EASTHAM SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
AGENDA
Eastham Elementary School 7:00 p.m. |
I. CALL TO ORDER/AGENDA CHANGES
II. REORGANIZATION
Given that the Committee has discussed communication with other groups, you may wish to consider appointing liaisons with the PTA, the Board of Selectmen and/or the Finance Committee.
III. CITIZENS SPEAK
IV. PRIORITY BUSINESS
A. Administrators’ Reports
B. Consider 06-07 Special Education Needs
For two reasons, special education needs have changed since the budget was first put together.
1. Student needs are evolving, as individual students change and different children move through the school. It appears that additional educational assistant time will be necessary next year to address more serious needs than have been the case this year. In addition, the increased severity of student needs requires that two of our three special education teachers be certified to serve children with more intense needs. Currently, only one of our staff is so licensed. In keeping with past practice that only the School Committee can create or eliminate positions, the Committee should take a vote making this change.
Recommendation: Recognize that student needs require that two of Eastham Elementary School’s three special education teachers be certified to teach children with severe disabilities.
The Committee should understand that this will require that one of the two teachers who is not so licensed must be laid off.
2. We have had early indication that a family will be moving to Eastham from a neighboring community, bringing a child who’s currently enrolled in a substantially separate program in his local elementary school. It would appear the best placement will also be the most cost effective for Eastham. That is, to tuition him back to his current school. Ann Caretti and the two principals are working on the details. I expect to have more information in June.
We also have been notified that a family moved to Eastham in March, one of whose children is currently enrolled in an off-Cape special education program. We will explore enrolling the child at EES in the fall, but continued placement off-Cape may be required.
C. Consider Summer Schedule
Jim Hardy has agreed to spend the evening of August 8 with the Committee. A regular business meeting might be scheduled late in July. What is your preference?
D. Declare Equipment and Textbooks Surplus
Mrs. Helman’s memorandum is enclosed.
E. Consider 2007 Town Meeting Representation
Assistant Superintendent Medeiros has suggested that continuity might be an important consideration in determining which of us shall attend the 2007 annual Town Meeting. Because she worked with the Eastham budget from beginning to end this year, it may be wise for her to continue to work with the principal and Committee as we look ahead. I would continue to attend all Committee meetings that would not conflict with other budget responsibilities, and she would attend every School Committee meeting as well. Tonight would give the Committee a chance to consider this option well in advance of the commencement of work on the FY 08 budget.
V. REPORTS AND INFORMATION
A. Cape Cod Collaborative
B. Building Committee Update
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
- Approve regular session minutes of April 25, 2006.
VII. PAYMENT OF BILLS
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
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