BOARD CURRICULUM COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2006

 

 

Members of the Board Curriculum Committee met on Monday, February 13, 2006, at 6:00 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Conference Room at the Education Center. Present were: Curriculum Committee Members Anthony Villani, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and Richard Agretto, director of special education; and Board Members Rosario Amato, Judith Dexter, Dr. Craig Haytmanek, Charlene Koch, Loretta Leeson, Diane Rowe, and Margaret Williams. Also in attendance were: Dr. Joseph A. Lewis, superintendent of schools; Robert Gross, assistant superintendent for human resources; Stanley Majewski, assistant to the superintendent for finance and administration; Robin Lutcher, director of information technologies; Thomas Washington, director of student services; Mia Fernandes, coordinator of literacy; Eric Smith, supervisor of science; George VanDoren, coordinator of English language arts; Julie Victory, supervisor of mathematics; Jeff Tucker, solicitor; and representatives of the press.

 

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS (15 minutes allowed)

 

Nothing to report.

 

OPEN FORUM

 

Mrs. Leeson noted that she had telephoned Mr. Villani regarding an article in the newspaper stating that 14 percent of all students across the country take the Advanced Placement (AP) test. She inquired as to the percentage of Liberty and Freedom students who take this test. Mr. Villani reported that 168 students in the Bethlehem Area School District took the test – 53 at Liberty High School and 115 at Freedom High School. Mr. Villani noted that he will continue to gather data and break these numbers down by subject.

 

Mrs. Leeson asked that the Student Code of Conduct be reviewed, especially in light of the proposal concerning the Alternative Education Program. Dr. Lewis stated that Mr. Washington is currently in the process of reviewing the Student Code of Conduct since it is typically brought before the board for an annual review. It was also noted that the solicitor is currently reviewing changes in laws which may affect our current code of conduct.

 

Mrs. Leeson noted that at a recent meeting at Liberty High School, it was announced to the parents that a climbing wall will be installed during the renovations. Mrs. Leeson inquired as to when this was decided and by whom? Dr. Lewis said he will check into this matter.

 

Mrs. Dexter noted that during a recent parents’ meeting at Liberty High School it was announced that there will no longer be a full year math course. She indicated that and if a student does not receive a C+ or better, they will be required to take an additional mathematics elective for the second semester. Mrs. Victory explained that, in the past some students would take ninth and tenth grade mathematics extension courses and receive one mathematics credit and one elective credit. Starting in September, a student enrolled in this type of course will take mathematics in the first semester. A student who receives 73 percent or better will be allowed to take an optional elective instead of a math class for elective credit. A student who gets less than 73 percent will be assigned to continued instruction, on skills and concepts not yet mastered, before being permitted to enroll in the next mathematics course in sequence. Mrs. Leeson and Mrs. Dexter requested that additional information on this subject be brought to the March board curriculum committee meeting for the board to review. The other five members present felt that this was unnecessary, that they had sufficient information on this subject. Dr. Lewis suggested that an information sheet be provided to the board on the adjustments to the extended mathematics offerings. The board concurred.

 

FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL CHORAL FIELD TRIP

 

Mr. Villani distributed and discussed a brochure on a proposed Freedom High School concert choir trip to Vienna and Salzburg for November 19-26, 2006. He noted that in the current board policy, field trips abroad are to occur every four years. He asked that an exception be made for the concert choir due to the fact that only eleventh and twelfth grade students are involved in the choir. With the current policy, students who are currently in ninth and tenth grades would not be allowed to travel abroad when they are in the eleventh and twelfth grade concert choir. The board agreed that these trips are wonderful cultural experiences for students and approved for Mr. Villani to bring this trip information to the February 27, 2006, regular board meeting for final approval. The board also asked Mr. Gross to review the student trip policy for possible changes.

 

Mrs. Leeson requested that the district continue its policy of requiring groups to purchase trip insurance.

 

ALTERATIVE EDUCATION UPDATE

 

Mr. Villani presented a follow-up presentation to last month’s alternative education proposal which included the following information:

 

Bethlehem Area School District Career Academy –

1.     Intake: All referring schools must complete an intake form to be reviewed by an intake team along with personnel from the referring school.

2.     Mandatory attendance by recommendation: Students will have the ability to earn reentrance into the regular program at the end of the year. Mid-year reentrance will be made on a case-by-case basis. Reentrance to the home school will be based on attendance, behavior, and grades. The intake team as well as the home school will be involved in the reinstatement process.

3.     Alternative education: Elementary age-appropriate students will be housed in two classrooms at the Regional Academic Standards Academy; however, they will operate totally separate from the academic standards academy. Alternative education elementary classrooms will also have guidance and family development specialist support.

4.     Alternative education at middle and high schools (age appropriate): Students, which includes a smaller version of CA/MP (two classes), will be located in one facility to be obtained later. L/AMP and LEAD would be in the facility in the evening.

 

Based on these increases and additional housing, it is estimated that the program would cost $200,000, which would hopefully be funded through Alternative Education Funding. The board gave permission for Mr. Villani to bring the alternative education proposal to the February 27, 2006, regular board meeting for final review.

 

BROUGHAL SIGNATURE SCHOOL UPDATE

 

Dr. Lewis distributed a document that was created by a committee composed of the following people: Dr. Joseph Lewis, Anthony Villani, Eric Smith, Robin Lutcher, Scott Gilliland, and Joseph Santoro, with input from the technology staff and the science staff at Broughal Middle School. The purpose of the document is to show how the specialty space at the new Broughal Middle School would be utilized in what areas of science and at what range of grade levels.

 

Mr. Smith and Mrs. Lutcher presented a slide presentation on the science and technology curriculum, which included specialty spaces for a greenhouse, planetarium, weather station, multimedia center/library, television production, and fine and practical arts center.

 

Dr. Lewis noted that Mr. Villani and his team will be traveling to Harrisburg on February 27, 2006, to see the Harrisburg School District’s science and technology high school.

 

Dr. Lewis stated that he is currently working on securing partnerships and underwriters to help finance this endeavor.

 

Mrs. Leeson requested a report on the cost of all proposed spaces. She also inquired if these plans have been presented to the Broughal Community Advisory Group. Dr. Lewis noted that it was discussed with the group two meetings ago.

 

OTHER

 

Nothing to report

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

 

Minutes Prepared By:

 

 

Charlotte L. Zimmerman

Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction