Glenallen Elementary School

School Advisory Council

Minutes

January 8, 2003

 

The School Advisory Council meeting was held on January 8, 2003 at 4:00 p.m. in Portable 1.  Present at the meeting were Joan Bower, Principal, Glenn R.Wile, Assistant Principal, Michelle Channing, co-chairperson, Mary Wagner, Linda Shaughnessy, Myrette Rodney, Holly Gerzeny, Susan Steinfath, Luda Samchuk, and Brian Finnerty.  Absent was Natasha Telesford.  The meeting was called to order by Michelle Channing.  Also present in the audience were Glenallen staff members:  Ann Ulmer, Betsy Galterio, Linda Geller, Louanne Steele and Donna McGinn.

 

Introduction of Brian Finnerty, new business partner SAC rep, was made by Glenn R. Wile.

 

Announcement made that Pat Foster has stepped down from SAC due to conflicts with schedule.

 

No changes were made to last month’s minutes.

 

Climate surveys will go home in the report cards on the 16th and will be considered as a part of the work habits grade.  Student, staff and classified surveys will also be completed by the end of the month.

 

Introduction of Ken Marsh, Supervisor of Research and Development.  He came to speak to our staff regarding the new school “G”.  Issues discussed: 

 

·        February 4th the School Board will adopt the redistricting plan.  This will have minimal impact on Glenallen.  School choice will be delayed until after this decision is made.

 

·        School G will be up and running for the 2003-2004 school year.  It will be located on the Toledo Blade campus.  Will most likely have separate school times.

 

·        Ground breaking will be later this month.  It will be a 975 capacity school and will be a two story facility.

 

·        Mrs. Channing questioned the process for hiring and transferring.  All hiring will be based upon the language written in the union contract.  Toledo Blade will obviously need to surplus teachers.  The process of surplussing and hiring will be done in April.

 

·        There will not be a “free walk” for teachers to just opt to transfer to “G”.  Mrs. Channing received feedback from a staff member that our teachers should be given the option whereas this is “our” community.  Again, the contract will dictate the hiring process.

 

·        Handouts were shared showing the boundaries for the three schools.  The redistricting has minimal impact on Glenallen Elementary.

 

·        ESOL  How it impacts this program really depends upon how it falls and the areas in which our ESOL students are living.  We are no longer considered an ESOL cluster school.

 

·        All three schools, based upon the lines of redistricting, will remain Title 1 schools.

 

·        Issue of Choice:  The issue of choice will be discussed further with Principals and the Landings as to what schools will/will not be open for choice.  Will be based upon student projections.  May 1 will be the deadline for choice.

 

·        How will they go about making moves and decisions?  4 principles for guiding.

 

1)     try to use natural boundaries

2)     try not to redistrict students from one school to another if possible.

3)     try to redistrict an area only once.

4)     try to avoid moving students who can walk today and needing to become a bus rider tomorrow.

 

  Mr. Marsh presented two topics for the SAC’s input.

 

1)        The issue of the “hook” in redistricting.  Do we have those 30 students come to Glenallen or go elsewhere?  We all agree that the districting should be a straight line and that those students would be districted to Glenallen.

2)        Grandfathering:  The School Board is very sensitive to students who have been at a school for a long time.  Glenallen’s input was to not do “Grandfathering”.  Feeling that this way Toledo Blade would remain overcrowded and school “G” might not start out with the proportionate balance at each grade level.  Instead, entertain the options of redistricting or choice.  However, preference may be given to 4th or 5th graders.  Each case will be looked at individually.

 

Meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m.  Next meeting is February 6, 2003.

 

Respectfully submitted by,

 

Glenn R. Wile