Jamestown Schools: A School-Community Partnership
"SCAN," issued by the Superintendent’s Office in conjunction with the School Committee, is designed to inform staff members and interested others of matters discussed and actions taken by the Jamestown School Committee at its most recent meeting. SCAN does not represent meeting minutes.
Workshop Discussion Topics
Update on the Bequest to the Jamestown School Committee: Ms. Kaiser and Ms. Kallfelz reported meeting with Attorney Quentin Anthony to discuss application procedures for scholarships awarded through the Elizabeth Stone Fund. As fund trustees, school committee members cannot delegate decisions concerning the scholarship fund but may appoint a panel to evaluate applications and make award recommendations to the committee. The school committee discussed appointing a three-person panel to include a school committee member, a member of the school community (parent or teacher) and a member of the broader community. The committee agreed that the application will include an essay; that financial need information will not be required; that scholarships will be one-year awards; that making several smaller awards (“book” money) is preferable to one large award; and that awards will be financed with fund interest, with the fund’s principal being preserved. The committee also discussed giving preference to students who attended Jamestown Schools, the high school of record, or an out-of-district placement. Ms. Kallfelz will draft a scholarship fund procedures policy for the committee’s review at an upcoming meeting.
1st Reading of the Hiring Policy: Committee members reviewed a hiring policy that will replace several older, separate versions. The committee commended the superintendent and administrative team for producing a comprehensive hiring procedures manual to accompany the policy. The 2nd reading of the policy is scheduled for the January 22 business meeting.
1st Reading of the Tobacco Policy: Committee members reviewed a tobacco-free schools policy and will hold the 2nd reading at the January 22 business meeting.
Budget workshops will be held on February 5 and 12. The next business meeting of the Jamestown School Committee will be on February 26. All meetings are held at 7 p.m. in the Lawn School Library.