NEWTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE

MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, APRIL 2, 2001

PUBLIC HEARING ON FY02 BUDGET

EDUCATION CENTER, FRAZIER ROOM, 7:00 P.M.

PRESENT: Chairperson Verne Vance, Vice-Chairperson Anne Borg, Susan Albright, Susan Heyman, Anne Larner, Nancy Levine, Andris Vizulis, Mayor David Cohen, Talya Bock, student representative,

Newton North High School, Solomon Israel, student representative,

Newton South High School

ABSENT: Rodney Barker

CALL TO ORDER

Chairperson Verne Vance called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

PUBLIC HEARING ON FY02 BUDGET

Superintendent Jeffrey Young reviewed the items in the straw vote taken by the Committee at the previous meeting.

Ken Hamilton, President of the Newton Teachers Association (NTA), is outraged that Newton is faced with cutting staff, programs, and supplies, and increasing class size. Teachers, secretaries, and custodians have been bearing the brunt of this cycle for many years and continually do more with less. This is a very affluent community and they should not be in this situation. The NTA stands ready to work with the administration in any way they can to fight for more funding at the city, state, and federal level.

Andrew Holbein, 227 Islington Rd., read a petition in support of fully funding the Newton North High School theater department.

Jade Guerra, 310 Woods Ave., Newton North METCO student, talked about the importance of the theater program to Boston students, as a way of connecting them to the school. She has been accepted to Emerson College next year and she directly attributes that to the Newton North program.

Declan Healy, 41 Wildwood Ave., transferred to Newton North from Catholic Memorial, where he focused solely on athletics. Upon entering high school here, he began participating in the drama program, which has helped him focus on academics and become a more serious student.

Kai Ravelson, 910 Canton Ave., Milton, Newton North EDCO student, talked about how the theater arts program has helped her, as a hearing impaired student, to acclimate to the school and meet friends. Her peers put forth a great deal of effort to learn how to communicate with her in sign language and this year she was able to direct student plays.

Jenna Mettson, 119 Farlow Rd., talked about how her entire family gets involved in the theater arts program. Her older siblings participated when they were in high school and have gone on to further their stage careers in college. Her parents and extended family members attend all the shows. She asked members of the audience who support this program to stand.

The theater arts program students then performed a skit to the tune of "Kiss Me Kate" in support of the program.

Robert Janett, 56 Fisher Ave., Newton North parent, spoke of the importance of the arts. This is an inexpensive character-building program. The current level of funding is not sufficient to meet the needs of students and many are turned away.

Sandra Rivlin, Walnut St., Cabot Elementary School parent, also supports the theater program and talked about how the elementary students look forward to participating at the secondary level.

Kiki Gross, 80 Highland Ave., is concerned about the budget cuts overall and worries that they are experiencing a trend that will be difficult to reverse. She cautioned them not to pit schools and programs against one another. All extracurricular activities are equally important because they involve connections between students and adults.

Eileen Mullarky, 578 Centre St., asked the Mayor to find the money somewhere to fund the school system's budget. Schools must be the top priority. The quality of education is the main reason people move to Newton. It is time to tap the enormous wealth in this community. Some suggestions for creative ways of obtaining funding might be a user fee for all programs and not just athletics, combining low enrollment courses at the high schools, using the Nexus bus for transportation, and increasing intra-City intramurals.

Ellen Schwab, 28 Mossfield Rd., noted that a drastic reduction in state funding is a major concern and the legislators need to hear the outrage of the community. Parents stand ready to assist the administration and School Committee in whatever ways possible.

Anne Scigliano, 104 Pine St., Walpole, music teacher at Mason-Rice Elementary School, has taught in this system for 29 years. Presently students receive 1/2

hour of vocals and 1/2 hour of recorder. Recorder teaches children to read music, while vocals help children learn rhythm and harmony. The revisions to the program mean less time to provide services for children.

