Approval of Records
August 26, 2002
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
June 17, 2002
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, June 17, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, Town Hall. 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
Mr. Wynne moved for approval of the minutes of June 3, 2002 with one correction. Add the words It was unanimously approved to the paragraph pertaining to the approval of the redistricting plan. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of the Executive Session minutes of June 3, 2002. Mr. Freedman seconded. They were unanimously approved.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Ms. Natasha Smalky provided the School Committee with results from a survey she conducted regarding class rank which included the selection of student speakers for graduation and a request to add more art class offerings for Natick High School. Chair Broekel indicated that the high school administration is looking at how class rank is calculated and will be making a recommendation.
APPROVAL OF OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL
Mr. Connolly requested the School Committee’s approval on an out-of-state travel request from Tom Lamb, Athletic Director, for the Natick High School football team. The team will be traveling to Camp Schodack in East Greenbush, NY from August 22-25 as part of the Team Building for the 2002 football season. Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of this trip. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved. Mr. Connolly thanked Mr. Paul Peters for his many years as Athletic Director and wished him the best in his retirement. He welcomed Mr. Tom Lamb to his new position of Athletic Director and Football Coach.
CURRICULUM YEAR END REVIEW
Mr. Schettini provided a year-end curriculum review. He provided an overview of the major initiatives as follows:
· Curriculum Writing Guide
· Math Program Implementation K-12
· Science Task Force 5-12
· Common Writing Prompts 5-12
· Differentiated Instruction
· Looking at Student Work
· Professional Development
Dr. Dianne Keough discussed the Implementation of the Math Program and Ms. Joyce Tapper-Benham spoke about professional development. Mr. Schettini provided the School Committee with copies of The Natick Public Schools Curriculum Writing Guide. Mrs. Van Amsterdam suggested that all parents get a copy of the writing guide. Mr. Schettini indicated that he plans on putting some information out on the internet once all the kinks are worked out. A suggestion was made to hold a Spotlight on Education forum on Differentiated Instruction some time next year.
Mr. Schettini provided an activity report of the grant writing done by our grant writer, Ms. Eve Benda. Ms. Packer suggested that this information be communicated throughout the community to show what other initiatives have taken place to seek funds for the schools.
END OF YEAR BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS
Mr. Connolly reviewed the projected end-of-year budget balances and proposed uses along with the recommended adjustments for next year’s budget. Mr. Connolly recommended taking the projected end of year balance of $285,000 and using it to prepay Special Education Tuition in the amount of $223,800 (the FY03 budget included $75,000 of prepayment) and use the balance of $61,200 to fund an Early Literacy Support Program. Mr. Connolly also recommended:
· reducing 1 FTE teacher at Johnson School 3rd grade and adding 1 FTE teacher to Wilson 6th grade
· move elementary health to middle school health
Dr. Grandmont and Ms. Canner reviewed the proposed Early Literacy Support Program which would be established at Ben-Hem, Brown, Lilja and Memorial, the four schools that are not eligible for Title 1 reading support services. Two Early Literacy Tutors will be hired at each of the four schools for 3 hours per day.
Mr. Haugland moved for approval to support the Early Literacy Support Program and the budget adjustments recommended by the superintendent. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE UPDATE
Mr. Connolly provided an update on the Middle School Building Committee. The project is progressing on schedule. He is pleased with the progress to date. He will keep the School Committee updated as we go through the summer and into the fall.
Mrs. Dunn provided an update on the High School Building Committee. The architects are continually working with the program committee. They have two drawings on the table. A lot of excitement is being generated. More information will be available in September.
UPDATE FROM SUBCOMMITTEES
Ms. Packer provided an update from the TEC Board of Directors meeting. There has been some discussion of holding workshops for School Committee members and administrators on handling extreme behaviors of students and how to deal with these issues from a public relations standpoint.
Mr. Haugland discussed a report submitted by the Technology Subcommittee, which consisted of Henry Haugland, Peg Broekel, and Kristine Van Amsterdam. This subcommittee was charged with the responsibility for making recommendations to the administration and the Natick School Committee regarding assessment of our current progress and creating a process for developing and managing a new plan for the next five years. The report included K-12 Technology Trends and Recommendations as follows:
Our goal must be to improve outcomes for students. The previously described priorities should represent the priorities for Natick Public Schools technology efforts. Specifically:
· Optimizing communication between all key constituents responsible for a child's education with particular emphasis on strengthening the bond between the teacher(s) and the student's home environment.
· Optimizing teacher/student access.
· Emphasizing the use of technology as a tool to facilitate accomplishing "work" i.e. improving productivity for teachers and students.
