Town of Natick - School Committee Minutes

Approval of Records

Natick Public Schools

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, April 2, 2001 in the School Committee Room, Town Hall. The Superintendent called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.

Members Present: Peg Broekel, Michael Cashman, Jonathan Freedman, Henry Haugland, Diane Packer,

Kristine Van Amsterdam

Member Absent: Ted Wynne

N. Jerome Goldberg Superintendent

Patrick Schettini Assistant Superintendent

Audrey Seyffert Assistant Superintendent

Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary

Community Members, Staff,

REORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL COMMITEEE

Dr. Goldberg welcomed the newly elected members of the School Committee: Mr. Michael Cashman and Mr. Ted Wynne. Dr. Goldberg read a letter from Mr. Wynne as follows: “I would like to extend an apology for my absence this evening, which was necessitated by a long-standing business commitment. It is an honor to be serving on this Committee and with all of you. I am eager to dig in and assist Dr. Goldberg and the Committee as we continue with the challenging and vital work of educating our community’s children.”

Dr. Goldberg called for nominations for Chair of the School Committee:

Ms. Packer nominated Ms. Peg Broekel as Chair of the School Committee. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.

Dr. Goldberg called for nominations for Vice Chair of the School Committee:

Mr. Freedman nominated Mrs. Kristine Van Amsterdam for Vice Chair of the School Committee. Mr. Haugland seconded. It was unanimously approved.

Dr. Goldberg called for nominations for Clerk of the School Committee:

Mrs. Van Amsterdam nominated Mr. Jonathan Freedman for Clerk of the School Committee. Ms. Packer seconded. It was unanimously approved.

Dr. Goldberg called for nominations for Recording Secretary of the School Committee:

Ms. Packer nominated Mrs. Sharon Reilly for Recording Secretary of the School Committee. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved.

Chair Broekel proceeded to conduct the meeting with the approval of minutes.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Freedman moved for approval of the minutes of March 26, 2001. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. They were unanimously approved.

MEETING WITH STATE LEGISLATORS

The School Committee joined the Selectmen in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room to listen to our State Legislators, Senator Cheryl Jacques, Senator David Magnani and Representative David Linsky.

The legislators provided updates on:

Chapter 90 highway funds

Route 135 improvements

Changes in Special Education language

Their continuing work on:

· Circuit Breaker 80/20 (to help fund out of district placements)

· Lifting the cap on the number of special education students and fund true enrollment

Regional Transportation Authority

Lifting of Lottery Cap

The School Committee resumed their meeting in the School Committee Room.

OUT OF STATE TRAVEL

Chair Broekel requested a motion to take the out of state travel requests out of order on the agenda. Ms Packer moved for approval to take these items out of order. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved.

Ms. Packer moved for approval for the Wilson Middle School Grade 8 Overnight Trip to St. John’s, New Brunswick, Canada on April 26-29, 2001. Mr. Haugland seconded. It was unanimously approved.

Mr. Freedman moved for approval for the Wilson Middle School Grade 8 Overnight Trip to Washington, DC on

May 30-June 1, 2001. Mr. Haugland seconded. It was unanimously approved.

SUBCOMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

Chair Broekel reviewed the list of current subcommittees as follows:

Liaison to Community Farm - Chair Broekel indicated that she will contact Mr. Rud Ham of the Community Farm to let him know that the School Committee will provide a representative to the farm on an as needed basis.

Legislative Representative – recommendation to disband

Suburban Coalition – continue with representation

TEC Board of Directors – continue with representation

Natick Education Foundation – appointed by NEF – continue with representation

Policy Subcommittee – continue with representation

Safety Committee – continue with representation

Senior Center Liaison – continue with representation

Town Budget Planning Committee - Mrs. Van Amsterdam will check to see if this is still a standing committee.

Arts Advisory Task Force – potentially disband – no current charge

Superintendent Evaluation – continue with representation

Middle School Building Committee – ongoing – continue with representation

High School Renovation Committee – Mr. Freedman to provide status on this Committee

Charter By-Law – there has not been any school related issues as of yet but representation should continue

Curriculum Council – continue with representation

Technology Liaison – potentially disband – no current charge

Negotiation Teams – may need representatives for EAN Units A,B,C and Teacher Assistants. Dr. Goldberg will meet with Marianne Davis to determine need and to schedule collaborative bargaining training session.

Athletic Advisory Board - Chair Broekel indicated that the School Committee needs to appoint someone this evening from the School Committee to serve on the Athletic Advisory Board. Mrs. Van Amsterdam volunteered. Mr. Haugland moved for approval to appoint Kristine Van Amsterdam to the Athletic Advisory Board. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved.

Discussion on the subcommittee assignments will be resumed at the meeting of April 23, 2001. School Committee members should get in touch with Chair Broekel to let her know if they are interested in continuing to serve on the various subcommittees or if they wish to serve on any other subcommittee.

Chair Broekel asked if any member of the public wished to come forward for public speak.

Mr. Filledes, Town Meeting Member Precinct 3 came forward and congratulated the newly elected officers of the School Committee. He recommended two items for the Committee’s consideration:

1. for the School Committee to urge the Board of Selectmen to have periodic joint meetings with the School Committee to discuss concerns.

2. to try and see if the School Committee and Board of Selectmen can meet on different evenings.

Mr. Josh Ostroff came forward and discussed the following:

· Natick Education Foundation will be presenting the NEF Grant Awards, A Taste of Natick, on the evening of Sunday, May 6that Jordans Furniture.

