Regular Meeting of
the
Tuesday, January 8, 2008 7:00 p.m.
High School Library
Present: Elaine Brighty, Chair Jere Hochman, Superintendent
Sonia Correa-Pope Mark Jackson, HS Principal
Andy Churchill High School Science Teachers
Michael Hussin Rob Detweiler, Director of Finance & Operations
Kathleen Anderson Press
Marianne Jorgensen Public
Maureen Ecclestone Debbie Westmoreland, Recorder
Gabriella Booth
Chrystel Romero
Michael Katz
1. Welcome 7:03 p.m.
A. & B. Call to Order/Agenda Review—Ms. Brighty called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. She then welcomed everyone to the meeting, reviewed the norms for school committee meetings, and then reviewed the agenda.
C. Minutes—None
2. Announcements and Public Comments
7:07 p.m.
There were no announcements or public comments.
3. Superintendent’s Update
7:07
p.m.
Dr. Hochman read a written response to a statement made by the Amherst Committee for Excellence (ACE). Dr. Hochman then addressed particular points of the ACE statement in more detail. He noted, among other things:
· Three of the last four curriculum days have been focused on math, language arts and differentiated curriculum.
· He agrees that it is time to look more formally at the Middle School curriculum and the perception of the Middle School.
· We are currently looking at new models for professional development, including a side-by-side coaching/mentoring program for new teachers.
· What matters to the district is infusing algebra through the curriculum beginning in third grade. The Math Curriculum Review Committee just submitted a report that he will be reviewing before any changes to the math program are considered.
Dr. Hochman noted that he believes the district needs to do a better job of communicating with the community about our areas of excellence, stating that he believes strongly that we can, and do, deliver both equity and excellence.
Dr. Hochman then stated that there will be two public
meetings on January 23rd to present a “State of the District” report
and begin talking about writing a new mission statement for the district. There will be a community meeting at the
Janet Kannel, parent, asked for more clarification about whether the district stresses academic excellence in principal interviews. Dr. Hochman stated that the interviews for all candidates include questions about excellence and their knowledge of differentiated instruction. Catherine Sanderson asked about the issue of timelines with regard to the issues/goals raised by the ACE group. She asked what the timeline will be with regard to the issues brought forward by ACE regarding the Middle School. Dr. Hochman stated that there is no timeline yet, but it will be an issue he will discuss with the new principal, who he hopes to have in place by the end of February. He wants to ensure that the new principal has the opportunity to be a part of this. He stated that the group will probably hear more about a timeline and process within a month of the new principal being hired. Alisa Braverman, elementary parent, asked for clarification regarding algebra in the Middle School. Dr. Hochman explained that there is currently a group of parents and teachers who have been reviewing the math curriculum and program. He stated that he must read their recommendations and the background materials before any changes are considered. Peggy Spees, parent, asked if there is a timeline for looking into AP Chemistry, stating that Amherst High School has the fewest number of AP science courses of districts she reviewed. Dr. Hochman stated that this question just came up and the department has been concentrating on the newly proposed ninth grade course. He does not yet know what the timeline will be, but the question will be on the table.
4. Unfinished/Continuing Business 7:30 p.m.
A. Ninth Grade Science Course Proposal—Dr. Hochman introduced Mary McCarthy, High School Science Department Chair. Ms. McCarthy then reviewed the process that was followed in developing the proposed ninth grade Ecology and Environmental Science course, including the background research that went into the decision to propose this course. Ms. McCarthy noted that there are some earth science topics embedded in the proposed course, and it includes considerably more mathematics than the current Earth Science course. She explained that the teachers used the AP Environmental Science curriculum overview as a model and modified it for the ninth grade level, so she believes the proposed course is not as radical as some fear. She noted that the high school teachers share the concerns of the community regarding rigor and this course will include an enrichment model for students who are ready to go into the materials in more depth. Ms. McCarthy also noted that the Science Department is united in their support of this course proposal. Nick Shaw, High School science teacher, then gave an in-depth review of the eight units that constitute the proposed course. Ms. McCarthy summed up the review, noting that all students will be educated in environmental science and ecology; all will receive training and practice on the key skills sequence; all will have the opportunity to gain the insights available through an interdisciplinary science; and all will have opportunities in this course for inquiry, including field biology. Mike Thompson, science teacher, then reviewed the four-year course sequences that will be available to students if this course is approved. He stated that the science teachers are firmly committed to ensuring that the College Prep ninth grade course will prepare students to take honors level courses in the upper grades, if they so choose. Ms. Brighty thanked the teachers for their in-depth presentation and noted that the School Committee will vote on the course tonight. Mr. Hussin asked how many science electives are currently offered in twelfth grade. Mr. Thompson noted that there are currently four electives. Ms. Romero asked what the potential adverse effects would be on the future science/educational career of a student. Mr. Shaw stated that he cannot see an adverse effect intellectually to any student who takes this course. Rather, he believes the course provides many benefits. Tom Davidson, science teacher, explained that the department looked at what colleges are looking for. He reviewed the requirements of colleges across the country and found that the most competitive colleges want 3 years of lab science at a minimum and the most rigorous courses available to the student. None of the colleges he reviewed indicated that there was any required sequence of courses. Mr. Churchill noted that he has had concern about the current curriculum because he fears there is a hidden track system that will keep students out of honors science if students do not understand they need to take extensions at the seventh grade level. He appreciates that this course would eliminate that concern. Mr. Churchill asked the teachers to speak to the issue of “physics first” or “biology first” which many departments believe in strongly. He also asked that the teachers speak to the group to ensure them that their children are not being used as “guinea pigs.” Patty Blauner, physics teacher, stated that the department talked extensively about the physics first approach. She stated that the proposed program builds on the strengths of the department, and a physics first approach would require five years or more to implement. Ms. Blauner stated that the “biology