4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $5,000 from the Keller PCC for the 1st grade field trip to Jane & Paul’s Farm Stand and the 3rd grade field trip to Plimouth Plantation. Motion to approve - passed 6-0
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $5,000 from the Jefferson PCC for field trips for grades 1 to 5. Motion to approve - passed 6-0
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $10,000 from the Davis Thayer PCC for field trips for grades K-5 as detailed for the school year. Motion to approve - passed 6-0
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $107.14 from the Remington PCC for a nurse for the 6th grade field trip to the YMCA. Motion to approve - passed 6-0
e. I recommend approval of adding a 0.5 position ELL Teacher. Motion to approve - passed 6-0
f. I recommend approval of the Horace Mann Middle School field trip to the Space Academy in Huntsville, Alabama from July 11-16, 2010 as detailed. Motion to approve - passed 6-0
g. I recommend approval of the FHS Art Department’s request for a field trip to New York City on Saturday November 14, 2009 to the Museum of Modern Art as detailed. Motion to approve - passed 6-0
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Live reporting - ASMS Book Recycling Program
3. Discussion Only Items
ASMS Book Bins
Memo with proposal:
This can be a good fund raiser. Estimated to be about $1600 revenue for the full year.
It is a win-win situation.
It was a purple box, now it is a white box. "Big Hearted Books"
We are willing to work with any objections that there may be. The company is looking to expand this to other schools.
Q - How long has the company been in business?
A - A couple of months before they started with us and then merged with Big Hearted Books over the summer. The company picks up after hours.
Q - If they go under, what would happen to the bin?
A - It is contractually their bin.
Q - If there is an overage?
A - We can call the company for an immediate pickup.
C - I think it is a great idea.
C - I don't think it is a School Committee issue. It is an operational issue.
C _ I hate to see books tossed. I like the fund raising initiative. The Committee is supportive. We will make an effort to find the policy in question.
It is very hard to go to the right source.
ASMS Book Bins
Memo with proposal:
REQUEST OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AUTHORIZATION FOR APPROVAL FOR KEEPING BOOKS RECYCLING DONATION BOX ON ASMS SCHOOL GROUNDS.
We, the Parent Communication Council (PCC) of Annie Sullivan Middle School, are seeking approval to retain the “Big Hearted Books”- (BHB) (http://bigheartedbooks.com ) bookdrop which is currently located at the edge of the lower parking lot. “Big Hearted Books” was formerly known as Community Book Drop until their merger this past summer. ASMS PCC has been selective in our choice of fundraisers, in our effort to balance the need for funds to enrich each student’s experience at ASMS, with the demands that each fundraiser would place on individuals and families. We have also tried to seek fundraising opportunities that would encourage students to “think GREEN” as a way to be accountable to their community in which they live. The ASMS PCC would hope that the School Committee will consider the benefits of keeping this book donation box at ASMS, and that if there are specific concerns about its location, that we will be able to find a way to resolve them while still keeping this great resource available for ASMS families.
WHY A BOOKDROP?
In the past we have collected print cartridges and cell phones, which had required a lot of time from parent volunteers to return mail items, and profited the PCC anywhere from $150-400 a year. The book drop requires no effort on behalf of a parent volunteer and pays an average of $100 or more per month, which will add up to over $1200 per year. Profit to the PCC is only one of the benefits however, as BHB is also willing to take requests for book titles and authors that would help to enlarge the private in-classroom libraries of the teachers. If any of those items are found at their main sorting center, BHB is willing to donate them to ASMS, free of charge. This is a particular benefit to our younger teachers, as well as to the students. Lastly, having a book recycling drop onsite has had a positive influence in the community at ASMS as the students and families are grateful for the opportunity to recycle their books and to focus on the benefits of reading.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
BHB collects unwanted media (books, records, audio cassettes, VHS tapes, CD’s and DVDs) and redistributes them to people who can use them to prevent them from ending up in landfills. The bin is emptied by BHB at different times during the month as they are collecting books from other bins in the area. Collections are donated and weighed and a profit is determined base on 7 ½ cents per pound. The average monthly profit check is just over $100.00. Of all collections made to BHB 85% is given to charities and organizations that are in need, 5% are recycled, and 10% are sold to cover operational expenses. Nothing gets thrown away.
