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Mr. Picker said that this week there had been meetings at Hanscom with federal officials regarding planning for major facilities work at the Hanscom schools. Members of the administration attended, as well as Ms. Koning, Ms. Hessler, Mr. Peery and Mr. Picker.
Mr. Picker, Mr. Peery, and Mr. Brandmeyer had an informal meeting earlier this week with the Finance Committee and expressed their concerns regarding the 0% budget growth guideline. The Finance Committee will be reviewing its numbers and might be in a position to allow some relief from the 0% guideline.
Mr. Peery, Ms. Picker, and Ms. Hessler participated in a School Committee coffee for the public last week.
Mr. Brandmeyer explained that the task of evaluating the leadership team model is separate from evaluating the performance of the four individuals who comprise the leadership team. In evaluating the leadership team model, Mr. Brandmeyer will look at: (1) the effectiveness of the shared leadership model to make progress on short-term goals and (2) the extent which the team fulfills the leadership qualities originally sought for the principal of the Lincoln School. Mr. Brandmeyer outlined two decision points: whether to keep the leadership team model and what to do if the district does not keep the leadership team model. Mr. Brandmeyer outlined three options: (1) keep the leadership team model, (2)have one principal and one associate principals, (3) have one principal and two associate principals. In order to seek input from stakeholder groups, Mr. Brandmeyer plans two superintendent�s coffees for parents, three cluster meetings with teachers and a meeting with team leaders and department heads. Mr. Brandmeyer will send letters asking for written feedback to teachers and parents. Mr. Brandmeyer plans to bring a recommendation on the leadership structure to the School Committee in mid-January.
Ms. Dobrow commended Mr. Brandmeyer for the quality of the thought that has gone into this process. Ms. Dobrow noted that the budget side should be considered noting the actual costs and the hidden costs of the current leadership model. Regarding the letters asking for feedback, Ms. Dobrow commented that she has heard that some people are hesitant to place their names on a written response. Mr. Brandmeyer said that he finds that it is hard to follow up on anonymous letters. Mr. Dobrow asked whether it would be possible to guarantee confidentiality. Mr. Brandmeyer said that he would not want to make such a guarantee because, under some circumstances, the district might be required to provide access to such material. Ms. Hessler asked whether there was any thought of going back to two principals and two schools, one elementary and one middle. Mr. Brandmeyer said that this is really a different question than evaluating the leadership model. If the District wants to study whether to have two schools, he would recommend keeping the interim model another year and studying this question next year. Mr. Picker suggested that the leadership team model also be evaluated as to its effectiveness in achieving district goals. Mr. Picker also suggested that in the letter to the public the concepts of interim versus long-term should be clarified. Mr. Picker said that he would appreciate a comparison of the cost of the current leadership team with the cost of one principal and one associate for FY05, along with a projection of cost differences for various approaches for FY06.
Ms. Hessler asked about class sizes and specifically why the budget proposal includes five sections for Kindergarten. Mr. Brandmeyer responded that the projections for Kindergarten are based on older census data which my not be reliable so five sections were included with the knowledge that only four may actually be needed.
Mr. Peery said that when adding administrative staff it is very important to be able to show that this will free-up professionals to spend more time with students and that it would be helpful to quantify this.
Ms. Dobrow asked about the increase in consumables. Ms. Glassman said that this includes materials used by the science department and workbooks which haven�t been replaced or replenished regularly. Mr. Picker commented he remembered that last year the staff was given constraints for the budget that resulted in them not asking for what they actually needed.
Mr. Picker asked if the music funding was consistent continuing the current in-school music program and the current private and public funding split in instructional music. He was told that this is so. Mr. Picker also asked about the $9500 increase for durable goods for physical education. Ms. Hadley replied that a large portion is for adjustable basketball hoops for the Smith gym.
Mr. Picker asked why the reduction in special tutors. Ms. Trueblood replied that this is based on caseload estimation. She noted that they have out-placed one student who previously had a one to one aid.
Mr. Picker asked what grades would be included in the co-teaching model which is currently in 5th grade. Ms. Trueblood said that next year the plan is to use it in 5th grade and possibly add it to 6th. She said that there is not an increase in cost for co-teaching.
Mr. Picker asked about the science department budget, noting that the amount for textbooks seems small compared to the textbook budgets for other subjects. Ms. Glassman replied that the science faculty has been looking at textbooks but hasn�t yet selected one.
Mr. Peery asked about the proposed $20,000 to update the library collection. Mr. Criscitiello replied that they are targeting non-fiction for K-8 this year and thinking in terms of a five year plan to update the collection at $20,000 per year. Ms. Hessler suggested that Lincoln School Foundation grants could also be sought for library books in the form of requests from various grade cohorts for books for a certain purpose. Ms. Hessler asked about technology for the library. Mr. Criscitiello replied that they are discussing technology for the library as well as how to best coordinate the computer facilities in the lab and the library. Mr. Brandmeyer said that this will be addressed in the technology planning process. Mr. Peery noted that more money is being spent on technology each year than on the library.
