NEWTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING - MARCH 11, 2002

EDUCATION CENTER, FRAZIER ROOM, 7:30 P.M.

PRESENT: Chairperson Anne Larner, Gail Glick, Patricia Kellogg, Marc Laredo, Nancy Levine, Leslie Schneider, Dori Zaleznik, Lindsay Dahlben, student representative - Newton North High School, Zoe Schwab, student representative - Newton South High School

ABSENT: Vice-Chairperson Susan Albright, Mayor David Cohen

CALL TO ORDER

Chairperson Anne Larner called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Dan Brody, 15 Brewster Rd., addressed the Committee regarding the field trip policy. His son was on the Oak Hill bus that crashed in Canada last year. Since that time, he has been working with Representative Ruth Balser to pass legislation that would require school systems to establish policies regarding student travel. He thanked the Superintendent and School Committee member Patty Kellogg for attending the legislative hearing and supporting this proposal. He hopes that Newton will consider policies for all trips that occur between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. and not just those involving out-of-state travel. He also hopes they will institute an approval procedure, whereby the Superintendent or designee will have to sign off on all field trips in advance and prior to announcing the trip to students.

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES' DISCUSSION

Lindsay Dahlben stated that many students at Newton North would like assist in supporting the override.

RECOGNITIONS

The following recognitions were acknowledged:

Ty Vignone and Susan Huntoon, teachers at Newton North High School, who were selected to receive the Close Up Foundation "Linda Myers Chosen Award for Teaching Excellence in Civic Education."

John Michael Gray, Coordinator of Fine Arts, for winning the election for the office of Eastern Region Vice-President-Elect of the National Art Education Association.

Pauline Joseph, art teacher, Cabot Elementary School, for being named the Massachusetts Art Educator of the Year 2002, by the Massachusetts Art Education Association and the National Art Education Association.

APPROVAL OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

MOTION: It was moved to approve the School Committee

special meeting minutes of 1/22/02.

(Zaleznik - Laredo)

7 - 0 - 2

Absent: Albright, Mayor Cohen

REPORTS

SUPERINTENDENT'S PERSONNEL REPORT

There were no questions on the report.

FY02 BUDGET UPDATE

Sandra Guryan, Assistant Superintendent for Business, Finance & Planning, stated that the budget update continues to show a small positive balance. In terms of electricity costs, the reason this year's appeared to be higher was because of the late August billing from NSTAR for May and June's services. They were able to address this issue with a small reserve of FY01 funds. She is also closely monitoring the maintenance and health insurance accounts.

Nancy Levine suggested that Ms. Guryan check that NSTAR's bills do not reflect estimated costs based on last year's rates, which is some trouble she ran into personally with the company.

Sandy Guryan thanked her for the comment and reassured her that she would investigate.

SPECIAL EDUCATION UPDATE

Carol Daynard, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Services, noted that the monthly report continues to show that they are on the borderline of the budget in contract services, due to a number of requested evaluations. In addition, home instruction/home-hospital tutoring is slightly over budget.

Nancy Levine asked about the status of the 8.5 unfilled aide positions.

Carol Daynard stated that this continues to be a moving target. In most cases, it is not problematic and they have been able to obtain coverage, but there are some shortages.

REPORT ON IMPACT OF EARLY RETIREMENT LEGISLATION

Roberta Dollase, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, summarized the report. Staff members who are certified by the Massachusetts Department of Education are covered by the Massachusetts Retirement System and not eligible for social security benefits. They pay into this system and upon retirement receive a portion of the highest three consecutive years of employment. The legislation passed in June 2000 allows teachers to receive a higher percentage than they formerly would have been eligible for if they meet several requirements. Those include 30 years of service -- 20 of which must be in Massachusetts; paying into the system at the rate of 11% for five years or paying that amount retroactively if they are five years out from that date. A significant number of people became eligible for early retirement as a result of this legislation. Another piece of this equation is that those who took maternity/adoption leave prior to 1975 could buy back up to four years credited to their service. The third piece associated with this package is the ability for reemployment without a lot of the past strict regulations associated with that decision.

