Approval of Records
June 18, 2001
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
June 4, 2001
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, June 4, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, Town Hall. Chairwoman Broekel called the School Committee meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Peg Broekel, Jonathan Freedman, Henry Haugland, Diane Packer,
Kristine Van Amsterdam, Ted Wynne
Michael Cashman arrived at 7:40 p.m.
Others present: N. Jerome Goldberg Superintendent
James Connolly Assistant Superintendent
Audrey Seyffert Assistant Superintendent
Patrick Schettini Assistant Superintendent
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Natasha Smalky Student Representative
Community Members, Staff,
Parents & Press
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of the minutes of May 21, 2001. Mr. Haugland seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Mr. Wynne moved for approval of the Executive Session minutes of May 21, 2001. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. They were unanimously approved.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Mrs. Christine Weithman came forward and encouraged the administration to put out some sort of communication to the community that would enable them to contact the appropriate individuals to support federal funding for special education.
Mr. Ostroff, Co-Chair of the Natick Education Foundation, 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 town hall, the senior center, the library, and the Natick Education Foundation website: http://natickedfoundation.org. The deadline
for submittal is June 29, 2001. The award ceremony will be held on September 25 at Whitney Place.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Dr. Goldberg congratulated, Natasha Smalky, on receiving the Brown Book Award at Class Night this past Thursday. He also reported that 136 scholarships were awarded in the amount of $111,000. He thanked Chairwoman Broekel and Ms. Packer for presenting the outstanding athlete awards.
Dr. Goldberg reported that the Natick High School graduation ceremony was a great success. The ceremony was held in the auditorium due to inclement weather. He commended the students and Mr. Galvin, the faculty speaker, on their exceptional speeches and thanked Chairwoman Broekel for her contribution and touching speech. Dr. Goldberg thanked everyone who helped with the graduations plans.
Mr. Hughes provided an update on the Japanese Exchange Program. He has been in touch with the principal at the Mushashino Junior High School in Japan, and they wish to have their students return to Natick next year for a longer visit. They would also like to invite Natick students to visit Japan in the year 2002. Mr. Hughes will provide updates on this program throughout the year.
Dr. Goldberg announced that a high school graduation ceremony will be held on Wednesday, June 6 at the Morse Library for veterans of World War II who left high school to serve in the Armed Forces. Diplomas will be awarded to eleven veterans.
Chairwoman Broekel reported that Mr. Jameson will be back next year as a consultant to run the planetarium and stressed that the School Committee values the planetarium and wishes to continue with its operation.
Chairwoman Broekel reported that the School Committee will be holding a retreat tomorrow evening at 7:30 p.m. in the Morse Institute Library to establish goals for the superintendent for 2001/2002.
Chairwoman Broekel thanked the offices of Kane, Tesini and Soporowski for their invitation to attend the Second Annual “Keeping Safety Warm” banquet being held at Franny’s Place on June 11 to honor our crossing guards. She will RSVP with regrets and send an acknowledgement letter to the crossing guards.
Mr. Haugland encouraged people to attend the end of year concert of the Wilson Band tomorrow evening.
Mr. Freedman provided an update on a meeting he attended with the Charles River Rotary Club. This meeting provided on opportunity to outreach to the community, to share ideas, to discuss override campaigns and to discuss the high school renovation. He believes there will be another opportunity to meet with them in the future.
Mrs. Van Amsterdam attended a conference last Friday sponsored by Mass Insight, Building on Success. She reported that the conference was a phenomenal success and will be providing copies of the materials she received to the School Committee and administration as well as her notes.
TO APPROVE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS
School Improvement Plans for the Bennett-Hemenway, Brown, Kennedy Middle, and Wilson Middle Schools were presented. The principals provided a brief overview and reviewed their goals for next year. Mr. Haugland moved for approval of these plans. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. They were unanimously approved.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The attached personnel actions were reviewed:
RESIGNATION: Professional Staff
Theresa Concannon, Special needs teacher at Kennedy Middle School since August 1998. Resignation effective June 19, 2001.
Kelly Crawford, Grade 4 teacher at Memorial School since August 1999. Resignation effective June 19, 2001.
Jennifer Parson, Grade 4 teacher at Brown School since August 1994. Resignation effective June 19, 2001.
RESIGNATION: Support Staff
Charlene Harrow, Food service worker at Kennedy Middle School since August 1994. Resignation effective at the end of the day on June 1, 2001.
Carleen Brown, Teacher assistant at Lilja School since August 1996. Resignation effective June 19, 2001.
Heather Holbrook, Teacher assistant at Memorial School since August 2000. Resignation effective June 19, 2001.
Andrew Kuhn, AV Technology assistant system-wide since September 2000. Resignation effective June 19, 2001.
Mary Nickerson, Teacher assistant at Wilson Middle School since August 1999. Resignation effective June 19, 2001.
Diane Norby, Media assistant at Kennedy Middle School since August 2000. Resignation effective June 19, 2001.
EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Professional Staff
Ann Canter, Grade 2 teacher at Memorial School and a member of the staff since September 1987. Leave of absence without pay is effective for the 2001-2002 school year.
CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Support Staff
Sandra Linton, to be school-year secretary at Kennedy Middle School effective August 20, 2001. Mrs. Linton has been serving as secretary to the Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Services and has been a member of the staff since August 1994.
APPOINTMENTS: Support Staff
Gregory Pearson, to be Jr. I Custodian at Natick High School (night shift) effective June 4, 2001. Salary, Step 1
Dr. Goldberg pointed that Mrs. Jan Parson, 4th grade teacher at the Brown School, has resigned due to her being appointed Vice Principal of and elementary school in Sudbury. Dr. Goldberg will review the staffing goals for next year at the next meeting.
REQUEST TO ENROLL A NON-RESIDENT STUDENT
Dr. Goldberg requested that the School Committee approve a request made by a member of the Natick Public School’s professional staff to enroll their child in the Natick Public Schools, effective for the 2001/2002 school year subject to review for special needs. The request is for the child to attend kindergarten at the Memorial 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. Dr. Goldberg explained that if the Committee approves this request, it will be contingent on the kindergarten class sizes at Memorial School come September. If there are 5 kindergarten classes there would be sufficient room. If need be, the child may need to be
placed at another school. A discussion took place on the process and responsibility of reviewing for special needs. Mr. Haugland moved for approval of this request. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved. Mrs. Seyffert indicated that that in the future, the child will be reviewed for special needs before it comes before the Committee for approval.
WILSON MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATE
Mr. Connolly provided an update on the Wilson Middle School Project. He indicated that the cost estimates came back higher than the budgeted amount of $19.2M. The cost difference (4%) needs to be addressed. The Middle School Building Committee is looking into possibly reducing the square footage in some of the larger space areas. Mr. Connolly invited members to attend the Middle School Building Committee meeting next Monday, June 11 where these cost cutting measures will be addressed.
NATICK HIGH SCHOOL RENOVATION SCHEDULE
Mr. Connolly reviewed the proposed schedule for planning, design and construction of the renovation of Natick High School. He indicated that if the School Committee plans to have a June 2003 – September 2005 construction schedule, the design process must begin at the October 2001 Town Meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
N. Jerome Goldberg
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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