SBDM Council Minutes

February 13, 2003

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.

  The meeting was called to order at 3:20 p.m. by Darla Simms, council chair.  Members present were: teachers- Tammy Johnson, Juaacklyn Cunningham and Bill McMakin; parents- Tammy Lynch and Jeff Mefford.

  I.    Approval of Minutes

Due to the special called meetings, there were several sets of minutes to be reviewed and approved: minutes of January 9, 2003 meeting read and approved with minor changes; minutes of the January 22, 2003 special called meeting were approved; minutes of January 29, 2003 special called meeting were approved with changes; minutes of the February 3, 2003 special called meeting were approved with changes.

  II.  Budget

Miss Simms updated council on the SCIF  (School Council Instructional Funds).  There was a question about the total amount remaining in the library fund. Miss Simms will check with Jane McDowell on this amount and report to council at the next meeting.  There was also a question about textbook money.  Miss Simms will also check on this and report at the next meeting.

  III.  Information

Senate Bill 168

Currently we are where we should be with the Senate Bill 168 timeline. Our Gap Reduction Target was submitted in January (see attached). SBDM committees are continuing to work on strategies to close the gap between low socio-economic students and non-low socio-economic students in math and social studies.  Mrs. Smith will present a draft of the revised Comprehensive School Improvement Plan including these strategies to council at the March 13 meeting.  Committees will also work on the parent component of our Comprehensive School Improvement Plan at the next grade level meetings on March 4; Mrs. Smith presented a sample parent survey for SBDM review; council agreed this should be used to collect data for the parent component of the plan.

In addition, council agreed by consensus to have Mrs. Smith create a Planning Committee including Miss Simms, Mrs. Smith, subject area representatives, Mrs. Kenney, Ms. Cleary and at least two parents. Miss Simms will need the strategies for closing the achievement gap in order to plan for the public meeting (required by Senate Bill 168) to inform our parents and community about our plans to close the gap and to gain input from the community. These strategies will also be added to our revised Comprehensive School Improvement Plan.

Miss Simms reminded council that when we got our second month ADA (average daily attendance) adjustment to our SCIF budget, we did a budget transfer to put this money into the instructional funds code. Therefore this additional money could be used to cover the cost of any activities/items we plan to use to close the achievement gap. Juaacklyn Cunningham pointed out that math textbook money could be considered for this also.

Staffing update and consultation:  

Jane Kenny has been hired as the new counselor. Sandra Simmons was hired as the new second grade teacher provided by the district due to the fact that our primary classes are over cap size. There has been no progress on the part time custodial position however, Randy Hill is working two hours overtime each evening (instead of the four hours regular pay a new person would work) to keep up with the classroom cleaning.  The district has agreed to pay his salary at this rate.

        Disaggregated data: reading & math (see attached)

      Mrs. Smith was to present the disaggregated data from the winter testing (January) mandated by the district. Even though the data was not complete, council asked to see it due to the fact that our decisions concerning our ESS program will be based on this data. The data was incorrectly figured and mistakes were found throughout the data. Council will decide on our ESS program tonight; corrected data will be presented at the March 13 SBDM meeting.

 

IV. Action Items

      Extended School Services

Council discussed the feasibility of including Kindergarten and first graders our spring ESS. Kindergarten and first grade teachers present at the meeting feel this would bee too long a day for young children. Miss Simms asked Mrs. Smith to provide information on the reason for students who choose not to attend to help determine if there is a need for transportation. Mrs. Smith is recommending that we do not provide transportation. There was a discussion on the feasibility of having transportation in spring and eliminate the summer session. It was also mentioned that we could use additional money for materials. For the spring 2003 ESS, the following was agreed by consensus: transportation will not be provided; classes will be held from 3:15-4:15 on Mondays and Wednesdays to begin on February 24, 2003. Teachers will look at individual student needs in determining in which area students will receive instruction. Instructional focus will be: Grade 5-reading and math; Grade 4- writing (reading and math as needed); Grade 3- reading and math depending on student need; Grade 2- reading and math.

      The Hiring Policy was not presented because the Budget and Personnel committee worked on science strategies for Closing the Achievement Gap at their meeting.

Tentative agenda items for March 13, 2003:

Textbook money/ math adoption

Professional Development money

Social Studies Competency Assurances

Comprehensive School Improvement Plan

Hiring

Staffing/Budget

Disaggregated data

Date for called meeting

Senate Bill 168

 Meeting adjourned 5:18 PM

 

Respectfully submitted,

Becky Boling