Mr. Picker thanked the Leadership Team and the faculty for their work in putting the proposal together.
Ms. Koning asked about the increase in library funds. Ms. Davis said that it was for a new catalogue system to check out books including a new server for the circulation system. Ms. Davis noted that this is a shared item for the Hanscom Primary School and the Hanscom Middle School and reflected in each budget. The Hanscom Primary School past budgets have permitted yearly additions to the library�s collection and this is continued in the current proposal.
Mr. Picker asked about $12500 in membership dues and fees. Ms. Davis said that it is for professional development conferences or for bringing someone in for training purposes, and is not really membership dues. Mr. Naso said that this is comparable to the plan for Lincoln School professional development.
Ms. Dobrow asked about the budget for Kindergarten texts. Ms. Davis said they are for increases in level books, teacher resource books for math, and software. Ms. Dobrow asked whether there was any plan to collaborate regarding resources for teachers as a district. Ms. Davis said that math resources are being shared and that videos have been shared. Mr. Naso said that the math and reading specialist have worked through his budget. He noted that last year grant money was used for resources from the National Science Teachers� Association for both schools.
Ms. Koning commented that at the Hanscom Primary School, unlike other schools her children have gone to, parents are not asked to provide pencils, scissors, and other supplies. She suggested that most parents would be able to provide these allowing the money to be spent elsewhere.
Mr. Peery asked at what level new teachers who will be replacing retiring teachers are being budgeted. Mr. Jack said they are being budgeted at M6 which is right in the middle.
Ms. Koning asked about the history of the field trip budget. Mr. Hopping said it was significantly reduced about two years ago. This year about $7,000 has been reinstated and he would like to see it increase to $10,000. Mr. Hopping said they are considering whether it is cost efficient to continue the overnight field trips in light of the small number of students in the eighth grade. Per pupil field trip costs are higher when the number of students is smaller.
Ms. Koning asked whether the proposed budget had full funding for after-school programs and music programs. Mr. Hopping said that the proposed budget continues to assume fees in after-school music. Mr. Picker asked whether the proposed budget allows for an in-school music program which is equivalent to that in Lincoln. Mr. Hopping said that it appears that resources and funding are adequate, and it is really is a matter of resolving scheduling issues.
Ms. Hessler asked where the proposed Hanscom hardware purchases fit with the District Technology Plan. Mr. Naso said that the technology plan applies to both campuses. The Hanscom budget proposals and the Lincoln technology warrant are both maintain existing technology infrastructure.
Ms. Hessler asked whether there is district consistency in the choice of textbooks, noting that the Hanscom Middle School has budgeted to purchase science textbooks . Mr. Brandmeyer said that each school chooses their own texts. Mr. Hopping explained that it is important for his curriculum to dovetail with that of Bedford High School.
Ms. Koning asked about the budget for social studies. Mr. Hopping said that they are revisiting all subject areas and how they are taught because it is not great to have a teacher teach three math classes and 1 social studies class.
Teresa Watts said that the special education service numbers are in line with the projections. She noted that as the school year goes on the numbers of students receiving service often increase. Mr. Watts noted that since this chart was developed there are 3 IEPs in Lincoln and 4 in Hanscom which have been sent out for parents to sign. She said that with the addition of these students the numbers will be a bit higher than anticipated, but she does not see any budget issues at this time.
Ms. Hessler asked if Ms. Watts has ever looked at the demand for special education services broken out by educator’s skills versus needs. Ms. Watts said she looks at scheduling and hiring and wants to continually build capacity. Mr. Perry asked whether Ms. Watts had a sense of whether move outs of special educations students are greater or less than of regular students. Ms. Watts said she has never done this calculation. Ms. Watts said she tries to staff conservatively at the beginning of the year. Ms. Watts noted that right now there is a tutor in the budget that they have not hired yet.
Mr. Brandmeyer reported that Debbie Alny, a Hanscom science teacher, was named as teacher of the year by the local, state, and New England from the New England Air Force Association for her weather and aerospace research. A grant which came with this recognition will be used to purchase photographic equipment. Mr. Brandmeyer agreed to write a letter congratulating her on behalf of the School Committee. Mr. Brandmeyer said that the Diary of Anne Frank was being staged by Lincoln students on November 18th and 19th.
Mr. Picker asked if this was the first time the district has prepared at DCAP. Mr. Naso said that a success plan had been prepared three or four years ago but that MDOE regulations have changed substantially.
Mr. Picker asked about the role this plan would play if the MDOE found that the district wasn’t making adequate yearly progress as defined in the MCAS testing program. Mr. Naso explained various levels of actions that would ensure.
Ms. Dobrow commented that it would be helpful for budget purposes to know what the percent of Mr. Naso’s time devoted to compliance issues, such as preparing this plan.
Mr. Picker moved that the Committee approve the minutes of the November 4, 2004 as modified. Ms. Dobrow seconded the motion. The Committee approved the motion.
Respectfully submitted by Sara Rolley, School Committee Secretary