February 8, 2012
HSU Committee Meeting Minutes:
In attendance:
Greg Kuhn
Laura Spiegelhalter
Michael Crain
Tim Holman
John Krysinski
Leanne Repper
Alesia Williams
Carole Sanders
Cindy Martin (parent)
Sandra Hubbard (parent)
Beth Stottman
Marti Johnston
Joey Demarco (Student)
Overview of committee meeting proceedings – the HSU committee is a fluid committee and will
meet at least once a semester to access the needs of the HSU magnet.
SBDM member Tim Holman discussed NEW state requirements and our need to be in
compliance with requirements.
Mr. Holman addressed what he saw as four main problems for HSU right now:
1. We are out of compliance with current progression guidelines within the district.
2. We are out of compliance with current state law with progression and connection of
student elective connection to their ILP. Students must take at least 4 elective courses
which support their ILP. (Both district and state requirements are new and were not
around when the HSU committee original meet to revamp the magnet).
3. The accountability index has changed and now we have to consider College and Career
Readiness Index. The ACT score is used to access College Readiness and students on
Career Readiness progression have to meet a benchmark.
4. The committee originally set up guidelines for the HSU magnet – 4 AP/Dual Credit
classes; a Springboard class (freshman year) to prepare our students to be successful in
upper level and AP courses and a senior humanities course for HSU students – only the 4
AP/Dual credit recommendation was implemented and as a result of not supporting our
freshmen with a Springboard college prep course some of our HSU students will have or
do have issues in completing the AP/Dual Credit requirement.
Comments from Michael Crain and others regarding what was initially intended
for the HSU magnet verses what has actually transpired….
Solutions provided by Tim Holman:
1. Keep the AP/Dual credit track, however include a career ready path option for HSU
students to select instead of AP/Dual Credit if they so choose. Career Paths right now
include 5 areas (see attachment from Marti Johnson). Career paths will continue to be
added to by the state with a possible Humanities pathway on the near horizon as well.
2. Keep 3 World Language requirements for HSU students.
3. Promote a humanities concentration (music, art, performance, writing, etc…which will
align with some students ILP – dependent on student).
Additional Suggestions from the committee:
4. Remove current freshmen level “Leadership Dynamics” course so that HSU students will
be able to start on either the Career or College ready path.
5. Remove senior level humanities HSU specific requirement for HSU magnet– most
students are able to take a progression of three humanities class which will count as their
humanities requirement (i.e. 3 years of band, art or chorus…) or Spanish Humanities or a
traditional humanities class which is currently offered.
Tim Holman and Beth Stottman will work on putting together the rationale and HSU program
view and will email to committee for comment.
Committee will meet again Tuesday Feb. 14th at 2:30 in room 129.