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Julie Dobrow and Sandy Hessler reported that the first School Committee coffee was held that morning. Ms. Dobrow found the meeting informative and restated the Committee�s intention to continue to build on this form of communication. Jan Nyquist observed that much of conversation was directed to Superintendent Brandmeyer, not toward the School Committee. She asked the Committee to reflect on whether that was the intent.
Ms. Dobrow reported that a recent Christian Science Monitor article written about the 50th Anniversary of Brown vs. The Board of Education included references to Lincoln�s METCO program.
Ms. Dobrow also acknowledged the wonderful tribute held the previous weekend in honor of retiring Lincoln School music teacher Pip Moss.
Ms. Nyquist and Ms. Dobrow mentioned that they were in attendance at the instrumental music concert the previous evening, and found it to be a great opportunity to see what has been done this past year with limited resources. They were impressed with performances.
Mr. Picker said that discussion of this matter would occur later in the meeting when the Superintendent would be delivering a scheduled update on personnel matters, which included information about the leadership team. He also noted that the Superintendent is hosting a public meeting on June 11th specifically to further discuss the leadership model.
John Petty expressed his disappointment with the outcome of the principal search and the decision to implement the leadership team concept for next year.
Members of the School Committee inquired about the possibility of Hanscom also having this experience, the role of the Camp facilitators, and the cost of the trip. Ms. Nyquist asked for a better sense of the costs of field trips across all grades.
Mr. Peery asked about whether trip cancellation insurance is a factor for a trip like this as it is for the grade 8 trip to Washington. The response was that there is not a significant risk of cancellation for this type of trip.
Mr. Peery suggested that for future field trips the letters to parents should state more directly that scholarship aid will be available.
The Committee also discussed with faculty other procedural details such as arrangements for students who do not participate, the percentage of students who participate, the trip�s timetable, the purpose of the school nurse�s signature, and decisions about alternate chaperones.
Mr. Picker moved that the School Committee approve the Lincoln School grade 7 overnight field trip to Sargent Camp. Ms. Nyquist seconded the motion. The Committee unanimously approved the motion.
Mr. Hopping reported on the success of this past year�s trip and regretted only that scheduling difficulties prohibited that the cross-campus follow-up activities that had been planned.
Ms. Maloblocki remarked that the naturalists at Ferry Beach are outstanding. She also stressed the value for teachers and students to see each other in a non-school setting. Mr. Hopping added that the communication between the Ferry Beach staff and our schools has been outstanding. The Ferry Beach program provides excellent coverage with a nurse on staff and generally a professionalism throughout the staff. Mr. Riseborough explained how the camp experience tied into the curriculum.
Laura Koning asked about the level of participation by the faculty. Mr. Hopping and Ms. Maloblocki acknowledged that a trip like this requires much investment from staff and reported that indeed that level of support is there.
Mr. Petty in the audience asked about whether a more formal link could be made to the grade 5 trip to the Cape Cod Sea Camps.
Mr. Peery repeated his request that the letter to parents say more directly that scholarship funds are available. Mr. Peery also appreciated that, given the value of this �bonding� experience, they are doing the trip early in the school year.
Ms. Dobrow reported that her own son as a fifth grader is very excited about this upcoming trip and suggested that this trip be mentioned in any communication about the transition to grade 6.
Mr. Picker moved that the Committee approve the proposal for a Hanscom Middle School and Lincoln School grade 6 overnight field trip to Ferry Beach Ecology School. Ms. Dobrow seconded the motion. The Committee unanimously approved the motion.
Ms. Hessler, expressing interest in taking the sports program to the next level, asked whether parents could participate in finding ways to offset costs. Mr. Burke mentioned that fundraising events have occurred and that those funds are put to good use. Ms. Nyquist suggested that there be more student-owned types of fundraising. Nancy Marshall endorsed the idea of student-owned types of fundraising.
Mr. Picker, Ms. Dobrow, Ms. Hessler and Ms. Nyquist disclosed the conflict they have regarding a vote on athletic fees. Mr. Peery, therefore, invoked the Rule of Necessity in order to permit the School Committee to have a quorum to vote on this matter. Mr. Picker, Ms. Dobrow, Ms. Hessler and Ms. Nyquist then indicated that they did intend to vote on the matter under the Rule of Necessity.
