Approved by School Committee January 27, 2009
THE ARLINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2008
7:30 P.M.
Present: Denise Burns, Chair, Leba Heigham
Joe Curran, Vice Chair Sue Sheffler
Ronald Spangler, Secretary Jeff Thielman
Joe Curro
Interim Superintendent: Kathleen Bodie
Chief Financial Officer: Sue Mazzarella
Special Education Director: Mark Ryder
Student Representatives: Adam Formica and Brianna Dawes
Mr. Curran exited meeting 8:50 p.m. and returned 8:53 p.m.
Mr. Spangler exited meeting at 9:05 and returned 9:07 p.m.
Ms. Burns exited meeting at 9:40 and returned 9:43 p.m.
Sue Sheffler exited meeting at 9:52 p.m. and returned 9:58 p.m.
Mr. Curran exited meeting 9:55 pm. and returned 10:00
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Andrea Campbell would like to see the Gifted & Talented Study Group process followed to the end, and does not support cuts to the ACE program in the FY10 budget.
Parent Tim Kearney addressed the committee of adding to the holiday schedule, two Muslim holidays: Eid-al-Fitr and Id al-Adha.
Gordon Jamieson spoke in support of the ACE program.
Sean Harrington updated the committee on the issue of classrooms at AHS not having American Flags. The data was forwarded to Mr. Skidmore.
Diane Shilder supports the ACE program.
DALLIN PTO LIQUOR LICENSE REQUEST K. Gandek-Tighe, L. Jordahl
Kathryn Gandek-Tighe and Lauren Jordahl addressed the committee with the Dallin PTO request for support from the Arlington School Committee to support their application to the Selectmen for a one-day liquor license for the theme event "Back to the Prom".
Mr. Spangler motioned to endorse the Request from the Dallin PTO to the Board of Selectmen for a one-day request for liquor license on a Saturday in the spring of 2009, seconded by Mr. Curro.
Vote 4-3 (Ms. Burns, Mr. Curran and Ms. Heigham voted No)
RECOGNITION AND STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES REPORT
Adam Formica read the congratulatory email from Cheryl Christo honoring two students Luke Paulino and Olivia Munson on them being chosen to participate in the All-Eastern honors Chorus and Honors Orchestra.
BUDGET DISCUSSION
Kathleen Bodie presented the first round of proposed budget reductions of $600,000 from recommendations from the entire Administrative team.
Ms. Sheffler spoke on the support of the ACE program and is astonished with the recommendation to cut the ACE program. Ms. Bodie supports the commitment to challenge students; she is just looking at a different way in doing it in the classroom.
Ms. Sheffler moved to refer the ACE program to the Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Subcommittee for further review and get the recommendation from the CIA subcommittee, before any budget action is taken, seconded by Mr. Spangler.
Vote 7:0
Ms. Heigham expressed concern with the ACE program being cut, as did Mr. Thielman who requested specifics from Ms. Bodie on details about any new program that would be offered to service over the current 240 students currently being supported by the ACE program. Mr. Spangler agrees with the members, would like to retain the ACE program, and suggested a possible after school fee program. Mr. Curran, Ms. Burns and Mr. Curro also support ACE and agree to have the CIA subcommittee to work with the ACE committee.
After continued discussion on the budget reductions at the high school level, Mr. Thielman requested from Ms. Mazzarella a statement of revenue of fees by various increases, by category, by the next School Committee meeting and Mr. Spangler suggested a bigger picture and plans of all cuts.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Early Childhood
Mark Ryder gave a brief overview of Early Childhood Education History and spoke on the Early Childhood programs currently being looked into for 2009 - 2010 school year. Lori Villani
presented a power point presentation on the Early Childhood Programs and the areas of concentration for improvements with Special Education and General Education programming. Infant Daycare Services for the Arlington Public Schools Employee Daycare were discussed as well as program changes. Ms. Villani noted that the program is currently under review.
Job Description Changes
Mark Ryder presented three Special Education job descriptions for approval by the School Committee: Early Childhood Special Education Lead Teacher, Early Childhood General Education Lead Teacher, and the Psychoeducation Coordinator.
Mr. Spangler motioned to accept the three Special Education job description changes presented: Early Childhood Special Education Lead Teacher, Early Childhood General Education Lead Teacher, and the Psychoeducation Coordinator, seconded by Mr. Thielman.
Vote 7:0
SEPAC Update
Trish Orlovsky, and Barbara Tilson, CoChair of SEPAC presented the Arlington Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) packet, Policies and procedures of SEPAC Agenda and the 2008-2009 Calendar of Meetings and Presentations scheduled for the school year. Ms. Orlovsky and Ms. Tilson were pleased with feedback received at the monthly meetings with Mark Ryder, Director of Special Education.