This legislation, along with class size requirements and enrollments, is a factor in the greater demand nationally for teachers. There are a number of specific areas of concern in hiring qualified certified candidates, i.e., special education, physics, mathematics, chemistry, bilingual education, computer science, and world languages. Administrators are also in short supply. Currently they are not in any critical shortage in any of the above-mentioned categories, but this could change several years out, so they need to keep a close eye on the situation. They are also experiencing difficulty in hiring minorities -- another national trend. In terms of retirement data, from 1998-2000 they were averaging 30+ retirees annually. Last year that number increased to 42, 25 who took advantage of the early retirement package and she expects similar numbers this year. State statistics indicate that

between 2001 and 2006 Newton will have 14% of staff retiring under this legislation vs. 18% statewide. However, in the two years that this legislation has been in effect, their numbers have been fewer than the State statistics. While their staff consists of a considerable number of people over 50, there is also an equal number under 35 and they are experiencing a dearth in the middle. This is a result of Proposition 2 1/2, which required many layoffs and no hiring for a long period. The mentor program becomes even more important as veteran teachers leave and younger staff arrives.

Gail Glick asked if she could elaborate on the mentoring program.

Bobbie Dollase explained that currently a part-time facilitator runs the program, but next year that will change to a full-time position. Every new member of the staff will have a mentor for at least their first year of employment. They attempt to match people within their respective buildings and with similar responsibilities. An orientation is conducted before the year begins, with follow-up sessions throughout the year. There has been discussion about extending the program for the full three-years of a new teacher's employment until professional status is reached. In some cases this currently occurs but it depends on the circumstances and is not formalized.

Superintendent Jeffrey Young asked about the impact on a building with a large number of people without professional status, as well as how that affects the supervisory and evaluation responsibilities of the principals.

Bobbie Dollase stated that new teachers bring an exciting and fresh energy to the system. However, it also means increased workload for administrators in the number of required observations, evaluations, and conferences. Supervision is the most important part of the job, to ensure a high quality of education for children.

Marc Laredo asked if there are any issues regarding teacher retention.

Bobbie Dollase stated that there are turnovers every year for a variety of reasons. The national statistic indicate that 50% of teachers will leave the field within the first five years, although she does not believe this is the case in Newton. However, she is concerned about the uncertainty of the budget and the possibility of losing some quality people who might accept opportunities elsewhere.

Dori Zaleznik asked if the majority of teachers without professional status stay within the system until they have reached that point.

Bobbie Dollase responded that while she does not have specific numbers, there are usually a few who leave at the end of the first year.

Dori Zaleznik commented on the importance of tracking this to ascertain the success of the mentoring program.

Bobbie Dollase agreed.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

DISCUSSION ON OUT-OF-STATE FILED TRIP POLICY

Jeff Young reminded the Committee that this issue arose from a previous School Committee discussion around transportation issues and various goals they had hoped to set around this topic.

James Marini, Associate Superintendent for Secondary Education, explained that the packet includes policies from other communities for comparison purposes. It also includes some proposed legislation, as well as a report on student motor coach safety published by the United Motor Coach Association. The recommendations being put forth tonight deal with travel time and safety issues regarding contracts with motor coach companies, so that all schools would use only companies which meet certain criteria.

Anne Larner is pleased that they are looking at this subject in a comprehensive fashion rather than piecemeal and hopes the final document will address a variety of topics, such as purpose of trip, policies and procedures, attendance, waivers, and chaperones.

Nancy Levine supports the notion of a proactive policy, but hopes it will be user-friendly for teachers. While it is important that the trip be an educational experience, the process should not be so difficult that it discourages staff from even bothering.

Dori Zaleznik would like to see in-state late night travel covered by the same guidelines as out-of-state. She would also like to have a review of the policy after a certain period of time, to be certain that things are working as planned. She would like the policy to include a statement about buses needing to be equipped with seatbelts and that chaperones be responsible for students use of same. She would like to incorporate a clause that does not allow for subcontracting without permission. Finally, she would want to see included a safety record check along with driver identification and familiarity with routes, as part of the package. The information should then be verified one to two weeks prior to the trip.

Nancy Levine added that she would like to add to the criteria a clause about the use of buses with windows that do not blow out on impact.

Jim Marini mentioned that because the law does not require motor coaches to have seatbelts, they may have some issues in this regard, but he will review the matter.