Mr. Picker moved that the Committee vote to approve $150 per student per sport athletic fee. Mr. Peery seconded the motion. Ms. Dobrow urged that this change be effectively publicized. The School Committee unanimously approved the motion.
The Committee also speculated about whether some people may be choosing to live off base to avoid uncertainties of the housing renovations. They observed, however, that the housing renovation project may mean that enrollments will eventually increase because the new units will accommodate larger families.
Mr. Picker suggested that at this point it is best to plan on the estimates provided by Mr. Brandmeyer. Given the uncertainties of the enrollment, Ms. Koning suggested that parents have the option of enrolling at the central administrative office when the Hanscom school offices are closed for the summer.
He reported that last year 28 out of 55 Hanscom Middle School grade 8 students went on to Bedford High School. In the current Bedford High School ninth grade there are 5 Hanscom students who never attended Hanscom Middle School. Mr. Hopping also discussed some of the program differences between Hanscom Middle School and John Glenn Middle School in Bedford. He reported that Hanscom Middle School follows up to see how its students are doing and that it is confident that students generally transition well.
Mr. Birney expressed three concerns. First, there was not sufficient communication about how Bedford High School handles class ranking. He is aware of one family who removed a student from Bedford High School because the approach to class ranking meant that the student might not be considered for admission to one of the military academies.
Second, the Bedford High School Principal, Mr. Sills, has not come to Hanscom Middle School, although members of his staff have visited. He urged Mr. Hopping to invite Mr. Sills directly. Mr. Peery offered to have the School Committee extend such an invitation. Ms. Koning added that she desired to learn from Mr. Sills more details about the meaning of course level numbers so that parents may understand the reasons for the recommendations.
Third, Mr. Birney asked that more details be made available about whether the Bedford High School and Hanscom Middle School curriculum match.
Mr. Hopping said that these concerns will be incorporated into plans for improved communication on this matter during the 2004-2005 school year.
Mr. Picker reminded the Committee that the intent has been to have a draft of a strategic umbrella available to guide the drafting and adopting of District and School Committee goals prior to the end of the year. The Committee discussed the coordination needed for both of these efforts.
Members of the community were invited to offer their comments on what they have heard so far regarding the strategic umbrella, and the setting of goals. Various audience members offered comments.
Mr. Brandmeyer agreed to provide a draft of District/Superintendent goals for discussion at the June 8 meeting, and Mr. Picker agreed to provide a draft of School Committee goals for that meeting as well.
Mr. Brandmeyer also praised the Hanscom Middle School music program. It was announced that the chorus groups won two gold medals and the instrumental ensemble won one gold medal in recent competitions.
Mr. Jack also estimated that the rental policy results in approximately $5000 per year in revenues.
The Committee decided to continue its practice of making facilities available for rent by out of district individuals or organizations, with the proposed revised fee structure.
Mr. Peery suggested a few edits to the policy.
Mr. Picker moved that the Committee approve the policy with Mr. Peery�s edits. Ms. Hessler seconded the motion. The Committee unanimously approved the Policies of the School Committee Regarding the Use of School Buildings.
Mr. Picker moved that the Committee accept the policy regarding Late Night and Overnight Field Trips with the suggested edits. Ms. Dobrow seconded the motion. The Committee unanimously approved the Field Trips policy.
David Birney asks if whether similar circumstances at Hanscom. Mr. Brandmeyer responded the financial situation there is also positive, but that given the fixed costs contract there are not the same constraints as in the Lincoln budget.
There was discussion by School Committee members and members of the audience regarding the leadership team concept. School Committee members were supportive of the concept. Some members of the community expressed concerns about various aspects of the leadership model.
Mr. Brandmeyer then gave an update on other personnel matters, providing details about vacancies that have been filled or are in the process of being filled.
Mr. Brandmeyer expressed his appreciation to the Committee and said that he is honored to be invited to continue. He added that he is committed to doing his best in this role.
Respectfully submitted by
Paul Naso, Assistant Superintendent