RAYNHAM QUALITY OF EDUCATION COMMITTEE
November 11, 2004, 6:00 pm 53 Orchard Street
Meeting Room, Town Hall Raynham, MA 02767
MINUTES
Present: John Donahue, Chairman Absent: Marie Smith, Chairman Finance Committee
Sue O’Brien, School Committee Mary Hocking
Gemma Kochan, L.P.O. Gordon Luciano, Board of Assessors
John Thomas Stephen Donahue
Tammy Perry, E.C.P.O. Betty Thompson
Karen Crisafulli
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
John Donahue recommended approving the minutes at the end of the meeting. He stated that the only agenda for the meeting was to finalize the community survey so it could be distributed at the Town Meeting on Monday night. The survey questions were discussed and the following changes/deletions made.
General:
Added: I currently have a child in grade:
K-1 2-4 5-8 9-12
#2. Change range to: 18-29, 30-45, 46-60, 60+
#4. Change c to read: changed to monthly school communication
Change e to read: public forums/parent groups
Add h: from student
Added: I feel that I am adequately informed - (Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
Personnel: (Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
1. Deleted
2. Moved to end.
3. Combined.
4. I believe each building should have a full-time principal
John said he would like to add the population of the schools as a footnote.
5. OK
7. What do you believe is the appropriate Administrators to Student ratio?
Added: What do you believe is the appropriate student to Guidance Counselor ratio?
200:1 300:1 400:1 500:1 600:1
What do you believe is the appropriate student to principal/assistant principal ratio?
400:1 500:1 600:1 700:1 800:1
What do you believe is the appropriate Guidance Counselor/Student ratio?
I believe that each PK-1 classroom should have an educational teacher aide
I believe smaller class sizes have a positive impact on student achievement.
The town should make Pre-K education available to include more students.
I believe the town should offer full-time kindergarten
Curriculum: (Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
Added: I believe that Music, Art and Phys Ed are part of the core, required curriculum.
I believe Foreign Language study is an important part of the child’s education.
At what grade should Foreign Language begin: 6 7 8 9
How many periods per week should the following classes be held?
Music 0, 1, 2, 3
Art 0, 1, 2, 3
Phys Ed 0, 1, 2, 3
Change the word from “my” to “a “ in question about Extracurricular activities.
I believe our children are being educated in a well-rounded, comprehensive curriculum.
Standardized tests are an accurate measurement of a school district’s quality of education.
I believe our children are safe in Raynham schools
The current quality of education might cause me to send my child to another district.
What grade would you give your community’s public schools?
Grade: K-4 Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
5-8 Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
9-12 Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
Delete: Delete question #14 and paragraphs and replace with:
Here is a list of possible changes that would require an increase in town funding. Please tell us if you would favor or oppose making each of the following changes to improve your public schools: Either In Favor of or Opposed choice
Add to question 11 under Support: j. Full-time Registered Nurse in each building
k. Full-time librarians
Facilities:
Delete all parts of #14 and replace with:
1. I believe the level of funding is directly proportionate to the quality of education.
2. Raynham provides a fiscally responsible education commensurate with the standards and expectations of our community
Open Response: Both questions would remain
Sue stated that the cover letter should clearly explain that the committee is for a quality education. She also suggested sending a copy of the survey to Dr. Bemis for her opinion.
The Chairman asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the October 25, 2004 and November 1, 2004 meetings. Sue motioned, John T. seconded, all present voted to approve the minutes of the October 25, 2004 and November 1, 2004 meetings as printed.
The committee agreed to meet on November 22, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. George Guasconi will be invited to answer questions on the budget.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Guay,
Recording Secretary
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