Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
February 25, 2008
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, February 25, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, Third Floor, Town Hall. Vice Chairman Meyler called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Karen Adelman Foster, Dirk Coburn, Steve Meyler, Anne Zernicke
Members Absent: David Murphy, Rick Wynn
Ms. Blanchard arrived at 7:45 p.m.
Others Present: Joseph Keefe Interim Superintendent
Karen Leacu LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Staff Members
PUBLIC SPEAK
Vice Chairman Meyler asked if anyone wished to come forward for “Public Speak”. No one came forward.
OUT OF STATE TRAVEL
Ms. Barbara Brown, Principal of the Johnson School, requested approval from the School Committee for Grade 4 students to travel to New York City on April 9, 2008 to attend the performance of Lion King on Broadway. Ms. Brown responded to questions from Committee members. Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval. Ms. Zernicke seconded. It was approved by a vote of 4 to 0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Karen Adelman Foster moved for approval of the minutes of January 15, 2008. Mr. Coburn seconded. They were approved by a vote of 4 to 0.
Mr. Coburn moved for approval of the minutes of January 17, 2008 with an amendment offered by Ms. Adelman Foster to change the word “Elect” to “Select” in the item To Elect a Superintendent of Schools. Ms. Zernicke seconded. They were approved by a vote of 4 to 0.
Ms. Karen Adelman Foster moved for approval of the minutes of January 23, 2008. Mr. Coburn seconded. They were approved by a vote of 4 to 0.
Ms. Karen Adelman Foster moved for approval of the minutes of January 28, 2008. Ms. Zernicke seconded. They were approved by a vote of 4 to 0.
The minutes of February 4, 2008 will be brought back to the next meeting as a quorum of those attending that meeting were not present.
Ms. Karen Adelman Foster moved for approval of the Executive Session minutes of December 17, 2007. Mr. Coburn seconded. They were approved by a vote of 4 to 0.
Ms. Karen Adelman Foster moved for approval of the Executive Session minutes of January 23, 2008. Ms. Zernicke seconded. They were approved by a vote of 4 to 0.
HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM DRAFT OF VISION STATEMENT
Mr. Hughes presented the School Committee with an initial list of critical elements from departmental responses and discussion as a result of questions posed which pertain to what the high school curriculum should consist of in the year 2025 – what types of educational programs we will have in our facility if we are successful in going forward with a high school building project. Mr. Hughes stated that this is a work in progress and is just a preliminary list.
Dr. Keefe announced that he is requesting the School Committee’s endorsement to hold two public meetings on March 12 and 13 in order to seek public input from parents and community members regarding the high school curriculum of the future. Requests were made to include alumni of Natick High School, members of the business community and town meeting members.
TO ENDORSE THE HOLDING OF TWO PUBLIC MEETINGS
Dr. Keefe requested that the School Committee endorse his plan to hold two public meetings on March 12 and March 13 respectively at the Kennedy and Wilson Middle Schools for the purpose of seeking public input regarding the high school curriculum of the future. Mr. Coburn moved for approval to hold these meetings. Ms. Blanchard seconded with an amendment to invite Town Meeting members. Mr. Coburn accepted the amendment. It was approved by a vote of 5 to 0.
BRIEF REVIEW OF 963CMR MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL
BUILDING AUTHORITY REGULATIONS
Dr. Keefe provided the School Committee with regulations from the School Building Authority pertaining to the School Building Grant Program for the committee to review so that what is done in preparation for a new high school building is in keeping with the SBA regulations. Dr. Keefe pointed out that the School Committee will be actively engaged in this process throughout the various stages.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed:
RETIREMENT: Professional Staff
Louise Mikaelian, Grade 6 teacher at placePlaceNameWilson PlaceNameMiddle School. Retirement effective dateYear2008Day31Month3March 31, 2008.
RESIGNATION: Professional Staff
Nora Pou, Principal at placePlaceNameBennett-Hemenway CitySchool. Resignation effective June 30, 2008.
EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Support Staff
Amy Ostrowski, Instructor in the ASAP program at placePlaceNameWilson PlaceNameMiddle School. Maternity leave is effective January 25 to dateYear2008Day18Month4April 18, 2008.
APPOINTMENTS: Support Staff
Karen Stevens, to be part-time food service worker at placePlaceNameNatick CityHigh School effective dateYear2008Day11Month2February 11, 2008. Salary, Step 1.
APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff
Amanda Nemeth, to be speech & language pathologist at Bennett-Hemenway School effective January 22, 2008. Salary, Masters, Step 1.
Amy Bloom, to be library/media specialist at placePlaceNameWilson PlaceNameMiddle School effective dateYear2008Day3Month3March 3, 2008. Salary, Masters, Step 1.
CONTINUATION OF TECHNOLOGY PRESENTATION
Mr. Dennis Roche provided the School Committee with additional information pertaining to Technology. He provided an analysis of leasing vs. buying. A lengthy discussion continued. The following comments/concerns were raised:
· Alignment of technology is needed in order to support teaching and learning within the classroom
· Technology investment needs to have direct impact on the students
· Laptops vs. desktops?
· Not to be used as simply an accessory for the teacher – needs to be a teaching tool
· Formal technology assessments are needed
· Need to have stable system in place
· Replacement costs need to be built into the lease analysis – project out 5 years – damage/loss?
· Networking with photocopiers rather than printer replacements should be looked at
· Need to maintain an average age of equipment and what is required to do that
· Concern that $400K is not enough, however, have to take the best path to drive the most value
Mr. Roche will be invited to future meetings to provide additional updates to the School Committee.
TO REVIEW THE PRINCIPAL SELECTION PROCESS FOR
THE BENNETT-HEMENWAY SCHOOL
The School Committee was provided with the administrative procedure for the selection of a principal for the Bennett-Hemenway School which included the makeup of the Screening Committee which will conduct semi-structured interviews. A tentative timetable for the process was also included. Dr. Keefe pointed out the newly hired superintendent, Dr. Peter Sanchioni, will be involved in this process as well.
TO APPOINT A SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE TO SERVE ON THE
PRINCIPAL SCREENING COMMITTEE FOR THE BENNETT-HEMENWAY SCHOOL
Mr. Coburn moved for approval for Ms. Zernicke to serve as the School Committee’s representative on the principal screening committee for the Bennett-Hemenway School. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. It was approved by a vote of 5 to 0.
TO APPOINT SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES TO THE TASKFORCES FOR REVENUE ENHANCEMENT AND EXPENSE CONTROL
Vice Chairman Meyler reviewed the request from the Board of Selectmen for appointing School Committee representation on two Task Forces which the Selectmen recently voted to form. ~~A discussion continued and questions were raised such as: what the process is, the roles and responsibilities, the charters, the duration, and whether the task force would meet at times when the public could easily attend. ~Vice Chairman Meyler will go back to the Board of Selectmen and request additional information.
At 9:45 p.m., Mr. Coburn moved to adjourn. Ms. Blanchard seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Joseph A. Keefe, Ed.D.
Interim Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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