Policy Committee Meeting Minutes

January 10, 2007

In attendance:

Robert O’Brien; chair

Susan Hopkins

Rebecca Minnick

Maureen Quinn

Members of the public in attendance:

W. Wilson, W. Weber, S. Mitchell

The committee reviewed policy GFFB and discussed whether the last paragraph was mandatory. It was the feeling of the members that this paragraph could be deleted, but the superintendent indicated that she would check with Ellen Alcorn who raised the issue when the policy first came to the School Committee.

Chair O’Brien gave an overview of his thinking and early planning for the committee’s work looking at the current policy IKC on weighted grades and class rank. There was discussion about the former Policy Committee chair Jon Radtke’s plan (attached) regarding this. Much discussion occurred regarding the charge of this committee as it relates to a new or revised policy that fell into two areas of thought:

~ Is the charge related to recognize academic achievement?

~ Is the charge more about how we build incentives for early college?

After further discussion, Chair O’Brien offered the following:

What if we had a thorough public vetting process on the issue?

Is the creation of a new policy critical or are we better served waiting for direction from the state as it relates to graduation requirements?

Discussion ensued around the need for data on the website. Additionally, the committee agreed that there would be a public forum on this issue in a month.

At the next meeting, set for January 17, 2007 at 6:00, the committee will discuss which data should be on the website.