Minutes for the Amherst School Committee Meeting of June 21, 2011

 

Irv Rhodes, Chair                                            Maria Geryk, Superintendent

Rob Spence                                                     Beth Graham, Director of Curriculum & Instruction

Katherine Appy                                                Susan Kennedy Marx, Fort River Interim Principal

Rick Hood                                                       Press

Steve Rivkin (arrived at 7:09 p.m.)                    Public  

Debbie Westmoreland, Recorder

 

A. Call to Order—Mr. Rhodes called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  He then reviewed the agenda.

 

Mr. Rhodes noted that due to the large number of people who want to speak, he will recognize five people and give them two minutes each to speak. Liz Elder, APEA President, read a statement (attached) noting that the APEA membership is angry because they received notice that their step increases will be withheld during contract negotiations. The majority of the audience members left after Ms. Elder’s comments.  Abbie Jensen, Crocker Farm parent, stated that their family has made the decision to send their daughter to Pelham Elementary School next year due to the difficult year they had at Wildwood last year and the fact that she was placed in the largest class at Crocker Farm next year. She said it should not be a reflection on Crocker Farm or their daughter’s teacher this year. Ted Soulos, parent and Wildwood teacher, spoke regarding the effect the current contract negotiations have had on him in both roles. Mr. Rhodes announced that the School Committee will enter Executive Session for the purpose of contract negotiations at the end of the open session.

 

At Ms. Geryk’s request, Beth Graham provided a brief update on the Mathematics Action Plan and the K-16 Science Program Review information that was provided to the School Committee in Ms. Geryk’s memo. Mr. Rhodes noted that he would like to have a presentation on the program review timeline in September. Ms. Appy asked how many parent responses were received regarding the math textbook review. Ms. Graham said she does not know because she deliberately pulled herself off the textbook review committee to ensure that she would not influence their decision in any way.   Mr. Rivkin expressed concern that the professional development being offered this summer does not provide the intense, subject-matter training that was recommended by Dr. Chen in his report. Ms. Graham asked Mr. Rivkin how he would envision that training. He noted that he envisions possibly having high school math teachers teach in-depth subject-level math courses over the summer for the elementary teachers. Ms. Graham noted that she thinks that is a great idea and would like to find a way to make such training available. She noted that the district will be piloting a new tool next year of having one of our High School teachers work as an interventionist and math coach at the elementary level. This will be piloted at Crocker Farm in the 2011-2012 school year. Mr. Spence noted that for the Science Program Review, he is most interested in seeing two questions considered: 1) Do we have enough science in the elementary schools and is the curriculum aligned, and 2) What are the benefits and the drawbacks of our ninth grade science course on the science course sequence. Ms. Geryk then reported very briefly on the afternoon program for Achievement Academy students, publication of summer reading lists, a fifth grade technology film project at Crocker Farm and Paraprofessional Jean Fay’s donation of scholastic points she won to a Springfield school impacted by the recent tornado. Mr. Rivkin expressed concern that the summer reading lists are suggested reading, not required reading. Ms. Geryk noted that if summer reading is required rather than optional, she believes it would be essential to ensure that, financially, all students have access to the books. Mr. Rivkin noted that he believes that, in order to help close the achievement gap, we must send the clear message that students have to do some academic work during the summer. Ms. Appy noted that she believes the community mapping project will provide a great deal of information that will assist us in providing the supports needed by families so they can support their children academically.

 

Mr. Rhodes asked that the School Committee members email Debbie Westmoreland if there are any reports they would like to see included in the report schedule. Mr. Rivkin noted that he would like to see the Discipline Report moved to a joint meeting with the district tracking data and monitoring progress beginning in Kindergarten.   Ms. Geryk noted that we will be using the Educators Handbook as part of PBIS at all the elementary schools, which allows detailed tracking of discipline. Mr. Rhodes noted that a PBIS/RTI report can be added in November or December.

 

Mr. Rhodes noted that the schedule of meetings for the next school year is included in the School Committee agenda packet. He asked that the members add them to their calendars.

Mr. Rhodes thanked the School Committee members for sending him what they each believe to be the top two things Superintendents and School Committees should expect from each other. With regard to what Superintendents should expect from School Committees, he noted that the majority identified the top two as 1) personify trust, confidence and professional respect; and 2) provide a fair, honest evaluation based on agreed-upon criteria. The top two things identified that a School Committee should expect from the Superintendent were 1) model leadership skills to model best behaviors and practices; and 2) run the school district effectively. Mr. Rhodes noted that the School Committee must develop goals, the Superintendent must have goals, and those sets of goals should be combined into a prioritized set of measurable goals that can be used to evaluate the superintendent. Ms. Geryk distributed and briefly reviewed a draft of her district goals for 2011-2014 and the district process goals and action steps to implement them. Mr. Rhodes opened the floor for discussion. Mr. Hood noted that he believes the goals presented by Ms. Geryk are obviously good, and he is much more interested in monitoring progress on those goals as we move through the school year. Mr. Spence stated that he thinks the goals presented are great for the Superintendent’s office, but they are not appropriate for the School Committee goals. He noted that he liked that the draft goals being worked on by the School Committee are more specific; therefore, he would like to continue working with the draft district goals 2011-2014, which he, Mr. Rivkin and Ms. Gould will be working with as a goals sub-committee. Mr. Rivkin said he would like to see a specific reference to Fort River in the Mentoring Principals goal since there will be a new principal there next year. In addition, he would like to see a School Committee goal regarding any school governance changes that may be upcoming. Mr. Hood noted that he believes the goals the School Committee sets should be somewhat broad and the details for achieving those broad goals should be a part of the District Improvement Plan. After further discussion, it was agreed that school committee members will email any suggestions they want the Goals Subcommittee to consider to Debbie Westmoreland.

 

DOCUMENT: Memo to the Amherst School Committee from Mary Wallace, District Treasurer/Administrative Assistant