O’Rourke Middle School Building Council
Monday, January 26, 2009
2:45PM
 Library Classroom

Attendance:  Valerie Wadsworth, Don Germain, Robin Gawrys, Judy Brinkman, Kevin Ahern, Penny McDonnell, Nancy Pearse, Sharon Salmon

1. Review of Minutes:  The minutes from the December 8^th and 22^nd meetings were reviewed and accepted as written.
2. Standing Committee Reports: 
   1. SASI:  Due to the fact that SASI will no longer be adequately supported by the parent company, the District will begin the process of investigating other administrative management system products that will meet our growing needs.  A district-wide committee will be formed in the spring to thoroughly research the market and make recommendations. 
   2. Class Night:  Preliminary plans are being made to organize the 8^th Grade Class Night ceremony and dance.  Parent representatives Patty McCormick and Luann Graham have met with staff representatives to work on the development of a theme.  Student homeroom representatives will be chosen to help facilitate this work.  A letter will be going home to 8^th grade parents in the mid year report cards highlighting conduct and dress code expectations for participation.  Negotiations are taking place to work out the logistics of potentially moving the ceremony to the High School Gymnasium to support the growing number of parents, siblings, and relatives who attend the event.
   3. Transition Committee:  This committee is scheduled to hold its next meeting on February 5 to review current transition initiatives and set the direction for future planning.
   4. Disconnected Kids:  This committee is scheduled to meet on February 3^rd to evaluate the Academic Support program and define effective ways to utilize Title IV grant money for tutoring.
   5. Academic and Personal Excellence:  This committee is scheduled to meet on January 29 to begin work on the PDA rubric.
3. Fiscal Climate:  An overview and ensuing discussion took place regarding the current fiscal climate and its potential impact on education in our district.
4. Open Agenda:
   1. Construction:  The District continues to move forward with the development of a facilities review committee to make recommendations for potential future construction initiatives.
   2. Hostetter Status:  An update on the status of the Hostetter Building was given. 
   3. Building Water Line Break:  A break in the greenhouse heating system water line forced the closing of school for a day.  This problem has been corrected.
   4. Council Calendar:  The calendar of meetings for the Council for the remainder of the year was reviewed.  The remaining meeting dates are: February 23, March 23, April 28, and May 26.  The May 26 meeting may have to be rescheduled due to a conflict with the grade 7 field trip on that day. 
   5. ELA and Field Test Administration:  A discussion took place regarding the many constraints that influenced the administration of the State ELA exams and upcoming Field Tests.  They include: vacation schedules, local exams, the timing of the exam administration with regard to the calendar, the rotating class schedule, itinerant teachers and their availability, the grading window, scoring schedules, and semester change, among other things.  Those items under our control will be reviewed and potential improvements suggested for next year.  Administrators will continue to lobby at the State level for modifications in the timing, calendar, and administration protocols of the exams.