The School Committee unanimously voted to approve a recommendation from Superintendent Gormley to cap the French Immersion program. The motion was made by Ms. Kelly and seconded by Ms. Bagley-Jones. However, it was left to Ms. Gormley to supply the bulk of the language, She essentially confirmed the language contained in her recent presentation regarding how the cap would be managed. The presentation stipulates the following:
- Each year determine the level of interest in the grade 1 English and French programs
- Accommodate and assign all students to grade 1 English who select English
- Hold school based lotteries for French Immersion seats
- Determine the number of grade one English and French
- Immersion sections and class sizes at each school
- Assign students to French Immersion classes via a school based lottery system
One modification will be to allow for students to be in a lottery to fill open seats in the French program that may exist outside their neighborhood school. English classes will have up to 22 students; French classes will have up to 26.
There was surprisingly little discussion from members of the committee regarding the policy itself. Upon closure of Citizen Speak and approval of meeting minutes the committee took up the topic and spent some time discussing how to approach it. They did discuss at some length the notion of sibling preference. Mr. Walker was inclined to favor a grandfather clause given that the parents with children in Kindergarten had little time to absorb the change and plan for it. Ms. Padera felt “the game was up” for everybody. In the end they followed Ms. Gormley’s recommendation. Ms. Gormley, who perhaps summed up the situation best when she said, “I have to be responsible for all the children. . . we have three outstanding programs.But it’s difficult. . . they are difficult decisions.”
Assistant Superintendent Phelan clarified that the notion of sibling preference as initially conceived and implemented pertained to preference for the school, not the program. As we understood the discussion that will continue to be the case. This enrollment policy will be in effect for the 2013 school year.
Almost a dozen parents spoke at the during the citizen speak portion of the meeting. Those speaking leaned slightly toward those in favor of the cap. Interestingly, some of those in favor of a positive vote on the cap believed it would help bring an end to the divisiveness and put all programs on a firm ground. Some of those opposing the cap felt a vote in favor would only exacerbate the divisiveness. Time will tell.