Meeting Minutes of November 21, 2006

Regular Meeting of the RegionalSchool Committee

Tuesday, November 21, 2006, 7:30 p.m.

High School Library

 

Present:            Elaine Brighty, Chair                                         Jere Hochman, Superintendent

                        Tom
Flittie                                                        Rob
Detweiler, Dir. of Finance & Oper.           

Andy Churchill                                                  Wendy Kohler, Exec. Dir. of Prog. Dev.

Marianne Jorgensen                                          Mike Hayes, MS Co-Principal

Alisa Brewer                                                    Public  

Michael Katz (arrived at 7:36 p.m.)                   Press

Michael Hussin (arrived at 7:37 p.m.)                Debbie Westmoreland, Recorder

Maureen Ecclestone (arrived at 7:51 p.m.)

 

Absent:             Sonia Correa Pope

 

1.  Welcome                                                                                        7:31 p.m.

A. & B.  Call to Order/Agenda Review—Ms. Brighty called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m.  She then reviewed the agenda and welcomed everyone to the meeting. 

C.   Minutes—Mr. Churchill made a
motion to approve the minutes of November 7, 2006.  Mr. Flittie
seconded and the motion passed with one abstention. 

 

2.  Announcements and Public Comments                                        None

 

3.  Superintendent’s Update                                                              7:35 p.m./10:03 p.m.

A.  Contracts & Handbooks—Dr.
Hochman noted that he distributed copies of the High School Handbook,
which has been distributed to all High School students, to members of
the School Committee.  He also reported that he distributed copies of
the current contract with each of the three units for the School
Committee to review prior to the beginning of negotiations.  Ms.
Brighty noted that School Committee members need to review the High
School and Middle School Handbooks prior to the December 19^th
meeting because a vote of approval is required.  She also asked members
to review the contracts and make notes of anything they would like to
have reviewed at the Executive Session on December 5^th.  Ms.
Brewer asked that School Committee members be provided with a list of
policies that should be included in the Handbooks so they will know
what to review.

B.  High School Update—Dr. Hochman
updated the School Committee on follow-up measures in response to the
incident at the High School last Thursday.  Mr. Jackson held an update
meeting for interested faculty on Friday.  Ms. Jorgensen asked Dr.
Hochman to convey to Mr. Jackson that she has received a lot of very
positive feedback about the way in which he handled the incident.  Mr.
Hussin said he also wanted to express appreciation to the police and
Mr. Jackson.  His daughter reported that she felt very safe throughout
the day of the incident and the police presence and actions of all the
adults added to that feeling of safety.  Ms. Brighty thanked Dr.
Hochman for being in constant contact throughout the incident even
though he was attending a national Superintendent’s Conference on the
West Coast.  With regard to the math presentation, Ms. Brewer asked Dr.
Hochman to encourage Mr. Hayes and Ms. Ziperstein to establish an
avenue for parent feedback at the math forum in order to facilitate
continuing communication.

 

 

 

 

 

4.  Unfinished/Continuing Business                                                  7:42 p.m. (C)/9:20 p.m. (A, B & D)

A.  Policies for Approval—

Policy 120.09 Public Complaints about Personnel—Ms.
Brighty reviewed the changes made to this policy based on comments at
the first reading.  After discussion, several changes were suggested so
this policy will be brought back for a vote at a future meeting.

Policy 420.08 Physical Restraint Policy—
Ms. Brighty reviewed the changes made to this policy based on comments
at the first reading.  Mr. Flittie made a motion to approve the policy
as written.  Ms. Brewer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

 

B.  Policies for First Review—

Policy 230.10 Prohibition Against Firearms —Ms. Brighty noted that this policy follows state law wording exactly.

Policy 400.14 Students: Tobacco Use—Ms.
Brighty explained that the National School Board Association recommends
having a separate tobacco policy for staff and students simply to make
it easier to reference the sections.  Ms. Ecclestone asked if there is
any regulation against students possessing tobacco on school grounds. 
Dr. Hochman noted that the High School Handbook prohibits possession.
This will be added to the policy as well.

Policy 700.06 Staff: Tobacco Use— Ms. Brighty noted that this policy is required to comply with law.

Policy 410.09 Pregnant Students—Ms.
Brighty noted that the current policy dates back to 1983 and the edited
policy is more inline with other recent pregnant student policies. 
After discussion, it was decided that a reference to parent involvement
needs to be added.

Policy 410.20 Field Trips—Ms. Brighty
reviewed this policy and the reason for the changes to the current
policy.  She asked that comments and suggestions for this policy be
emailed to both Wendy Kohler and herself. Dr. Kohler will review it
again with principals after School Committee input is incorporated.

