Approval of Records
September 4, 2001
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
August 27, 2001
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, August 27, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, Town Hall. Chairwoman Broekel called the School Committee meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
Members Present: Peg Broekel, Michael Cashman, Jonathan Freedman, Henry Haugland, Diane Packer
Members Absent: Ted Wynne
Kristine Van Amsterdam 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
Meghan Walsh Student Representative
Community Members, Staff,
Parents & Press
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Haugland moved for approval of the minutes of July 23, 2001. Mr. Freedman seconded. They were unanimously approved.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairwoman Broekel asked if anyone wished to come forward for public speak. No one came forward.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
· Dr. Goldberg announced that he will be retiring as Natick Public Schools Superintendent and public education toward the end of January. Upon his retirement, he intends on working as a professional development trainer with teachers and administrators across the state. Chairwoman Broekel, on behalf of the School Committee, thanked Dr. Goldberg for all that he has done and for his years of service. The School Committee will let the public know in the coming weeks of what its plans will be to appoint a successor.
· Website Update
Sharon Reilly provided the School Committee with the website addresses for the Natick Virtual Town Hall (www.natickma.org) as well as the Natick Public Schools website address (www.natick.k12.ma.us). She demonstrated how the new virtual town hall site worked and how it linked to the Natick Public Schools website. Information such as town wide meeting calendars, minutes, agendas and postings are available on the Natick Virtual Town Hall website.
· Mr. Schettini reported that there will be a 4th grade band program which will take place before school at the various schools. The details are currently being worked out.
APPROVAL OF PAY ADJUSTMENT FOR TITLE 1 AND VARIOUS NON-REPRESENTED STAFF
Mrs. Davis requested the School Committee’s approval for an increase of 4% for Title 1 teachers, effective September 1, 2001. The Title I program is funded annually from a federal grant and contains a wage reopener for each year. Mr. Haugland moved for approval for an increase of 4% for Title 1 teachers, effective September 1, 2001. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Davis requested the School Committee’s approval on a pay adjustment for the METCO Academic Liaison – The School Committee approved a range adjustment for this position on June 18, however, approval needs to be given to make this adjustment retroactive to the 2000-2001 school year. Mr. Haugland moved for approval on this pay adjustment. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Davis requested the School Committee’s approval on pay adjustments for the following positions:
· Grant Funded Secretary/Clerk – Establish an FY01-02 pay range of $14.45-$15.01
· Substitute Secretary – Retired – pay all retired secretaries who substitute as secretaries the equivalent of Step 1, Level IV on the Association of Secretaries Clerks pay schedule (FY02 $14.453).
· Interns – Establish a new pay category for Interns with an annual range of $11,000-$16,000.
Mr. Freedman moved for approval of these pay adjustments. Ms. Packer seconded, but asked if the position of intern was a benefitted position. Ms. Packer moved to approve the pay adjustments for the Grant Funded Secretary/Clerk and the Substitute Secretary – Retired, however, requested that the pay adjustment for the interns be revisited at the meeting of September 4 for clarification on the issue of benefits. It was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Davis distributed a revised document on pay adjustment for non-represented Department of Instructional Technology Staff. She recommended that the salaries for the following two positions be revised:
Technical Support Coordinator for FY02 – establish a range of $30,000-$36,000.
Technician – establish a range of $20,000-$26,000. These positions were in the FY02 budget for $30,900 each. Mr. Haugland moved for approval of the new salary ranges for the Technical Support Coordinator and the Technician for FY02 as outlined. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
CAPITAL BUDGET REQUEST
Mr. Connolly reviewed the Capital Funding request for Fall 2001 by school as well as the priority order provided by the Director of Facilities. A discussion took place regarding many of the high school items on the list and how they may pertain to a high school renovation. Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval to keep all the items in Priority I as outlined, however she requested that the installation of acoustical ceilings at Brown School and Lilja School be moved from Priority 2 to Priority 1. Ms. Packer seconded. Mr. Haugland amended the motion to move the installation of air conditioning in the Brown School main office and in the Lilja School main office and staff resource room from Priority 2 to Priority 1. Mr. Cashman seconded. Mrs. Van Amsterdam’s motion and Mr.
Haugland’s amendment were unanimously approved.
TECHNOLOGY WARRANT ARTICLE
Mr. Schettini introduced Mrs. Barbara Kane who reviewed the implementation of technology purchases of year three of the Technology Warrant Article and reviewed the proposed purchases for year four. Mr. Haugland moved for approval of this plan. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
HIGH SCHOOL RENOVATION UPDATE
Mr. Connolly provided an update of the warrant article for design fees for a high school renovation.
WILSON MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATE
Mr. Connolly provided an update of the Wilson Middle School project. He indicated that the sub bids will be opened this Thursday at 2:00 p.m. with the general bid opening on September 18. An advertisement has been placed for a Clerk of the Works and applications are due for this position by September 7th. Mr. Connolly shared a letter with the School Committee from Building 19 indicating that the construction vehicles may enter their property onto the Wilson site during construction. Mr. Connolly requested that the School Committee send a letter of thanks to Building 19.
