10/30 School Committee Highlights

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING HIGHLIGHTS - October 30, 2006

**School Committee Meeting Minutes are posted to the Scituate Public Schools website www.scituate.k12.ma.us

Committee Members in Attendance: Maura Curran, Libby Michaud, Edward Tibbets and Michael Hayes
Administrators Present: Mark Mason (Superintendent), James Kelleher (Asst. Superintendent/Curriculum), Judy Norton (Special Education) and Paul Donlan (Business & Finance)

# of Attendees: 12

Special Matters:
CORSE Funded Grants - Tracy Johnston and Marynell Henry updated the Committee on the CORSE Funded Grants. Over $16,000 were granted across all of the Scituate schools. See http://www.corsefoundation.org/ for a listing of grants. Johnston and Henry reviewed the grant procedures and explained the formation of the Philanthropic committee. The Committee thanked Mrs. Johnston and Mrs. Henry for their continued efforts and success on behalf of the Scituate Schools. Comments included “unbelievable – never seen a not-for-profit get up and running so fast and provide such value programming”; “speaks to the need for funds, services and programs”; “exemplifies what Superintendent Mason exemplifies that people matter and ideas count”. Johnston added that this was a collaborative effort with 100+ members and additional supporters.
Hatherly School Improvement Plan Mari-An Fitzmaurice, Principal of the Hatherly School, presented the Hatherly School Improvement Plan. The plan is included on the Hatherly Elementary School website (www.scituate.k12.ma.us/hatherly). Fitzmaurice introduced School Council members and gave the highlights: library mural, art kiln, lunch around the world, building-wide recycling program, new playground, increased after school programs, staff development using Thomalson book study and connection to town library. Organization of the students is a goal, including the binders that students use to transport information between school and home (i.e., FROG binders for 1st grade = Fully Responsible & Growing Students). Hatherly is short staffed as it does not have a math specialist. Teachers are finding math websites to assist.
MCAS Scores Dr. Kelleher reviewed the FY05-06 MCAS scores and provided a hand-out on the “New Textbook/Curriculum Program” Adoption Cycle for 1990 – 2006 (see www.scituate.k12.ma.us/curriculum). Hand-out demonstrated the need for new textbooks, particularly in the area of English Language Arts which has textbooks and materials from 1993 & 1994. Kelleher explained that textbooks which are 5 years old are old; 5-10 years old are out-dated and 10 years old are in need of replacement. Kelleher expressed concern that we need more money to adequately train teachers in the No Child Left Behind Curriculum.
Budget Timelines Paul Donlan, Director of Business and Finance, presented the 2006-2007 Budget Timeline to the Committee, as included athttp://www.scituate.k12.ma.us/ on the superintendent’s page. Key dates include:
11/7 – Capital Planning meeting 7 PM town hall
12/4 – Budget presented at School Committee 5:30 PM Gates
12/9 – Public Work session with School Committee (open meeting with public)
12/11 – Public Hearing on Final School Dept. Budget
TBD – Advisory and Board of Selectman
March 3, 2007 – Town Meeting
Bid - It was voted: To approve the recommended bid for the purchase of two vans in the amount of $54,322 combined.
Gifts - To accept with appreciation the donation of: (1) Books from the Scituate Historical Society to the Jenkins School3rd grade class and (2) office chairs and whiteboards from Mr. Jeffrey Lawson to the Hatherly School.
Superintendent’s Correspondence Mr. Mason read a letter received by Mr. Frank Hynes, State Representative, congratulating the schools for their commendation by Standards and Poors.
Other Business – Annual Turkey Trot was held on 10/24. Grades 5 & 6 participated, with 150 students. Tradition began 31 years ago. Thank you to the physical education teachers, principals and school nurses for making this event a success. Mason congratulated all involved.
Sub-Committee Reports –
Facilities – Maura Curran provided a hand-out
Communications - Libby Michaud commented that the Communication Sub-Committee was discussed at the Joint PTO/School Council meeting on 10/23/2006. First official meeting is 11/6 – open meeting in Mason’s office 7PM. Discussing the future of district-wide communications with CSI Scituate (Central Source of Information for Scituate Public Schools).