Town of Natick - School Committee Minutes

Approval of Records

Natick Public Schools

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, March 18, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, Town Hall. Chairwoman Broekel called the School Committee meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

Members Present: Peg Broekel, Michael Cashman, Jonathan Freedman, Henry Haugland, Diane Packer,

Ted Wynne, Kristine Van Amsterdam

Others present: James J. Connolly Superintendent

Patrick Schettini Assistant Superintendent

Audrey Seyffert Assistant Superintendent

Mary Ellen Dunn Director of Fiscal & Management Services

Marianne Davis Director of Human Resources

Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary

Natasha Smalky Student Representative

Meghan Walsh Student Representative

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of the minutes of February 25, 2002. Mr. Haugland seconded. They were unanimously approved.

Chair Broekel asked if any one wished to come forward for Public Speak. No one came forward.

COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Chair Broekel commended the Natick Education Foundation on its recent spelling bee. She extended thanks to Mrs. Tina Furdon, chair of the spelling bee committee, for all her hard work.

Ms. Packer discussed the TEC Legislative Breakfast held last Friday. The breakfast was very well attended. The message received was “if we think things are bad with the financial picture this year, wait until next year.” A lot of discussion took place on revenue enhancements. There is a potential for a 10% cut in local aid which would put some communities below their foundation budgets. The TEC communities are pushing to fund the Special Education Circuit Breaker. At this meeting, Jim Connolly had an opportunity to speak to Mr. John Rogers, Representative for the 12^th Norfolk District and Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, regarding local option sales and meals tax. Mr. Connolly offered to send a formal letter to Mr. Rogers requesting that local options be given to communities for meals and sales taxes.

Mr. Haugland requested that the School Committee submit a Resolution to Town Meeting asking them to support the idea of local options for meals and sales taxes.

Ms. Packer also announced that the Suburban Coalition is holding their annual breakfast at the State House on April 24 at 9:00 a.m.

Mrs. Van Amsterdam reported on the Massachusetts Municipal Association meeting she attended last week. The same bleak financial picture was presented. The issue of how to find additional revenue sources was discussed.

Mr. Cashman recently attended the MASC Winter Leadership meeting and sat in on the School Building Assistance seminar. He will share materials from the seminar with School Committee members.

MEETING WITH STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD

The Student Advisory Board provided the School Committee with an update of happenings at Natick High School.

RECOGNITION OF STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES

Recognition was given to Meghan Walsh and Natasha Smalky for serving as Student Representatives to the School Committee for the 2001/2002 school year. Chair Broekel provided the School Committee and audience with a list of achievements that both students have received over the years. They were presented with Certificates of Appreciation from the School Committee.

UPDATE ON MCAS RETESTING

Mr. Connolly provided the School Committee with an analysis of the number of students in the Class of 2003 that still need to pass the MCAS tests in order to graduate. He indicated that a great amount of effort needs to be a given by the high school administration, high school teachers, students and parents to help prepare these students for the next round of testing. On April 22, a detailed report and action plan will be presented to the School Committee on how the retesting will be addressed.

MIDDLE SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE UPDATE

Ms. Mary Ellen Dunn provided an update on the Middle School Building Committee. They are currently in the technology planning/data gathering mode and should have a plan by the end of the spring. Everything else is going well and proceeding on schedule.

HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE UPDATE

Ms. Mary Ellen Dunn provided an update on the High School Building Committee. Mr. Ken Small and Mr. Mark Raider were appointed as Chair and Vice Chair respectively. The Committee is currently negotiating a contract with HMFH. Mr. Connolly reported that, after receiving a call from the D.O.E. on the schedule of projects, we should proceed with the original schedule of seeking an override vote in the Fall, continue with the design and begin construction in the summer of 2003.

A request was made to put more information on the high school renovation project out on the website.

PERSONNEL ACTIONS

RESIGNATION: Professional Staff

Michelle Blair, Grade 6 teacher at Kennedy Middle School and currently on a leave of absence. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.

Ann Canter, Grade 2 teacher at Memorial School and currently on a leave of absence. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.

Lisa Shapiro, Grade 3 teacher at Johnson School and currently on a leave of absence. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.

Kathryn Squire, Grade 4 teacher at Lilja School since August 2000. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.