Anne Larner asked if the federal transportation report on the seatbelt issue has been completed.

Jim Marini stated that he would investigate.

Gail Glick wondered if it would be wiser to have the transportation department vs. the principals review the contracts with the motor coach companies, as they have more knowledge in the matter.

Some discussion was had around the issue of no trip having more than one driver.

Marc Laredo has concerns about the amount of responsibility placed on teachers that could be better handled at the administrative level. If the process is too complicated, people will be less likely to plan trips.

Nancy Levine is pleased that the regulations will not allow for travel between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., not only for safety purposes, but also in terms of trying to model healthy lifestyles for children, by not cramming everything into a fast-paced environment. She agrees that it is more practical to have the transportation contracts approved at the central level. However, given staffing issues, she believes it makes more sense for the review and implementation of the trips to happen at the school building.

Anne Larner would like to know if an 11:00 p.m. curfew might impact on the type of trips that are taken.

Dori Zaleznik wondered if state and federal standards are sufficient and if they might want to add some unique criteria of their own, such as not obtaining a driver who is on the end of maximum driving time.

Jim Marini stated that they have discussed the idea of a checklist that would cover all their concerns and that would be sent to the transportation company when planning a field trip.

Nancy Levine asked about international field trips.

Jim Marini stated that currently this policy only relates to motor coach transportation in this country and they had not discussed international trips. He will put together some additional information based on tonight's discussion and return to the Committee at a future meeting before the end of the school year.

Jeff Young mentioned that they also need to keep track of the State legislation around the issue during this process.

ACTION ITEMS

VOTE TO ACCEPT DONATION

MOTION: It was moved to accept the $500.00 Exxon Mobil

Educational Alliance grant for Burr Elementary School.

(Levine - Schneider)

7 - 0 - 2

Absent: Albright, Mayor Cohen

VOTE TO ACCEPT GRANT

MOTION: It was moved to accept the new grants totaling

$180,150, as outlined in Attachment H.

(Glick - Zaleznik)

7 - 0 - 2

Absent: Albright, Mayor Cohen

COMMUNICATIONS

Anne Larner mentioned a memorandum from Michael Welch, Principal of Newton South High School, regarding the naming of a new house at the school. The School Committee agreed to request that Mr. Welch form a committee to bring forward a recommendation.

She then raised an issue regarding pending bilingual education legislation and hopes that the Committee can reach some consensus that the legislation should ultimately provide some flexibility to communities. She would like to then voice their opinion in a letter and encouraged members who may be available to attend the hearing on this issue at the State House on Wednesday.

Carol Daynard, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Services, explained that the legislation, as it currently stands, recommends a one-year only English immersion program. This would require full-time staff in all schools where there

are students whose language is other than English. It raises issues about support and continuity and concerns about increased referrals to special education. They are looking toward legislation that would allow local flexibility and individual

variations around programming, as well as support for parental involvement in decision-making.

Marc Laredo supports the notion that communities should have the flexibility to fill the variety of needs of students, some of whom would benefit from one type of program and others who would need something different. He does not wish to have the State mandating these regulations, particularly if they are underfunded, as are so many of their other mandates.

Dori Zaleznik would like to see a statement about a goal of teaching English language instruction, while not abandoning cultural traditions.

Gail Glick mentioned that one way to reinforce the objective of mastering the English language would be to include a timeline that might have some flexibility.

Carol Daynard stated that this is how they currently operate. Each child is evaluated annually and a lot of immersion and support happens from day one. One of their concerns is how students would do on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) if they were mainstreamed too early without support.

Dori Zaleznik would like to see standards or certification of teachers in these programs.

Gail Glick asked if the regular classroom teacher receives professional development support for teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) students.

Carol Daynard replied that there is some, but not enough. Any support/directive that the Committee feels necessary in this regard would be welcome.

Anne Larner will attempt to draft some correspondence based on what she has heard this evening. She will circulate her letter prior to sending.

Nancy Levine wished to congratulate the Fine Arts Dept., and particularly Tom Leonard and Rick Traverse, for the outstanding 5^th Annual Smith Memorial Concert at the Presbyterian Church this past weekend.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no members of the public who wished to address the Committee at this time.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.