Approval of Records
February 25, 2002
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
February 4, 2002
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, February 4, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, Town Hall. Chairwoman Broekel called the School Committee meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
Members Present: Peg Broekel, Michael Cashman, Jonathan Freedman, Henry Haugland, Diane Packer,
Ted Wynne
Members Absent: Kristine Van Amsterdam
Others present: James J. Connolly Superintendent
Patrick Schettini Superintendent
Audrey Seyffert Assistant Superintendent
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Natasha Smalky Student Representative
Community Members, Staff,
Parents
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Haugland moved for approval of the minutes of January 12, 2002. Mr. Freedman seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Ms. Packer moved for approval of the minutes of January 23, 2002 with one change. On page 4, the last sentence under To Approve Changes to Charter By-Laws was cut off. The sentence should read: They were unanimously approved. Mr. Freedman seconded. The minutes of January 23 were unanimously approved with the change.
Mr. Haugland moved for approval of the Executive Session minutes of January 12, 2002. Mr. Freedman seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Mr. Haugland moved for approval of the Executive Session minutes of January 23, 2002. Mr. Freedman seconded. They were unanimously approved.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chair Broekel asked if anyone wished to speak during Public Speak. No one came forward.
SELECTION OF ARCHITECT FOR NATICK HIGH SCHOOL RENOVATION
Mr. Connolly reported that the High School Building Committee recommended that the firm of HMFH be appointed as the architect for the high school project pending successful negotiations. Mr. Haugland moved for approval to appoint HMFH as the architects for this project. Ms. Packer seconded. It was unanimously approved.
PUBLIC HEARING ON FY2003 BUDGET
Mr. Connolly discussed the FY2003 budget request. He discussed:
· the fiscal environment of the state and the Town of Natick
· the long term objectives of the Natick Public Schools including:
Ø Teacher Staffing
Ø The Middle School Program and the High School Program
Ø Academic Performance
Ø Facility Renovation – Wilson Middle School and Natick High School
Mr. Connolly stated that the FY2003 budget goals are to have no layoffs, no program eliminations and to maintain reasonable class sizes.
The original budget request for the Natick Public Schools is $33,796,328 which is up $2,098,904 or 6.62% from FY02
Mr. Connolly presented proposed budget reductions and fee increases for the FY2003 budget which would reduce the budget request by $320,000.
The revised FY2003 budget request would be $33,476,328 – an increase of $1,778,904 over FY2002 or 5.6%. Mr. Connolly responded to questions.
Some comments/concerns raised were:
· Concern over the timing of the budget approval and the need to have staffing for next year in place before the current school year ends
· Feeling that a little more urgency needs to be displayed
· By increasing athletic fees, Natick will be at the top of the range with surrounding communities, yet we are not the wealthiest town in the area.
· Our schools are the heart of our community – more priority on our schools should be placed in the Town Administrators budget.
· While the needs of our special education students are being met due to state mandates, the regular education students’ needs are not being met.
· If you were to take the cost of special education out of the budget, the school budget has actually decreased over the last several years.
· Concern expressed of cutting the two proposed positions for the high school – increased enrollments warrant these teachers
· Members of the Finance Committee submitted questions through the Chair of the Education Subcommittee, Ms. Carol Gloff, who has forwarded them on to Mr. Connolly. Mr. Connolly will respond to these questions at a later date.
The School Committee will be having a joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen on Monday, February 11 to discuss options, including fees, to address the projected shortfall in the FY2003 budget.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Chair Broekel reported that she shared the School Committee’s recommendations of the proposed changes to the Natick Home Rule Charter with the Charter By-Law Review Committee. The Charter By-Law Review Committee will review these changes and come back at a future date with a recommendation. Nothing will be filed for the April Town Meeting on this matter.
Chair Broekel announced that the Natick Education Foundation will be holding its Spelling Bee on Tuesday, March 5th. The School Committee will have a team as will the Central Office Administration. More information may be obtained from the Natick Education Foundation’s website at natickedfoundation.org. In addition, information on the Natick Education Grant process may be obtained from the website.
Ms. Packer indicated that she and Mrs. Van Amsterdam will be attending a TEC meeting this Friday on curriculum. She will report back at a future meeting.
WARRANT ARTICLES FOR TOWN MEETING
Mr. Connolly reported on two articles that the administration is proposing for the April 2002 Town Meeting.
1.- To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate and raise or otherwise provide for the purpose of purchasing computers and other related equipment for the Natick Public Schools; determine whether this appropriation shall be raised by borrowing or otherwise; or take any action relative thereto.
The Fall 2001 TM voted a sum of $160,000 for this purpose. The original request was for $250,000. This was the fourth annual request for this amount; the three previous requests were fully funded. The remainder, $90,000, was to be requested in April 2002.
2. – To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money for architectural plans and specifications for the constructing, equipping and furnishing a renovated and expanded Natick High School on the site of the existing school; to determine whether this appropriation shall be raised by borrowing or otherwise; or to take any other action thereon.
The School Committee requested an amount of $2,100,000 in the Fall 2001 TM. The Finance Committee recommended and TM approved the amount of $500,000 with the understanding that an additional appropriation of $1,600,000 would be requested this April.
Submitting these articles now, will allow discussion with the Finance Committee on these subjects at their hearings in early March.
Mr. Haugland moved for approval to submit these two warrant articles. Mr. Freedman seconded. They were unanimously approved.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed:
RETIREMENT [RetirementPlus Program]: Professional Staff
Paul Peters, Athletic director and a member of the staff since August 1991. Retirement effective September 1, 2002.
TERMINATION: Support Staff
Joanne Andersen, ESL teacher assistant at Brown School since August 2001. Termination effective at the end of the day on January 11, 2002.
APPOINTMENTS: Support Staff
Charlene Harrow, to be part-time food service worker at Kennedy Middle School effective October 19, 2001. Salary, Step 1
APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff
Elizabeth Cross, to be (.5) school nurse at Bennett-Hemenway School effective January 14, 2002. Salary, Bachelors, pro-rated step 5.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
James J. Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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