 

C.  Budget—FY07 First Quarter Reconciliation—Ms.
Brighty introduced Rob Detweiler, Director of Finance and Operations,
who distributed and reviewed an FY07 November Budget Reconciliation. 
Mr. Detweiler noted that an area of the budget that bears watching at
this time is a 12% increase in insurance premiums that will be
effective January 1, 2007.  After brief discussion, Ms. Brighty thanked
Mr. Detweiler and expressed the committee’s appreciation for receiving
these reports on a regular basis. 

 

D.  Hampshire Educational Collaborative—Dr.
Hochman distributed information that was presented at the HEC Governing
Board/Steering Committee meeting.  He noted that the Collaborative
proposal is to reduce member dues to $2.50 per student, which cuts the
current dues in half.  Mr. Churchill noted that some of the other
superintendents at the meeting were discussing benefits of membership,
such as having a level of expertise for low-incidence needs.  That is
not a real benefit for APRS because the districts have actually saved
money by creating programs in house for many of these needs.  Mr.
Churchill also noted that because HEC rents a classroom from our
district for $5,000 per year, it essentially reduces the net-cost of
membership to $3,500 for the Region.  Mr. Katz asked what will happen
to students who are currently enrolled in HEC programs if the district
withdraws membership. Dr. Hochman noted that students can stay in those
programs whether the district is a member or not.  He will find out if
there will be a cost savings to maintain membership at the new lower
rate if students who are currently in HEC programs stay in those
programs.  Dr. Hochman noted that at this stage he can support
maintaining membership for two years as long as the rates remain low
and HEC continues to be responsive to our concerns.  Mr. Hussin asked
what the benefit would be to spending even $3,500 for membership in
HEC.  Mr. Churchill stated that dues are paid for membership in many
organizations such as MASC.  Ms. Jorgensen stated that she does not see
any benefit if maintaining membership in HEC.  Ms. Brewer stated that
in the current budgetary climate she would prefer to have discretion to
use the funds on professional development.  Dr. Hochman stated that
there is value in being a member of a good collaborative and the
potential is enormous. There would need to be a two-way effort if the
district maintains membership, and the district will need to push for
cost-effective delivery on our needs.  

 

5.  New Business                                                                                None

 

6.  Reports                                                                                          7:46 p.m.

A.  Curriculum Update—Dr. Hochman
introduced Wendy Kohler, Executive Director of Program Development, who
is overseeing work being done in curriculum this year.  He reminded the
committee that curriculum work is being done with a K-12 focus, rather
than by district, for the first time.  Dr. Kohler reported on this
year’s curriculum work, noting that the focus is on completing K-12
curriculum guides in the four major curriculum areas of Mathematics,
English/Language Arts, Science and Social Studies.  The projected
timeline for completion of the guides is: Mathematics by December 2006,
English/Language Arts by March 2007, Science by April 2007 and Social
Studies by Fall 2007.  She then reviewed the table of contents of
information that will be included in each guide.  Ms. Brewer asked how
parents and community members will provide input in the curriculum
guide development.  Dr. Hochman reported that data gathering includes
reviewing national standards, state frameworks, current needs surveys
and focus groups, and review of data. Dr. Hochman noted that he chose
to have work begin on the guides, and that survey and focus group
information will be solicited as the work goes forward. Mr. Flittie
asked if the survey and focus group input will be gathered once the
curriculum guides are close to completion.  Dr. Hochman explained that
such input will come later in the process, but it will not just be a
review of a finished document.  The curriculum guides will be continual
works in progress and input will be used to make adjustments as
needed.  Mr. Flittie asked if parents will be able to get copies of the
guides. Dr. Kohler stated that the guides will be published on the
district website. 

 