POSSIBLE AREAS OF CONCERN:
The ASMS PCC understands that the DPW may have concerns about the current location of the box as it is located on the asphalt corner of the lower ASMS parking lot. Big Hearted Books is willing to either relocate the box to a level spot on the grass area, or to shovel out any remaining snow around the box after each storm. Shoveling out boxes is a regular maintenance item that BHB have already had the practice of doing at all of their bins.
Submitted by ASMS PCC: Jennifer Maire, Chair and Erin Long, Treasurer
This can be a good fund raiser. Estimated to be about $1600 revenue for the full year.
It is a win-win situation.
It was a purple box, now it is a white box. "Big Hearted Books"
We are willing to work with any objections that there may be. The company is looking to expand this to other schools.
Q - How long has the company been in business?
A - A couple of months before they started with us and then merged with Big Hearted Books over the summer. The company picks up after hours.
Q - If they go under, what would happen to the bin?
A - It is contractually their bin.
Q - If there is an overage?
A - We can call the company for an immediate pickup.
C - I think it is a great idea.
C - I don't think it is a School Committee issue. It is an operational issue.
C _ I hate to see books tossed. I like the fund raising initiative. The Committee is supportive. We will make an effort to find the policy in question.
It is very hard to go to the right source.
Live reporting - MCAS Growth Model
d. MCAS Growth Model
1. Michele Kingsland-Smith
2. Bob Lima
3. Maureen Sabolinski
The presentation used:
Franklin was part of the pilot at the State level to participate in this program. The State is gearing for some federal funds and this data pilot was a good step to gain that.
The comparisons amongst the students at a data level to compare apples to apples has not been available previously. This look at the data should help to answer this question.
The test is different year to year, the standards are different. Comparison year to year becomes difficult. How much grown really occurred in the learning? This could not be answered previously.
SGP - Student Growth Profile
CPI - Current Performance Index
One couldn't predict future performance from MCAS results. The value of the new growth model is that this growth can now be forecasted.
The MCAS scores enabled a comparison amongst the Franklin students. Now with the SGP, the comparison can be made statewide. This comparison can truly be made on a cohort statewide level.
Each year, the growth would be re-calculated to produce a new cohort based upon similar performance over three years of testing.
The score for the SGP would be calculated for every subject area in the MCAS environment.
20% rule of thumb, this breaks out the range of growth over 100% into five groupings: 1-19, 20-39, 40-59, 60-79, 80-99.
Data previously was descriptive, now the data can be predictive.
The data shown in the slides is from the pilot and not Franklin District student data.
What this allows us to do is ask questions. What we need to do is to ask the right questions?
This will be a learning year for the District. The Pilot was a great thing to benefit from.
Q - One challenge has been the bar has been raised year to year, does this also measure district growth?
A - You can do a district level report, by grade, by building, a variety of perspectives. At the moment we can only access Franklin data. The ability to do a district level analysis is possible but likely at the State level. What will be presented to the public is still open. We do not know yet. There is no definitive answer yet.
A - Anyone can take data and show issues with it. The strength of the data will be to allow us to show student growth and target assistence to specific groups of students.
1. Michele Kingsland-Smith
2. Bob Lima
3. Maureen Sabolinski
The presentation used:
Franklin was part of the pilot at the State level to participate in this program. The State is gearing for some federal funds and this data pilot was a good step to gain that.
The comparisons amongst the students at a data level to compare apples to apples has not been available previously. This look at the data should help to answer this question.
The test is different year to year, the standards are different. Comparison year to year becomes difficult. How much grown really occurred in the learning? This could not be answered previously.
SGP - Student Growth Profile
CPI - Current Performance Index
One couldn't predict future performance from MCAS results. The value of the new growth model is that this growth can now be forecasted.
The MCAS scores enabled a comparison amongst the Franklin students. Now with the SGP, the comparison can be made statewide. This comparison can truly be made on a cohort statewide level.
Each year, the growth would be re-calculated to produce a new cohort based upon similar performance over three years of testing.
The score for the SGP would be calculated for every subject area in the MCAS environment.
20% rule of thumb, this breaks out the range of growth over 100% into five groupings: 1-19, 20-39, 40-59, 60-79, 80-99.
Data previously was descriptive, now the data can be predictive.
The data shown in the slides is from the pilot and not Franklin District student data.
What this allows us to do is ask questions. What we need to do is to ask the right questions?