first” approach would be her last choice because biology as it is taught today should be done at the highest level. Mr. Shaw addressed the “guinea pig” question, stating that he understands that there has been a history in some places of using Environmental Science as a “soft science,” which is not what this will be. He stated that the people involved in teaching this course are certified in several different areas and have taught other courses including chemistry and other disciplines. Ms. Anderson stated that as a person who has traditionally not found science or math interesting, she found herself getting excited about this course as it was reviewed. She feels that it can provide an opportunity for students with similar attitudes to find a course they will enjoy and can potentially excel in. Ms. Correa Pope asked if she understood correctly that students will hear the concepts taught in this course over and over as the curriculum spirals through the class and future classes. Mr. Shaw stated that students will effectively have a two-year biology preparation by completing this class, and it will provide a way for the concepts to take better root for students who traditionally struggle. Ms. Ecclestone applauded the Science department for the way in which they have handled the questions that came up surrounding the course and for the way in which they have addressed all the issues. Michael Katz stated that he believes this course will stimulate a lot more interest in science and it will make math useful to students. Ms. Booth, student school committee representative, stated that she has spoken to a number of students for their view on the proposed course. She noted that all of the students she spoke to were enthusiastic that the department is changing the earth science course; and she believes that the way in which the proposed course will be taught will open it up and enable a lot more students to get more out of the science program. She stated that she wishes she could go back and take the course. Mr. Churchill asked if the department is ready to implement the course next year or whether it should be piloted first. Ms. McCarthy stated that the department is very confident that they are ready to fully implement the program next year. Ms. Brighty noted that this is a powerhouse, twenty-first century course. Michael Aaronson, parent, asked why this course is not being discussed for inclusion at the Middle School. Ms. McCarthy explained that members of the Middle School science department met with the High School department as this course was being planned. Mr. Price, Middle School Science Coordinator, stated that the structure is not currently in place at the Middle School for them to teach the course because it is the expertise and communication of the teachers that make it appropriate. Mr. Price also noted that the course is more age appropriate for ninth grade students. Peggy Spees, parent, stated that many parents feel this course imposes environmental science as students’ fourth course. She also stated that Environmental Science is the science that students have had the most of since they were in elementary school and it looks like this is just telling students they have to wait one more year for a core course. Lisa Halpern, ARMS parent, stated that her concern is that this course is an experiment and she has not been able to find any other high school that teaches an interdisciplinary course before the core courses. She asked how the success of the course will be measured and evaluated. Ms. McCarthy stated that she would respectfully disagree that it is unusual to have interdisciplinary courses at the ninth grade level. She stated she feels they are giving greater depth in biology, more preparation for MCAS, as well as the environmental science. Mr. Shaw stated that if you look around the country, earth science is being let go and environmental science is being put in place. Shirley Jackson Whittaker, parent, said that her husband looked at CAL Tech and found that they want a sequence of physics before environmental science. She asked what criteria will be used to determine it the course is a success if it is implemented. Mr. Thompson said that many factors are, and will continue to be used, including MCAS results, the number of students who take four years of science and the number of students of color and women who take science classes. Howard Grant, elementary parent, asked if the teachers know the percentage of colleges that will accept environmental science. Ms. Brighty stated that she worked in admissions for many years and that she can reassure parents that this is a legitimate, real science course that is recognized by colleges and universities. Joel Wolf, parent, asked if one of the three AP classes is being dropped. Mr. Thompson noted that the AP Environmental Class is an elective course. Steve Rivkin, parent, thanked the teachers for their presentation but expressed concern that we are leveling down to get rid of the “invisible track” Mr. Churchill referenced. He asked the teachers to address the downside to using this system rather than “physics first.” Mr. Shaw stated that he believes there is an operating prejudice that field sciences are not “real science” which he does not believe to be true. Jim Oldham, parent, stated that he is absolutely thrilled with this proposal and cannot wait until it is in place. He stated that he believes we need to respect the professionals who are teaching our children to know what they are doing. Ms. Jorgensen stated that she wanted to assure the parents that since this is the third time this proposal has come before the committee, they have asked questions and done in-depth reading on the subject. Dr. Hochman stated that science will continue to be looked at K-12, including what are the agreements through the curriculum so things will not be repeated. Parent and student surveys will also be conducted as part of the measurement of how the course is progressing. Mr. Hussin made a motion to approve the Ecology and Environmental Science course as presented. The audience was then provided an opportunity to make further comments. After extensive comments, the motion passed unanimously.
B. FY09 Budget Meeting #2: Revenue Assumptions—Dr.
Hochman distributed and briefly reviewed the Budget Meeting #2: Budget
Assumptions document, along with budget worksheets for the Amherst and Regional
FY09 budget. He stated that, based on
current assumptions and known costs, we are looking at a gap between revenues
and expenses of $306,000 at the Region and $1.2 million in
5. New Business None
6. Reports None
7. Sub-Committee Reports 9:54 p.m.
A. BCG Report—Mr. Churchill reported that Hwei-Ling Greeney, a Select Board member who served on the BCG last year, was reported as questioning the purpose of this group in today’s Daily Hampshire Gazette. Mr. Churchill wanted to note that the group, which consists of members of the Amherst and Regional School Committees, Select Board, and other town committees, functions in a coordinating and advisory capacity for the town budgets.
B. Food Service Committee—Ms. Brighty reported that surveys were done of parents and students and the committee is in the process of analyzing the data and continuing work on the RFP.
8. School Committee Planning None
9. Adjournment 9:25 p.m.
Ms. Anderson made a motion to adjourn at 9:57 p.m. Mr. Churchill seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Westmoreland
Approved 2/5/07