MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2008

Members of the Board Curriculum Committee met on Monday, January 14, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. in the Education Center’s Superintendent’s Dining Room. Present were Curriculum Committee Members Mary M. Katona, assistant to the superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and Richard Agretto, director of special education; and Board Members: Rosario Amato, Michele Cann, Judith Dexter, Irene Follweiler, Dr. Craig Haytmanek, Charlene Koch, Loretta Leeson, and Eugene McKeon. Also in attendance were: Dr. Joseph A. Lewis, superintendent of schools; Robert Gross, associate superintendent; Frank Arbushites, coordinator of academic computing; Dr. Dean M. Donaher, director of special programs and athletics; Dr. Joanne LoFaso, coordinator of Literacy/ELA, K-8; Eric Smith, supervisor of science; Julie Victory, supervisor of mathematics; and representatives of the press.

Mrs. Dexter called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR

Mrs. Dexter noted that there were a lot of people for Courtesy of the Floor and recommended that this section be allowed at the beginning and at the end of the meeting. The board agreed with her recommendation.

Mr. Zach McCornac, a student at Liberty High School, presented petitions to the board requesting additional tracking for the high school schedules.

Mr. DeJour Scott, class president of the Liberty High School class of 2008, presented petitions to the board requesting that Mr. Garin’s class on “Skeptism and Logic” not be reduced in the number of sections scheduled.

Mrs. Ann Goldberg, 2216 Montgomery Street, Bethlehem, spoke regarding keeping the Reading Recovery Program intact.

CONTRACT RENEWAL FOR THE LEHIGH VALLEY CHARTER SCHOOL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Dr. Tom Lubben presented a video produced by the students at the Lehigh Valley Charter School for the Performing Arts (LVPA). Mr. Lubben then thanked the Bethlehem Area School District for working cooperatively with the LVPA during the current contract and asked that the board renew their charter for another five years. In response to board members’ questions, Dr. Lubben replied that the LVPA is subject to the same testing as the Bethlehem Area School District; in fact, LVPA has made AYP all four years. He also stated that LVPA’s day consists of one-half day of academics and one-half day of performing arts classes so students are well prepared to attend college after graduation. The agenda item regarding the renewal of the LVPA charter will appear on the agenda of the January 22, 2008, Regular School Board Meeting.

CONCESSION STAND REPORT

Dr. Dean Donaher reviewed an agenda item for the January 22, 2008, Regular School Board Meeting regarding the Concession Stand Report. He noted that this is a report of the operation of the concession stands, located in the Bethlehem Area School District’s stadium, during the fall season.

SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM UPDATE

Mrs. Katona reviewed the updated Social Studies Curriculum Action Plan, which she explained is a draft of the six to twelve sequence based on the states’ standards. In response to the question of whether teachers were involved in the process, the administration responded that, at first only a small group of teachers were involved, but the entire staff became involved at the last district inservice. Mrs. Katona noted that the elementary social studies curriculum, under the supervision of Karen Aulisio, principal of Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, will soon follow. Mrs. Koch stated that she would like the opportunity to assist with this project.

Mrs. Dexter stated that it was brought to her attention at Nitschmann Middle School that there is a concern with the age of the textbooks and she asked what the plan is for the new curriculum.

Mrs. Katona replied that some of the current textbooks may move from grade level to grade level, for example, the ninth grade books to the seventh grade. She also noted that the administration is looking into new pilots for the schools.

Mrs. Dexter reminded the administration that all pilots must be approved by the board.

HIGH SCHOOL ELECTIVES UPDATE

Mrs. Katona explained that the administrators from Liberty and Freedom High Schools have worked with their department chairs and with cabinet members to identify those courses that have had insufficient enrollment over time. She explained that, in some cases, these courses were removed from the course selection books, or they were modified in order to provide greater opportunities for student enrollment. She provided the board with a table that identified adjustments that have been made at each high school.

Dr. Lewis explained that, as a district, the administration needs to make a choice on which way to go with courses. They have to look at multiple years and the number of students taking various courses.

Mrs. Leeson stated that she would like to see the administration set up a prescribed way of looking at courses and establish procedures for dropping or combining courses. Mrs. Dexter suggested that this idea be discussed at a later date, with the possibility of the board being required to vote on curriculum choices offered and/or changes to curriculum at each school.

ACTION PLAN UPDATE

Mrs. Katona presented an update to the board regarding information referring to Section 6: Milestones of Progress, found within the Bethlehem Area School District’s Action Plan. She presented a summary identifying objectives within each of the major areas: Quality Teaching, Quality Leadership, Artful Use of Infrastructure, Continuous Learning Ethic, and the progress the district has made towards meeting these objectives. She noted that subsequent Board Curriculum Committee Meeting updates will focus on areas where additional movement has been made toward accomplishing the district’s goals.

Mr. Amato inquired as to what the administration is finding in tutoring and interventions that is still keeping students from meeting standards. Mrs. Durante responded that, in mathematics, it is measuring; in English/literature, it is comprehension; and in general, it is students not completely answering questions, and the lack of student commitment to attending tutoring sessions. Mrs. Katona noted that the curriculum is constantly being revisited to ensure that students get what is needed.

The board asked that the subject of tracking be added to the agenda for the next Board Curriculum Committee Meeting, and invited the students present to return to the next meeting for this discussion.

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR

Mr. Stephen Antalics, 737 Ridge Street, Bethlehem, spoke regarding the discussion on Charter Schools and the Inclusion Policy.

Ms. Gabriel Tallerico, a Liberty High School student, thanked the board for making tracking a part of their discussion this evening.

OPEN FORUM

Mr. McKeon asked for the date of the next Freedom High School Parent Meeting. Mr. LaPorta responded that the next meeting was rescheduled to February 21, 2008, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Freedom High School. Mr. LaPorta noted that at this meeting he has scheduled Pennsylvania State Trooper Paul Iannace, investigator in computer crimes. His presentation will revolve around cell phone and computer security involving children, more specifically, threats and dangers of unsafe usage of MySpace and FaceBook. He noted that the meeting will also be open to parents and students of Liberty High School.

Mr. McKeon also mentioned that he had attended the Science Fair at Governor Wolf Elementary School. He noted that the students were very articulate.

Mrs. Follweiler noted that she liked having Courtesy of the Floor to Visitors at the beginning and at the end of tonight’s meeting and would like the board to consider adopting this policy for all future meetings.

Mr. Amato inquired if the district is turning off the heat in the Freedom High School gymnasium since it is always so cold in there and requested that the administration look into fixing this problem.

Mrs. Leeson thanked the students for attending this evening’s meeting even though they are in the midst of finals exams. She also thanked Mrs. Katona and the administration for the new format of the agenda, stating that it is very helpful. She also stated that she feels there is a need for the Gifted and Motivated Task Force to be moving ahead.

Mrs. Koch reminded board members that the next Pennsylvania School Boards Association Region 8 meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, 2008, at the Best Western in Bethlehem, and invited them to attend.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Minutes Prepared By:

Charlotte L. Zimmerman

Administrative Assistant to the Assistant to the Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction