different skill levels without adequate resources to do so. Belmont requires certain grade, more requirements before allowed to go up a level, Sheffler noted. Barbara Goodman differed, seeing positive indications in the first-quarter data, and said that it was "no doubt the right thing to do." Marty Thrope noted that he understands the concept of no prerequisites, but has concerns about implementation, and said that "nothing speaks to the teachers' concerns. Also, he questioned that there is a risk of reducing the challenge, or "dumbing down" as teachers struggle to keep all students learning the material. One SC member cited two math classes that are both behind where they were last year at this time, with teachers spending more time on sections than previously. These accommodations can cheat both those who are struggling and those who are not. It was noted that the biggest gap was between 8th & 9th grade and that transitioning "needs help" or the result could be selection inflation, accompanied by content deflation. The new policy may be better than gate-keeping through prerequisites, but there needs to be sufficient discussion and transitioning. Jeff Thielman felt it was too soon to judge on one term's data, though he was "never comfortable with how policy was put together," with faculty not involved in the decision. He put forth a few recommendations to improve selection by students & parents: 1) continue to improve counseling and clarity of choices; 2) include both grade 7 and 8 parents; 3) provide orientation for grades 7 and 8 guidance staff; 4) revise the scheduling form to include recommendation and print skills sets on the back of the registration form; and 5) track performance of all students who select non-recommended courses for 04-05. Paul Schlichtman noted that the schools "should not protect students from their own success" and saw prerequisites as a civil rights issue. The situation was made more difficult this year because of the lack of options and increased class size. We don't want to go backward to a worse way, and we do need to enforce the rigor of courses. "I am confident this will happen here as it has elsewhere," Schlichtman said. Joani LaMacchia stated that access to higher level courses is a "good thing," but cited budget constraints over the past year as a complicating factor. AHS principal Woodcock identified some beginning points, she said, but there needs to be more detailing, more timelines, perhaps a task force to identify practical steps. Marty Thrope stated he would be happy to guide a task force to study prerequisites. Kay Donovan noted that "we need to fight for the funds to make this happen" (175 more periods to meet 2008 graduation requirements.) Suzanne Owayda emphasized the need for continued attention to the issue; it was moved to approve the program of studies and graduation requirements with certain additions, and the motion passed. Policy & Procedures There was a lively debate about whether the SC should develop policy initiatives in subcommittee or in public meetings, with Barbara Goodman expressing "serious concerns" about the lack of public input if issues are initiated away from public view. Jeff Thielman noted that the bylaws indicate that issues can generate anywhere, as long as there is a final vote in the public meeting. Marty said he was comfortable with the current process of bringing issues to the table, either in subcommittee or in the public forum. Paul Schlichtman said he though the subcommittees were find for minor issues, but that major policy shifts should begin with the full committee. Suzanne Owayda noted that it was the duty of the SC chair to be aware of what all the subcommittees are discussing, and to open the discussions to the public if appropriate. Barbara countered that the initial phase should have the broadest public input, and that issues being discussed needed to be brought out in public on every issue. Joani LaMacchia said that there are many ways to increase communication and that a clear process and policy needs to be established. The SC voted 6 to 1 to approve the policy of allowing issues to generate in subcommittee, with Barbara Goodman dissenting. Budget Transfer Authority Next came a discussion of Paul Schlichtman's amendment to the budget transfer authority, calling for the the superintendent to submit a revised budget by the first meeting of the SC in the fall. Jeff Thielman said he would vote against the amendment, saying "it makes more sense to have working budget after all hiring is finalized; which this year was into October. Barbara Goodman supported that concept, noting that there are so many assumptions in a public school system that more time needs to be allowed. The amendment passed, with Marty, Jeff and Sue voting no. School Bus Advertising The issue of allowing advertising on school buses was voted down, with discussion centering on the fact that potential revenue ($12K) was not significant enough to go through process. Most SC members voiced a distaste for the idea. However, the temporary display of advertising at athletic fields, which had been endorsed by the subcommittee and approved. Other Discussion After an executive session for a grievance matter, the SC discussed the circuit breaker for SPED. Level funding for SPED assistance is anticipated in '04-'05. It was noted that the Governor Romney spoke of borrowing to pay for the rebuilding of 100 schools, which would deliver 63% of expenses upfront, allowing for rebuilding Dallin and remediation of the Peirce field. There was some discussion of an upcoming joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen. The School Committee meeting ended about 11 p.m. SPOT
offers these notes as a service to the community. |
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