Approval of Records
June 17, 2002
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
June 3, 2002
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, June 3, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. in the Cafeteria of Natick High School. Chair Broekel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Peg Broekel, Michael Cashman, Jonathan Freedman, Henry Haugland, Diane Packer,
Ted Wynne, Kristine Van Amsterdam
Others present: James J. Connolly Superintendent
Patrick Schettini Assistant Superintendent
Audrey Seyffert Assistant Superintendent
Mary Ellen Dunn Director of Fiscal & Management Services
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of the minutes of May 20, 2002. Mr. Wynne seconded. They were unanimously approved.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Mr. Connolly read a message he had received from Sara Donnolly, Head Coach of the Natick Speech Team which reported on the outstanding success of the Natick Speech Team at the Grand National Finals held in Pittsburgh this past weekend.
· Senior Emily Loflin placed 20th in the nation in the category of Dramatic Performance
· Junior Andrea Ridge and Sophomore Jacqueline Venckus placed seventh nationally in duo Interpretation of Literature
· Freshman Ben Schwartz was named the National Champion of Declamation.
It has been nearly two decades since Natick has brought home a National Championship. Chair Broekel indicated that a special note of congratulations will be sent out on behalf of the School Committee.
Chair Broekel reported on an event which the offices of Kane, Tesini & Soporowski held last Tuesday evening at Franny's Place for the Natick Crossing Guards, “Keeping Safety Warm”. This event has been held for the past few years in honor of the Natick Crossing Guards. A special tribute this year was given to Angie White in recognition of her 40 years of service as a Natick Crossing Guard.
Chair Broekel acknowledged two parents from the Bennett-Hemenway School, Marty Garvey and Becca Chenard, who organized the making of quilt to honor the many heroes and victims involved in the tragedy of September 11. Every classroom contributed a square for the quilt as well as the staff and PTO. The quilt will be hung in the Morse Institute Library and an identical duplicate quilt will be accepted by two New York City firemen who will present it to the Independence School in Manhattan, New York.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Mr. Edward Arthur discussed a safety issue at the Bennett-Hemenway School where people drive around the perimeter road to park near the playing fields after school and in the evenings where children are playing. He felt there shouldn t be any traffic around the perimeter of the school when the children are out playing. One suggestion he had was to install removable speed bumps.
Ms. Sue Ianni, a resident of Fiske Street, presented the School Committee with a petition with 105 signatures in support of the superintendent s recommendation on redistricting.
TO APPROVE THE REDISTRICTING PLAN
Mr. Connolly provided a summary of the past few meetings regarding redistricting. Questions raised at the public hearing have been answered. He recommended that the School Committee vote to accept the redistricting plan which was presented on May 6th. He stated that implementation committee's will be established at the elementary and middle school levels with the Lilja and Wilson principals as chairs to deal with transition issues. This plan will be effective with the opening of the new Wilson in September 2003. Mr. Wynne moved for approval to accept the redistricting plan as presented on Monday, May 6, 2002 to be effective with the 2003/2004 school year, and that the administration establish a committee in school year 2003 to address transition issues.
Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. Committee members spoke on the recommendation and urged everyone to work together in making this a successful transition. It was unanimously approved.
At 8:20 p.m., Mrs. Van Amsterdam left the meeting.
TO APPROVE SALARY INCREASE FOR NON-REPRESENTED PERSONNEL
Mrs. Davis provided the School Committee with a schedule of proposed salaries for non-represented personnel that incorporates a 3% increase for FY03 which is consistent with the various bargaining units. Mr. Haugland moved for approval of the 3% salary increase for non-represented personnel as outlined. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed:
RETIREMENT: Professional Staff
Elizabeth Jack, Title I teacher since September 1965. Retirement effective June 30, 2002.
Jane Williams, Supervisor of school nurses. Retirement date has been changed from June 30, 2002 to August 31, 2002. Mrs. Williams will be on an unpaid leave of absence from August 26-30, 2002.
RESIGNATION: Professional Staff
Maureen Acton, School psychologist at Kennedy Middle School and currently on a maternity leave. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.
Karen Doolan, School nurse at Lilja School since August 2001. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.
Jennifer Gershon, Grade 3 teacher at Johnson School since August 1996. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.
Alfredo Hernandez, Foreign language teacher at Natick High School since August 2000. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.
Carol Hookway, Grade 1 teacher (.4) at Memorial School since September 1986. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.
John Lauzon, Resignation as Director of Adult Education effective June 30, 2002.
Lois MacGregor, Reading specialist at Lilja School since September 1986. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.
Nancy Norris-Stiver, Special education teacher in the North Star Program at Natick High School since September 2001. Resignation effective June 30, 2002
Astra Olson, Behavior therapist since November 1999. Resignation effective August 16, 2002.
Sandra Robillard, Art teacher (.8) at Wilson, Bennett-Hemenway and Memorial Schools since September 2000. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.
