LSRT Meeting Minutes | January 21, 2010

In attendance: Dr. Cuthbert, Ms. Terrell, Ms. Gross, Ms. Stevenson, Ms. Guaraldo, Ms. Barr, Ms. Thompson, Kevin Youel-Page, Mitch Wander, and Beth Mailley.
Observers: Mimi Laver and Ms. Wilson.

Kevin called the meeting to order at 5:30pm and established that there was a quorum present.  The minutes from the last meeting were adopted.

Dr. Cuthbert and Ms. Wilson reviewed the preliminary 2010-2011 budget.  The budget is based on 297 students next year (approved following Dr. Cuthbert’s enrollment petition). They explained that the proposed 2010-2011 budget is substantially the same as the current year’s budget. It was noted that the costs per FTE are based on average DCPS salaries for individual positions and salaries overall have risen. The only change in the proposed budget from the current year is the addition of a .5 Special Education coordinator. Dr. Cuthbert was told that the Special Education coordinator and Special Education teaching position could no longer be combined into one position as was done this year.

Dr. Cuthbert and Ms. Wilson explained the difference between core and “non-core” positions. In order to make any changes to core positions, Stoddert must petition for a waiver from the Chancellor. Dr. Cuthbert will petition to have a .5 Special Education Coordinator (instead of a full time coordinator) in addition to a full time teaching position.

Discussion of the proposed budget followed. Feedback included concern with having only two custodial positions in a substantially larger building next year.  There is some hope that the DPR will support custodial work for the gym and common areas and that different schedules might help assure coverage.  There was discussion of the core Instructional Developer position and whether we should petition to reduce that function to a .5 position to enable addition of a .5 instructional position. A Spanish teacher or a Science teacher were both suggested.  There was discussion on the benefits and drawbacks of adding such positions.  It was the recommendation of the LSRT to petition to reduce from 1.0 to .5 the Instructional Developer/Instructional Coach position, which is focused on teacher development.  If approved, this would enable Stoddert to add a .5 position for an instructional position. The LSRT acknowledged this will require a waiver and recognized there is much debate about what this position might be. The LSRT agreed to continue the discussion and solicit feedback from the community.

Dr. Cuthbert is currently revising the Comprehensive School Plan and will be disseminating it to LSRT members for review shortly. Feedback is welcome and a final version is due with the budget on February 3, 2010.

Budget petitions are due January 29, 2010. Budget petition decisions are given to schools on February 1, 2010. The next meeting must be scheduled to discuss petitions decisions in time to submit the school budget by the February 3, 2010 deadline. Therefore the next meeting will take place on Monday, February 1, 2010 at 5:30pm.

The meeting adjourned at 6:30pm.