Spaulding High School  &  Barre Technical Center Campus

Policy and Curriculum Committee

 

September 18, 2006

 

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

Guy Isabelle, Spaulding High School Board - Representing Barre Town, term expires 2008

John Pizzo, Spaulding High School Board - Representing Barre Town, term expires 2007

 

ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT:

Michele Fagan, Ed. D., Superintendent                           Bob Phillips, Tech Ctr. Assistant Director

Cindy Donlon, Co-Principal of Operations                       Christopher Hennessey, Assistant Principal

           

ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

Megan Shipman – Class of ’07 – SHS/BTC Non-voting Student Representative

Eliza Heitzman – Class of ‘07– SHS/BTC Non-voting Student Representative

 

GUESTS PRESENT:

Eric Peterson                                                               

Mike Gilbert

 

Recorder:      

Donna Holden

 

The Chairperson, Guy Isabelle, called the Monday, September 18, 2006, meeting to order at 6:05 p.m., which was held in the Spaulding High School & Barre Technical Center Campus Library, 155 Ayers Street, Barre, Vermont.

 

Dr. Pizzo made a motion seconded by Mr. Isabelle, to approve the minutes of August 21, 2006, as submitted.

 

 

ITEM 1:          Business & Finance Academy Update

 

Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Phillips reviewed the history of the program’s development leading to the 2006-07 introduction of the Academy, which 59 (exclusively SHS & BTC) students were currently enrolled.  Mr. Gilbert further discussed some of the pilot program’s ongoing needs, which included development of the internship and satellite programs, development of the program certifications, and development of a promotional/public relations program for sending schools in an attempt to diversify enrollment.  He noted that these and other issues were under development by the school, WIB and other organizations, and would also be addressed by the Business and Finance Academy’s growing Advisory Committee, which would meet on 10/3 at 7:35 a.m.

 

Discussion ensued. Concern over the lack of sending school participation was acknowledged with the assurance that there were attempts to educate and promote the program to area schools. Other topics of discussion included ongoing funding stream issues, networking with sending schools to coordinate core subjects in preparation of eventual transition into the Academy, initiation of the development of the general description of the internship requirement/expectations, inclusion of non-profits in the Advisory Committee and internship program, investigate providing a presentation of this pilot program, and other Academy programs to the Superintendents Association.

 

 

The Committee also discussed the State’s Tech Program approval process.  The Committee agreed to bring the IT Academy, which is in its third year, to the full Board for approval pursuant to the Curriculum Development Policy (IF), and update the Board on the Business & Finance Academy pilot program status in preparation for full Board approval in the future.  

 

 

ITEM 2:          Guidance Services Update

 

Ms. Donlon briefed the Committee on the positive impact of adding a new guidance counselor position to the school’s guidance department.  She said the previous case loads of approximately 225 per counselor were dropped to approximately 180, and with fewer students and a little more time, the counselors were able to see their students more often, are involved with the development of the Freshman Academy, and transition to the high school. They continue to provide case management for students qualified for special services, as well as career and postsecondary counseling, personal counseling, academic advising and crisis intervention, plus other activities.

 

Dr. Fagan asked that Freshman Academy transition services be tracked for reporting as part of the program development process.  Ms. Donlon will work with the guidance counselors and staff to develop a report for November, which would include a simple time study to demonstrate a typical week for a guidance counselor. The information will be compared to the stated goals and priorities for guidance services.     

 

 

ITEM 3:          Policy Review – Cooperative Vocational Education (IGADB)

 

The Committee reviewed the final draft.  Mr. Phillips was asked to add Cosmetology to 2.0 Programs.

 

Dr. Pizzo made a motion seconded by Mr. Isabelle, to move the policy forward to the full Board.

 

 

ITEM 4:         Policy Review - Barre Voc-Tech Enterprises, Inc. (IGADC)

ITEM 5:         Policy Review – Barre Voc-Tech Enterprises, Inc. (CGD)

 

The Committee reviewed the final drafts of the policies and requested the Superintendent determine whether duplicate policies were needed.

 

Dr. Pizzo made a motion seconded by Mr. Isabelle, to move the policies forward to the full Board.

 

 

ITEM 6:         Policy Review – Building Rental (KGD)

ITEM 7:         Policy Review – Building Rental Regulations  (KGD-R1)

ITEM 8:         Policy Review – Building Rental Fees  (KGD-R2)

 

The Committee reviewed and discussed the existing policies.   They agreed a better definition and legal interpretation of “private enterprises” was warranted.  Dr. Fagan will also seek the existence of model policies, and review the Barre Town and Barre City policies in an attempt to achieve commonality among the district.

 

OTHER BUSINESS:

 

Ms. Donlon clarified the “head covering” policy to be in force daily effective with the ringing of first block bell at 8:30 a.m.   Mr. Philips advised that sending school students are also reminded of the policy daily, upon arrival.

 

 

NEXT MEETING:

 

October 16, 20066:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

 

 

Agenda items may include:

q       Campus Update … (ongoing/standard agenda item)

q       KGD, KGD-R1, KGD-R2 Policies – October

q       Scheduling Committee DRAFT long term plan – October

q       History Curriculum Review – October

q       Guidance Department Review - November

 

Future agenda items

q       Staff Development Calendar

q       Mandates for summer school/student assessment accountability

 

 

The committee adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted, 

Donna Holden