RESIGNATION: Support Staff

Walter Connery, Teacher assistant at Wilson Middle School since September 1997. Resignation effective at the end of the day on March 15, 2002.

Susan Maruca, Teacher assistant at Lilja School since August 2001. Resignation effective at the end of the day on March 15, 2002.

Wendy Stein, Teacher assistant at Lilja School since April 2001. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.

EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Professional Staff

Kristen St. George, Vice Principal at Kennedy Middle School since September 1998. Leave of absence for maternity is effective April 24 to June 17, 2002.

APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff

Mary Holland, to be (.5) long-term substitute school psychologist at Kennedy Middle School effective February 25, 2002 to the end of this school year. She is replacing Maureen Acton who is on a maternity leave. Salary, $127.00 per full day.

APPOINTMENTS: Support Staff

Jason Meade, to be teacher assistant at Wilson Middle School effective March 14, 2002. Salary, pro-rated Step 2

Kimberley Nicholson, to be bookkeeper/payroll coordinator effective March 11, 2002. Salary, Step 3

Jeanette Potts, to be secretary in the Office of Pupil Services effective March 6, 2002. Salary, Step 3

Deborah Waters, to be part-time food service worker at Brown School effective March 4, 2002. Salary, Step 1

TOWN MEETING ARTICLES

Mr. Connolly reported that the School Committee voted at its meeting of February 4 to submit the following two articles for the April 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.

Mr. Connolly stated that the School Committee needs to vote a recommendation on these warrant articles this evening. The administration is recommending that the School Committee request no action on both of these warrant articles for the following reasons:

1. Technology Article The request for the remainder of the appropriation approved at the Fall Town Meeting is being deferred based on the Towns fiscal situation. The request for additional funds ($90,000) can be reconsidered for October 2002.

2. High School Design Fees The High School Building Committee feels that the October 2001 appropriation of $500,000 is sufficient to bring the project to the completion of schematic design in mid-September, allow an option of an override vote in November 2002 and remain on a schedule of construction beginning in the summer of 2003.

Mrs. Van Amsterdam would like to have a better understanding of whats going on in technology, i.e. a 5-year plan. Mr. Connolly indicated that this could probably be put on the agenda this summer. Chair Broekel would like to discuss the technology subcommittee once the School Committee reorganizes and discusses its subcommittee assignments.

Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval for the School Committee to take no action on the Technology article. Mr. Haugland seconded. It was unanimously approved.

Mr. Freedman moved for approval for the School Committee to take no action on the High School Design Fees article. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.

TO APPROVE OUT OF STATE TRAVEL

The School Committee reviewed a request for Wilson Middle Schools annual basketball exchange trip to the Barnhill School, St. John, New Brunswick, Canada from Thursday, April 4 to Sunday, April 7, 2002. The School Committee was provided with a copy of the itinerary.

The following concerns/comments were raised with requests for follow-up.

Are there one or two bus drivers?

Is there a way to check out drivers driving history?

Mr. Freedman moved for approval of the trip with the above items being clarified. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.

PRELIMINARY REPORT ON FEE BASED TRANSPORTATION

Ms. Mary Ellen Dunn provided the School Committee with a draft outline of a fee-based transportation program. Chair Broekel pointed out that this program is initially being presented this evening with the plans of holding a public hearing on the fee-based transportation program at its meeting of April 1, 2002 in the Morse Institute Library. The Administration responded to questions from School Committee members and members of the public.

Some of the following comments/concerns were raised:

Concerns over hazardous walking routes

Best safety program is to get students on the buses

Would like to not deny anyone who is eligible

Could we look into reduced rates for multiple children in a family?

How many families (only those eligible for fee-based transportation) with multiple children would be impacted?

Could we check on the number of students taking the high school buses both regular and late buses?

Is there sufficient parking at NHS?

Could payments be made with credit cards?

What is current utilization of late buses at all schools?

The School Committee will hold a public hearing on fee based transportation at its meeting of April 1, 2002 in the Lower Meeting Room of the Morse Institute Library.

At 10:15 p.m. the administration requested an Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining and litigation strategies in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 39, Section 23B of the Massachusetts General Laws. A roll call vote was taken to enter into Executive Session. All members were in favor of entering into Executive Session.

Returned to open session at 10:35 p.m.

The meeting adjourned at 10:35 p.m.

Secretary to the School Committee