LC Education Committee Meeting Minutes 3/21/2012
The Legislative Council Education Committee meeting was called to order at 7:34 pm.
Attendance:
Debbie Leidlein, Chair Board of Education
Dr. Janet Robinson, Superintendent
Dr. Linda Gejda, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Ron Bienkowski, School Business Director
1 Member of the Press
Jeff Capeci, Legislative Council
George Ferguson, Legislative Council
Kathy Fetchick, Legislative Council
Dan Honan, Legislative Council
Paul Lundquist, Legislative Council
Dan Wiedemann, Legislative Council
VOTER COMMENTS
No voter comments.
APPROVE MINUTES
None.
COMMUNICATIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
As far as process goes, our expectation is that we would go through the answers to the questions posed by the committee to the Board of Education about the budget. After the Legislative Council public hearing, there would be at least one more education committee meeting prior to a recommendation to the full council.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
- Review answers to budget questions posed to Board of Education
- See the following Attachments:
- Attachment A: Questions to the Board of Education with Answers
- Attachment B: General Ledger Reports for Hawley, Sandy Hook, Middle Gate, Head O'Meadow, the Custodial Account and Continuing Education
- Attachment C: General Ledger Reports for Reed, the Middle School and the High School
- Attachment D: Summary of comments~regarding the Common Core State Standards
- CourseEnrollments.xls: Newtown High School Class Enrollments 2011-12
Question # |
Additional Information |
4 |
Haven't received the final Blum Shapiro report. It will not be available until early April. The report will be presented to the council with Blum Shapiro in order for them to answer questions. |
5 |
The district did have a Teacher Evaluation committee that, in the past, had a Board of Education member but no longer does. The committee is now called the “Teacher Growth Plan Committee”. There is a draft of the plan currently. The committee believes that there should be rubrics (emerging/proficient …), teachers must keep growing; work on teacher observation and do surveys (parent/student/colleague); SB24; superintendents associations supporting Peep research - peep says 40% teacher observations; 45% student achievements (CMTs/CAPTS; perhaps end of the year exams); 10% student/parent surveys; 5% how teachers contribute to the school as a whole
Principal evaluation: similiar to teacher evaluation.
Newtown in good shape. |
6 |
July 19th is starting date - putting together a negotiation team; Dr. Robinson asked for reps from LC & BOF; starting May; |
7 |
New policy moving forward: If a class does not spend all of the funds, then they have to figure out what to do with the money before graduating one month prior to graduation. |
10 |
Graduation rates and CAPT testing were measures of success. Last year’s graduation rate methodology was modified by the state and found to be not a good method. Modified for the next year. After discussing the CAPT scores for Spring 2011, Dr. Gejda acknowledged that there was a need to discuss the transition issues between the middle school and the high school. Need more networking. The Superintendent acknowledged that this was an area that was a difficulty.
There is a proposal that in 2015 new tests would replace both the CMT and CAPT tests. |
13 |
|
14 |
May have to redistrict. no room for expansion with the exception of MG which may be able to have portables. |
17 |
At this point, no reprecussions. |
18 |
Information from Linda: goal of CCSS: college/career ready starting in the elementary school (Smarter Balance Test will replace the CMT/CAPT). State has adopted CCSS. No guidance how to teach these. There will be an accountability piece.
Our current 8th graders will be the first class to take the “Smarter Balance Test”. |
19 |
Area RESC’s (regional educational service center) trying to help with developing standards. Registration fees for CCSS and different types of training. K-8 teachers, 50% nonfiction books; looking at writing 80% should be text based questions. 3/30 - developing plan for next 3 years. reading and writing strategies (Dr. Gejda to provide more information on this) - this how addressing curriculum framework. |
Other |
Dr. Robinson encouraging use of “Flipped Classrooms”. |
VOTER COMMENTS
No voter comments.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion by Mr. Capeci and seconded by Mr. Ferguson was made to adjourn the meeting at 10:02 pm.
Action Items:
Responsible Party |
Action |
Due Date |
Complete Date |
Board of Education/Newtown School Administration |
RE Question 7: Request for Activity Funds & Balances for all schools |
ASAP |
3/23/2012 |
Board of Education/Newtown School Administration |
RE Question 8: Unedited Excel Spreadsheet of HS Classes and Enrollments |
ASAP |
3/26/2012 |
Dr. Gejda |
CCSS - reading and writing strategies (Dr. Gejda to provide more information on this |
ASAP |
3/23/2012 |
Ms. Fetchick |
Parent names to Dr. Robinson & Ms. Leidlein |
ASAP |
|
Submitted: Kathy Fetchick, LC Education Chair
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