3. Communications:

3A. Chairman Stevens recognized student representatives Arielle VanDeusen and Emily Hastings. There was no student representative report.

3B. Mr. Stevens offered a special thank you to Ms. Tomich for her time on the School Committee serving the town of Alford and the District. Supt. Spriggs stated that it had been a privilege to work with Ms. Tomich on the Committee, noting that she had always been able to count on her for reflective and thoughtful wisdom. Ms. Spriggs added that the occasion was actually a joyous one, in that Ms. Tomich's work has now shifted from a policy maker to that of working directly with the children. She stated her pleasure in welcoming Ms. Tomich to the staff, and reported that the students have approached her with glowing complements of Ms. Tomich. Mr. Mielke said that the kids are really looking forward to having Ms. Tomich as a teacher, but also noted that she will be missed on the Committee. Mr. Devoti informed the Committee that Ms. Tomich had been the unanimous choice of the hiring team for the physical education position.

Mr. Stevens then presented Ms. Tomich with a token of appreciation, and following a motion duly made, seconded, and voted, a brief recess was called at 7:15 p.m.

The meeting resumed at 7:20 p.m.

3B. In response to a question by Mr. Stevens, Superintendent Spriggs updated the Committee regarding the problem with the pre-kindergarten program brought forward by parents at the December 16 meeting. She reported that she and Mr. Burkle had met with the parents and all had agreed to compromise by setting the morning session of PreK as 8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. She expressed her appreciation to the parents and to Mr. Burkle for seeking a solution and to Mr. Burkle for his willingness to forgo 15 minutes of preparation time. She reported that Mr. Burkle has sent out letters to the parents explaining the change.

4. Superintendent Spriggs noted that the principals would present School Improvement Plans that evening, and a vote to approve the plans would be requested at the January 20 meeting.

Mr. Nadolny then presented and explained the proposed elementary School Improvement Plan for 2004-05. He expressed appreciation to Mrs. Edwards, as well as members of the School Council, and the elementary staff for their work in putting the plan together. Goals included the following: 1) To continue to improve English Language Arts student achievement scores in the elementary schools; 2) To continue to improve Mathematics student achievement scores in the elementary schools; 3) To implement an effective character education program in the elementary schools; and 4) To develop a district wide attendance policy.

In the discussion that followed, Mr. Nadolny explained the protocol that is followed when bullying or harassment is reported. He also agreed to broach the possibility of electronically communicating with parents through e-mail with the elementary faculty at its next meeting.

On behalf of the Committee, Mr. Stevens thanked Mr. Nadolny and the elementary team for their hard work. He then welcomed Mr. Devoti and Ms. Sands, who presented the 7-12 School Improvement Plan. Goals for 7-12 include the following: 1) Improve 7^th and 10^th grade English/Language Arts achievement scores; 2) Improve 8^th and 10^th grade mathematics achievement scores; 3) Mt. Everett will be a well-maintained, civil, and safe environment that is a nexus for community activities; and 4) Prepare for impending social studies and science testing calculated into AYP and becoming a graduation requirement.

Mr. Devoti noted that the goal setting process for 2005-06 will begin again in the spring, and next year's plan will be brought to the School Committee much earlier in the school year.

In the discussion that followed their presentation, Mr. Devoti reported that although they did not have receive grant money this year, MCAS tutoring has continued, as teachers have been doing such on their own time. Also, he stated that he is hopeful of presenting a grades 7-12 attendance policy for consideration before the end of the year. He noted that the School Council has been working on an attendance policy, but has found it to be a very complicated issue.

Following additional discussion, Mr. Stevens thanked Mr. Devoti and Ms. Sands for their hard work. He noted that Dr. Daggett's opening day speech had been quite prophetic in talking about the need to change the focus and to look at everything we do.

Superintendent Spriggs also reported that work is progressing on the District's Strategic Improvement Plan. She said that this plan is strictly focused on student achievement, and will be brought to the School Committee when ready.

