The Arlington School Committee
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, June 11, 2002
6:30 PM
Present: David McKenna, Chair Joani LaMachia
Suzanne Owayda, Vice Chair Denis Sullivan
Paul Schlichtman, Secretary Martin Thrope
Barbara Goodman
Superintendent: Kay Donovan
Asst. Supt. Joanne Gurry
Chief Financial Officer David Kale
Special Education Director Marilyn Bisbicos
Call to Order: 6:35 PM
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None
REPORT ON SYSTEM-WIDE GOALS
Committee Member Joani LaMachia reported that the system-wide goals are a new process for Arlington Public Schools that defines system-wide priorities and goals for the system.
Jerry Carmody, co-chair of the Goals Process, gave a brief overview of development of the different goals and the work of their respective committees.
Goals Co-chairs
¨ Goals Process Joani LaMachia, Jerry Carmody
¨ Recruitment Gus Martinson, Steve Carme
¨ Articulate Curriculum Joanne Gurry, John Kent
¨ Inclusive Schools Pam Travers, Alan Brown
¨ Restructure of School Day Mike McCabe. Bob Penta
Each co-chair spoke relative to their particular goal outlining:
¨ Their stated goal and acknowledged their subcommittees
¨ Their needs assessment of the goals
¨ The performance objective
¨ Professional Development recommended to achieve Performance objective
¨ Assessment of successful completion of Performance objective
On a motion by Mr. Sullivan and seconded by Mr. Schlichtman it was unanimously
Voted that the School Committee accepts the draft of the system-wide goal as presented.
Mr. LaMachia stated that the subcommittees would meet over the summer to define action plans and create a calendar with timelines and present final drafts to the school committee in the fall.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Mr. Schlichtman reviewed correspondence. The Committee will send a letter to AHS student Kate Remsberg for being selected a “Boston Globe Scholar-Athlete” Recipient.
REPORT ON GUIDANCE TASK FORCE
Mr. Woodcock reported on the findings of the task force. He stated that the task force met for several months to examine the counseling, administrative, and supervisory responsibilities for the position of Director of Guidance and Counseling, K-12. The recommendations of the task force are:
¨ An interim Director of Guidance & Counseling with K-12 responsibilities be appointed for the 2002-2003 academic year. This is a one-year appointment, with the possibility of extension. The candidate selected for the 2002-2003 year could be an applicant for the position “as posted” in the future.
¨ The job function and supervision responsibilities are similar to those of the current position for the 2002-2003 academic year.
¨ A new task force is constituted that is representative of the K-12 system. This Task Force would meet during the 2002-2003 year and be charged with the responsibility to make re-organizational recommendations.
The Committee devoted considerable discussion to the various concerns of the task force findings including:
¨ How to allot more time to ensure direct service to students
¨ Separating psychological counseling from college counseling
¨ Budget implications
¨ Restoring teaching positions and cutting class size instead of using funds for a director
¨ The timing of filling the position
Ms. Goodman moved to direct the Superintendent to find money in the budget to implement the recommendations of the guidance task force and to report back to the School Committee at its next meeting. (second by Mr. Sullivan)
Substitute motion by Mr. Thrope
Moved that the Guidance Director position be restored in accordance with the recommendations of the task force with the funding as proposed (combination of a clerical position and text book funds $54,000).
Mr. Schlichtman stated that looking at the task force report within the context of the budget, the positions that have been cut, and the need to provide direct teaching services, he is not convinced that the need to hire a supervisor to supervise four counselors at the high school (instead of restoring teaching positions or direct student services) is the top priority to find funds.
Supt. Donovan stated that she would appoint a new task force as requested in the task force report.
Kay provided a model configuration that outlined how the same level of FTE direct services to the students could be provided to high school students by distributing administrative services to the Director of Special Education and building principals.
Mr. Thrope requested to amend the motion by inserting “At a meeting held for the purpose of discussing this issue two weeks from this evening”-no second
Ms. Goodman moved to direct the Superintendent to find money in the budget to implement the recommendations of the guidance task force and to report back to the School Committee at its next meeting. 5 yes, 2 no motion passes. (Mr. Schlichtman and Mr. McKenna voted no)
Substitute motion by Mr. Thrope
On a motion by Mr. Thrope and seconded by Ms. Owayda it was
Moved that the Guidance Director position be restored in accordance with the recommendations of the task force with the funding as proposed (combination of a clerical position and text book funds $54,000.00). 5-no, 2-yes. Motion fails
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT
¨ Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
Mr. Schlichtman reported that the subcommittee met with Mr. Woodcock and students. They discussed the changes, suggested amendments, and approved the recommended changes.
