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t <br /> X1. Professional Learning Communities Overview <br /> Mrs. Bradshaw completed a PowerPoint presentation regarding Professional <br /> Learning Communities. The characteristics of a Professional Learning <br /> Community are: <br /> * Shared mission, values, and goals <br /> 0 Collaborative team focused on learning <br /> Collective inquiry into "best practice" <br /> Action orientation <br /> Continuous improvement <br /> Results orientation <br /> Mrs. Bradshaw stated that researchers and professional organizations support <br /> Professional Learning Communities. <br /> Mrs. Bradshaw presented a proposal to the committee to send 18 staff members <br /> to a Professional Learning Communities conference in Boston in August at the <br /> cost of 10,422.00. She stated the importance of this, especially with new <br /> principals. This would be paid firom FY08 funds that the school has. <br /> Mrs. Grady stated that the Committee has concerns with this. Mrs. Grady stated <br /> that in drafting budget cuts the committee came up with five principles and <br /> guidelines. The fifth guideline is that school committee intends to curtail to the <br /> greatest extent possible all external professional development activities for the <br /> next twelve months. This restriction includes attendance at outside professional <br /> conferences and meetings unless specifically approved by the superintendent and <br /> the superintendent will maintain a record of any such exceptions approved and <br /> report monthly to the school committee. The superintendent will request from the <br /> school committee chair for any and all activities for her personally before the <br /> commitment of or expenditure of any funds for this purpose. The superintendent <br /> will estimate the cost savings as a result of this decision, and report to the <br /> committee. <br /> The committee stated they are unsure of how much money they are spending on <br /> professional development. They wish to have everything in one line item. <br /> xII. Math Lab Progress monitoring <br /> Mrs. Bradshaw reviewed what is being clone in wrath lab to improve Darning in <br /> grades 7 and 8 math. <br /> XIII. FY09 Calendar <br /> Mrs. Bradshaw stated Haat the committee has already voted on the basic <br /> calendar. At this time it is being brought back to look at approval for half days. <br /> These include: <br /> half days for professional development at all schools on 9129, 10120 and <br /> 514. <br /> 2 half days for QS and KCC for conference on 11/24 and 1214. <br /> School Committee Regular Minutes 412/08 4 <br />