Town of Natick - School Committee Minutes

Natick Public Schools

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, July 23, 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, Michael Cashman, Jonathan Freedman, Henry Haugland, Diane Packer,

Kristine Van Amsterdam, Ted Wynne

Others present: N. Jerome Goldberg Superintendent

James Connolly Assistant Superintendent

Audrey Seyffert Assistant Superintendent

Patrick Schettini Assistant Superintendent

Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary

Meghan Walsh Student Representative

Community Members, Staff,

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Freedman moved for approval of the minutes of June 18, 2001. Ms. Packer seconded. They were unanimously approved.

Chairwoman Broekel asked if anyone wished to come forward for public speak. No one came forward.

COGNEX SKATE PARK

Dr. Goldberg provided an update on the dedication of the Cognex Skate Park which was held a few weeks ago. Dr. Shillman, President of Cognex, made a grand entrance as he skateboarded down the ramp. Dr. Goldberg has been in touch with Chief Mannix to try to increase the paroling of the park to ensure that the users are wearing helmets. A more serious measure may be needed to enforce the use of helmets.

COMPLIANCE REVIEW

Mrs. Audrey Seyffert provided a brief overview of the Compliance Review conducted by the Department of Education which focused on three areas – Special Education, Title I and Civil Rights. Mrs. Seyffert was very pleased with the results. The rating was based on 115 mandated standards in 9 key areas of legal compliance. The results were:

· 102 areas are fully implemented

· 6 are partially implemented

· 7 specific commendables were given in addition to general commendables

· 0 areas non-implemented or non-compliance. Mrs. Seyffert will present a more detailed review in the fall.

COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Dr. Goldberg updated the Committee on the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents conference that he, Pat Schettini and Jim Connolly attended last week.

Chair Broekel acknowledged Debra Sayre for the very successful 4th of July parade and thanked the members of the School Committee who marched along with her. Chair Broekel also acknowledged all the schools who participated in the parade as well as Mr. Henry Massar, who has been involved in a business partnership with Stop & Shop for fundraising for the middle school basketball program.

Chair Broekel indicated that the Charter By-Law Review Subcommittee has met and are looking into changing the wording on the process the School Committee uses for its budget, i.e., follows State Law. She indicated that more information will be coming in the Fall prior to Town Meeting which is starting on Tuesday, October 2.

Mr. Freedman reported that he has attended some very constructive collaborative bargaining sessions with the Teacher Assistants Unit.

Mr. Cashman provided the School Committee with copies of a session he attended, On Board, for School Committee members. He found this session to be very worthwhile and recommended it to other members.

PERSONNEL ACTIONS

Dr. Goldberg updated the School Committee on where we are in the hiring process. To date there have been over 65 new hires and there are approximately 6 positions left to fill.

Dr. Goldberg reviewed the following personnel actions.

RESIGNATIONS: Professional Staff

Nancy Bentley, special education teacher at Kennedy Middle School since August 2000. Resignation effective July 1, 2001

Martha Bloom, social studies teacher at Natick High School since August 2000. Resignation effective July 1, 2001

Scott Dixson, special education teacher in the North Star Program at Natick High School since September 1995. Resignation effective July 1, 2001.

Harriet Freedman, speech pathologist at Kennedy Middle School since September 1988. Resignation effective July 9, 2001.

Sylvia Golijov, (.4) music teacher at Bennett-Hemenway and Brown Schools since September 1998. Resignation effective July 18, 2001.

Michael MacCurtain, grade 6 teacher at Wilson Middle School since September 1986. Resignation effective July 1, 2001.

Molly Norton, special education chairperson in the Pupil Services Department since August 1998. Resignation effective July 11, 2001.

Cheryl Schwartz, science teacher at Kennedy Middle School since August 1999. Resignation effective July 16, 2001.

Holly Steiger, (.5) speech therapist at Bennett-Hemenway preschool since August 2000. Resignation effective July 5, 2001.

