Laurel Nokomis School

School Advisory Council

Minutes – September 21, 2004

 

Present:  Staff- Principal Nancy Dubin, Assistant Principal Debbie Cohen, Carolyn Reichard, Jean Thompson, Scott Singleton, Peggi Conlin-Paquette, Deanna Lawton, Parents and Community/Business Representatives – Lisa Callaghan, Kathleen Day, Linda Johnson, Kelli Ottman, Stephen Dembinski, Richard Holder, Michael Deming, John Jefferson

 

Handouts:

School Improvement Plan (SIP)

Subcommittee Report- School Recognition funds

State Equity Laws-Policy against Discrimination for Students

 

Welcome and Introductions:

The meeting was called to order at 6:05pm by Co-Chair, Lisa Callaghan.

 

Approval of New Members:

Mrs. Callaghan explained that one of our elected Community members, Terri Ramey, was unable to serve this year.  Mrs. Callaghan then introduced Michael Deming, a community member with long standing ties to Laurel Nokomis School.  Mr. Deming offered to serve on SAC as a new Community member.  His appointment was unanimously approved.

 

It was also decided that two sixth graders, Joseph Ottman and Cody Johnson, would share the position of student rep.

 

Review and Approval of Minutes:

The minutes of the August 24 meeting were reviewed.  A question was raised concerning the SIP goals for Laurel Nokomis School as some SAC members thought that there were 3: reading, writing and math.  Mrs. Dubin clarified that, although those three goals were to be the emphasis district-wide, Laurel Nokomis School did not need to include writing since we made our goal in that area last year.

 

School Improvement Plan – Goals Review:

Mrs. Dubin reviewed the information included in the SIP provided to SAC members.  She cautioned that the document we received was only a draft since some of the information still needed to be updated.  She pointed out that the source used for any data is indicated on the document.

 

All achievement data is expressed both in terms of the entire student population and in terms of relevant sub-groups.  It was discussed that a given student may be a member of two or more sub-groups and may be counted in this data up to four times.  Mrs. Dubin explained this reflected the goal of closing the achievement gap for all sub-groups.

 

As stated above, LNS met the goal in Writing last year.  This means that the data on page 14 of the draft needs to be changed.  Currently, the document states that we need to add strategies to meet this goal.  The strategies are already in place, but need to be maintained.  There are several other areas in the document which state that strategies that are already in place need to be added.  The information will be updated to indicate that these strategies are to be maintained.

 

Sub-Committee Report- School Recognition Money:

The Subcommittee recommendation for the distribution of School Recognition Funds was reviewed.  Though all SAC members were in agreement with the recommendation, several members had attended meetings with other interested parties.  Some of the concerns raised by other parties concerning the best use of these funds were discussed.

 

Mrs. Callaghan thanked members for their input.  It will be useful when the SAC sub-committee meets with the SBMT sub-committee next Wednesday, Sept. 29th.

 

Other:

There will be a Supervisor’s Round Table at Oak Park School on November 30.  Two representatives from LNS SAC are needed at this meeting.  Lisa Callaghan and John Jefferson volunteered to represent us.

 

It was suggested that our next SAC meeting be postponed so that we may review the recommendations of the September 20 sub-committee meeting.  Mrs. Callaghan reminded members that we must have any questions related to the SIP resolved prior to the October 15 deadline.  After discussion, the meeting date was changed to Tuesday October 5.

 

Richard Holder continues to keep abreast of proposed and approved legislation that may effect our schools.  It was agreed that he be put on the agenda for the next meeting.  He will prepare a packet of information, which should prove interesting and informative.

 

New members were reminded that they must attend a training session on September 23.

 

Adjournment:

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Kathleen Day