School Committee members were invited to call the principals with questions or comments before the January 20 meeting.

5A. Subcommittee Reports

• Mr. Stevens reported that the Finance Committee met on January 4 to plan the budget process, and then met again on January 5, 7, and 10 to hear from the teacher leaders and principals. He stated that the subcommittee has gathered information and has not yet made any recommendations. Superintendent Spriggs presented a proposed schedule for moving forward with the budget process. She noted that if the School Committee approved the revised schedule, the town representatives would be invited to attend an extended Finance Committee meeting on February 2. It was the consensus of those members present to approve the revised budget schedule.

Mr. Pollitt added that he felt that the meetings had been very informative, and he stated his appreciation to the teacher leaders and administrators who had made presentations. He noted that all were very well prepared. He said that no numbers had yet been put together, and he encouraged other members to attend future finance committee meetings.

• Policy Subcommittee: Mr. Abelow moved to approve Policies BCA and BCE and to include them in the District's Policy Manuals. Mr. Pollitt seconded the motion, and it was so voted, unanimously.

5B. Ms. Brown brought forward a request to establish a student activities account for the purpose of collecting funds to aid tsunami victims. She explained that the account would be called "Village to Village", and the purpose is to help rebuild a school in Thailand. Supt. Spriggs added that both high school and elementary students had approached her with the idea of raising funds to help, and they have agreed to work together as a K-12 effort. Ms. Happ, Ms. Ullrich, and Ms. Carpenter will oversee the project. Mr. Mielke moved, seconded by Ms. Maggio, to establish a student activity account for the Village to Village Tsunami Relief Fund. Mr. Pollitt requested that the Superintendent stay involved with seeing that the funds are received where they are intended. Ms. Spriggs agreed. The account was then approved, unanimously.

5C. Superintendent Spriggs brought forward a recommendation to appoint Ms. Adele Sands as interim special education director. She noted that Ms. Sands has special education experience and is certified as a special education director. Ms. Spriggs further reported that she has met with the leadership team and they are in agreement to support Ms. Sands' appointment. She noted that although it is within the legal purview of the Superintendent to appoint an interim special education director, she felt it was important for Ms. Sands to know she had the support of the School Committee. Ms. Spriggs requested that Ms. Sands be appointed at the rate of a first year special education director (research underway). Mr. Mielke requested that it be publicly specified that if the interim director so desires, she would be welcome to apply for the full-time directorship. Ms. Spriggs agreed. She also advised the Committee that an audit of the Special Education Department will be conducted later this month.

Further discussion took place. In response to a question by Mr. Pollitt, Mr. Devoti assured the Committee that he wholeheartedly endorsed the appointment of Ms. Sands to the interim director position. Mr. Abelow then moved, seconded by Mr. Mielke, to accept the recommendation of Superintendent Spriggs to support the appointment of Ms. Sands as Interim Director of Special Education. It was so voted, unanimously. Committee members expressed their congratulations to Ms. Sands.

5B. Ms. Brown asked to return to the Financial Update section momentarily so that she could distribute a letter from Attorney Tobin addressing the transportation bidding process (previously requested by Committee members). She also noted that the auditors will attend the January 20 meeting and asked that the members take copies of the audit report and management letters that evening.

6. Communications:

• Ms. Spriggs informed the Committee that a representative from the Boston Symphony Orchestra had visited Mt. Everett the previous day and has invited the District to partner with them. The Superintendent will provide additional details as they become available.

• Ms. Spriggs reviewed the Superintendent's Notes (copy on file with these minutes).

Mr. Mielke moved to adjourn the meeting. He then withdrew the motion.

• Mr. Abelow asked to adjust the schedule of Policy Subcommittee meetings to alternating Thursday mornings. Ms. Spriggs noted that she had been asked to attend a meeting of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents on the morning of January 27. It was agreed to cancel the Policy Subcommittee scheduled for that day.

Mr. Mielke then moved, seconded by Mr. Abelow, to adjourn the meeting. It was so voted, and the meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.