Approval of Records
October 15, 2001
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
October 1, 2001
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, October 1, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. in the School Committee Room, Town Hall. Chairwoman Broekel called the School Committee meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Peg Broekel, Michael Cashman, Kristine Van Amsterdam, Ted Wynne
Members Absent: Jonathan Freedman, Henry Haugland, Diane Packer
Others present: N. Jerome Goldberg Superintendent
James J. Connolly Assistant Superintendent
Patrick Schettini Assistant Superintendent
Audrey Seyffert Assistant Superintendent
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Natasha Smalky Student Representative
Community Members, Staff,
Parents & Press
Members of the School Committee and the Administration joined the Selectmen at their meeting to hear an update on the bids received for the middle school – the lowest bidder being $1.5 million over budget. Mr. Connolly requested the Board of Selectmen to call a special Town Meeting at the end of October . At this time, additional appropriation will be brought before Town Meeting. Mr. Scott Dunlop from Architecture Involution reviewed the history, cost analysis and the reductions made to date in the project. Mr. Bob Palmer reviewed the borrowing cost projections. Mr. Palmer indicated that it would cost the average taxpayer an additional $2.00 a year for twenty years to cover this additional cost. The Board of Selectmen gave its unanimous
approval to call a Special Town Meeting for October 23. School Committee members returned to the School Committee Room to resume their meeting.
Mr. Haugland was now present.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chair Broekel asked if anyone from the public wished to speak. No one came forward.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Chair Broekel made the following announcements:
· Thomas Birmingham will be holding a session regarding the Education Reform Act on Wednesday, October 3 from 3:30 –5:00 at the Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in Framingham.
· The Natick Community Coalition will be holding a session “Healthy Natick” on October 16 from 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at the Metrowest Medical Center. Members should let Chair Broekel know if they are interested in attending.
Dr. Goldberg announced that the Spotlight on Education scheduled for October 29 has been cancelled.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed:
RESIGNATION: Professional Staff
Rebecca Fetterman, Special needs chairperson for out-of-district placements since August 2001. Resignation effective at the end of the day on October 9, 2001.
RESIGNATIONS: Support Staff
Russell Anderson, Teacher assistant at Natick High School since August 2001. Resignation effective at the end of the day on October 16, 2001.
Meghan Cantillon, Intern at Bennett-Hemenway School since August 2001. Resignation effective at the end of the day on September 21, 2001.
Jean Mabardy, Teacher assistant at Bennett-Hemenway School since September 1999. Resignation effective at the end of the day on September 28, 2001.
Paul Power, Teacher assistant at Kennedy Middle School since August 2001. Resignation effective at the end of the day on September 21, 2001.
CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Support Staff
Elizabeth Mangan, to be (.3) teacher assistant and (.3) media assistant at Johnson School effective August 27, 2001. Salary, Step 2
APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff
Paula Eaton, to be Spanish teacher at Natick High School effective October 9, 2001 to the end of this school year. Salary, Masters, Step 7
Viola Carter, to be Title I long-term substitute teacher at Memorial School effective October 2, 2001 to the end of this school year. Salary, Step 4
Linda Cooper, to be permanent substitute teacher at Kennedy Middle School effective September 20, 2001. Salary, $85.00 per day
Daniel O’Leary, to be permanent substitute teacher at Natick High School effective September 20, 2001. Salary, $85.00 per day
APPOINTMENTS: Elementary Early Riser Program
Anne Hickman, to be Program Supervisor effective September 10, 2001.
Jacqueline Dubee, to be instructor effective August 27, 2001.
Karen Ross, to be Instructor effective September 10, 2001.
APPOINTMENTS: Support Staff
Kristina Barragan, to be teacher assistant at Kennedy Middle School effective September 28, 2001. Salary, Step 1
Lisa Fass, to be technology assistant at Lilja School and system wide effective September 17, 2001. Salary, Step 3
Kevin Kacavich, to be teacher assistant at Natick High School effective September 17, 2001. Salary, Step 1
Mr. Freedman and Ms. Packer arrived at 8:25 p.m.
HIGH SCHOOL: SAT & AP SCORES, MCAS REMEDIATION & PREPARATION EFFORTS
Mr. Schettini introduced Dr. Barry Parker, who along with Ms. Kim McParland, Ms. Kathi Browne, Mr. Carl Bates and Ms. Jan Parsons presented:
· Course analysis and trends in student enrollment
· An analysis of SAT results over 20 years
· College acceptance information on the top 20% of the Class of 2001
· A sampling of Advance Placement results from 1995-2001
· A review of MCAS preparation programs offered at NHS
Dr. Parker and his staff responded to questions raised by the Committee. The following comments/suggestions were made:
· Would like a presentation of these results vs. the surrounding towns – particularly the top 25% of the students
· Would like to see some indication of declared majors or intended areas of studies
· Where did the students go?
· What are they pursuing?
· Survey a couple of classes to find out what happened to these students after high school.
· What if anything could we do different.
· Would like to see apples to apples comparison on AP Scores
WILSON MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATE
Chair Broekel reported on the action that the Selectmen took earlier this evening to call a special Town Meeting for October 23 to address the additional funds needed for the Wilson Middle School project. She reviewed a draft of the warrant article that would need to be submitted. It is as follows:
To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money for constructing, equipping, and furnishing a new Wilson Middle School on the site of the existing school, in addition to the money appropriated by vote of the October, 2000 Annual Town Meeting under Article 22, and to determine whether this appropriation shall be raised by borrowing or otherwise; or to take any other action thereto.
Mr. Haugland moved for approval to submit the above warrant article. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
The meeting adjourned at 9: 30 p.m.
N. Jerome Goldberg
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
By: Sharon Reilly
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