Minutes of July 6 meeting

Glen Worden-7 PM

 

The meeting began with a reintroduction of all attendees and a re-examination of the email list.

 

Mr. Marcelle thanked those who sent ideas and information to him.

 

Mr. Marcelle and Joe Kavanaugh reviewed all the received ideas and suggested models. There were 5 suggestions received as well as suggestions for sub-committee and co-chair models.

5 committee members offered their services to lead any committees.

 

Mr. Marcelle presented the history of other district-wide advisory groups:

            Budget

á      Single leader very governed the first year

á      Second year went from a single leader to a group formation of leadership

 

            Facilities                                           

á      Co-chair (3)

á      Recording Secretary Ð rotate

á      Members must attend 2/3rd of all meetings

á      No sub-committees

á      Membership closed on a specific date

á      Non-members input welcome

 

            Middle School

á      Co-chair

á      Steering committee

á      Sub-committee (3)

á      Met once per month

á      Reported to the full committee

á      12-13 members

 

            Technology

á      One chair

á      Sub-committee

 

Mr. Marcelle and Mr. Kavanaugh presented the ideas for consideration.

The advisory group would consist of the following:

            Entire Committee

                        Enrollments

                        Residential data

                        Census information

                        Closing a school

                        Other

            Efficiency Subcommittee

                        Cost

                        Equity of class size

                        Consistency of delivery of services

                        Consistency of curriculum

                        Other

            Effectiveness Subcommittee

                        Test data

                        Achievement

                        Transitions

                        Others

 

 

Common ground that should be covered in the efficiency and effectiveness sub groups

            Grade level Centers

            Neighborhood school

            Kindergarten as it relates to cost (information from Kindergarten study is     

            available)

            Other issues or areas that relate to both

 

 

A number of questions were asked about the importance of the study and the concern about consistency in the schools. Mr. Marcelle and Mr. Kavanaugh answered all the questions asked. Noting that it seems like we are doing the same thing as we have in the past yet this is a healthy exercise to look at the changing demographics, the dramatic educational changes and educational standards. Discussion included clarity about pedagogical studies, closeable schools IF one were to close and a reminder to not mix consistency with good work.

           

Conclusion of suggestions was that there be a steering committee and sub-committees with equal representation from all schools on each committee. The entire advisory group will look at enrollment then 2 subcommittees; one on effectiveness and the other on efficiency.

 

The facilities group and the entire advisory committee will come together so that the facilities group can provide the advisory group with information already gathered and utilized by the facilities committee.

 

Next Steps

Everyone was asked to sign up for the sub-committee that they wanted to participate in, Mr. Marcelle will then organize the leadership and the subcommittee so that the process can move forward.

 

Barbara Jones suggested that the meetings will be rotated from school to school.

 

Next meeting will be on August 10 at 7 PM at Lincoln School.