403 B DISCUSSIONS
Ms. Kathleen Bodie thanked Steve Gilligan in moving the school department forward to be in compliance with the IRS by January 1, 2009 with the 403B plans. Ms. Bodie mentioned the school department had selected Mid America as a Third Party Administrator for the 403B plans and no vote from the committee is needed.
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Ms. Kathleen Bodie spoke on how the Middle School Principal Search was underway and Charlie Skidmore will chair the search committee. Members of the search committee will represent teachers, parents, curriculum leaders, elementary principals, and community representation. A separate forum for teachers and parents will be held in early January before the search committee meets to receive input on the professional and personal attributes we seek.
Ms. Veronique Lahey's Honors French class was noted in DOE Press Release dated November 18, 2008 for the project assignment which incorporates technology, collaboration, global awareness, media literacy, creativity, financial, economic, business and entrepreneurial literacy.
SUPPORT FOR TOWN AUDIT
Denise Burns presented the research on the Town Audit to the committee that was requested at a previous meeting. Ms. Sheffler thanked Ms. Burns for this information.
Ms. Burns motioned for the School Committee to support to accept the Town Audit proposed by the Town with the focus areas to include the Title 1 grant, and the three highest fee-based programs: Athletics, Full-day Kindergarten and Music fees, seconded by Ms. Sheffler.
Vote 7:0
ROUNDTABLE
Ms. Sheffler spoke about attended the Redevelopment Board meeting on the CVS store being proposed next to AHS along with Mr. Skidmore. Mr. Thielman reported out on the Community Relations Subcommittee meetings and the pilot program on riding your bike to school.
Mr. Curro gave kudos to all the students, especially student rep Lauren Alderman and teacher Mike Byrne for their work on the Laramie Project. Mr. Curro revealed he had attended the Arlington Schools Foundation Annual Fundraiser. Mr. Curro reported out on how the District Accountability Subcommittee met for over two hours and will meet again on December 18, 2008 and the Human Rights Commission is sponsoring a Bullying Presentation at the Robbins Library on December 3, 2008.
Ms. Heigham moved that the Policy and Procedures Subcommittee revise files BDA and BDAA in accordance with the recommendations made at the Superintendent's Retreat on November 5, 2008 and submit the revisions for review by the Arlington School Committee no later than January 13, 2009, seconded by Mr. Spangler.
Vote 6-0-1, Mr. Curran abstained
Ms. Heigham commended the Ottoson Middle School on the organization of parent conferences and reported out on the next CIA tentative dates of Monday, December 22 and January 8th at 4:00 p.m.
Ms. Burns will schedule a Superintendent Search Process Subcommittee meeting soon and would like to set up a second meeting with Rob Evans.
Mr. Thielman also reported out on his draft minutes from the Community Relations Subcommittee meeting on November 13, 2008 from page 4 # 3 Security Issue referral from the full School Committee.
SECRETARY REPORT
Mr. Spangler reported on materials committee members received in their packets: Grant and Award Program on General Mills, Getting Ready for Kindergarten flyer, Stratton Scene, Winter Concert, SADD Club Alateen, Memo on GIC Data from Brian Sullivan dated November 25, 2008.
CONSENT AGENDA all items listed with an asterisk (*) are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the committee so request, in which event the item will be considered in its normal sequence.
* Approval of Warrant #09068 dated 11/12/2008 in the amount of $398,683.67
* Approval of Principals and Non Union Administrators salary increases for 2008-2009.
On a motion by Mr. Thielman and seconded by Mr. Curran it was voted to approve the consent agenda.
Vote 7:0
EXECUTIVE SESSION
10:35 p.m. - 11:35 p.m.
§ Strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation, if an open meeting might have a detrimental effect. Collective bargaining may also be conducted.
On a motion by Mr. Curro seconded by Ms. Sheffler it was voted to enter into Executive Session at 10:35 pm to strategize with respect to collective bargaining or litigation, if an open meeting might have a detrimental effect. Collective bargaining may also be conducted.
Roll Call: Mr. Thielman, Ms. Heigham, Mr. Spangler, Mr. Curran, Ms. Burns, Mr. Curro, Ms. Sheffler unanimously voted Yes
Vote 7:0
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Spangler moved to adjourn at 11:35 p.m. seconded by Ms. Sheffler.
Vote 7:0 unanimous
Respectfully submitted by
Karen Fitzgerald
Administrative Assistant
Arlington School Committee
rs
draft minutes from 10/28/2008 reviewed
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