Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
May 19, 2008
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, May 19, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, Third Floor, Town Hall. Chairman Meyler called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.
Members Present: Karen Adelman Foster, Anne Blanchard, Dirk Coburn, Steve Meyler, Rick Wynn,
Anne Zernicke
Members Absent: David Murphy
Others Present: Joseph Keefe Interim Superintendent
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Staff Members, Parents, Public
APPROVAL OF NON REP SALARY ADJUSTMENTS
Mrs. Marianne Davis, Director of Human Resources, provided the School Committee with the Non-Rep Salary Schedule which included a 3% increase to the ranges and steps of most positions effective July 1, 2008. She indicated that the 3% increase is in line with what the various bargaining units will be receiving. Chairman Meyler removed himself as Chair for this item due to a conflict of interest. Vice Chair Blanchard requested a motion for approval. Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval of this schedule as outlined. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved. The vote carried by a vote of 5 members in favor. Mr. Meyler abstained.
SCREENING COMMITTEE FOR POSITION OF
DIRECTOR OF FISCAL & MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Mrs. Marianne Davis reviewed the timeline and procedure for hiring a Director of Fiscal and Management Services. She requested one member of the School Committee to serve on the Screening Committee to conduct interviews on June 6 and 10. Mr. Wynn indicated that he would be interested; however, he had a conflict with the date of June 10. He questioned, if it was possible, that the interviewing could be done in one day and if a decision needed to be made this evening. Mrs. Davis will provide more definitive information to the Chair on May 28th. Mr. Wynn moved for approval for the Interim Superintendent to represent the School Committee on this interviewing committee in the event he is unable. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was unanimously approved.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS CONCERNS
Chairman Meyler announced that the School Committee has just received the legal opinion from the attorney regarding the continued use of the “Redmen” name. He made copies available to the public and announced that this opinion will be available on the Natick Public Schools website tomorrow morning. He requested that the School Committee change the motion made at its meeting March 31, 2008 which stated that the School Committee would have its legal representation in attendance to present the legal opinion at its meeting of May 19th. He requested that the motion be modified to change the date for the legal representative to present the legal opinion at its meeting of June 16, 2008. Mr. Wynn moved for approval to change this date to June 16, 2008. Ms. Blanchard
seconded. It was unanimously approved.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairman Meyler asked if anyone wished to come forward for public speak. Mr. Erich Thalheimer, life long resident and member of the Redmen Forever Group, came forward and introduced two Natick Native Americans, Ann Josselyn and Shirley Johnson, who spoke in support of keeping the “Redmen” name, which they are both very proud of. Ms. Josselyn provided certified copies of her Indian status as well as pictures of her and her family.
Ms. Mary Brown urged the School Committee to keep the Redmen name. Voters should not be undermined.
Ms. Marianne Hendricks, Nipmuc Tribe member, defended her previous statements that Natick is her birthright.
Mr. Ted Wynne spoke about clearing up a misconception that Natick is being used to clean up a national movement or conspiracy on the use of Indian mascots. “Last year, The Natick School Committee invited several Indian tribes to speak on this matter. He stated that not all Native Americans feel the same on this matter nor do all whites feel the same.
Mr. Arthur Lamont requested that the School Committee vote to keep the Redmen name but drop the logo.
TO APPOINT THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT AS PROCUREMENT OFFICER
Dr. Keefe requested that the School Committee appoint him as Procurement Officer given the necessity of his having to sign contracts in the absence of a Director of Fiscal and Management Services through June 30, 2008. Mr. Coburn moved for approval. Ms. Karen Adelman Foster seconded. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2008-2009
The following meeting dates were provided to the School Committee for 2008-2009:
2008
August Monday August 25
September Monday September 8
Monday September 22
October Monday October 6
Monday October 20
November Monday November 3
Monday November 17 Student Advisory Board
December Monday December 1
Monday December 15
2009
January Monday January 5 Budget Session
Monday January 12 Budget Session
Wednesday January 21 Budget Session
Monday January 26 Student Advisory Board/Budget
February Monday February 2 Public Hearing on FY2010 Budget
Monday February 23
March Monday March 2
Monday March 16 Student Advisory Board
April Monday April 6
Monday April 27
May Monday May 4
Monday May 18 Student Advisory Board
June Monday June 1
Monday June 15
Dr. Keefe pointed out that additional meetings may be added if necessary throughout the year. Mr. Wynn moved for approval of this schedule. Ms. Zernicke seconded. They were unanimously approved.
TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE SCHOOL RENTAL POLICY
Dr. Keefe presented two amendments to the School Rental Policy. Amendments to this policy will be presented to the School Committee in two/three stages due to its complexity. He reported that the first amendment addresses the need to cover personnel and energy costs associated with rental requests. The second amendment addresses the fee schedule for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. A proposed FY09 fee schedule was provided for the Committee’s consideration which the administration has simplified. Mr. Wynn moved for approval of this fee schedule. Ms. Zernicke seconded. A discussion continued. The following comments/concerns were raised:
· This is not meant to be a revenue enhancement – there is a need to cover school department costs
· Are there additional costs for insurance?
· Cancellation fee should be put in place
· Column headings could be clearer (include custodian hours/non custodian hours)
· Any thought of expanding availability of buildings?
· What was the total revenue from rentals this past year?
Dr. Keefe will bring this item back during the month of June to discuss other segments of the policy.
Chairman Meyler called for a vote on the two amendments as outlined. They were unanimously approved.
THE APPLICATION OF AN ACTIVITY FEE STRUCTURE
Dr. Keefe provided the School Committee with information pertaining to the application of activity fees. He stated that this is a complex issue and that a philosophical discussion needs to take place involving the community. A suggestion was made that a Superintendent’s task force be formed to review activity fees. Dr. Keefe will present his recommendation on the charge and makeup for this task force at the next meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Minutes of November 19, 2007, November 26, 2007, May 5, 2008 and May 7, 2008 were provided to the School Committee for its approval. Mr. Wynn moved for approval of these minutes. Mr. Coburn seconded. They were unanimously approved.
ADDRESSING ELEMENTARY CLASS SIZE
Dr. Keefe addressed the addition of one teacher each to the Lilja and Memorial Schools which will alleviate the concern over the size of the largest classes at these two schools and allow the principals to hire persons to fill the positions. He indicated that the funding of one of the two is in the FY09 budget. The funding for the other comes from the unfilled staff development position and the transfer of some $12,000 from other operating accounts. A lengthy discussion continued and questions/comments were raised such as:
· Is this the best use of these funds? There are many other needs in the system.
· Should we wait until August as the numbers may change?
· Is this staff development position a budgeted position – will we have to cover the towns costs for benefits for this position?
· Decision during budget process was made to reduce elementary classrooms – why the change? – what method does the School Committee use to transfer funds between accounts?
· Would like to see where the $12,000 is coming from
· Committee should be careful when using non-recurring funds for reoccurring items.
Dr. Keefe will begin the interviewing process for these two positions and will bring back more information on the benefit status of the unfilled staff development position to the next meeting.
At 10:30 p.m., Ms. Adelman Foster moved to adjourn. Ms. Zernicke seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Joseph A. Keefe, Ed.D.
Interim Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
| 
