Approval of Minutes
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
June 16, 2008
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, June 16, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, Third Floor, Town Hall. Chairman Meyler called the meeting to order at 7:30 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 LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Staff Members, Parents, Public
REPORT ON NATICK EDUCATION FOUNDATION GRANTS
Dr. Keefe introduced Ms. Sherry Sandoval, representing the Natick Education Foundation, who announced the grants that have been selected for the 2008 focus area of The Visual & Performing Arts – Get Inspired! She reported that these grants are made possible through the general support of Cognex, along with other businesses and community members committed to enriching and enhancing the educational experience of Natick’s children. Ms. Sandoval presented the School Committee with a check in the amount of $42,385.69. She announced that for the 2008/2009 school year, the Natick Education Foundation will focus its attention and funding on Life Skills for the 21st Century. The School Committee thanked the Natick Education
Foundation for its generous donation.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairman Meyler asked if anyone was interested in participating in Public Speak. Several citizens came forward and spoke both in favor and against eliminating the Redmen name.
TO HEAR THE OPINION FROM THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE’S ATTORNEY
ON THE CONTINUED USE OF THE NAME “REDMEN”
Chairman Meyler introduced Attorney Regina Tate from the firm of Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane who reviewed her research into legal issues concerning the continued use of the “Redmen” name for Natick athletic teams. Copies of this legal opinion were previously provided to the School Committee and public upon its receipt both in hard copy and on the website and were made available as a handout this evening. Attorney Tate responded to questions from School Committee members.
Chairman Meyler asked Mr. Hughes, High School Principal, if, in his opinion, the use of the Redmen name and Mascot are consistent with the school policies and school philosophy. Mr. Hughes responded that the student body has handled this controversial issue very well over the past year and that the opinions of the High School student body is a reflection of the larger community as a whole. He indicated that among the student body there is a range of diversity at Natick High School both socioeconomically and racially and that therefore his response to the question is “No”. “There are members of the student body who believe that the use of the term “Redmen” is disrespectful and offensive.”
Chairman Meyler stated,
“Following the action of the voters in response to a non-binding referendum question in March of this year, the Natick School Committee has taken a number of actions to address the matter of the use of the term Redmen as a mascot name.~ The Committee sought and has had provided to it the legal opinion that you heard this evening.~ The Committee sponsored a largely attended and avidly watched Forum on the topic at the Wilson School in April.
The Forum provided an opportunity for citizens and other interested parties to express their respective viewpoints on this topic in a climate marked by civility and respect.~ The committee has also heard from many other interested citizens and interested parties via either e-mail or written correspondence.~ Most recently we have received a letter from the Commission on Indian Affairs of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts which is in favor of our moving forward with eliminating the use of the Redmen name and Mascot.
The language of the March ballot question asks the School Committee to "reconsider” its decision to discontinue the use of the Redmen nickname for the Natick High School sports teams.
Mr. Meyler moved that the School Committee vote by roll call to reconsider the decision approved by majority vote on March 5, 2007 "that effective at the start of the 2008/2009 academic year the Natick Public Schools shall cease the use of the team name "Redmen" or any other name, symbol or mascot that is based on or makes reference to race or ethnicity."
He explained that if seconded then the vote would require a 2/3 vote to reconsider or rescind the original motion. A “No” vote would require the name of Redmen and its mascot to cease to be used by the School district after the end of June of this year per the original motion. A “Yes” vote would rescind the motion of March 5th 2007 and allow the use to the Redmen name to continue to be utilized.~
Ms. Zernicke seconded.
A discussion continued and members of the School Committee stated their reasons for not rescinding the decision made last year.
Chairman Meyler thanked all for their participation in helping the School Committee understand the various perspectives through the public forums and through the multiple emails and letters they have received.
Chairman~Meyler requested a roll call vote on the motion. All members replied “No” (A “No” vote requires the name of Redmen and its mascot to cease to be used by the School district after the end of June of this year per the original motion).
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Coburn moved for approval of the minutes of April 24, 2008 and June 2, 2008. Ms. Zernicke seconded. They were approved by a vote of 6 in favor. Mr. Wynn abstained as he was absent from these meetings.
OVERVIEW OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
Ms. Lauren Gilbert, Director of Pupil Services, and Mr. Matt LaCava, Assistant Director of Pupil Services, provided an update of the Office of Pupil Services which included a fiscal update. The Superintendent requested that the School Committee approve a reallocation of funds since the district received $245,000 in funds through the extraordinary relief provision of Circuit Breaker. These funds can be used for special education services only, including prospective services and must be utilized within two years. The district proposed the use of funds to be as follows: $141,000 for positions, $20,000 for expenses for the new 18-22 ACHIEVE Program and $85,000 which will be used to offset the anticipated transportation deficit. To use these funds most effectively, a transfer of funds is required
to include a tuition account reduction in the operating budget of $245,000, which will then be reallocated for salary relief, special education transportation and materials expenses. In addition, the circuit breaker account will be increased by $245,000 and will pay students’ tuitions that were reduced from the operating budget.
