NPS:School-Committee-Minutes

School Committee Minutes and Meeting Summaries related to Special Education Minutes are not available for all meetings. As they become available, I will try to update this page. I will also write a brief commentary for meetings which I attend.

6/28/2010 Meeting Commentary

Three main points related to Special Education at the June 28 meeting. Minutes and meetings summaries are not posted yet.

1 - A new Autism focused school Integrated Learning Academy - Newton was approved to open on Oak St. It was a formality for the school committee but Paul Stein did an inspection and reviewed their plan and gave the OK. They still have to get approval from the state, which may happen before September. See their statement of philosophy here: http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/schoolcommittee/_documentsFY10/private_school_approval_ilan_06_28_10.pdf

2 - Judy LC gave a presentation on SPED trends. See her report here: http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/schoolcommittee/_documentsFY10/sped_trends_06_28_10.pdf
One point not mentioned in the meeting: If ASD growth and Specific Learning Disorder reduction continues at current rates, ASD will become the most common diagnosis for SPED in Newton in less than 10 years.

3 - The personnel report lists lots of SPED Aide leaving. See: http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/schoolcommittee/_documentsFY10/personnel_report_06_28_2010.pdf

5/24/2010 Meeting Summary

No SPED discussion at this meeting.

5/10/2010 Meeting Summary

No SPED discussion at this meeting.

4/26/2010 Meeting Summary

He (Jim Marini) also announced that the Special Education program evaluation study bid was awarded to District Community Partners (web site) and the project is underway.

4/12/2010 Meeting Summary

Student Services Report: Judy Levin-Charns, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, asked the Committee if the monthly report has been helpful and if they have any additional information that they would like her to include. Committee members commented that the current report is more of a budgetary document and requested more information around changes in population and programs, out-of-district comparisons, trends, and student achievement.

3/22/2010 Meeting Summary

No SPED discussion at this meeting.

3/08/2010 Full Minutes

- Parent thanked the Committee and administration for all the hard work they do for Newton’s children. Her son had severe developmental delay issues but, as a result of early intervention in the Education Center preschool and excellent programs and staff at Countryside Elementary School and Brown Middle School, he is doing very well.
- FY10 Budget ... Continued savings in salaries and utilities serve to offset increases in health insurance, unemployment and SPED....
- Budget Discussion, Sandy Guryan: ...In addition, the federal stimulus funds have helped bring down the cost of SPED. That will continue in FY11 and the challenge will then come in FY12. They have developed some very creative and innovative ways to run SPED programs, including the new alternative high school, which has resulted in cost savings...
- Math Coaches Paul Stein explained that the middle schools have been spending a great deal of professional development for teachers to meet in grade level department meetings working on common assessments and benchmarks and math coaches are critical in that process. They are experts in content and pedagogy and model for teachers directly in the classroom, as well as helping SPED staff with differentiating instruction. ...
- Steve Griffin Principal of Zervas Elementary School on Budget ... One area of major concern is the amount of mental health work principals have taken on, so maintaining the social workers is helpful. In addition, principals spend more time around SPED issues, which have become more complex without increased resources.
- Todd Harrison, Principal of Bigelow Middle School on Budget, has had the opportunity to have a part-time math coach through Title I funding. This person has served a very important role in terms of developing the programs and training the SPED staff, including teaching assistants, where there is a high degree of turnover every year.
- Gina Healy was able to find some funding for a math coach that has been in place for the past couple of months. ... She has also been working with both regular and SPED teachers around pedagogical issues.
- Todd Harrison is thankful for the additional SPED support, which allowed them to exchange some teaching assistant positions for teachers in the integrated program. This is very important to the needs of that population.
- PUBLIC COMMENT Jo-Louise Allen talked about the SPED review and the fact that it should not be rushed, as parents are concerned about having a chance for serious input. She hopes they will consider moving the dates for the preliminary findings. Reenie Murphy commented that the bids are still not opened and they are starting later than anticipated, so this is something they should discuss and consider.

2/22/2010 Full Minutes

No SPED discussion at this meeting.

