ARLINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2002
7:45 PM
Present: David McKenna, Chair Joani LaMachia
Suzanne Owayda, Vice-Chair Denis Sullivan
Paul Schlichtman, Secretary Martin Thrope
Barbara Goodman
Superintendent Kathleen Donovan
Chief Financial Officer David Kale
Director of Special Education Marilyn Bisbicos
Student Representative Nathan Band
Absent Asst. Supt. Joanne Gurry
Call to Order: 7:45 PM
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Mr. Schlichtman reviewed correspondence
On a motion by Mr. Schlichtman and seconded by Ms. Owayda it was unanimously
Voted to approve the regular meeting minutes of September 10, 2002
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
The Chair, David McKenna, welcomed to the meeting Town Manager Philip Farrington, Board of Selectmen members John Hurd and Diane Mahon. The School Committee invited the town officials to the meeting to discuss the current budget crisis. Discussion focused on the needs and values of the town and schools; what creative solutions could evolve from reexamining all town budgets and if the O’Neill formula could be reviewed. Members from both Boards agreed that continued dialogue between the two was essential and that the most appropriate vehicle for discussion would be through the Budget Revenue Task Force.
Break
AHS UPDATE
AHS principal Steve Woodcock distributed a packet to the School Committee containing current happenings at the school including:
¨ Staff is in the final stages of preparing for the NEASC site visit scheduled for November 6th. Mr. Woodcock invited the School Committee to meet the visiting team on November 3rd beginning at 3:00 PM
¨ Enrollment in advanced placement courses is up in English, US History, & Physics. Enrollment remains stable in the AP Psychology and Biology classes. In addition a pilot AP Spanish class has been created.
¨ Six students in the class of 2003 have failed one or both sections of the MCAS. Two students out of the 6 were not educated in APS but transferred in. Four of the students fall into the acceptable parameters to apply for the MCAS waiver. They receive daily instruction for the December retest. Thirty-seven students in the class of 2004 failed one or both sections of the MCAS; they will be enrolled in a weekly tutorial program
¨ 18 AHS students have been commended in the National Merit Scholarship Program
¨ Freshman class is holding class elections for the first time
¨ The creation of a new program C.L.A.S.S. (Creative Learning Activities for Students Success) is a therapeutic secondary school program that exist to service those students who have been unsuccessful in general education programs due to extreme lack of social and/or behavioral skills.
¨ Faculty focus group discussions
¨ Class size
BABYSITTING PROGRAM
Supt. Donovan reported that there has been a request to create a babysitting program at the elementary school level modeled after the program at the Ottoson. Mrs. Donovan pointed out that the program is self-supporting, fee based, and supports the system wide goal of retaining staff. The placement of the program has yet to be determined, however Mrs. Donovan believed it might be housed at either the Hardy or Peirce School.
On a motion by Ms. Goodman and seconded by Ms. LaMachia it was unanimously
Voted to expand the babysitting program for faculty/staff to the elementary school level as recommended by Supt. Donovan.
GOALS UPDATE/VOTE
Ms. LaMachia presented the Arlington Public School District Goal Document for approval. The document articulates the goals, values, and priorities of the school system. The next step in the process is to create working committees and to create a calendar with expectations and completion dates.
On a motion by Ms. LaMachia and seconded by Mr. Sullivan it was unanimously
Voted to approve/accept the Arlington Public Schools District Goal Document.
PTBC UPDATE
Ms. Owayda reported that the PTBC subcommittee met to review proposals for the Stratton & Thompson Schools. The subcommittee chose four design firms that will interview with the PTBC on October 29, 2002. The PTBC will also interview firms for the new fire station on October 15th. Members of the Committee will meet with the Dept. of Revenue to discuss reimbursement for the Dallin School and to clarify the debt exclusion law.
POLICY & PROCEDURE SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT
Ms. Owayda presented to the full Committee the following policies for a 1st reading:
¨ File: JFABA Kindergarten Fee Policy
¨ File: BGCA Policy Appeal Process, BGC & Introduction Page
¨ File: IJOA Field Trip Policy, IJOA-E Parental Consent Form
Suzanne stated that the subcommittee agreed that the, APS Field Trip & Athletic Parental Consent Release from Liability and Indemnity Agreement would be brought to the full Committee to a vote for immediate use by students.