Shelley Shuster, Grade 1 teacher at Memorial School and currently on a maternity leave. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.
Karen White, Grade 1 teacher at Lilja School since August 2000. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.
RESIGNATION: Support Staff
James Ambrosino, Food service worker at Johnson School since March 2002. Resignation effective at the end of the day on June 14, 2002.
Kathryn Phillips, Technology/teacher assistant (.9) at Brown School since January 2001. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.
EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Professional Staff
Linda Broderick, Grade 4 teacher at Memorial School since August 2000. Leave of absence for maternity is effective August 26, 2002 to November 15, 2002.
Kathleen Shipos, Speech & language clinician at Lilja School since August 2001. Leave of absence for maternity is effective August 26, 2002 to October 4, 2002.
CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Professional Staff
Effective for the 2002-2003 school year
Ann Galvani, from ESL to grade 6 at Kennedy Middle School
Ellen Sue Mandell, from foreign language teacher at Kennedy Middle School to foreign language teacher at Natick High School.
Kathleen Shipos, from full-time to (.4) speech & language clinician at Lilja School.
Brooke Stephens, from (.5) speech pathologist/(.5) assistant to full-time speech pathologist at Bennett-Hemenway School.
Paula Chin, from team chairperson at Wilson Middle School to learning center teacher at Johnson School.
APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff
Effective for the 2002-2003 school year
Kendra Ashcroft, to be grade 3 teacher at Lilja School. Salary, Masters, Step 1
Richard Drolet, to be grade 5 teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Masters, Step 3
Harriet Freedman, to be (.2) speech & language clinician at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Masters +30, Step 13
Martha Kenney, to be grade 1 teacher at Brown School. Salary, Masters, Step 7
Mindy Lass, to be grade 2 teacher at Brown School. Salary, Masters +30, Step 7
Karen Levine, to be Supervisor of School Nurses. Salary, Masters, Step 6, plus stipend of $3716
Ilse O'Brien, to be elementary teacher [grade TBA] at Lilja School. Salary, Masters, Step 2
Andre Pelletier, to be grade 1 teacher at Lilja School. Salary, Masters, Step 1
Jennifer Riebe, to be elementary teacher [grade TBA] at Lilja School. Salary, Masters, Step 1
Rose Scampini, to be learning center teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Masters, Step 10
Elizabeth Scott, to be kindergarten teacher at Johnson School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 2
Maryann Silvestri, to be guidance counselor at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Masters +30, Step 5
Holly Steiger, to be (.4) speech & language clinician at Lilja School. Salary, Masters, Step 8
Audrey Taylor, to be grade 1 teacher at Brown School. Salary, Masters, Step 6
PRESENTATIONS OF SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS
Mr. Crowley reviewed the goals of the School Improvement Plan for the Johnson School. He responded to questions. Mr. Freedman moved for approval of this plan. Mr. Haugland seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Ms. Canner reviewed the goals of the School Improvement Plan for the Lilja School. She responded to questions. Mr. Haugland moved for approval of this plan. Mr. Wynne seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Mr. Grandmont reviewed the goals of the School Improvement Plan for the Memorial School. He responded to questions. Ms. Packer moved for approval of this plan. Mr. Haugland seconded. It was unanimously approved
Mrs. Evans reviewed the goals of the School Improvement Plan for Wilson Middle School. She responded to questions. Mr. Haugland moved for approval of this plan. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
TO ACCEPT DONATION TO NATICK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested the School Committee's approval to accept an anonymous donation of $5,000 to fund a poetry event in the next school year. The donors specifically expressed their desire to be unnamed. Mr. Cashman moved for approval to accept this donation. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
RENEWAL OF FINE HOST FOOD SERVICE CONTRACT
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested the School Committee's approval to extend the contract with Fine Host Corporation for the next school year. This extension is for year two of a three-year contract. Mr. Freedman moved for approval to extend the contract for the next school year. Ms. Packer seconded. It was unanimously approved.
DISCUSSION ON OUT-OF-COUNTRY TRAVEL
Mr. Connolly reported that Mr. Ed Connor, Foreign Language Department Head, has submitted a request to offer educational travel experiences to the high school students during the 2002-2003 school year. Due to the event on September 11, there has been no out-of-country travel for the current school year. Mr. Connor provided information on other school districts that are planning out-of-country trips for next year. Ms. Denise Trubiano was present to answer questions from the Committee. The School Committee gave its consensus to entertain requests for out-of-country travel. Mr. Connolly assured the Committee that insurance documents will be looked at carefully. Specific trips will need to come before the School Committee for approval.
At 10:00 p.m., the Administration requested an Executive Session to hear a grievance, to discuss non-represented personnel and to discuss collective bargaining 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 present were in favor.
Returned to open session at 11:10 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 11:15 p.m.
James J. Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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