Instruction Committee
School Board Conference Room
August 23, 2007

7:00 PM

Members Present:	Members Absent:	Others Present:
Mrs. Anne Grassie, Chair Mr. Robert Watson Mr. William Brennan	Mr. Charles DeVito Mrs. Pamela Hubbard	Mr. Michael Hopkins Mr. Kent Hemingway Ms. Susan Deese Mrs. Valerie McKenney Mr. John Connolly

The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with a quorum present.

1. PLATO summary – Mr. Hemingway provided SY 06/07 data on students completing PLATO courses and moving onto the next level in a course sequence. See attached memo. He summarized that the data indicates most students are utilizing PLATO credit recovery effectively and are able to successfully complete more advanced coursework.

2. Curriculum Update – Ms. Deese provided committee members with a revised math curriculum document. She explained how the proposed curriculum guide aligns with state and national standards. She provided examples of specific objectives and how they were developed across multiple grade levels. She asked the Committee to recommend adoption to the full Board in order for a final draft to be distributed to all teachers.

Mr. Brennan moved, second by Mr. Watson, to approve the revised math curriculum. The motion passed unanimously.

3. College Board/Gates Foundation Leadership Institute Award – Mrs. McKenney announced her selection as a participant in a competitive, national level leadership program sponsored by the Gates Foundation. Only 30 Principals were chosen nationwide from over 3000 applications. She shared an online video summarizing last year’s work and provided Committee members with details of her program. Committee members asked that information be shared with the press of Mrs. McKenney’s selection.

Mr. Watson moved, second by Mr. Brennan, to endorse Mrs. McKenney’s participation in the Gates Foundation Leadership Institute. The motion passed unanimously.

4. Field Trips – were reviewed as presented.

5. Other – RMS Excel program. Mrs. McKenney summarized planning efforts to improve discipline and provide structured alternatives for students. Handouts are attached.

At 8:02 pm, Mr. Brennan moved, second by Mr. Watson to adjourn. The motion passes unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Mrs. Anne Grassie, Chair

Rochester School Board
Instruction Committee
School Board Conference Room
August 14, 2007

6:30 PM

Members Present:	Members Absent:	Others Present:
Mrs. Anne Grassie, Chair Mr. Charles DeVito Mr. Robert Watson Mrs. Pamela Hubbard Mr. William Brennan	None	Mr. Michael Hopkins Mr. Kent Hemingway Dr. Richard Ayers, SERESC Ms. Jane Bergeron-Beaulieu, SERESC Mrs. Susan DeVito Dr. Anthony Pastelis Mr. John Connelly Ms. Alicia Hervey Mr. John Shea Press

The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with a quorum present.

1. Freshman Academy Report – SERESC consultants, Ms. Bergeron-Beaulieu and Dr. Ayers, reported to the Instruction Committee on their evaluation of the first year implementation of Freshman Academy at Spaulding High School. Copies of the full report were distributed to all board members digitally, and hard copies were available to all present.

A PowerPoint summary of their presentation is attached.

Following the presentation, Board members questioned the consultants on a number of their findings and recommendations. Mr. Hopkins indicated that an action plan would be developed by SHS staff and administration from these findings. He suggested that continued evaluation take place during the third year of implementation.

At 8:20 p.m., Mr. DeVito moved, second by Mr. Watson, to adjourn. Motion passes unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Mrs. Anne Grassie, Chair