Approval of Records
November 5, 2001
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
October 15, 2001
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, October 15, 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 J. Connolly Assistant Superintendent
Patrick Schettini Assistant Superintendent
Audrey Seyffert Assistant Superintendent
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Natasha Smalky, Student Representative
Meghan Walsh Student Representative
Community Members,
Staff, Parents & Press
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of the minutes of September 24, 2001. Ms. Packer seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of the minutes of October 1, 2001. Ms. Packer seconded. They were unanimously approved.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chair Broekel asked if anyone from the public wished to speak. No one came forward.
PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Dr. Goldberg introduced two students from the Class of 2002 who stood in rank order one and two in their class at the end of their junior year. He awarded Ms. Natasha Smalky and Mr. Mark Geyer Certificates of Academic Excellence, which were instituted by the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents to honor students who have distinguished themselves in the pursuit of academic excellence. The Administration and the School Committee congratulated these students on this achievement.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF NHS NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP SEMIFINALISTS, COMMENDED STUDENTS & OUTSTANDING PARTICIPANT
Dr. Parker acknowledged Natasha Smalky and Mark Geyer, Natick High School students, Class of 2002, who have achieved the status of Semifinalists in the competition for Merit Scholarship awards. Dr. Parker acknowledged and presented letters of congratulations to Kathryn Brown, Graham Helmich, Jennifer Kahn, Olivia Mao, Brian Quinan, and Paul Tyson for being Commended Students in the Merit Scholarship award program. He also acknowledged Jeremy Mpagazehe as “An Outstanding Participant in the 2002 National Achievement Scholarship Program. Members of the School Committee and Administration congratulated these students and wished them continued success.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Chair Broekel thanked the Bacon Street Farm who recently held a reopening ceremony for their newly renovated store and donated the sale of pumpkins to the Natick Public Schools.
Dr. Goldberg reported that after meeting with the middle and high school principals, a decision was made to cancel some out of state and out of country trips with the hopes of resuming them in the future.
Chair Broekel reported that Town Meeting voted in support of the funds needed to begin the design process for the high school renovation. As part of the motion to support the funds, they voted to establish a building committee.
Mr. Schettini provided an update on the MCAS test results. He reported that 75% of the 10th grade students statewide passed the math portion of the test (as opposed to 55% last year) and 82% of the 10th grade students statewide passed the English portion of the test (as opposed to 66% last year). In addition, 21,000 10th grade students statewide failed one or more of these two tests. Mr. Schettini stated that the 10th grade students who failed the tests this past spring will have five more opportunities to take the test before they graduate high school. Programs for remedial help are in place. The local results will be received next week.
COMPLETED BUILDING MAINTANANCE SUMMER WORK 2001
Mr. Bob Graham, Director of Facilities, provided the School Committee with a report of maintenance work done at each school over the summer.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
RESIGNATION: Support Staff
Theresa Daigle, Food service worker at Johnson School since September 10, 2001. Resignation is effective October 4, 2001.
APPOINTMENTS: Support Staff
Catherine Furlong, to be teacher assistant at Natick High School effective October 9, 2001. Salary, Step 3
Lynn Barker, to be food service worker at Kennedy Middle School effective October 3, 2001. Salary, Step 1
Mary Ellen Williams, to be food service worker at Memorial School effective October 9, 2001. Salary, Step 1
APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff
Jeanne Andersen, to be Out-of-District Coordinator in the Pupil Services Department effective October 22, 2001. Salary, Doctorate, Step 10
Jayne Worthington, to be (.5) school nurse at Natick High School effective October 2, 2001. Salary, Bachelors, Step 5
Karen Golomb, to be elementary permanent substitute teacher effective October 9, 2001. Salary, $85.00 per day.
Susan Kaminsky, to be elementary permanent substitute teacher effective October 2, 2001. Salary, $85.00 per day.
Jan Merson, to be permanent substitute teacher at Wilson Middle School effective October 4, 2001. Salary, $85.00 per day.
UPDATE ON MIDDLE SCHOOL WARRANT ARTICLE
Mr. Connolly reported that letters were sent to all Town Meeting members for the October 23, 2001 Special Town Meeting explaining the School Committee’s request for supplemental appropriation of $1.5 million for the construction of the new Wilson Middle School.
TO TAKE A POSITION ON RESOLUTIONS & AMENDMENTS
BEFORE THE MASC HOUSE OF DELEGATES
Chair Broekel reviewed the resolutions which will be voted on at the MASC Annual Meeting on October 31. The School Committee needs to take a position on each of these resolutions in order that its delegate, Mr. Cashman, may vote on them at the upcoming meeting.
Resolution 1 – School Building Assistance
Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval for the School Committee to endorse this resolution. Mr. Haugland seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Resolution 2 – Chapter 70 Funding
Mr. Haugland moved for approval for the School Committee to endorse this resolution. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Resolution 3 – School Transportation
Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval for the School Committee to endorse this resolution. Mr. Haugland seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Resolution 4 – MCAS
Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval for the School Committee to endorse this resolution. Mr. Haugland seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Resolution 5 – Recognizing Vocational Technical Learning in Education Assessment
Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval for the School Committee not to endorse this resolution. Ms. Packer seconded. Mr. Cashman moved for approval to support this motion. Mr. Haugland seconded. A discussion continued. Chair Broekel called for a vote on the motion not to support this resolution. The motion carried six to one.
Resolution 6 – Representation on the State Board of Education
Ms. Packer moved for approval for the School Committee to endorse this resolution. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Resolution 7 – Local School Board Control
Mr. Haugland moved for approval for the School Committee to endorse this resolution. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Proposals to Amend MASC By-Laws
1. Creation of Urban Division
2. Revised Dues Structure
The School Committee began to discuss MASC’s proposal of creating an urban division. Some questions were raised as to what would constitute an urban division. The School Committee decided to get more information on the proposal to amend the MASC by-laws and will discuss them at the meeting on October 22, 2001.
At 9:45 p.m., the Administration requested an Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations for non-represented personnel in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 39, Section 23B of the Massachusetts General Laws. A roll call vote was taken to enter into Executive Session. All members were in favor of entering into Executive Session.
The School Committee returned to open session at 10:55 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 10:55 p.m.
N. Jerome Goldberg
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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