Natali Taylor, Spanish teacher at Kennedy Middle School since August 1999. Resignation effective July 1, 2001.

RESIGNATIONS: Support Staff

Rosemary Antonellis, teacher assistant at Lilja School since September 1991. Resignation effective June 19, 2001.

Julie O’Connell, teacher assistant at Johnson School since September 2000. Resignation effective July 1, 2001.

CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Support Staff

[Effective for the 2001-2002 school year]

Karen Elpers, from (.6) to full-time teacher assistant at Lilja School

Sally Hurley, from teacher assistant at Brown School to full-time teacher assistant at Memorial School.

Elizabeth Noonan, from (.4) to full-time teacher assistant at Lilja School

APPOINTMENTS: Support Staff

Joanne Anderson, to be full-time ESL teacher assistant at Brown School effective August 27, 2001. Salary, Step 3

Sharon Billings, to be secretary to the Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Services effective July 16, 2001. Salary, Step 3

Marianne Brigham, to be bookkeeper in the pupil services department effective September 4, 2001. Salary, Step 2

Katherine Rotkiewicz, to be library/media assistant at Kennedy Middle School effective August 27, 2001. Salary, Step 2

Takako Sullivan, to be part-time food service worker at Kennedy Middle School effective August 29, 2001. Salary, Step 1

Jane Teepe, to be teacher assistant at Lilja School effective August 27, 2001. Salary, Step 3

Linda Marshall, to be co-coordinator for the Community Service Program at Natick High School effective for the 2001-2002 school year.

Bonnie Tudrick, to be co-coordinator for the Community Service Program at Natick High School effective for the 2001-2002 school year.

Wendy Stein, to be full-time teacher assistant at Lilja School effective August 27, 2001. Salary, Step 2

JOB SHARE ASSIGNMENT: Professional Staff

[Effective for the 2001-2002 school year]

Laura Erwin, from full-time elementary teacher to (.5) grade 1 teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. She is job sharing with Marcy Klay.

Marcy Klay, from full-time elementary teacher to (.5) grade 1 teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. She is job sharing with Laura Erwin.

WITHDRAWAL OF APPOINTMENT: Professional Staff

Anderson Manual, withdrawn as grade 1-2 teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School

APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff

Kathleen Anderson, to be grade 4 teacher at Memorial School. Salary, Masters, Step 3

Suzanne Beatty, to be school nurse at Natick High School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 6

Lynn Bird, to be speech pathologist at Bennett-Hemenway preschool and Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Masters +60, Step 12.

Kristen Donahue, to be grade 4 teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 2

Michelle Graham, to be Spanish teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Masters, Step 7

Seta Kalestian, to be instructional technology teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Masters, Step 9

Brian Linton, to be special education teacher in the North Star Program at Natick High School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 2

Marlene Mazer, to be social worker at Natick High School. Salary, Masters, Step 6

Rosemary Nichols, to be grade 7/8 science and social studies teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 1

Tammy Ross, to be behavioral therapist in the pupil services department. Salary, $22.00/hour.

Judith Sletzinger, to be foreign language teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Masters +30, Step 3

Jennifer Smith, to be grade six teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Masters, Step 2

Brook Stephens, to be (.5) speech therapist and (.5) teacher assistant in the preschool at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Masters +30, Step 2 (for speech therapist) and Salary, Step 3 (for teacher assistant)

Kelly Tavares, to be Spanish teacher at Natick High School. Salary, Masters, Step 4

Lisa Von Braun, to be learning center teacher at Natick High School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 2

Jeanne Watts, to be mathematics teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Masters, Step 12

Kerry Welch, to be special education teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 11

Annette Zeigler, to be social worker in the North Star Program at Natick High School. Salary, Masters, Step 9

Dr. Goldberg announced that there will be a new teacher orientation program on Friday, August 24 at the Bennett-Hemenway School. He also announced that there will be an opening day breakfast for all town employees at Natick High School on Monday, August 27 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. followed by an inspirational speech by Rabbi Harold Kushner who will speak on The Classroom as Sacred Space.