On a motion by Mr. Schlichtman and seconded by Ms. LaMachia it was unanimously
Voted to approve the recommended changes for the Arlington High School Student Handbook for the 2002-2003 school year.
¨ Budget Subcommittee
Ms. LaMachia stated that the subcommittee met to discuss the roles and responsibilities of the subcommittee. The purpose and work of the subcommittee will follow what the policy dictates:
¨ To support and engage in thorough advance planning in terms of the school budget
¨ To establish a calendar timeline to be in alignment with system wide goals & town meeting schedule
¨ To identify at the beginning of the budget year areas within the budget that need to be reviewed.
¨ To facilitate ongoing communication regarding the budget
¨ To host public forums on budget related issue
¨ To initiate reporting on actual spending versus projected full year spending
¨ Set deadlines for necessary reports that need to be considered before budget approval (i.e. guidance task force report)
¨ Publish a guide that would articulate to the community a public process.
Next steps:
The subcommittee will meet over the summer with Mike Gilbert of MASC who will give an overview of subcommittees that he has worked with in the past and how they implement their budget process. The subcommittee will also meet with David Kale, Kay, and the Chair to review our budget policy
Mr. McKenna informed Members that if they plan on summer meetings (subcommittees) that the meetings need to be posted 48 hours in advance
PTBC UPDATE
Ms. Owayda reported that the PTBC is still preparing for a fall opening of the Peirce School. The PTBC is looking to start preliminary drawings for the Stratton and Thompson Schools and is seeking a directive from the School Committee on the scope and location of the BIP Program. The issue was referred to the Specialized Student Services Subcommittee. Ms. Owayda suggested that it would be helpful if the subcommittee could have something to present to the full committee at the first full meeting in the September.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Supt. Donovan read to the School Committee the review of the administration of Arlington High School for the 2001-2002. (attached)
On a motion by Mr. Sullivan and seconded by Mr. Schlichtman it was unanimously
Voted to receive the Superintendent’s report.
¨ Kay reported power outage at the high school during the graduation ceremony
¨ The Last Blast all night senior party was a success
¨ The Distinguished Staff awards went well
¨ Suzanne noted the schedule of meetings with AHS student advisory committee for the next school year.
Supt. Donovan informed the Committee that she must address the warrant article on the Peirce Field athletic field house at the next Town Meeting: The Superintendent pointed out that the Capital Planning Committee will not support an athletic facility and there has been interest expressed in private donations and fund raising support to build a hockey run;.she would request the Committees’ support to present that to Town Meeting. Ms. Owayda, Mr. Thrope and Ms. Goodman voiced concern that the Town has a need for a field house and not a hockey rink, that should state clearly that at Town Meeting up front. The possibility of designing a hockey rink with the option of later adding a track was also discussed.
On a motion by Mr. Schlichtman, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, and amended by Mr. Thrope it was unanimously
Voted to support raising funds for a hockey rink as presented by Ms. Donovan but that the Superintendent in her presentation represents the sentiment expressed at this meeting. (the need for an athletic facility
On a motion by Mr. Sullivan and seconded by Ms. LaMachia it was
Voted to authorize the Superintendent to expend funds over the summer as necessary.
6-0-1 (Mr. Thrope abstain)
NEW BUSINESS
¨ On a motion by Mr. Owayda and seconded by Mr. Sullivan it was unanimously
Voted to approve the field trip request to Canobie Lake.
¨ On a motion by Mr. Sullivan and seconded it was
Voted to move the 11:00 rule for 20 minutes. RC; Unanimous
¨ The Committee announced that since there was no pressing business there would be no meeting on June 25, 2002.
¨ Mr. Thrope requested a timeframe for when salary increases for the administration would be addressed, and also requested that a discussion clarifying the roles of department leadership i.e. lead teacher versus department head and department chair is placed as an agenda item early in the school year.
On a motion by Mr. Sullivan and seconded by Ms. LaMachia it was
Voted to enter executive session for a personnel issue and a legal issue with no further business to be conducted upon return to open session except to adjourn. Roll Call: Unanimous
On a motion by Mr. Sullivan and seconded by Mr. Thrope it was unanimously
Voted to adjourn at 11:25 PM
Submitted by
Karen Tassone
Committee Secretary
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