B.  Mathematics Update—Dr. Hochman
introduced Mike Hayes, Middle School Co-Principal, who will present an
overview of the mathematics program at the Regional level.  Ms. Brighty
reviewed the guidelines for members of the audience who wish to speak
or ask questions at the meeting.  She asked that all questions be held
until the end of the report.  Dr. Kohler reviewed content samples and
layout of the K-12 Math Curriculum Guide.  Mr. Hayes then presented an
overview of the Middle School math curriculum.  He noted that there
will be a separate accelerated class in eighth grade math beginning in
the second trimester. The reason for this class is that the regular
curriculum and the accelerated extensions become too distinct in eighth
grade to continue as a combined class.  Mr. Hayes reported that the
rationale for the current math program is to allow students to reach
their highest math potential.  He explained that seventh grade students
enter the Middle School with a wide variety of knowledge backgrounds. 
Research shows that students who normally struggle and would end up in
the low track do much better under this type of system.  At this time,
he noted that 10% of students choose not to take extensions at all and
45% of students are taking the extensions for credit.  Mr. Hayes
reviewed what is in place for students who need extra academic support
in math.  He also explained what is being done to evaluate the math
curriculum including looking at student data, classroom observations by
the co-principals, talking with parents, student end-of-unit
reflections regarding challenge and support, and student interviews
regarding their math experience.  Mr. Hayes then reviewed the National
Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Focal Points that were
recently published.  The idea behind the focal points is to define the
most important concepts on which to focus in-depth at each grade
level.   Mr. Hayes reported that following the NCTM and State Standards
does not mean moving away from teaching skills.  Instead, there should
be a balance of teaching skills as well as in-depth math concepts.  Mr.
Hussin asked if there is any data about student performance other than
MCAS scores. Dr. Kohler explained that at both the Middle School and
High School students take a common final.  For example, all students in
Honors Algebra take the same final exam.  Dr. Hochman noted that the
focus on the December 1^st curriculum day will be math
curriculum across the K-8 continuum.  Ms. Jorgensen asked how the
decision will be made regarding which students will move into the
accelerated 8^th grade math class.  Mr. Hayes explained that
since the class is beginning after the first trimester there is both a
curricular and structural component to the decision. Right now, the
eighth grade teachers are making the initial decision with input from
students’ seventh grade teachers. Ms. Jorgensen encouraged Mr. Hayes to
begin the separate eighth grade math class at the beginning of the year
in the future.  Mr. Churchill asked how parents and students are
assisted in making the decision about whether to take the extensions or
not.  Mr. Hayes explained the process.  Mr. Flittie asked if there are
opportunities for students to reconsider their decision about whether
to take the extensions or not.  Mr. Hayes explained that students can
change their decision at any point in the year.  Ms. Brewer stated that
it is very important to track data regarding the 10% of students who
have chosen not to try extensions at all in order to determine if there
are any patterns.  Arnie Alper, Parent, stated that there are a number
of parents in attendance who have questions about what is being done in
math at the Middle School.  He asked if it is appropriate in this venue
to request a forum within the next few weeks.  Dr. Hochman said it is
appropriate. He will talk with Mr. Hayes and Ms. Ziperstein about the
best way to set up the forum.  Parents will hear from him and Dr.
Kohler about the curricular piece.  He also encouraged parents to
contact their child’s teacher at any time if they have questions. 
Peggy Shannon, MS Parent, asked for clarification regarding the number
of students who have said they don’t do extensions because their
friends aren’t doing them.  Mr. Hayes clarified that ten students have
been interviewed to date and two of them reported this as an issue. 
Matthew Sadoff, MS Parent, stated that his child reported to him that
she is frustrated because the extensions are being done at the end of
the class period and there is not time for them to be taught.  Mr.
Churchill asked if there is a requirement about when and how extensions
are taught.  Mr. Hayes reported that extensions are supposed to be a
piece of the classroom work, the homework and the whole program.  He
noted that since some parents have reported that their children say the
extensions are only being done as homework, he and Ms. Ziperstein are
investigating the issue.  Eva Rosen, MS Parent, stated that she feels
it is a great thing that the curriculum is being aligned K-12.  She
feels, however, that making accelerated students sit through a full
trimester when they are bored by the curriculum is not acceptable.  Mr.
Hussin stated that he feels that a forum is essential in this model
since communication seems to be an issue.  Dr. Hochman thanked Mr.
Hayes and Dr. Kohler for their presentation.  He noted that completing
K-12 curriculum guides in four major curriculum areas by next August is
an extremely ambitious task.  Curriculum work is a continuous cycle and
input will be solicited at various times throughout the cycle.  Ms.
Brighty thanked the parents for coming and for their comments.

 

7.  Sub-Committee Reports                                                   9:57 p.m.

Ms. Brighty noted that the BCG charged the
Amherst Finance Committee to look at the pros and cons of an override
now.  Dr. Hochman noted that we have begun to build the budget as a
pure level-services budget.  There will be three sections to the back
of the budget including things that need to be added, things that can
be cut in a tier approach, and things that may be restructured.  Dr.
Hochman noted that he has names and is ready to invite people to serve
on the Budget Advisory Committee.

 

School Committee Planning                                                   None

A.  Calendar Review

B.  Items for Upcoming Meetings

 

8.  Adjournment                                                                                  10:09 p.m.

Mr. Flittie made a motion to adjourn at 10:09 p.m.  Mr. Churhill seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Approved 12/12/06                                          Debbie Westmoreland