This will be a learning year for the District. The Pilot was a great thing to benefit from.
Q - One challenge has been the bar has been raised year to year, does this also measure district growth?
A - You can do a district level report, by grade, by building, a variety of perspectives. At the moment we can only access Franklin data. The ability to do a district level analysis is possible but likely at the State level. What will be presented to the public is still open. We do not know yet. There is no definitive answer yet.
A - Anyone can take data and show issues with it. The strength of the data will be to allow us to show student growth and target assistence to specific groups of students.
Live reporting - Literacy update
c. Literacy Update – Michele Kingsland-Smith
The presentation used:
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to view the presentation.
The amount of time kids are spending reading has increased 100%. I have no doubt about it.
There is always a connection between the reading and what they learned. The consultants are working on building a collegial learning environment so that the entire building feels comfortable.
Last year all teachers reached the "launch" training.
This year 4 and 5th will be working on learning how to do the "Group Reading Assessment and Evaluation (GRADE)" process.
"Key Three" strategies are being implemented throughout the middle school classrooms.
Grade 6 teachers will also pilot GRADE (as outlined above).
The "managing complex change" slide is most interesting. It can be used to understand other changes.
Some technical difficulty in trying to present a movie from a DVD. Choice Literacy, a national program, made a DVD using the Franklin program and personnel.
The presentation used:
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to view the presentation.
The amount of time kids are spending reading has increased 100%. I have no doubt about it.
There is always a connection between the reading and what they learned. The consultants are working on building a collegial learning environment so that the entire building feels comfortable.
Last year all teachers reached the "launch" training.
This year 4 and 5th will be working on learning how to do the "Group Reading Assessment and Evaluation (GRADE)" process.
"Key Three" strategies are being implemented throughout the middle school classrooms.
Grade 6 teachers will also pilot GRADE (as outlined above).
The "managing complex change" slide is most interesting. It can be used to understand other changes.
Some technical difficulty in trying to present a movie from a DVD. Choice Literacy, a national program, made a DVD using the Franklin program and personnel.
Live reporting - swim team proposal
b. FHS Swim Team Proposal – Brad Sidwell
Had a sign up interest meeting a couple of weeks ago, 15 girls, 5 boys.
Positive meeting with YMCA, pool time has been offered for free.
This would not be a full fledged varsity team the first time through.
I think there is a need there. It would grow fast here.
Q - Tom, what would the SBA say to a pool?
A - good question
Q - Where are the other towns doing their teams?
A - Private clubs, and many are in the Hockomock Area Y.
Q - Do you have someone who could be a coach?
A - I have a number of options but I didn't want to go anywhere until I had talked with you.
Q - What would happen next year? We would have kids as part of a pilot and not knowing what next year would be like?
Q - The number piece is important, it looks like you could do this at about 6-7,000 for this?
A - Yes, that is correct.
Q - It is another opportunity for keeping and attracting kids at the high school.
A - Yes, I have heard from a number.
Q - When gymnastics was cut, how much was it costing?
A - It was a different dynamic, the numbers were dropping. The members were going to private gyms and not wanting to give up their time.
Q - When would you need to know?
A - As soon as you can, we would not be officially part of the league this year. That time has passed.
Q - So if we have a decision for next meeting?
A - That would be good.
Note: the $11,000 shown on the doc would be reduced by the pool cost, increased by the number of swimmers (from 12 to 20) and the coach cost would be reduced by about $700 to bring to the toal as discussed about 6,000.
Had a sign up interest meeting a couple of weeks ago, 15 girls, 5 boys.
Positive meeting with YMCA, pool time has been offered for free.
This would not be a full fledged varsity team the first time through.
I think there is a need there. It would grow fast here.
Q - Tom, what would the SBA say to a pool?
A - good question
Q - Where are the other towns doing their teams?
A - Private clubs, and many are in the Hockomock Area Y.
Q - Do you have someone who could be a coach?
A - I have a number of options but I didn't want to go anywhere until I had talked with you.
Q - What would happen next year? We would have kids as part of a pilot and not knowing what next year would be like?
Q - The number piece is important, it looks like you could do this at about 6-7,000 for this?
A - Yes, that is correct.
Q - It is another opportunity for keeping and attracting kids at the high school.
A - Yes, I have heard from a number.
Q - When gymnastics was cut, how much was it costing?
