Town of Natick - School Committee Minutes

Approval of Records

Natick Public Schools

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, May 7, 2001 in the School Committee Room, Town Hall. Dr. Goldberg called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

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

Kristine Van Amsterdam, Ted Wynne

Others present: N. Jerome Goldberg Superintendent

Patrick Schettini Assistant Superintendent

Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary

Community Members, Staff,

James Connolly arrived later.

Chairwoman Broekel introduced members of the School Committee and Administration. She introduced the new student representatives, Ms. Meghan Walsh, who was present and Ms. Natasha Smalky who was unable to attend this evening.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Freedman moved for approval of the minutes of April 23, 2001. Ms. Packer seconded. They were unanimously approved.

Ms. Packer moved for approval of the minutes of April 30, 2001. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. They were unanimously approved.

Chairwoman Broekel asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak. Mr. Joshua Ostroff came forward and spoke about the Taste of Natick annual award event held last evening, Sunday, May 6. He thanked the teachers who applied for grants, the organizers, the students who performed, the sponsoring companies and members of the School Committee, Administration and community who attended.

Mr. Ostroff also announced that the Natick Education Foundation is looking for nominations for the Harriet F. Siegel Shining Light award which is awarded to recognize an individual in the Natick community who has made an outstanding contribution in support of education. Nomination forms are available through the schools, the library, and the Natick Education Foundation website: http://natickedfoundation.org The deadline for submittal is June 29, 2001.

COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Dr. Goldberg commended all those involved in the very successful Taste of Natick event.

Dr. Goldberg announced that the Natick High School Choral Ensembles under the direction of Claudia Hopewell participated in the Great East Music Festival on Saturday, May 5. The Concert Choir (mixed choir), Chamber Singers (women) and Style (men) all accepted Gold Medals at this event. Their last performance for this school year will be at the Music Department’s annual “POPS” Concert on May 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Natick High School.

Dr. Goldberg commended students in Dr. Jekyl’s Latin Class for the outstanding awards they received in the National Latin Exam on March 14. Dr. Goldberg will send letters of congratulations.

Chairwoman Broekel announced that she has been speaking with Debra Voigt from the Natick Service Council, Moira Munns from the Senior Center and Bonnie Tudrick, NHS Community Service Co-Advisor on programs to help students obtain their requirements for community service. Some of the programs available are:

· Volunteers for the Postal Food Drive through the Service Council (508)655-1791

· Yard Clean-Up through the Senior Center (508)647-6540

· Community Farm activities through Bonnie Tudrick at (508)647-6400, X1609

If any other groups in town have opportunities for students to obtain community service hours they may send email to bonnie_tudrick@natick.k12.ma.us

Chairwoman Broekel reported that she has been in contact with people from the Charter By Law Review Committee who have questioned the School Committee’s budget process. The School Committee follows State Law in its budget process and the charter may need to be revised to reflect that.

Chairwoman Broekel reported on information received from MASC in which they are asking if School Committee members wish to serve on their subcommittees. Responses on subcommittees need to be made by May 18. They are also looking for a voting delegate for their Fall meeting which can be done at a later time.

Mrs. Van Amsterdam recently attended the TEC Board of Directors meeting. She referenced several documents which will be copied and forwarded to School Committee members.

PERSONNEL ACTIONS

The following personnel actions were reported:

RESIGNATION: Professional Staff

Monica Mitchell, Music teacher at Bennett-Hemenway and Lilja School since August 1999. Resignation effective at the end of this school year.

RESIGNATION: Support Staff

Justin Cotter, Teacher assistant at Wilson Middle School since August 2000. Resignation effective at the end of the day on May 18, 2001.

Patricia DiTullio, Teacher assistant at Johnson School since February 1987. Resignation effective April 23, 2001.

TERMINATION: Support Staff.

Steven Hannah, Custodian at Bennett-Hemenway/Lilja Schools since November 2000. Termination effective May 3, 2001.

APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff

Amy Damon, to be grade 1-2 long-term substitute teacher at Lilja School effective May 7, 2001 to the end of this school year. She is replacing Kelli Connelly who will be on a maternity leave. Salary, $123.00 per day

APPOINTMENTS: Coaching Staff

Head Coach John Brown 3

Sub-Varsity Robert Ghilani 3

Freshman Mark Caulfield 3

Head Coach Karen Bryan 3

Sub-Varsity Coach Kirk Buschenfeldt 3

Freshman Coach Kelly Tavares * 3*

Harrison Brady (volunteer) -- --

Head Coach/Girls Ed Connor 3

Head Coach/Boys Kenneth Brackett 3

Sub-Varsity(Boys/Girls) Vera Larkin 3

BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL

Head Coach Arthur Taddeo 3

Sub-Varsity Coach Ken Stanley 3

BOYS’ OUTDOOR TRACK

Head Coach Matt Brenneman 3

Assistant Coach Joseph Kiley 3

Freshman Coach Matt Strother 3

GIRLS’ OUTDOOR TRACK

Head Coach Tom Brenneman 3

Assistant Coach Dennis Driscoll 3

Freshman Coach Susan Heavey * 1*

ATHLETIC TRAINERS

Head Trainer Dan Lussier 3

TECHNOLOGY REPORT

Mr. Schettini introduced members of the Technology Task Force as follows:

Rose Bertucci, Maureen Carney, Paula Fay, Kathy Kattany, Bob Macone, Richard Grandmont, Patti Luke, Barbara Kane, Joyce Tapper-Benham, Henry Haugland, Dave Dimick, Vera Larkin, Ron Miller, Jean Egerhei.

· Mrs. Barbara Kane provided a historical perspective and overview of state requirements and the role and vision of the Technology Taskforce.

· Mr. Richard Grandmont discussed curriculum/technology integration.

· Mr. Schettini discussed technology staffing and leadership which included establishing an ongoing technology committee.

· Ms. Joyce Tapper-Benham discussed professional development.

Ms. Broekel requested that Mr. Schettini provide an outline at the next meeting of the charge of the standing committee, including membership qualifications and the timeline for committee recommendations.

APPROVAL OF SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS

Mr. Crowley, Principal of Johnson School, Ms. Mary Canner, Principal of Lilja School and Mr. Richard Grandmont, Principal of Memorial School provided and overview of their respective School Improvement Plans. A request was made to put a process in place for updates on these plans throughout the year and for School Councils to get together to share ideas/issues. Dr. Goldberg will be meeting with the principals on May 14 and will provide an update at the next School Committee meeting.

Mr. Haugland moved for approval of the School Improvement Plans for Johnson, Lilja and Memorial Schools. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. They were unanimously approved.

TO APPROVE CHANGES TO HIGH SCHOOL HANDBOOK

Dr. Parker reviewed the proposed changes to the Natick High School Handbook for 2001/2001. Questions were raised on the calculation of class rank, and the language regarding “Search and Seizure & Interrogation by Police. Mr. Haugland moved for approval to defer this item until more information is available. Ms. Packer seconded. It was unanimously approved.

BUDGET QUESTIONS

Dr. Goldberg provided the School Committee with answers to questions pertaining to the budget which were asked at the meeting of April 2, 2001

SEAT BELTS ON SCHOOL BUSES

Mr. Connolly provided an overview of issues relating to seat belts on school buses and the history of discussions pertaining to this matter. No action was taken.

MIDDLE SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE UPDATE

Mr. Connolly provided an update on the Middle School Building Committee. They met this evening and will be meeting again on May 21 and June 4. They have reviewed the bids on the Lynnfield Middle School which came in just above the estimate. The Middle School Building Committee is looking to cut $150-300K from the project in order to feel comfortable to go out to bid. They expect to go out to bid in July for the general contractor and in September for the subcontractor bids. A request was made to discuss the $1M allotted for technology.

The meeting adjourned at 10:50 p.m.

Secretary to the School Committee

Attest:_____________________________ By: Sharon Reilly