Site Governance Meeting Minutes
Members present: Claire Summer, Kerry Dill, Melanie Menders, Ben Rosenberg, Ken Martin, Dana Shelburne, Kathleen Doll, Linda Dowley, Tony Farwell, Pam Zuckerman, Jamie Ginsberg, Michael Briggs and Liz Lindenfeld. Guests present: Parents Manuel Gonzalez and Linda Olson.
The meeting was called to order by Ms. Lindenfeld at
1. Minutes – Copies of the Minutes from the last meeting of
the Site Governance Committee on
2. Meeting Schedule – It was noted that the scheduled meeting dates for the Site Governance Committee conflicted with meetings scheduled for certain faculty members. After discussion, it was agreed that meetings would be held on the first Monday of the month, except for when a school holiday interfered and the meeting would be held on the following Monday, generally.
3. Election of Officers – After introductions by everyone in attendance, Ms. Lindenfeld discussed the necessity to elect officers of the Site Governance Committee for the school year 2006-2007. The election resulted in officers for the 2006-2007 school year as follows: Chairperson, Jamie Ginsberg; Vice-chairperson, Kerry Dill; Recorder, Michael Briggs.
4. Old Business – Student Placement - One of the agenda
items remaining from the previous meeting was a discussion of placement of
students in classes and the use of grades in prerequisites, end-of-year
evaluations and tests administered during the first week of school at the
request of Mr. Briggs. Mr. Shelburne indicated that the academic autonomy
earned by LJHS gave the school more discretion in the placement of students. He
explained that he was aware of first-week “readiness” exams only in Spanish 7/8
where the teacher held a discussion with each student whose readiness was
uncertain based upon the results of the exam. He explained that standardized
tests had indicated possible readiness problems for some students being
promoted to LJHS from
5. Old Business – “Culture of Civic Values” – A discussion was held concerning what the LJHS community, and the administration and Site Governance Committee specifically, might do to encourage appropriate behavior by students that would demonstrate a culture of civic values. During the extensive discussion, concerns were raised about ways to have students feel an ownership of the school. A code of conduct and communications to students and parents in the beginning-of-the-year information package were discussed. It was noted that some students demonstrated a sense of cynicism when they were mistreated by teachers and staff members. The discussion included that effect of student conduct on letters of recommendation and their ability to enroll in advanced placement classes, and the feelings by some parents that such actions were inappropriate because they had not been specifically warned of such consequences. A subcommittee was formed to study the issue and report back to the Site Governance Committee. Committee members included Mr. Gonzales, Mr. Farwell, Ms. Dill, Ms. Menders, Mr. Rosenberg, Ms. Zuckerman and Ms. Ginsberg.
6. Additional Site Funds – Mr. Shelburne reported that LJHS
was eligible for a one-time lump-sum distribution to schools, in the amount of $56
per student with an initial distribution of 90% of that amount. He explained
that based upon the school’s enrollment on
By motion made, seconded and passed, the meeting was extended for an additional 15 minutes.
During the extensive discussion, a recommendation was made that resurfacing of the running track might be contemplated. It was explained that the running track repair might be adequate on the three inside lanes because those were used most often by runners and walkers, whether students or members of the public. Someone noted that any resurfacing would be supplemented by funds that had been set aside for maintaining the running track. Mr. Farwell, as a representative from the LJHS Foundation, indicated that the LJHS Foundation might be able to assist by providing matching funds for certain items, including possibly more teaching stations and the running track resurfacing. Mr. Farwell indicated that inquiries were required about the amount of accrued funds for maintenance of the running track and answer sheet scanning equipment prices.
7. College Protocol Subcommittee – Ms. Dowley reported that the college handbook developed during the 2005-2006 school year had been proof-read and was being posted on-line under the counseling center link. A suggestion was made to add specific forms to the LJHS website for ease of retrieval by parents and students. The excellent work by Ms. Dowley and the subcommittee was uniformly praised.
8. The agenda item regarding Repercussions of new weighted grading system on class rank and independent study physical education as well as announcements/roundtable were tabled until the next meeting.
Before adjournment, Ms. Lindenfeld announced that a read-out
of the performance review of Mr. Shelburne, Principal of LJHS, would occur
during the first 10 minutes of the next meeting of the Site Governance
Committee on
The meeting was adjourned at
Minutes submitted by Michael Briggs.