A - It was a different dynamic, the numbers were dropping. The members were going to private gyms and not wanting to give up their time.
Q - When would you need to know?
A - As soon as you can, we would not be officially part of the league this year. That time has passed.
Q - So if we have a decision for next meeting?
A - That would be good.
Note: the $11,000 shown on the doc would be reduced by the pool cost, increased by the number of swimmers (from 12 to 20) and the coach cost would be reduced by about $700 to bring to the toal as discussed about 6,000.
Live reporting - FHS building update
2. Guests/Presentations
a. FHS Building Update – Tom Mercer
a. FHS Building Update – Tom Mercer
Process much different now from last one completed (the Horace Mann project)
Right now at the stage for the feasibility study for the building and grounds. Now on the listing for projects approved for a feasibility study.
First step in this is to hire an OPM. An Owners Project Manager is hired by Franklin. The OPM has to e qualified and certified by the State.
The Request for Services (RFS) was just submitted last week. It had been a revision cycle with the State going back and forth to come to an agreement on the language being used in the document.
Franklin has used OPM's previously for the Senior Center, Fire Station and other projects.
The RFS proposals are due about the end of October, they need to be reviewed, decision made, in conjunction with the State. Likely to have the OPM in place in January when all is said and done.
Once the OPM is completed, another RFS is to be negotiated and submitted to obtain an architect. The architect will then prepare a schematic design. The conceptual design would arrive at the feasibility concept. The design would be submitted to the State which would then review it and detail what they would cover and what they would not cover. If the State does not cover an item, but it is needed, then it would be up to the Town to fund that part of the project at 100%. The State reimbursement rate for the covered items would range from 30-45%. We won't know for sometime where we fall in that range.
To get through the schematic design the Town has authorized a $1 million bond. This is different from prior projects but also a result of the State changes. We may not need to spend the whole amount but we need to front the project funding.
Once the final determination is made on the cost of the project, the Town has 120 days to determine if it approves funding the project. The funding would come from a combination of sources, the primary being a debt override.
After the funding is complete, the OPM and architect would be retained for another period to complete the detailed project determining the final details, including color of the materials. The bids for material would be put out for vendors to submit their proposals to supply the materials.
We thought we would have the RFS out on the street about 3 weeks ago and it is just going out now. OPM on board in January, architect in April, schematic design could be done in the fall. Could go to the voters either in the Fall of 2010 or Spring of 2011.
6-8 months process for the architect to draw the final plans. Hopefully to begin doing some construction work in the fall of 2011 or spring of 2012.
Q - one thing you didn't mention is that the sales tax revenue at the state level, if it continues to fall short, this time line is still open.
A - The only thing approved at this point is the schematic design process, when it comes time to submit it for approval, we won't know what the amount will be, what amount (at the state level will be available) and where we are in the listing.
Q - If the money is not there, is it a prioritization?
A - Based upon what they have done, you would not get approved unless there was money to cover.
Q - If there is not enough money at the State, do we just wait?
A - It would be a Town Council decision on funding, I wouldn't want to speak for them. The SBA has seen the building and made recommendations, that is on our favor. There are items that I feel they will not approve but that we will want to continue with.
Q -
A - I think we will have multiple options. I think we can do some of the most interruption during the summer time. Some construction will be done during the school year. This is one of the major parts of the planning phases.
Q - Could we use the drawings done a couple of years ago?
A - We did submit those previously. That is one of the reasons, they sent out their engineers to see the building. We will meed the SBA somewhere in the middle. We really can use them as drawings, they were ideas and reflections of what could be.
Live reporting - School Committee - 10/13/09
Attending: Armenio, Cafasso, Kelly, Mullen, Roy, Trahan
1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments - none
Review of Agenda - none
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the September 22, 2009 School Committee Meeting. Motion to approve - passed 6-0
Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly Motion to approve - passed 6-0
Payroll Ms. Armenio
FHS Student Representatives
Longer lunch liked by students, shorter class periods, tech center being used especially to log out computers for overnight use.
Correspondence: Budget to Actual
1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments - none
Review of Agenda - none
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the September 22, 2009 School Committee Meeting. Motion to approve - passed 6-0
Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly Motion to approve - passed 6-0
Payroll Ms. Armenio
FHS Student Representatives
Longer lunch liked by students, shorter class periods, tech center being used especially to log out computers for overnight use.
Correspondence: Budget to Actual
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