Special Called Meeting

SBDM Minutes

August 26, 2002

 The Picadome School Community is committed to all students attaining the highest levels of academic achievement and responsible citizenship through equitable opportunities in becoming lifelong learners.

 Ms. Simms called meeting to order at 5:08. Members present: Tammy Johnson, Juaacklyn Cunningham, Bill McMakin (teachers); Tammy Lynch and Jeff Mefford (parents)

 Since this is a Special Called Meeting, the only item on the agenda is staffing.

 Ms. Simms put the current configuration on board:

  Picadome is participating in the Lower Class Size Initiative. We receive Federal funding and district money by trading primary assistants for teachers to keep our primary classes low in number - nine primary classes maintaining a maximum class size of 18 students.  Currently several of our LCSI classes have more than 18 students. We did not receive an additional teacher after Day 4 staffing adjustments; therefore we will make needed changes with current staffing. There are several options to consider to put Picadome into compliance.

  Ms. Simms reviewed rationale for the three-four combination classes. These include easing the transition from primary to intermediate, providing opportunities for flexible needs grouping, and giving lower class sizes in our accountability year.  Currently, there are no problems with the numbers of students in the kindergarten or first grade classrooms. The problem is in our second grade (P2) classrooms. Our seconds have a total of 6 students over the required number for LCSI.

 Ms. Simms presented the following options for the council to consider:

 Option 1: disband three-four classes The problem here is that 74 students would be relocated and our objective of having those classes would be lost.

 Option 2: move some third grade students to a straight 3^rd; move fourth grade students from that class into the other three-four classrooms. This would move 28 students.

 Option 3: keep 4 three-four classes and make 2 two-three classes. This moves 20 students.

 Council agreed on Option 3 by consensus. In addition, Ms. Simms will have complete discretion to implement Option 3 and make any adjustments she deems necessary. She will seek parent / teacher input. This option moves only 20 students.

 Meeting adjourned at 6:05.