2/28/2008 SCHOOL COMMITTEE Minutes

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There was discussion from some community members that they were concerned that Pre- school or Kindergarten could be housed at the high school. Mrs. Grady stated that no decisions had been made to move Pre-school or Kindergarten presently. There was discussion of how facility modifications, such as bathrooms would need to happen if grades were moved. There was discussion about the physical separation of students in grades 7&8 from high school students. There was a comment for the Committee not to rush to a decision. There was discussion about AYP and the decision to separate grades 7&8 and appoint a principal of those grades. There were comments that community members felt that priorities should be placed on academics and not where grades are located. There was discussion about the pros and cons of having the 7th and 8th grades located at the high school. Mr. Bailey discussed that the Committee began with the change of putting Mr. Babbitt as Interim Principal and administratively separating grades 7&8 and this opened the question if facilities could be used more effectively. There was discussion about what other districts have done to improve achievement and what has research shown. Mrs. Bradshaw explained that research for improving achievement has shown that being clear on what we want students to learn, time on task, professional development, and current materials are most effective. She stated that we have already been working hard on all of these things. There was discussion that much work has been done at the Coombs School to create a recognized early childhood program. There was discussion if accreditation at the high school would be affected. Mrs. Bradshaw responded that it did not appear that this would be affected. There was discussion that some parents were concerned about a lack of communication and would like to be kept informed by an all-call going forward. There was discussion about projected student population.