UPDATE ON REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE
Dr. Goldberg indicated that the redistricting committee will be meeting again this Thursday evening. He has asked Pat Schettini to also be on this committee for continuity. They will report future meeting dates to the School Committee.
UPDATE ON ENROLLMENT
Dr. Goldberg indicated that the only enrollment numbers he has at this time are the kindergarten enrollment numbers which remain at 402 with class sizes ranging from 20-24, most of which are in the 20-21 range.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
Dr. Goldberg reviewed the following personnel actions:
RETIREMENT: Professional Staff
Elizabeth McDermott, Speech/language clinician at Lilja School since September 1977. Retirement effective July 1, 2001.
RESIGNATIONS: Professional Staff
Michelle Anniballi, Spanish teacher at Natick High School since August 1998. Resignation effective August 10, 2001.
Debbie Mitchell, Kindergarten teacher at Brown School since September 1991. Resignation effective August 8, 2001.
Kathleen Garvin, (.5) School nurse at Bennett-Hemenway School since August 2000. Resignation effective August 6, 2001.
RESIGNATIONS: Support Staff
John Adams, Teacher assistant at Kennedy Middle School since August 1998. Resignation effective July 17, 2001
Tak-Ling Aw, Teacher assistant at Natick High School since October 2000. Resignation effective July 1, 2001.
Matthew Brenneman, Teacher assistant at Natick High School since August 1999. Resignation effective July 1, 2001.
Robin Fairbanks, (.5) Teacher assistant at Bennett-Hemenway School since February 2001. Resignation effective June 19, 2001.
Joseph Green, Teacher assistant at Wilson Middle School since February 2001. Resignation effective July 1, 2001.
Kenneth Hamm, Teacher assistant at Wilson Middle School since August 2000. Resignation effective July 1, 2001.
Deana Horne, Teacher assistant at Lilja School since August 1998. Resignation effective August 23, 2001.
Catherine Larkin, Food service worker at Natick High School since April 1999. Resignation effective July 1, 2001.
Maryann Lavezzo, Media assistant at Memorial School since April 1997. Resignation effective July 26, 2001.
Julie Montalto, Teacher assistant at Memorial School since March 2000. Resignation effective July 1, 2001.
Michael Petrone, Teacher assistant at Wilson Middle School since December 2000. Resignation effective July 1, 2001.
EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Professional Staff
Lisa Shapiro, Grade three teacher at Johnson School since August 1999. Unpaid leave of absence for maternity is effective for the 2001-2002 school year
WITHDRAWAL OF APPOINTMENT: Professional Staff
Seta Kalestian, withdrawn as instructional technology teacher at Wilson Middle School.
TRANSFERS/CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Support Staff
Effective for the 2001-2002 school year
Elaine Fontes, from food service worker at Memorial School to building assistant at Wilson Middle School.
Jean Mabardy, from teacher assistant at Memorial School to teacher assistant at Brown School
TRANSFERS/CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Professional Staff
Effective for the 2001-2002 school year
Kim McParland, to be Acting Vice Principal at Natick High School.
Caryn Cheverie, to be Acting Math Department Head at Natick High School.
Margaret Boudreau, to be full-time guidance counselor at Natick High School
Edward Connor, to be Foreign Language Department Head at Natick High School
Lynne Grimaldi, to be (.6) grade one teacher at Memorial School.
Carol Hookway, to be (.4) grade one teacher at Memorial School.
Lisa Kovacs, to be full-time math teacher at Natick High School.
APPOINTMENTS: Support Staff
Effective for the 2001-2002 school year
Brian Moores, to be Jr. I Custodian at Wilson Middle School effective August 1, 2001. Salary, Step 1
Jennifer Olsen-Collins, to be teacher assistant at Natick High School. Salary, Step 2
Lisa Blankespoor, to be teacher assistant at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Step 3
Karen Cain, to be teacher assistant at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Step 3
Marie Hagenbuch, to be teacher assistant at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Step 1
Sally Scammon, to be teacher assistant at Johnson School. Salary, Step 3
Stephen Hernandez, to be teacher assistant at Natick High School. Salary, Step 1
APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff
Effective for the 2001-2002 school year
Ellen Brenneman, to be science teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Masters, Step 9
Molly Birch, to be grade one teacher at Brown School. Salary, Masters, Step 8
Rosa Garcia-Valles, to be Spanish teacher at Natick High School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 7
Kathy Gillespie, to be special education teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Masters, Step 3
Kimberly Lajoie, to be grade one teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 2
Erin McNamara, to be grade two teacher at Johnson School. Salary, Masters, Step 2
Julie Miller, to be (.4) music teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 2
Susan Saraceno, to be business/technology teacher at Natick School. Salary, Masters, Step 5
Kathleen Shipos, to be speech and language clinician at Lilja School. Salary, Masters +60, Step 9
Paula Cohen, to be grade five long-term substitute teacher at Wilson Middle School effective August 27, 2001 to end of first semester. She is replacing Janet Fleming who is on a medical leave. Salary, $127.00 per day
Elizabeth Scott, to be grade three long term substitute teacher at Johnson School effective August 27, 2001 to November 1, 2001. She is replacing Jennifer Gershon who is on a maternity leave. Salary, $127.00 per day
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
N. Jerome Goldberg
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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