SPAULDING HIGH SCHOOL UNION DISTRICT
ANNUAL
WORKING SESSION/RETREAT MEETING
Campus Library
September 15, 2008
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Nancy
Pope, VICE-CHAIR,
John Santorello, CLERK,
Giuliano Cecchinelli,
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
Therese Taylor,
Vacant,
JJ
Norway – Class of ’10, SHS/BTC Non-voting Student Representative
ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT:
Dr. John Bacon, Superintendent of Schools
Bob Phillips, Principal
Chris Hennessey, Assistant Principal
Tom Sedore, Assistant Principal
Penny Chamberlin,
GUESTS PRESENT:
David Delcore, Times Argus
Board Secretary:
Donna Holden
1. Call
to Order
The
Chairperson, Christine Conti, called the Monday, September 15, 2008, meeting to
order at 4:00 p.m., which was held in the SHS & BTC Campus Library,
2. Discussion
A. What Do We
Want SHS/BTC Graduates to Look Like?
What are Our Hopes and Dreams?
•Strengths,
Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
•Our Vision
for SHS/BTC
•Goals and
Directions
Mrs. Conti advised the Administrators that she
was very pleased to finally have a school Action
Plan and, in her opinion, the Plan brought the Board and school to a much
better position and also provided another tool to use when making difficult
decisions. She said she also felt it
would be useful when considering improvements in both areas of need, and areas
that already work.
Dr. Bacon facilitated the Board’s discussion
regarding strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. A discussion
followed to identify the vision of SHS/BTC, and at its conclusion the Board agreed to take time to consider and
reflect on the details discussed. They
agreed to continue their work to identify goals and direction at the meeting of
October 6, 2008.
The Board also
agreed an in-depth, philosophical discussion was warranted in response to Mrs.
Pope’s letter of September 4, 2008, which raised concerns that the Board needed
a clearly defined “menu” to best serve the community and students at
SHS/BTC. Mr. Santorello also asked that
at a future meeting the Administrators provide clarification and a better
understanding of the differences between AP and honors courses and why [as a
cost saving measure] the courses couldn’t be combined with a student option of
whether to take the AP exam.
Strengths:
l
Broad spectrum of
learning opportunities
l
Seasoned staff
l
l
Solid, well
maintained building, and dedicated maintenance staff
l
Administrative
team cohesion
l
Group of
committed teachers
l
Good kids
l
Student and
alumni support/pride
l
l
In School Support
program (ISS)
l
50-60% success
rate of students meeting/exceeding
standards
l
Community
learning center
Weaknesses:
l
Professional
development quality, time & opportunities
l
Some facility
issues
l
Optimal use of
staff
l
Block scheduling
limitations/not aligned between HS and Tech Ctr
l
Lack of academic
rigor
l
Lack of use of
parents as partners academically
l
Limited
extracurricular/sports options
l
Limited gym and
field spaces
l
No transportation
for students
l
Technology
limited
l
Success of boys
vs. girls
l
More positive PR
l
Shortage of
administrative support staff
l
Misinterpretation/fears
about kids coming to HS
l
Uncertain
classroom expectations
l
Guidance (some
students missed)
l
Buy-in from staff
on TA time
l
Time for students
to build connections with faculty due to blocks short
l
Inexperienced
staff in some areas/departments
Opportunities:
l
Healthy
relationships with agencies supporting youth
l
Virtual High
School
l
New vision for
administrative team
l
More of a student
voice
l
Easy access to
tech facility
l
Chance to
increase rigor
l
Expand
l
Parent
involvement
l
Society shift to
citizenship
l
Transportation to
attract tuition students
l
Drug dog
l
Celebrate student
successes
l
Outreach roles
for parents to form partnership
l
Program for
parents/awareness of opportunities for kids and parents
l
Open house/home
coming dinner
l
Clarify about
classroom/course expectations
l
TA
underutilized/unfocused
l
Teacher advisors
l
New inexperienced
staff
Threats:
l
Confusion about
Tech Center & HS integration
l
Academic rigor in
some classes
l
Safety issues/drugs
l
Limited Community
funds for academics and extra curricular
l
lack of
attendance checker
l
lack of parent
engagement
l
Parent comfort
level/trust and feeling of being welcomed
Our VISION/School Improvement Plan:
Each and every
student fees connected to at least one adult within the school.
Students feel
safe and welcomed on the Campus.
The school
supports parents and to be involved, encouraging, and informed.
Students feel
confident and feel they can succeed, if they are willing to work hard and not
afraid to fail.
Teacher support
and encouragement for students to learn and work hard.
Students and
teachers have access to technology to support their learning and teaching.
The school offers
a comprehensive, viable, rigorous curriculum.
The school
provides resources and opportunities for teachers to fulfill their roles.
Students use and
apply skills and knowledge to creatively solve problems, make decisions, and
foster intellectual curiosity.
Students become
contributing and participating members of their school and society.
Students take
pride in their education and accomplishments.
Students are
prepared for their next steps after graduation and have goals and
direction.
Possible SHS/BTC Board
To
provide a safe, healthy learning environment that supports students through
school, parent and community involvement, and to provide a competitive
curriculum and opportunities that encourages students to take pride in their
education, and prepares graduates for their next steps and reaching their goals.
2. First
The Board discussed and agreed to further amendments to the proposed policy
language. Mr. Phillips agreed to bring
the policy back for a first reading at the October 6, 2008 meeting.
3. Other
Business
The Board agreed to Mrs. Conti’s desire to conduct the second meeting
of the month as originally planned, and bring the Board’s focus back to
addressing policies and timely discussions.
4. Executive
Session
A.
None
5. Adjournment
Hearing no objection, at 7:10 p.m. the Chair declared
the meeting adjourned.
The
next regular business meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 6, 2008, at 6:00
p.m.
The
next policy review/working session meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 20,
2008, at 6:00 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Donna Holden