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Marty Fahey said that there is a lot of public interest in the leadership structure for the Lincoln School and encouraged the Committee to continue discussions about it.
Barbara Low thanked Dave Jack for the help that he has given the Communications Subcommittee and other community groups.
Mr. Picker commented regarding the aspirational goal of Leadership and Governance that acting as a role model for students is a secondary goal and that the goal might better talk of striving to meet the community’s high expectation for a great student experience.
Mr. Picker said that he has concerns about the addition of component 4 to the leadership components. He reminded the Committee that the administration looked at the leadership structure for the Lincoln School this year, that forums were held, the leadership structure was discussed at multiple School Committee meetings, and that the School Committee took an explicit decision that the leadership model is no longer interim.
Ms. Dobrow said that at the last meeting the School Committee discussed: the need to consider the structure of the school; and whether it should be a K to 8 school, a lower school and a middle school, or one school with three clusters. She said that the School Committee contemplated the need to address two questions: (1) what is the optimal structure of school? and (2) what is the optimal leadership structure for the school? Consideration of these questions would take place over the next couple of years. The administration would consider question three: who are the appropriate people to staff the leadership model that is decided upon?
Mr. Brandmeyer presented his thoughts on how the administration could take a three year look at the administrative structure. In Year 1, the district would budget for three school based administrators in FY07, since this has to happen very early in the school year, and assess the organizational and leadership structure throughout the academic year. In Year 2, the district would identify a plan for the optimal organizational and leadership structure and would budget for the plan identified for FY08. In Year 3, the district would implement the plan for the organizational and leadership structure and budget appropriately for future years. Ms. Brandmeyer said that the current clusters have been in place for almost 10 years. He noted that the question of whether the individuals in the leadership positions are effective is the superintendent’s to determine. Mr. Brandmeyer noted that many external factors could affect decisions about the leadership structure of a school, such as legislation and the outcome of negotiations to run the Hanscom schools. Mr. Brandmeyer said that if there is need to discuss the structure of the Hanscom schools this could be done under key component number 6.
The Committee discussed the need to make sure that addressing structure of the school and leadership does not take energy away from professional and curriculum development and the desirability of keeping this initiative to a manageable level. There was discussion of whether some of the discussion on these topics could occur under the auspices of those working on the mission/vision plan.
Ms. Manos said that she feels addressing the structure and leadership of the Lincoln School is important. She also expressed her concern that the community needs greater input into the process of discussion about structure and leadership.
Richard Jewett applauded the three year model and a long term look at structure and leadership.
Ms. Dobrow moved that the School Committee vote to approve the district’s goals for 2005-2006. Mr. Picker seconded the motion. All elected members voted in favor, with Ms. Borgert and Ms. Cruise concurring.
Marty Fahey commented that it would be helpful if the School Committee were to take a proactive approach to explaining the big issues so that someone who wants to become more involved can gain the knowledge needed quickly.
On School Committee coffees, it was suggested that “SC only; SC & Admin.; Principals” be deleted since the School Committee is responsible for only School Committee coffees and not those of the administration or the leadership team. Adding School Committee coffees at Hanscom, perhaps one in the fall and one in the spring was suggested. Ms. Borgert said that role of the School Committee and the administration is not well understood at Hanscom.
Ms. Dobrow moved that the School Committee adopt the Communications work-plan as amended. Ms. Manos seconded the motion. All elected members voted in favor, with Ms. Borgert and Ms. Cruise concurring.
Mr. Jewett said that the policy book is uneven and hard to access and suggested that a framework for policy be developed so that all policies would have a uniform format. Ms. Low suggested that some changes and deletions could be considered in a consent agenda.
Mr. Picker moved that the Policy work-plan be adopted. Ms. Dobrow seconded the motion. All elected members voted in favor, with Ms. Borgert and Ms. Cruise concurring.
Mr. Helmus said that he is concerned that many constituencies are not represented. He noted that a facilities project will be a big ticket item and it is important to get input up front. Ms. Dobrow said today’s appointments do not preclude other appointments later, that part of the Facilities Committee’s work will be to get input from other constituencies who use or are impacted by the school facilities, and that all meetings of this group will be open and posted so that anyone wishing to can attend.
Mr. Jack noted that the Hanscom playground will be going in on July 5. Ms. Borgert asked whether the Hanscom library was assessed at the same time that the Lincoln assessment was done. Mr. Brandmeyer said that the assessment came out of the Lincoln School Improvement Plan, was initiated at the school level, and that the Hanscom library hasn’t been looked at as closely.
Ms. Dobrow thanked Mr. Jack for the report and for his work.
Ms. Dobrow moved that the School Committee authorize Mr. Brandmeyer to issue an RFP for Educational Technology Support. Ms. Manos seconded the motion. All elected members voted in favor, with Ms. Borgert and Ms. Cruise concurring.
The Committee adjourned to Executive Session at 11:25 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Sara Rolley, School Committee Recording Secretary