2/08/2010 Full Minutes

- See also full student services report
- Student Services Report
- Reenie Murphy would like to see some more discussion on a future agenda around the trends in the SPED area.
- Susan Rosenbaum noted that this information does not track the specialists assigned to these students. She wondered if there are sufficient numbers and the size of their load.
- Jonathan Yeo noted that the aides and out-of-district placements are tracked closely because those are the two areas that fluctuate the most. The number of occupational and physical therapists is set systemwide at the beginning of the year and while there are shifts during the year the numbers are fairly constant at each school.
- Judy Levin-Charns added that one area where they may see some increase is in the case load of inclusion facilitators as students move in with significant needs.
- Geoff Epstein asked about the capacity at Central High.
- Judy Levin-Charns stated that they currently have 13 and are targeting 16. However, like any other program, it can have a moving population.
- SPED Consultant Status
- Jim Marini asked Deputy Superintendent Paul Stein to address the next topic under the Superintendent’s Report, which is the status of the hiring of the SPED consultant.
- Paul Stein stated that the consultant will review the programs and make recommendations regarding improvements and economies, as well as highlighting what Newton is doing well. Interviews have been held and reference checks are occurring. They hope to have someone on board very soon to begin this work.
- Kurt Kusiak hopes that the consultant will have meetings with the principals for feedback around the needs and what works best in their individual schools.
- Paul Stein assured the Committee that the consultants will get a great deal of feedback from a variety of constituents.
- Budget Sandy Guryan ... Continued savings in salaries and utilities serve to offset increases in health insurance, unemployment and SPED....
- Elementary Space Needs Zervas: Steve Griffin noted that they are anticipating the need for an additional classroom next year, which they can accommodate by using one of the SPED rooms that was previously a small classroom.
- Elementary Space Needs, Horace Mann, Greg Hurray ... This will require finding space for the programs currently in that area which are ELL, OT, speech & language, and math coaching. They will deal with the situation as best possible and Mike and Heidi are working with them to convert some space for that purpose...

1/25/2010 Full Minutes

- Jim Marini - Superintendents Report... Finally, he asked Paul Stein, Deputy Superintendent, to provide an update on the Special Education (SPED) review.
- Paul Stein indicated that interviews have been conducted and he is now in the process of doing background checks. They are very close to choosing a firm to conduct the study.
- NNHS Heidi Black stated that there are 60 typical classrooms shared between math, English, history, and world language. In addition, there are 16 science labs and a lot of smaller individually designed spaces for SPED, ELL, etc.

1/11/2010 Full Minutes

- Budget, Sandy Guryan They continue to monitor Special Education (SPED) costs and there are four additional students since last month, with associated transportation costs, but this is offset by attrition in the aides’ account, which has resulted in some savings.
- Class Size Report
- Jen Price Principal NNHS Rather than having separate SPED English classes they are attempting to have them co-taught by a regular and SPED teacher. They also attempt to keep Curriculum 2 level classes smaller with co-teaching as well.
- Kurt Kusiak asked how that benefits the classes academically.
- Jen Price responded that it allows for smaller groupings of students to work together and for the regular education teacher certified in a particular area to focus on providing the knowledge of the subject matter to the students while the SPED teacher can work on processing issues, note-taking, extra support, differentiating instruction, etc. One of the things they are very proud of is the increased number of students with Downs Syndrome passing the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exams. While it challenges class size issues, it also fosters the goal of holding all students to high expectations.
- Joel Stembridge, Principal of Newton South, stated they have multi-level classes as well and are seeing an increase in students staying in Curriculum 1 courses as they progress on in their grades.
- Audrey Peller, Principal of Ward Elementary School Some students have SPED aides and they have some limited availability to utilize them for the full class.
- Race to the Top Program, Paul Stein ... This is a competitive grant and Massachusetts will learn the outcome in April. This would make the district eligible for four consecutive years of additional Title 1 funds of at least $75,000 to initiate projects. Key areas outlined by the program are building capacity, college and career readiness, shoring up struggling schools, recruiting more teachers in the areas of science, technology, engineering & math (STEM), SPED and English Language Learners (ELL).
- Budget Sandy Guryan They continue to monitor Special Education (SPED) costs and there are four additional students since last month, with associated transportation costs, but this is offset by attrition in the aides’ account, which has resulted in some savings.

12/14/2009 Superintendent Search Meeting, Full Minutes

- Consultant Deb Raizes noted the incredible turnout and response from the focus groups; 311 people and 519 survey forms. The focus groups included a wide range of constituents, including but not limited to, parents, students, administrators, school committee members, METCO, Special Education, English Language Learners. In all their experience they believe this is the best document they have ever reviewed.

12/14/2009 Full Minutes

- Budget Sandy Guryan Special education (SPED) costs remain a concern, as a number of new student placements within the past 30 days have increased the tuition forecast, but this has been offset by increased savings in other categories including aides.
- Student Services Report (add link here) Judy Levin-Charns, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, presented the monthly report, which tracks activity for aides, contracted services, out-of-district tuitions, and transportation. SPED and preschool aides and budget comparisons by full-time equivalences (FTEs) for each level are included, as well as a cost breakdown and the number of FTE aides per school. There is a 2.2 FTE increase in aides. There are currently 11 students enrolled in the alternative high school (Central High), with six additional students in the referral process. Preschool enrollment has decreased by two resulting in 135 students – 65 with special needs and 70 without, and an additional 81 children who receive related services. The number of students placed out-of-district is 149; an additional 10 from last month.
- Marc Laredo questioned the optimal enrollment at Central High this year.
-Judy Levin-Charns stated that initially they set it at 16. She has been asked about increasing that number and they will analyze that request.
- MCAS Results, Paul Stein Newton also continues to score very favorably with comparison communities. However, there still remains a significant achievement gap in regard to some subgroups (African-American, Hispanic, SPED, English Language Learners) and they are constantly working on ways to level that field.
- Metco Lisa Reed Newton Metco Director ... If a METCO student with special needs requires an out-of-district placement that is handled and funded by the Boston Public Schools.