Lisa Honeyman, teacher at Newton South High School, spoke on behalf of the drama program and the skills that students learn, such as public speaking and oral communication, which are so important in the business world. As an aside, she believes oral communication skills should be a graduation requirement, as is true in some neighboring communities. She also feels that the speech team should receive equal support as other extracurricular programs.

Andrea Kozinetz, 8 Stony Brae Rd., and Amy LeClair, 12 Jenison St., PTO Council Copresidents, asked members of the PTO to stand in support of their comments. The budget is unacceptable because of the level of cuts involved and it reverses years of work. While they understand the difficulties the School Committee and Superintendent face, they cannot in good conscience support this document. Lobbying efforts at the state level are necessary. Any and all creative funding solutions must be explored.

Andrew Bober, 437 Parker St., Newton South High School student, talked about how the system has gotten its money's worth from the theater arts program, which has been a very significant part of his high school experience. He hopes this program will be available for his younger siblings.

Ami Cohen, 6 Brandeis Rd., came to the high school from another country and found that her guidance counselor was very helpful in assisting her in acclimating to the new culture. There is a lot of stress in their building and students lose interest in school. Having a counselor available to talk to is very important.

Viviana Planine, 57 Walnut St., Day Middle School and Newton North High School parent, spoke in support of the theater program. She mentioned that this seems to be an area that is constantly hit with cuts and seen as a peripheral to the program when, in fact, it directly reflects the core values of the community. In a large school, it is difficult for a student to find a place and theater is one opportunity for that to occur. Theater also addresses diversity of learning styles and provides an important community activity.

Robert Tannenwald, 6 Clifton Rd., talked about how students on the debate team spend as much time preparing for a meet as do those preparing for a varsity sports game. The skills they learn are life long. The Newton South High School speech team is one of the best in New England and has recently been chosen to compete in the national championship in Oklahoma. However, budget cuts may not allow for the coach to accompany the students, thereby forcing them to opt out of this opportunity. He hopes that will not happen.

Mary Ellen McAndrews, 25 Ridge Rd., Waban, Newton South High School Council member, expressed the concerns of the Council with regard to the staffing cuts and resulting increased class sizes. The system has worked hard to maintain smaller class size levels and they should not compromise these efforts. The students most affected will be those in the regular core curriculum who already do not receive enough support. Quality of instruction will be eroded, as increased teaching loads mean that tests may shift from essay format to more multiple choice questions. Students will have less opportunity to speak in class and less contact with the teacher. Some under-enrolled elective may be cut as teachers are reallocated to core curriculum classes. She hopes before those decisions are made other options are investigated, such as moving staff between the two high schools and utilizing local colleges for advanced courses that the system can no longer afford to offer.

Rosemary Herbert, 47 Gay St., Newtonville, spoke about the importance of the music program and the skills and lessons her daughter learned as a result of participating in chorus and recorder lessons at a young age. She then honed those skills in the theater arts program at the secondary level. Parents and teachers constantly struggle with keeping children engaged in worthwhile activities and connected to the schools. She hopes they will continue properly funding these important programs.

Mary Ann Sinkford, 333 Cabot St., Newtonville, resents any funding being put into the budget for MCAS, which she is opposed to as a graduation requirement. The theater program literally saved one of her children by keeping them active and interested in something in school. Funding for a full-time position is necessary in order to retain the quality of the program. Finally, she mentioned some interactive computer equipment that was donated to the high schools but that has not been used. This equipment would allow for a distance learning/virtual program to be taught. They need to review these type of options as opposed to cutting electives.

Lynn Slobodin, 61 Washburn Ave., Auburndale, wished to make it clear that they are not asking for additional money for the theater arts program, rather level-funding, because a full-time position will not equal what Mr. Elliott has so freely donated to the system. In such a large school, places where students can make connections are so important.

Robert Colby, 180 Winchester St., praised the theater arts and speech programs at the high schools and commented on the creative way in which the theater students so passionately got their message across this evening. Excellence cannot be achieved without appropriate support and administrative release time to coordinate the myriad of activities involved. He hopes they will reconsider any cuts that may jeopardize this program.