· urged the School Committee to put forward a vigorous Technology Subcommittee

· stressed the need to have a School Committee representative on the Arts Task Force

· emphasized that everyone has the interest of the child at hand when discussing costs related to special education and didn’t want the discussion of special education costs misconstrued as these students being a cost burden.

Mr. Phillips came forward and congratulated the new officers of the School Committee. He would like to see the Technology committee re-established. He indicated that he would not support technology funding unless he sees an outline of purchases.

COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Chair Broekel reported that the superintendent’ evaluation document is on the website.

Review and Update Existing Policies

The School Committee was provided with copies of two policies that pertain to the way in which the School Committee conducts their meetings. The first policy 9. School Committee Meetings needs to be revised to change the start time to 7:30 p.m. The second policy 10. School Committee Meetings: Notification, Distribution of Materials ……Public Participation needs to be reviewed, particularly section B.6. Public Participation. Dr. Goldberg requested that the School Committee look over these policies for possible modifications and send any concerns/comments to either Chair Broekel or himself.

Chair Broekel made the following announcements:

NADAC is looking for volunteers for the “After the Prom Party” being held on May 18, 2001. Any School Committee member who wishes to volunteer their time for this event should contact Chair Broekel. If any members of the public would like to help in the event, please call Jane Williams at 508-647-6604.

This Thursday, students from Natick High School will be inducted into the National Honor Society at 7:30 p.m. Chair Broekel congratulated the students and their families.

A fund raising event was held this past Friday, which was put on by Cultural Arts in honor of Harriet Siegel. The group Five O’Clock Shadow and the group Herself performed at Natick High School on Friday evening, March 30th.

The Morse Institute Library and the Natick Public Schools will hold a premier showing of Turn of the Centuries, the first of a planned series of collaborative projects utilizing computer technology, historical artifacts and reminiscences of residents of the town, in an effort to preserve and document Natick’s history. This event is being held at the Morse Institute Library on April 11, 2001 with continuous showings from noon until 3:00 p.m.

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.

School Committee members should let Chair Broekel know if they wish to participate in the Fourth of July Parade, on Wednesday, July 4.

Dr. Goldberg announced that Mr. Rick Grandmont will be receiving The Goldin Award tomorrow evening at 7:30 p.m. at Dedham High School.

PERSONNEL ACTIONS

The following personnel actions were presented:

RESIGNATION: Professional Staff

Cheryl Norris, Special needs teacher at Wilson Middle School since August 2000. Resignation is effective June 30, 2001.

APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff

Sheila O’Reilly, to be grade 2 long-term substitute teacher at Brown School effective May 4, 2001 to the end of this school year. She is replacing Carey Perkson who will be on a maternity leave. Salary, $123.00 per day.

APPOINTMENTS: Support Staff

Karen Elpers, to be (.6) teacher assistant at Lilja School effective March 30, 2001. Salary, Step 1.

Wendy Stein, to be teacher assistant at Lilja School effective April 5, 2001. Salary, Step 1.

FY2002 BUDGET DISCUSSION

Dr. Goldberg provided the School Committee with a list of budget reductions from his original budget which amounted to $981,361. This amount results in a difference of ($553) with the Town Administrator’s recommended cut. A discussion continued. The following actions resulted:

· A request was made to look into the cost of retaining the planetarium director as a consultant

· Kindergarten class sizes – to be brought back later in the summer

· Provide consistent language in school handbooks on policies around prohibiting students from going home on buses other than their own for playdates

· Request to bring back a three to five year operational plan

· If any additional funding is received, the superintendent should report on where this money will be spent

· What would district save if Circuit Breaker were to be passed for out of district placements?

· How much money would be saved if the after school late buses were cut?

· Is there any possibility of working with Neighborhood Bus for after school transportation?

· Is there any savings for employee benefits to the town since so many of the proposed positions have been cut from the school budget?

Consensus was reached on the recommended budget reductions provided by the superintendent, however, it was requested that he come back to provide updates.

REDISTRICTING UPDATE

Dr. Goldberg provided the following outline which is being used during the redistricting meetings at the various schools:

Redistricting Talking Points

· Point of tonight’s meeting is to discuss the process of redistricting and the important issues we must consider as we determine future school districts.

· A redistricting committee will be formed in April to study redistricting. The committee will be chaired by Bob Macone, Kristen St. George, and Stuart Peskin. Members will be appointed by the Parents’ Coordinating Council.

· Both elementary and middle schools will be considered in the redistricting plan.

· The new Wilson Middle School will accommodate 900 students. Some Kennedy students or prospective students will attend Wilson beginning September 2003.

· Bennett-Hemenway was built to house five classes at each grade level. Some elementary students will be redistricted to equalize enrollment throughout the five elementary schools.

· A long term or five year plan for district lines should be maintained.

· Transportation routes for students in elementary and middle schools should be maximized for efficiency.

· Geographical areas of towns should be considered to ensure that students attend schools within reasonable districts.

· We will revisit the issue of out-of-district placements in both elementary and middle schools.

· Art and music should be maintained in dedicated spaces.

Dr. Goldberg indicated that this will not be a major redistricting.

TO APPROVE A NON-RESIDENT STUDENT

Dr. Goldberg reported that a member of the Natick Public School’s professional staff has requested the School Committee’s permission to continue to enroll his child in the Natick Public Schools, effective for the 2001/2002 school year subject to review for special needs. The child will be entering his freshman year at Natick High School. This request falls within the provisions of Chapter 76, Section 6. There is no conflict with the “choice law” since the Committee has not charged tuition in similar cases. Mr. Haugland moved for approval to allow this child to attend Natick High School as a freshmen for the 2001/2002 school year. Ms. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.

The meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m.

Secretary to the School Committee

Attest:_______________________________