11/23/2009 Full Minutes

- Jim Marini Inclusive Schools Netwok Third, he mentioned the proclamation of the Inclusive Schools Network at Education Development Center, Inc., in declaring the week of December 7-11, 2009 as Inclusive Schools Week, which encourages schools and classrooms to sponsor appropriate learning and community–building activities. He noted that Newton is proud of its commitment of supporting the full inclusion model.
- Judy Levin-Charns, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, read the proclamation and mentioned several activities (Gregorio does anyone have this or know what activities Newton was involved in?) in which Newton Public Schools will be involved in this program.
- Jonathan Yeo thanked the staff, as well as the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SPED PAC), for their active involvement in this work.
- MOTION: It was moved to support the proclamation of the Inclusive Schools Network at Education Development Center, Inc., in declaring the week of December 7-11, 2009 as Inclusive Schools Week, which encourages schools and classrooms to sponsor appropriate learning and community–building activities.
- SPED Study, Dori Zaleznik mentioned that the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the SPED study has gone to the City and will be posted on 12/3, prescreened on 12/9, with the deadline for proposals being 12/17. The subcommittee anticipates being able to begin interviews after January 1 and hopefully have someone on board by the end of January.

11/09/2009 Full Minutes

-Budget, Sandy Guryan While special education (SPED) costs remain a concern, the tuition budget and continued placement of students within the district (Gregorio 18:00, 6 July 2010 (UTC)I wonder which placement this refers to and if the parents had any choice...?) has yielded savings.
- Budget, Sandy Guryan explained that as they changed the approach to how lunches were being served at the elementary schools, they had to take these cases school-by-school and determine if there was sufficient support. At this point, she believes it is a stable situation.
- Kurt Kusiak was struck by the decrease in SPED reimbursements from 75% to 40%.
- Sandy Guryan stated that this is a result of the economic downturn and came about last spring, when the State budget and federal stimulus money was being finalized. They are disappointed to have lost more than a million dollars of reimbursements, but fortunately they accounted for it and do not have to make any changes at this point.
- Student Services Report
- Judy Levin-Charns, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, presented the monthly report, which tracks activity for aides, contracted services, out-of-district tuitions, and transportation. SPED and preschool aide and budget comparisons by full-time equivalences (FTEs) for each level are included, as well as a cost breakdown for aides and the number of FTE aides per school. There is a 6.5 FTE increase in aides and there are 405 students receiving SPED transportation services.
- Walter Lyons, Dept. Head, thanked the School Committee for funding the alternative high school (Central High) program in this difficult and challenging budget year. This program will serve the neediest students who otherwise would be placed outside the system at a far greater cost. Full program approval was received from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) on 11/2/09. There are currently nine students enrolled; one who elected to return from an outside place, with six additional students in the referral process. Staff for this program includes a director, a full-time counselor, two-and-a-half teachers certified in math, science, English and social studies (with two being dual certified in content area and SPED), and two aides (one certified in physical education and the other in geography/social studies). They are looking at the growth process of the program in a slow and measured pace. The students and staff feel that they are part of a supported community. He invited the Committee to visit the facility as the transformation of the area is astounding. A full report will be presented to the Committee in January.
- Kurt Kusiak is very impressed with this program because it meets the needs of students, is innovative and cost effective. It is a wonderful model for how they should be reviewing all their programs.
- Marc Laredo asked about maximum enrollment.
- Judy Levin-Charns replied that for the first year they are looking at 12-15, but next year they may be able to increase that to 20, as there is an additional unrenovated space available in the building.
- Marc Laredo suggested that when they return with an update in January, they be prepared to talk about the in-house vs. outplacement costs, which would be helpful in analyzing the program.
- Matt Hills noted that it is almost intuitive to know that the program has educational value given they are keeping students in their home community. He asked how many students they had originally projected vs. what is in place, the point at which there are enough students where there is no additional cost savings, and given unlimited funds and space what they would like to see as the maximum number of students that could be serviced.
- Judy Levin Charns responded that they had anticipated 12-16 students the first year and expect to reach that level. - Walter Lyons stated that he anticipates the cost analysis to show that it is cheaper to keep students in-house than to send them to an outside placement. A similar program he worked in at Medford Public Schools had a component where students from outside the community paid tuition to attend. Overall size for this type of program in his opinion should be 35-40 maximum because beyond that they start to lose the sense of community.
- Reenie Murphy asked about the services provided to the pre-school students that are being evaluated and if this number seems higher than usual.
- Judy Levin-Charns noted that it runs the gamut from those who will ultimately need a full integrated program, some whom will only need half time and others who might require related services such as speech & language, occupational or physical therapy. The numbers ebb and flow through the years and this does not seem exceptionally high.
-Susan Rosenbaum asked about the increased number of aides.
-Judy Levin-Charns replied that it was a result of needs of students who moved into the system.
- FY11 Budget Margie Ross Decter noted that there are a number of places where they want to fund evaluations, such as SPED and math coaches, and these are areas that need to be addressed sooner vs. later because they require Request for Proposals (RFPs) and will take time to go through the process. Therefore, she would like to better understand how they might utilize time and resources to make progress on some of these important areas in the CAG report and SPED parent advisory council (PAC) recommendations, so that they can make real time changes and improvements to costly programs if necessary.

