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Given the current circumstances, Mr. Brandmeyer concluded that it is possible to reduce fees and proposed a $150 per sport/season rate. He added that he wants to be cautious and not create what he called a �yo yo effect� that would occur if they could not support that lower rate consistently from year to year. Mr. Brandmeyer invited the Committee to consider these details so that a vote may occur at the next meeting. By that time, he will have confirmed that the funds are definitely available to go forward with this proposal.
Ms. Hessler expressed her desire to see efforts to promote interest in the athletics offerings and to celebrate its presence in the program.
Ms. Dobrow reported that she asked PTA President Nancy Marshall about how likely it is PTA might help with funding. Nancy Marhsall responded that the PTA is not likely to raise funds for the Athletics Program given that it does not involve all students.
Mr. Picker supported the $150 fee and invited comments from the public.
Mr. Steinbrook of the Finance Committee asked if the FY06 budget would include funding for the Athletics Program. Mr. Picker responded that if the proposed fee structure is adopted, the intent would be to continue to absorb some portion of the costs for the program in the base budget for FY06 and beyond.
Mr. Picker said that taking this action would send s a positive message to the community.
Mr. Brandmeyer provided background and reviewed the proposal. The proposal includes an increase in the fees for private lessons. The proposal also equalizes the registration fee between the Lincoln and Hanscom programs, reduces the registration fee for Lincoln, and requires that $1 be taken from the lesson fees to cover costs associated with administering the program. The district will assume responsibility for costs such as piano tuning, mailing, and other overhead expenses. He projects that there will be about $14,000 in registration fees and $10,000 in costs. Mr. Brandmeyer suggested that that difference should be applied toward the replacement of pianos.
Mr. Picker reminded the Committee that the intent was to reach a decision at this meeting.
There was brief discussion about the supervision of instructors and the distinction between the school program and the after school program.
Mr. Picker invited comment from the public. Mr. Steinbrook observed that since pianos are also used by school programs school funds should help with the purchase and tuning of pianos.
Ms. Dobrow moved that the Committee accept the proposal for the organization and fee structure for the After School Music Program. Ms. Hessler seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 ayes, 1 abstention and 1 concur.
Mr. Brandmeyer discussed the need for goal setting throughout the district to be synchronized with district-wide goals and coordinated with suggestions and concerns being expressed by the community. Mr. Brandmeyer introduced four categories of district goals (Program Improvement, Academic Achievement, Teaching and Learning; Leadership; Communication; Compliance and Operations) and explained the process for generating these categories.
Mr. Picker explained that there will be follow up discussion about specific goals at the next two School Committee meetings.
Ms. Hessler proposed an intensive workshop (perhaps up to six hours) for representatives of the School Committee, administration and faculty to help make progress on strategic planning. There was discussion between Ms. Nyquist and Mr. Brandmeyer about how to structure such a meeting for effective interactions among School Committee members, administrators and faculty and about the need to get ideas on paper. There was further discussion among the Committee members about the need to achieve �buy in� to the strategic plan process and about how to accomplish that.
There was some discussion about whether school improvement plans might serve as a starting point for strategic planning. The Committee agreed that a good portion of one day would be needed by the work group Ms. Hessler will lead to brainstorm ideas and priorities for a strategic plan. That work would then be condensed to a couple of pages that can be brought to School Committee for consideration. The Committee agreed that the meeting would occur on May 28th. Ms. Nyquist volunteered to work with Ms. Hessler on this project. They agreed to report back at the June 3 meeting of the School Committee.
Mr. Picker concluded by stating his expectation that District, Superintendent and school Committee goals would be approved at the June 14th meeting so that the Administration and School Committee may take advantage of the summer months for planning. He stated that key to meeting that schedule was to have drafts of the various goals available for discussion at the June 3 meeting of the School Committee.
Mr. Brandmeyer acknowledged the fine performances at the Hanscom Middle School Spring Concert. He commended Howard Worona and other faculty and staff for their efforts.
Mr. Brandmeyer reported on a recent meeting that he and Teresa Watts, Administrator of Special Education, had with representatives of the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC). He said it was a productive discussion at which the PAC members shared some concerns about the IEP process. He reported that they agreed to work cooperatively on those concerns and listed several short term actions that will be taken: there will be an internal review of the IEP process; the Superintendent will meet with parents who are interested in sharing their stories about the IEP process; the PAC will sponsor coffees with the Superintendent and/or Special Education Administrator in attendance; and the school department will collaborate with the PAC to host a workshop for parents regarding the IEP process and eligibility requirements.
He announced that Jeanne Goranson, a Reading Specialists at the Hanscom Middle School, has been invited by the Department of Education to participate this summer and next year on a committee overseeing the development of the new fifth grade Reading assessment.
Mr. Naso reported that approximately 25 people attended the Mathematics presentation for parents earlier in the week. He appreciated the opportunity to hear parent perspectives and intends to schedule similar events next year.
Ms. Nyquist and Ms. Hessler inquired about the overall goal for policy, the percentage of time required for administrative details related to this policy, and the significance of the non-community rates. Ms. Nyquist wondered about whether there is a reason to increase the non-community rates. Mr. Picker asked if gym rental might be funneled through the Recreation Department. Mr. Jack answered that even in those instances the School Department remains the gatekeeper for scheduling purposes.
Discussion continued about use of the facilities by non-Lincoln groups and about the merits of maintaining access to non-Lincoln groups that may have limited participation by Lincoln residents. Mr. Picker asked if there was a need for any clause allowing the Superintendent to deny access. Mr. Brandmeyer said that he check with legal counsel on that matter.
Ms. Hessler expressed interest in confirming that fees reflects recovery of the actual costs.
Mr. Jewett in the audience suggested that whenever references are made to policy that there also be a reference to the Policy Book code.
Mr. Naso pointed out that language in the existing policy that allows distribution of materials by teachers for trips not approved by the School Committee is discouraged by the Department of Education guidelines. The Committee expressed interest in maintaining that practice and asked the administration to seek legal opinion on that matter.
The Committee discussed efforts to post on its web pages key documents related to School Committee proceedings as soon as possible after each meeting.
Ms. Nyquist moved that the Committee approve Mr. Brandmeyer�s recommendation that summer hours include 10 hour days for four days per week. Ms. Hessler seconded the motion. The Committee unanimoiusly approved the motion.
Mr. Brandmeyer explained that there were two new requests for admission of students who are children of employees. Ms. Nyquist stressed that given the late requests there should be extenuating circumstances. The Committee directed Mr. Brandmeyer to get more information regarding these requests.
Respectfully submitted by
Paul Naso, Assistant Superintendent