Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
March 17, 2008
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, March 17, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, Third Floor, Town Hall. Chairman Wynn called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
Members Present: Karen Adelman Foster, Anne Blanchard, Dirk Coburn, Steve Meyler, David Murphy, Rick Wynn, Anne Zernicke
Others Present: Joseph Keefe Interim Superintendent
Karen Leacu LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Maureen Cushing Student Representative
Staff Members, Parents
Chairman Wynn thanked everyone who has participated in the “Yes” for Natick override campaign. He introduced Ms. Firkins Reed who announced that a Civic Forum on the override is being sponsored by the Metrowest Daily News and is being held on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the Kennedy Senior Center, 117 East Central Street. She encouraged the public to attend and to vote next Tuesday.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval of the minutes of February 25, 2008 with the following amendment to the Section titled: “To Appoint School Committee Representatives to the Taskforces for Revenue Enhancement and Expense Control” - Modify the following sentence to read: 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 where the public would more accessible to attend. Mr. Coburn seconded. The minutes were approved by a vote of 5 to 0 with the amendment. Mr. Murphy and Mr. Wynn abstained as they were absent from this meeting.
DECLASSIFICATION OF EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES
Mr. Meyler moved for approval to declassify the following executive session minutes:
March 12, 2007
March 19, 2007
May 21, 2007
June 13, 2007
Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. It was unanimously approved to declassify these minutes.
NATICK 360 DOCUMENT
Mr. David Parrish, representative of the Natick 360 Strategic Planning Committee, discussed the final draft document of the Natick 360 Strategic Plan 2008-2012 and requested that the School Committee approve this version of the document. The School Committee will act on this request at its next meeting of April 7, 2008.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed:
EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Support Staff
Sarah Dahleimer, Grade 4 teacher at placePlaceNameBennett-Hemenway PlaceTypeSchool. Maternity leave is effective dateYear2008Day18Month4April 18, 2008 to June 2008.
APPOINTMENTS: Support Staff
Linda Christlieb, to be part-time clerical for the Dept of Fine & Performing Arts effective dateYear2008Day3Month3March 3, 2008 to June 2008. This is a grant funded position.
APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff
Colleen Grady, to be grade 4 long-term substitute teacher at placePlaceNameBennett-Hemenway PlaceTypeSchool effective dateYear2008Day18Month4April 18, 2008 to June 2008. She is replacing Sarah Dahleimer who will be on a maternity leave. Salary, $152.00 per day.
Lisa Lafferty, to be kindergarten long-term substitute teacher at placePlaceNameBennett-Hemenway PlaceTypeSchool effective dateYear2008Day10Month3March 10, 2008 to June 2008. She is replacing Kim Marzullo who will be on a maternity leave. Salary, $152.00 per day.
Jennifer Reed, to be grade 6 long-term substitute teacher at placePlaceNameKennedy PlaceTypeMiddle School effective dateYear2008Day10Month3March 10, 2008 to dateYear2008Day18Month4April 18, 2008. She is replacing Susan Nash. Salary, $152.00 per day.
Frances van Pelt, to be grade 6 long-term substitute teacher at placePlaceNameWilson PlaceNameMiddle School effective dateMonth3Day27Year2008March 27, 2008 to June 2008. She is replacing Louise Mikaelian. Salary, $152.00 per day.
APPROVAL OF OUT OF STATE TRAVEL
Mr. John Hughes requested the School Committee’s approval of the following out-of-state trips:
· Natick High School Co-Ed Cheerleaders to travel to Orlando, Florida on April 3-7, 2008 to participate in the U.S. Spirit Cheerleading Championship. The team’s outstanding performance this year qualified them for this opportunity to compete in Florida.
· Natick High School Chapter of the Business Professionals of America to travel to Reno, Nevada to participate in the National Competition being held from May 6-11, 2008. Mr. Hughes will provide an update on the travel arrangements once they are finalized. Mr. Meyler suggested that the Business Professionals of America students get involved in some type of program working with our technology department.
· Natick High School Japan Club to travel Japan during April vacation of 2009. The tour is being conducted with E.F. Educational Tours on a trip entitled – Japan: Land of the Rising Sun. School Committee members requested that a policy be developed and reviewed with chaperones in order to avoid any issues such as that which happened on a recent trip to Italy, in another district, where a student was left behind. Mr. Hughes will make sure that something is in place and will provide an update to the School Committee.
Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval of these trips. Ms. Zernicke seconded. They were unanimously approved.