10/26/2009 Full Minutes

- Personnel Report Sandy Guryan The general fund is 19.7 full-time equivalencies (FTEs) over budget mostly due to the anticipated hiring of 19 special education (SPED) aides. This was offset through both turnover savings and savings in utilities. She mentioned the plan to bring in a consultant to do a more thorough review of the SPED program.
- Marc Laredo commented that there is a direct correlation between the amount of money available and number of teachers hired. Given the size of the system, a 5% turnover rate indicates a tremendous level of continuity and budget accuracy. However, he does continue to have concerns about the number of aides in the system, which seems to have decreased in regular education and increased in SPED. This is having increasing implications for the budgets and they need to understand and grapple with the problem. He looks forward to seeing the work of the consultant in this area so that they can have a better understanding of what is driving this issue.
- FY11 Budget Guidelines Marc Laredo ... Finally, he believes they need to incorporate the SPED review in the Guidelines.
- Dori Zaleznik stated that the SPED study will not get underway until after the 1st of the year, so if they are going to incorporate that into the Guidelines the best place would be the second year of the multi-budget.
- Jo Louise Allen announced the upcoming international program of Inclusive Schools Week, which is in its 9th year, and managed by Educational Development Corporation, which is housed in Newton. The program’s goals are around inclusion in socio-economic, multi-cultural, racial, ethnicity, sexual orientation and disabilities. She then mentioned MASC/MASS resolution #3 on Medicaid, which has an impact on the SPED program. Newton is an “opt in” community vs. many other communities which are “opt out.” This difference can make it difficult to obtain reimbursements because often families will not choose to opt in for privacy purposes or not totally understanding the program. Therefore, a change to “opt out” most likely will result in increased funding. Also, this reimbursement currently goes back to the City and while historically it has always been returned to the school system, this cannot be guaranteed. Finally, she mentioned that there are other service delivery models that could reduce the amount of SPED aides, such as hiring more special education teachers coming right out of school. They would cost the system less money, would not require

10/14/2009 Full Minutes

No SPED discussion at this meeting. Meeting focused on superintendent search.

10/13/2009 Full Minutes

FY10 Budget Report Sandy Guryan ... Nearly all positions are filled and the Federal Stimulus Grant is funded and being used, as planned, for a number of Special Education (SPED) initiatives. SPED costs continue to represent the main area of challenge.
- Jonathan Yeo mentioned that they need to be aware of the possibility of additional cuts at the State level and to consider how they might be able to absorb another shock to the system.
- Reenie Murphy agreed and noted that this could mean mid-year cuts.

9/29/2009 Full Minutes

- Subcommittee Liason Report, Dori Zaleznik, Chair of the Special Education (SPED) Subcommittee, noted that they put off the preparation of the Request for Proposal (RFP) to hire a consultant to conduct a SPED study because they had been focusing on the RFP for the consultant search, as it is such a time-consuming process. It is likely this will be completed after the 1st of the year.

9/14/2009 Full Minutes

- FY09 Final Budget Report, Sandy Guryan ... During FY09 the Student Services Special Education (SPED) area was under budget, so the program ended the year with a savings. However, because they had to pay more for tuition at the end of the year in order to save the Circuit Breaker funding, it looks as if there was a loss. So it is really an accounting function and in essence that program cost less than was planned.
- Motion It was moved to accept the grants (Kindergarten Enhancement, Racial Imbalance (METCO), Title IIA-Teacher Quality CFDA: 84:367, Enhanced Education Through Technology: Title II-D, CFDA 84:318, SPED 240 CFDA 84.027, Community Service Learning, Perkins, Threat Assessment Training and Support) totaling $5,779,896, as outlined in the memorandum of 9/9/09.

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