REDISTRICTING UPDATE

Dr. Goldberg reported that the Redistricting Committee met recently and outlined tasks to be done. He emphasized that no decisions have been made at this time on redistricting except that the streets which are currently assigned to Lilja/Kennedy will become Lilja/Wilson. No decisions have been made at this point on grandfathering. He will provide the School Committee with a list of the Redistricting Committee meeting dates at the meeting of August 27 or the first meeting in September.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

Mr. Schettini provided an overview of staff development programs that are being offered this summer.

STATUS OF CURRICULUM CENTERS

Dr. Goldberg reported that work is underway in getting the curriculum centers at Natick High School up and running. H expects that these centers will be open and ready for operation at the beginning of the school year.

TO APPROVE SYSTEM GOALS FOR 2001/2002

Dr. Goldberg reviewed a draft of the Natick Public Schools System Goals for 2001/2002. This document is a working document and goals may be modified as part of an ongoing process. Mr. Haugland moved for approval of the goals with some modifications. Ms. Packer seconded.

· Add the goal on improving MCAS and SAT scores back in.

· Add the goal on communications with the community back in

· Change the indicators and sources of evidence on goal 1b (Enhance curriculum connections utilizing technology, k-12)

· Add language pertaining to goal 5d on developing the FY03 budget so that a three-year period is looked at.

· Correct miscellaneous typographical errors

The goals were unanimously approved with the above modifications. Dr. Goldberg will revise these goals and provide copies to the School Committee.

VOTE TO APPROVE RECOMMENDATION OF HIGH SCHOOL RENOVATION COMMITTEE AND SUBMIT WARRANT ARTICLE FOR DESIGN FEES

Mr. Connolly provided copies of the High School Renovation Committee’s Executive Summary that was presented to the School Committee on March 19, 2001. At that meeting, three options were provided. At this time the Administration recommends that the School Committee vote to accept the Natick High School Renovation Committee’s recommendation of Option1, Scheme B – Complete renovation and a new science wing in the location of Gyms 4 and 5 and submit an article for the October 2001 Town Meeting for design fees through the bidding phase of the project. Mr. Haugland moved for approval to accept the recommendation of Option 1, Scheme B, and to submit an article for the October 2001 Town Meeting for design fees. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. A discussion continued. It was recommended to communicate as much information as possible throughout the community on the high school renovation and to hold a presentation for town meeting members. Communications through PTO groups should also take place. Mr. Freedman amended the motion to have the warrant article include the establishment of a building committee mirrored after that of the Middle School Building Committee, followed by the request for design fees. Ms. Packer seconded. It was unanimously approved.

TO APPROVE PROPOSED TECHNOLOGY WARRANT ARTICLE

Dr. Goldberg stated that the School Committee has sponsored a capital expenditure article for computers and other technology related equipment at three previous Town Meetings. The following is the proposed article for year four of a five-year commitment and is the same language as previous articles.

To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate and raise or otherwise provide for the purpose of purchasing computers and other related equipment for the Natick Public Schools; determine whether this appropriation shall be raised by borrowing or otherwise; or take any action relative thereto.

Mr. Haugland moved for approval to submit the above proposed technology warrant article for the October Town Meeting. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved. A well articulated plan of the technology purchases will be presented at the meeting of August 27.

MIDDLE SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE UPDATE

Mr. Connolly provided an update of the meeting held this evening of the Middle School Building Committee. Mr. Connolly indicated that with the reductions made previously the cost estimate is now within budget and no further reductions are needed. He reported that the construction documents will be available August 9 and sub bids will be opened August 30th. The General Contractor bid will be opened September 20. An ad for Clerk of the Works will be done over the next two weeks. An informational meeting will be held on the evening of September 20 with abutters, parents, staff members and any other interested parties at the Wilson Middle School.

The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.

Secretary to the School Committee