Rob Moote, 44 Churchill St., Horace-Mann Elementary School parent, is upset by the reduction in the music and arts programs. At their school, they will be faced with a new art teacher next year who will not have sufficient planning time to collaborate with staff around incorporating art into the curriculum. Given the lack of space, it will also become a mobile program moving from one class to another. He is also disappointed that they will be losing the world language program, which has only been in existence for two years and was hoped to have been expanded to more grades. Computers at Horace-Mann are outdated and PTO had to provide funding to supplement this area. Staff and students deserve better in this community. The system is moving in the wrong direction.

Richard Ranti, 25 Churchill St., Horace-Mann Elementary School parent, was also shocked when he discovered that the language and music programs were being cut. In good fiscal times it seems contradictory that they are discussing reductions. Cutting aides is another way of increasing class size, which is already occurring. This is the most detrimental cut of all given the diverse needs of students in today's classrooms.

Viera Proulx, 17 Amy Circle, no longer has children in the schools, but spoke of the importance of music when they were in the system. The program includes everyone and is a hands-on experience. It complements other activities, such as reading, and is a wonderful group activity. One of her daughters is now a music major in college as a result of her experiences at the elementary level. Finally, she believes these activities are antidotes to problems and provide students with outlets.

Dan Bassichis, 74 Washington Park, junior at Newton North High School, remembers when he was a 5^th-grade student at Cabot Elementary School in 1994, when teachers were on a work-to-rule strike and all extracurricular activities ceased. A group of parents mobilized and formed the After-School Children's Theater to keep students involved in an activity during this time. This was the beginning of his experience with theater and it has remained an important focus throughout his school career. He is now involved in the high school program, where he has formed his identity in the school. Without these programs he would not have developed the confidence to stand in front of a group and speak so passionately about something that means a great deal to him and other students. As class president, on behalf of the student body, he offered their assistance in any way that can help retain this program.

Robert Bloom, 51 Wedgewood Rd., no longer has children in the schools, but continues to support the wonderful resources of Theater Inc. by attending all the performances. His son had some of his most cherished school experiences in this program and it is imperative that future students have the same opportunities.

Sam Stolper, 42 Windermere Rd., spoke on behalf of his mother, Jamie, who had to leave the meeting, but who wished to add her voice to those in support of the theater arts program at a level that will at least maintain the current level of opportunities. This program keeps hundreds of students productive and active after school, evenings, and weekends. It teaches skills, fosters creativity, supports team work, and serves as an ambassador to the general community.

James Cooke, 16 Freeman St., Burr Elementary School parent, believes that music and art are fundamental subjects and are not a frill that can be taken away in difficult budget times, particularly in this test-obsessed culture. It is beyond his understanding how a community with a reputation like Newton's could be considering cuts in this area. He hopes they will reconsider and find the funds elsewhere or make different decisions.

Gail Spector, 111 Upland Ave., Countryside Elementary School parent, would prefer her taxes be raised rather than eliminating any school programs. Small class size is the most important criteria. Her son is in a class of 25 students and has had a miserable experience this year. When factoring in the proposed reduction in aides, this is only going to get worse.

Diane Price, 14 Avondale Rd., Ward Elementary School and Bigelow Middle School parent, appealed to the Committee and administration to find a way to support the continuation of the full music program in the elementary schools. This curriculum, along with physical education and art, serves as the framework for the development of children into mature, well-rounded adults.

Sari Pearce, 24 Kodaya Rd., Waban, Angier Elementary School parent and violin teacher in the Newton Public Schools, started playing recorder herself in third grade in Japan. Their family then moved to Canada, where recorder also begins in grade three. Recorders are very versatile and inexpensive and students get to keep the instruments. Rather than cutting, they should be expanding the music program.

Elana Rome, 61 Winthrop St., sophomore at Newton North High School, talked about how the recorder program and the All City Honors Chorus provided the basis for her musical education, which is a very important part of her life today.

