Town of Natick - School Committee Minutes

Approval of Records

Natick Public Schools

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, March 26, 2001 in the School Committee Room, Town Hall. Chairman Filledes called the meeting to order at 8:04 p.m.

Members Present: Peg Broekel, Tassos Filledes, Jonathan Freedman, Henry Haugland, Irene Kessel,

Diane Packer, Kristine Van Amsterdam

N. Jerome Goldberg Superintendent

James Connolly Assistant Superintendent

Patrick Schettini Assistant Superintendent

Audrey Seyffert Assistant Superintendent

Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary

Community Members, Staff,

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Freedman moved for approval of the minutes of March 19, 2001. Ms. Broekel seconded. They were unanimously approved.

Chairman Filledes asked if anyone wished to come forward for public speak. Kevin and Louise Carroll came forward and discussed their displeasure in the way a situation was handled involving a threat made by another student to their second grade daughter. They requested that the School Committee make it their top priority to have detailed written policies in place regarding disruptive behavior in our elementary schools. They requested that these policies be documented with guidelines for principals and teachers regarding informing the parents of the victim.

Dr. Goldberg responded that child safety is our utmost concern and indicated that he will be working with our elementary leaders to review the current Staff Response Manual and handbooks to outline procedures to provide the safest possible environment for all children.

Mr. Josh Ostroff came forward and thanked Irene Kessel and Tass Filledes for their years on the Natick School Committee. He also announced a farewell gathering being held in their honor at The Center for the Arts in Natick on Sunday, April 1 from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m.

Mr. Dave Walker, 5th grade teacher of Wilson at Ben-Hem, came forward and discussed his displeasure about reading a quote which appeared in an article in the Boston Globe West Weekly which stated that “if we were to survey this year’s fifth grade parents that the high level of dissatisfaction would embarrass us.” He felt this statement was inaccurate and very demoralizing for our 5th grade staff.

RECOGNITION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Dr. Goldberg recognized Mr. Tass Filledes and Ms. Irene Kessel for their years of service on the Natick School Committee. He presented them with books which will be donated in their names to the Morse Institute Library. Ms. Peg Broekel presented them both with books for their personal use and thanked them for the many years of service to the children of Natick. Ms. Kessel served on the Committee from 1995 to 2001. Mr. Filledes served on the Committee from 1998-2001.

UPDATE ON HIGASHI EXCHANGE

Dr. Goldberg reported that the Administration and School Committee had just come from the farewell dinner of the Japanese Exchange program with Kennedy Middle School and the Musashino Higashi Junior High School. Thirty-one students, 5 faculty members and the principal from the school located in Tokyo, Japan have just finished their visit with Natick families this past weekend. Dr. Goldberg indicated that this program is a result of a year’s worth of planning and hopes to continue the tradition by sending Natick students to Japan some time in the near future. Mr. Filledes shared a plaque which was presented to Dr. Goldberg from the members of the Yuai Exchange.

PERSONNEL ACTIONS

The following personnel actions were presented:

RESIGNATION: Professional Staff

Kay Hickman, Math teacher at Natick High School since August 1998. Resignation effective June 30, 2001.

Adene Goodman, Special education teacher at Wilson Middle School since September 1982 and currently on a leave of absence. Resignation effective July 1, 2001.

RESIGNATION: Support Staff

Pauline Norkus, Teacher assistant (.6) at Lilja School since January 2001. Resignation effective at the end of the day on March 30, 2001.

EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Professional Staff

Ann Marie Insalaco-Sleeper, Health education teacher at Wilson Middle School since 1984. Maternity leave of absence is effective May 1, 2001 to the end of this school year.

Maryann McGinty, Foreign language teacher (.5) at Wilson Middle School since August 1998. Family medical leave is effective March 12, 2001 to the end of this school year.

CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Support Staff

Peter Henderson, from Jr. Custodian to Asst Senior Custodian at Natick High School (night shift) effective March 7, 2001.

APPOINTMENTS: Support Staff

Yvonne Bleakney, to be school year secretary in the Instructional Technology Department at Natick High School effective April 2, 2001. Salary, Step 2.

Robin Fairbanks, to be teacher assistant (.5) at Bennett-Hemenway School effective February 26, 2001. Salary, Step 1.

REPORT ON SUBCOMMITTEES

Ms. Diane Packer announced the Annual Legislative Breakfast meeting that the Suburban Coalition is sponsoring on April 10, 2001, in the Great Hall of the State House. Dr. Goldberg mentioned that there is another event on April 12, 2001 – MASC Day on the Hill at the State House. In addition, Dr. Goldberg announced that the School Committee will be meeting with our State Legislators on Monday, April 2, 2001 with the Board of Selectmen at 7:00 p.m.

Mr. Jim Connolly announced that the Middle School Building Committee will hold a meeting on April 4, 2001 at 7:30 p.m.at the Wilson Middle School to review the plans of the new school with interested parties. Notices will be going home through the schools.

SUPERINTENDENT EVALUATION/CONTRACT

The revised contract for the superintendent requires the School Committee’s approval. Mr. Haugland moved for approval of the Supeintendent’s contract. Ms. Packer seconded. It was unanimously approved.

REVIEW OF ARTS PROGRAM

Mr. Schettini provided a review of the Arts Program. The presentation consisted of an overview of :

· the arts curriculum frameworks

· highlights of the curriculum

· time spent for art and music at the elementary, middle and high school levels

· number of students enrolled in the programs

· an overview of the visual arts program by Barbara Milot

· the co-curricula arts

· the fourth grade instrument program

· middle school performing arts

· high school performing arts

· comparisons with other districts

Dr. Goldberg stated that:

· we must maintain instrumental lessons at the 4th grade level

· recommends we begin the band program at the 5th grade level

· seek more opportunities at the high school and middle school levels

· continue to strengthen our curriculum in each areas of the arts – integration across the curriculum

The following comments/concerns were raised:

· It is important to have at least one concert or some other type of performance for the fourth graders in order to keep them interested

· Request for brainstorming session to come up with some ideas

· Large amount of data shows true correlation that students involved in instrumental music tend to be high academic performance

· Not enough rehearsal time for band

· Need clearer picture of standards and benchmarks

· Use Walnut Hill and TCAN as resources

· Volunteer resources such as Arts Advisory could have been better utilized

· Why is music and art under the business department at the high school?

· Understaffed in music

· Without arts, we don’t have well rounded people

· Cultural arts program must be maintained

Due to the lateness of the hour, the budget discussion was postponed until the next meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 10:50 p.m.

Secretary to the School Committee

Attest:_______________________________