Here are the meeting notes as a Word file: Meeting Notes July 2, 2013 SWCC Ed Com final.doc

   or read below.

July 2, 2013 Meeting Video - 320x240 :  http://youtu.be/MhIj9QsvCZU

July 2, 2013 Meeting Video - 640x480 :  http://youtu.be/dkmRRN4E1o0

SWCC Education Committee
Tues Meeting at Arnett Library
July 2, 2013

The Meeting convened at 6:05 pm.
Present: Mary Adams, John Boutet, Marian Boutet, Dan DeMarle, Robin Dettman, Bruce Dunn, Bill Nichthauser, Betsy Romson, Jay Ross

1. Introductions 6 min
2. School 10, 16 & 44 update 8 min

• School 44 may close before 16 is back – possibly imminently. This will push local students to charters.
• Need to contact Superintendent and Board members individually.
• School 16 re-opening may be delayed to Phase 2 -substantially past 2015

3. Review of School 33 Turnaround

• Presentation – School 33 20 min..... Robin Dettman
  See video. Robin started at School 33 in 1995. He had asked Manny Rivera to let him work as a consultant with the worst school to turn the school around. In mid May Manny asked Robin to work with School 33 to improve performance. The first thing he said to the teachers is that he believed in them and their abilities. He asked them to create a plan that would make their school the best educational model they could envision, one that could make the students successful. They created a school improvement plan, including pre-K, within three weeks. Societal problems were not to be considered initially by the teachers. Robin and administrators addressed these issues via outside agencies. They were able to establish a health care facility with two full-time and one part time nurse practitioners. The principle had actually resigned, unbeknownst to Robin, before this process started. Neighborhood group had brought suit against the District because of the poor performance. Robin persuaded the Superintendent to open an interview process for the new principle, rather than assigning one.
  Unknown to Robin the school had been slated to be closed for poor performance. The viable School Improvement Plan that had been created within the first three weeks convinced them to keep the school open. At about 1000 students, this is one of the largest elementary school in the District. It continues to perform in the upper third of the elementary schools.
  
• Discussion 10 min...... All
  What can we do to help School 16 now, while they're still at Scio Street? Review their School Improvement Plan. Focus on best practices, evaluate previous efforts to understand what worked and what didn't, and why. Express confidence in he teachers, administrators, etc., acknowledge their abilities. Don't threaten them.
  How did this play with the Teachers Union? We had a good working relationship with the Union. Be familiar with the teachers' contract – it's on line at Rochester Teachers' Union site. There is flexibility built in to the contract. Also be familiar with the schools.

4. Volunteer recruitment 10 min

• Be clear about the expectations you have of volunteers – time availability, skill level. Should be part of the School Improvement Plan.

5. Next meeting plans 6 min

• Checked if Monday would be better...Jay:. no. Have meetings at schools when the school year begins.

Walk in item:

• Bruce Dunn shared information about “Common Core.” Check State of Kentucky regarding their implementation of Common Core. Issues are local control, corporate influence (e.g. The Gates Foundation) on education. There will be a local meeting July 8, 7:00 pm, at Faith Temple on Elmwood Avenue in Brighton.

The meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm.

Minutes submitted by Marian Boutet