RATIFICATION OF TITLE I CONTRACT
Mrs. Marianne Davis requested that the School Committee approve the Title I collective bargaining contract agreement. She stated that all funding for this program is provided through the Title I federal grant and is renegotiated on an annual basis once the funding amount has been confirmed. The compensation of this agreement provides for a 3% wage increase effective September 1, 2007. In addition, Mrs. Davis, provided the evaluation instrument that the parties have agreed to. Mr. Coburn moved for approval to ratify this contract. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. It was unanimously approved.
TO APPOINT MEMBERS TO THE REVENUE ENHANCEMENT AND
EXPENSE CONTROL TASK FORCES
Mr. Meyler nominated Mr. Coburn to serve on the Expense Control Task Force which the Selectmen voted to form. Mr. Coburn nominated Mr. Meyler to serve on the Revenue Enhancement Task Force which the Selectmen voted to form. Ms. Zernicke nominated Ms. Blanchard who will serve as an alternate on the Revenue Enhancement Task Force. The School Committee unanimously approved these appointments.
Ms. Adelman Foster moved to charge the School Committee’s designees to these task forces to vigorously request that these task forces meet at times when the public and press could easily attend. Ms. Zernicke seconded. It was unanimously approved.
TO ENDORSE THE PROPOSITION 2 ½ OVERRIDE QUESTION
Mr. Murphy moved for approval for the School Committee to publicly endorse its support of a favorable vote on Question #2 on the Town ballot which pertains to an operational override. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
FACILITY RENTAL POLICY
Dr. Keefe requested that the School Committee authorize the administration to conduct a study of the building rental fee structure and to report back to the Committee before the end of May. He indicated that this might be another revenue enhancement action that can be developed. Mr. Coburn moved for approval. Ms. Adelmen Foster seconded. Ms. Blanchard requested that the administration look into increasing the revenues by increased rentals and not necessarily by fee increases - be more creative to provide access to the public and taxpayers.
RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
Dr. Keefe reviewed the makeup of the Natick High School Building Committee. He reported that Town Meeting action in 2001 established the Natick High School Building Committee. The Natick High School Building Committee worked from January 2001 until June 2005 until such time that the state declared a moratorium on all school building construction. After representatives of the Town and the Natick Public Schools met with the Massachusetts School Building Authority in January, it was determined that one of the next steps is to submit to the MSBA the membership of such a building committee. As a result of two vacancies on the existing building committee, Dr. Keefe indicated that these openings need to be filled. Dr. Keefe requested that he be appointed to fill one of these vacancies and suggested
that one of the School Committee members fill the 2nd vacancy. Mr. Meyler volunteered to serve. Ms. Zernicke moved to appoint Mr. Meyler to fill one of these vacancies. Mr. Murphy seconded. Mr. Murphy moved to appoint Dr. Keefe to fill one of these vacancies. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Mr. Coburn moved for approval of the membership of the entire High School Building Committee as outlined, including the two new appointments of Mr. Stephen Meyler and Dr. Joseph Keefe. Ms. Zernicke seconded. It was unanimously approved.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairman Wynn asked if anyone wished to come forward for “Public Speak”. No one came forward.
REVIEW THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE’S FY09 BUDGET
Ms. Elise Molloy, Guidance Counselor Lilja School, spoke in support of maintaining the Elementary Guidance positions and the importance of their roles.
Mr. Steve Safran spoke in support of maintaining the elementary guidance counselor positions.
Ms. Firkins Reed, Precinct Coordinator for the Override Committee, urged the public to visit the website and understand what is at risk for the town and our children if an override vote were to fail.
Dr. Keefe provided the School Committee with the FY09 budget document presented at the public hearing on February 4, 2008 and reviewed the FY09 budget figures including the Finance Committee’s cut budget. In addition, the three “cut lists” dated December 17, 2007, January 7, 2008 and March 7, 2008 were provided. A discussion continued about the impact of the cuts at each level and whether the spread amongst school levels (i.e, elementary, middle & high) was equitable. A more detailed discussion on which cuts will need to be made, if necessary, will take place at the first meeting in April. An analysis of per pupil spending by area towns was reviewed and the discrepancies between the towns were discussed.
Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval for the superintendent to submit this per pupil spending analysis to the Finance Committee. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
A discussion was held on the 60/40 split with no action taken.
At 10:55 p.m., Mr. Coburn moved to adjourn. Ms. Adelman Foster 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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