Mr. Wynn moved for approval to reallocate these funds as outlined. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
TO EXTEND THE FOOD SERVICE CONTRACT FOR 2008/2009 SCHOOL YEAR
Mr. Bob Burr, Food Services Director, and Ms. Erin Long, Regional Director of Chartwells, provided the School Committee a report of the Food Service Program. They described the current program and its successes and challenges. They also discussed its fiscal issues and addressed a proposal to increase the cost of various food selections by a small amount. Mr. Burr and Ms. Long responded to questions including one pertaining to what would be the expected balance of the revolving account at year end? It was the general feeling that this information is needed before a decision could be made on increasing the cost of various food selections. Ms. Long will get back to the School Committee on the expected balance as more analysis needs to be done.
Dr. Keefe explained that The Chartwell Corporation has held the Food Service Management Contract with the Natick School Committee since FY05. The School Committee renewed the contract in June 2007 for one-year with a one year extension for 2008-2009. Pursuant to the provisions of this contract, the Committee may extend its life through the 2008-2009 school year.
Mr. Coburn left the meeting at 10:40 p.m. and returned at 11:10 p.m.
Dr. Keefe explained that the Federal Government and the Department of Education have come up with some newly promulgated regulations and recommended that the School Committee hold in abeyance the overall contract approval until after the Department of Education statewide meeting on July 11th. More information will be provided at a later date.
The School Committee took no action on this item.
REQUEST TO TRANSFER FUNDS
Dr. Keefe requested the School Committee’s approval to transfer $69,426 to allow the Natick High School to purchase the following equipment. This transfer is consistent with what Dr. Keefe presented in previous budget sessions in response to the NEASC recommendations.
58 PC’s $51,380
2 Monitors 792
2 Activ Boards $17,254
The PC’s will replace dated equipment the high school currently uses. The two Activ Boards will be shared among the several academic departments and the faculty will receive in-house training to allow the teachers to get the most effective use of the equipment.
This purchase responds to the NEASC recommendation that the system provide to the faculty more technology to support instruction. The funds requested are from unexpended balances in the salary and wages portion of the FY08 budget.
Mr. Wynn moved for approval to transfer these funds as outlined above. Ms. Blanchard seconded. It was unanimously approved.
TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHING AN EMERGENCY ATHLETIC
TRANSPORTATION FEE FOR THE 2008-2009 SCHOOL YEAR.
Dr. Keefe addressed a shortfall in the athletic transportation budget for FY08 and the projected shortfall in the FY09 budget due to increasing fuel prices. To address the impact of this shortfall, he recommended establishing a $25 Emergency Athletic Transportation Fee for all students who participate in the interscholastic athletics in grades 7-12 for the period of August 2008-June 2009. The Emergency Fee would be added to the existing Athletic Participation Fee of $125.00 and made applicable to each sport in which an athlete is engaged.
As a part of its FY2010 budget deliberations, the Natick School Committee will review the results of the application of this Emergency Athletic Transportation Fee and the prevailing fuel cost situation to decide whether a continuation of this fee is necessary in the succeeding fiscal year. Mr. Coburn moved for approval to establish an Emergency Athletic Transportation Fee for the 2008-2009 school year. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. It was unanimously approved.
UPDATE ON TRANSPORTATION COSTS
Dr. Keefe provided the School Committee with an update of the projected costs for school transportation for the 2008-2009 school year which currently projects a deficit due to increased fuel costs. The School Committee will need to address this deficit. This item will be discussed in more detail at the next School Committee meeting of June 23, 2008.
TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE SCHOOL RENTAL POLICY
The School Committee was provided with an amendment to the School Rental Policy at its meeting of June 2, 2008. The Superintendent recommends that the School Committee vote to approve this amendment. Ms. Adelman Foster moved to approve this amendment. Mr. Murphy seconded. It was unanimously approved.
TO APPOINT A MEMBER TO THE ACTIVITY FEE STUDY TASK FORCE
At the meeting of June 2, 2008, Dr. Keefe presented the School Committee with the charge and composition of an Activity Fee Study Task Force which was discussed at its May 19, 2008 meeting. The School Committee needs to appoint a member to serve on this Committee. Mr. Meyler volunteered to serve. Ms. Blanchard seconded. It was unanimously approved.
At 11:25 p.m., Mr. Wynn 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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