On a motion by Mr. Thrope and seconded by Mr. Sullivan it was unanimously
Voted to suspend the rules to consider the recommendation to approve the APS Field Trip & Athletic Parental Consent, Release Liability, and Indemnity Agreement form for immediate use.
On a motion by Mr. Schlichtman and seconded by Mr. Thrope it was unanimously
Voted to adopt the APS Field Trip & Athletic Parental Consent, Release Liability and Indemnity Agreement for immediate use.
FIELD TRIP APPROVAL
Supt. Donovan presented a field trip request by the AP Biology class for approval.
On a motion by Ms. Goodman and seconded by Ms. LaMachia it was unanimously
Voted to approve the AP Biology field trip to Grape Island.
PUBLIC VOTE ON EXECUTIVE SESSION VOTE
On a motion by Ms. LaMachia and seconded by Ms. Owayda it was
Voted that the School Committee attorney, Alan Miller, write a letter to a former APS employee requesting that said employee cease and desist all communication with the Arlington School Committee except through counsel.
6-0-1 (Mr. Sullivan voted present)
BUDGET/GRANT UPDATE/TECHNOLOGY REQUESTS
Chief Financial Officer David Kale gave a report on FY2003 grants. Mr. Kale identified the funding source of each grant (Direct Federal, Federal through State, Direct State or Private), the amount allocated, the FTE positions, fringe benefits and the grant period.
Mr. Thrope Moved
That in future budget presentations, including budget proposals and budget reports to the school committee, expenditures supported by alternative funding such as grants and fees be grouped with related program line items, showing alternative funding sources as offsets in the same manner as elementary instrumental music and its fees on page II-8 of the budget book; that these expenditures be clearly and prominently labeled as being contingent upon receipt of the alternate funding; but that this presentation will not be to the exclusion of other appropriate presentations of alternative funding. No second on the motion
Chairman David McKenna, as a point of order, requested if any of the members of the committee had seen the motion prior to this moment, adding that Mr. Thrope would be better served if the Committee had a chance to contemplate the motion since it is substantial.
Mr. Sullivan stated that this happens all to frequent that Mr. Thrope has wonderful ideas. At this point, Mr. Thrope requested a point of personal privilege stating that he would not tolerate a personal attack that merely obscures the issue.
Mr. McKenna stated that first of all it was not a personal attack, it was a comment. Mr. McKenna also pointed out that we are a committee of seven, and for Mr. Thrope to please let the committee know what he would like to discuss at the meeting. The Chair then ended all discussion on the matter. Mr. Sullivan stated that the intent of his statement was to point out that we are a committee of seven members.
BUILDING INSPECTOR REPORT
Supt. Donovan brought to the Committee’s attention the letter received from Richard Vallarelli, Local Building Inspector for the Town of Arlington. Mr. Vallarelli commended Mr. William Ceurvels, Superintendent of Maintenance for the Schools, for keeping the schools in excellent condition, especially that of the older buildings.
On a motion by Ms. Goodman and seconded by Ms. LaMachia it was unanimously
Voted to send a letter of acknowledgement to Mr. William Ceurvels, Superintendent of Maintenance and staff for the excellent conditions of APS.
NEW BUSINESS
¨ CFO David Kale and Special Education Director Marilyn Bisbicos will represent the administration at the next school committee meeting in the Superintendent’s absence.
¨ Supt. Donovan and David Kale will present the budget cuts that the school committee voted to receive at the Finance Committee meeting on October 16th. (at the request of the finance committee)
¨ Ms. Goodman requested data on special education students who have taken the MCAS exam; the number of students who have/have not passed.
On a motion by Mr. Sullivan and seconded by Ms. LaMachia it was unanimously
Voted to adjourn 10:20 PM.
Submitted by,
Karen Tassone
Committee Secretary
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