Cindy Sholak-Rome, 61 Winthrop St., talked about the increase in team size at the middle schools. She realizes the system has worked hard to retain lower class sizes and that on average they have been successful. However, this is not true in all cases and her son's class at Day Middle School is an example. For two years he has been on a team that is the largest to pass through the school and next year it is expected to be even worse. Teachers are so overburdened that they

do not even know each student on an individual basis. Even with all the wonderful programs at the high schools, there are still students being turned away from opportunities because of sheer numbers. This is not the time to be making cuts to programs. Children cannot receive the individual attention of an adult, which is the key component to success in school. In a City that is so affluent and resourceful there must be other solutions to this problem.

Meredith Flouton-Barnes, 298 Cherry St., junior at Newton North High School, starting playing cello at age five and has been performing ever since. This is what will help her get into college and what she wants to do with her future. For students like herself, who are not athletic, this is their interest and what keeps them connected to the schools.

Adam Nussenbaum, 42 Morse Rd., Cabot Elementary School parent, expressed outrage that the Newton community is in this predicament. It is inconceivable that people are begging for the retention of programs in such an affluent community in such good economic times. He cannot believe he has to tell his daughter that not only can she not take recorder next year, but she also cannot continue learning Spanish. These are essential building blocks for a good education and not something that should be considered a perk. The importance of music, art, and theater in a person's life begins at this young age.

Janice Miller, 15 Buff Circle, talked about how her family has attended many of the high school's theater productions, which are of a very professional caliber. If the academic programs are the head of the school, then the drama program is its heart. She urged the Committee to fully fund a replacement for Mr. Elliott.

Sharon Salinger, 10 Reed Ct., Newton Centre, Newton South High School parent, stated that her children's most memorable high school experiences were in the theater program and on the speech team. The arts are one way of confirming the idea of multiple intelligence. They promote the goal of appreciation of diversity and attract all types of students. She urged the Committee to continue its support for the programs.

David Ross, 1013 Walnut St., thanked the School Committee for their work on the budget and acknowledged the difficult choices they face. Languages are learned in the rest of the world at a very early age and most people are bilingual. Children are very receptive to learning a language at a young age. Music is also another important area that deserves support. He wondered if they could tap into the wealth and expertise of the community to reinstate these programs.

Joan Portnoy has had two children go through the system and, as a realtor in the City, she knows firsthand the importance of a quality education in terms of the desirability of a community. Her last child has not been as successful in fitting smoothly into either academics or athletics, but has found his niche in

the drama program, which is his passion. He has developed self-esteem and found a peer group where he feels accepted. The skills they learn in this program, such as creative thinking, public speaking, risk-taking, and collaboration, will benefit them immeasurably as they go out into the world.

Margie Brodksy, music teacher at Ward Elementary School, spoke of the importance of the recorder program as planting the seed for future musicians and appreciative audiences. She has had many students return to her classroom later in life to talk about their fond memories of learning to play a musical instrument. By the end of the school year, her students have learned many songs, sing on pitch, and are ready for 4^th grade chorus.

Judy Salednick, 138 Mt. Vernon St., West Newton, urged the Committee, as elected officials, to mobilize the community so that they are not forced to make any cuts to the budget. Everything discussed this evening is equally important.

Terry Yoffie, 363 Waverley Ave., PTO Copresident of Ward Elementary School, talked about her families' enriched musical life as a result of the programs offered in the Newton Public Schools. The arts are a wonderful tradition passed on in many families. They help alleviate stress in people's busy lives, where so much emphasis is on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exams.

Charles Rosengard, 51 Levbert Rd., Newton Centre, stated that extracurricular activities are of paramount importance in students' lives, to broaden their intellect and develop their personality, interests, and skills. All three of his sons excelled at different activities -- sports, music, and drama. He hopes the Mayor can find appropriate funding in the City's budget to support these important programs.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 p.m.