Spaulding High School  &  Barre Technical Center Campus

Policy and Curriculum Committee

 

October 16, 2006

 

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

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

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:

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

Matt Lash, Spaulding High School Board - Representing Barre City, term expires 2007

 

ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT:

Bob Phillips, Tech Ctr. Assistant Director

           

ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

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

 

GUESTS PRESENT:

Eric Peterson                                     Tom Treece                                 Paul Malone

Lisa Lemieux                                     Jerry Desmarais                           John Santorello

 

Recorder:      

Donna Holden

 

 

The Chairperson, Guy Isabelle, called the Monday, October 16, 2006, meeting to order at 6:10 p.m., which was held in the Spaulding High School & Barre Technical Center Campus Library, 155 Ayers Street, Barre, Vermont.

 

The minutes of September 18, 2006, were accepted as submitted.

 

 

ITEM 1:          History Curriculum Review of Civics/Civics Engagement

 

Mr. Desmarais and Mr. Treece appeared before the Committee to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing curriculum. During the presentation Mr. Desmarais also outlined many changes throughout the past thirteen year resulting in today’s program of studies. Also cited were recommendations, which included imbedding a three-week civics unit within the US History framework that would also be included in local assessment testing, and to return the Public Issues elective to a full semester course.

 

Discussion ensued and included the multiple interpretation of the word “Civics” and relating it to students, class/semester time constraints and ever increasing historical events, the need for continued staff development and collaboration district wide, current events, mass media and other course developments, teaching history in 25-year blocks, cause and effect and the “history of civics”, breaking down the barriers between English and history, increasing graduation requirements, and the potentials of the Freshman Academy.       

 

ITEM 2:          Guidance Update

 

Lisa Lemieux reviewed the results of information gathered by the guidance department, which included a “day in the life…” time study, caseload stats, and job expectation list.  When prompted Ms. Lemieux advised her “wish list” primarily contained a desire for expanded office space, and perhaps the addition of a male guidance counselor.  Mr. Phillips noted that proximity of the guidance office space to the Technical Center would be most desirable.       

 

 

ITEM 3:          Other Agenda Items

 

Mr. Isabelle advised that the Superintendent and other Administrators would likely not be available for the remainder pf the meeting due to an unexpected event requiring their immediate attention.  Therefore discussion and action on the following items was postponed to a future meeting.

 

  • Student Handbook Clarifications
  • Athletic Code of Conduct Review
  • Science/Mathematics/Engineering Academy Update
  • Staff Development Calendar
  • Board Staff Communications (GBD)
  • Student Fund-Raising Activities (IGDF)
  • Student Fund-Raising Activities (KHB)
  • Building Rental (KGD)
  • Building Rental Regulations  (KGD-R1)
  • Building Rental Fees  (KGD-R2)
  • Baccalaureate Service (New Policy)

 

 

OTHER BUSINESS:

 

None

 

 

NEXT MEETING:

 

November 20, 2006 – 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

 

 

Agenda items may include:

q       Items listed above not addressed in October

q       Campus Update … (ongoing/standard agenda item)

q       Scheduling Committee DRAFT long term plan – November

 

Future agenda items

q       Mandates for summer school/student assessment accountability

 

 

The committee adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted, 

Donna Holden