· Utilizing "e-learning" to augment teacher delivered instruction.
They recommended taking the following specific steps:
1. Establish a permanent Technology Sub-committee with a maximum of nine members to be chosen by the Natick School Committee. It is essential that at least some of the participants have engineering level expertise with the relevant technologies. The Natick School Committee will establish the appointment process at its August 26, 2002 meeting. The School Committee will appoint the members to the Technology Sub-committee at its second meeting in September 2002.
2. Request that the administration undertake a thorough review of the investment, directions, and management of our technology efforts. Administration should solicit input from the Technology Sub-committee as necessary. Administration should prepare and present to the Natick School Committee, a preliminary plan describing their vision for achieving the goals stated above. This preliminary plan should reflect input from the Technology Sub-committee. Members of the Technology Sub-committee will be invited to this presentation by the Administration. This presentation should occur at the School Committee's second meeting in October 2002.
Ms. Packer moved for approval to support the report of the subcommittee as outlined above. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed:
RESIGNATION: Professional Staff
Rachel Fier, Reading specialist (.6) at Johnson School since August 2001. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.
Elaine Herzog, Grade 4 teacher at Lilja School since August 1998. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.
Lisa Langan, Grade 5 teacher at Kennedy Middle School since August 1994. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.
Erin McNamara, Grade 2 teacher at Johnson School since August 2001. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.
Amy Meserve, Special education teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School since August 2001. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.
Mary-Margaret O’Connor, Special education teacher at Lilja School since August 2000. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.
Meredith Simon, Math teacher at Natick High School since August 2001. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.
RESIGNATION: Support Staff
Lisa Blankespoor, Teacher assistant at Wilson Middle School since August 2001. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.
Cheryl Flynn, Teacher assistant at Natick High School North Star Program since March 1998. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.
Rosalind Forber, Teacher assistant at Johnson School since November 1995. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.
Kelly Nocca, Teacher assistant at Wilson Middle School since November 2001. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.
Gail Trainor, Coordinator of substitutes since August 2001. Resignation effective June 30, 2002.
EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Professional Staff
Jeannette Christensen, Director of the middle school ASAP Program since October 1993. Leave of absence for maternity is effective September 6, 2002 to November 4, 2002.
JoAnn Forester, Kindergarten teacher at Lilja School since August 1995. Leave of absence for maternity is effective for the 2002-2003 school year.
Maria Rosa Garcia-Valles, Foreign language teacher at Natick High School since August 2001. Leave of absence for maternity is effective for the 2002-2003 school year.
CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Professional Staff
Effective for the 2002-2003 school year
Anne Marie Insalaco, from health teacher at Wilson Middle School to physical education teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School.
NON-RENEWAL OF CONTRACT: Professional Staff
Effective at the end of the 2001-2002 school year
Molly Birch, Grade 1 teacher at Brown School since August 2001.
Susan Haverstick, Science teacher at Natick High School since August 2001.
Julie Miller, Music teacher (.45) at Bennett-Hemenway School since August 2001.
Cheryl Norris, Grade 3 teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School since August 2000.
Jane Pye, Business education teacher (.6) at Natick High School since September 2000.
Shawn Wersted, Mathematics teacher at Natick High School since August 2000.
APPOINTMENTS: Professional Teacher Status
Current Position/FY02
UNIT A
Karen Kraemer Kindergarten/Ben-Hem
Nina LaPlante Grade 3/Ben-Hem
Michael Braverman Grade 5/Kennedy
Sandra Palmer Grade 5/Kennedy
Nathan Kittler Grade 6/Kennedy
Kelly Marino Grade 6/Kennedy
Krista Niit Grade 2/Lilja
Carey Perkson Grade 2/Brown
Janice Massar English/Kennedy
Kenneth Doyle Social Studies/Wilson
Elizabeth Wallman Science/NHS
Susan Camiel Math/NHS
Susan Nash Math/Kennedy
Bruce Harris Business/NHS
Linda Plachy Family Consumer Sci/NHS
Lynette Gatti Special Ed/Ben-Hem
Terry Pomper (.4) Psychologist/Lilja
Mark Mortarelli Special Ed/NHS
Allison Hamm Special Ed/Ben-Hem
Ellen Donahue ESL/Memorial
UNIT B
Maureen Carney Bus Ed Dept Head/NHS
REAPPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff [Employees At Will Status]
Current Position/FY02
UNIT A
Kathryn Anastasio Grade 1/Brown 2nd yr
Angelina Gagne Grade 4/Brown 2nd yr
Melissa Shields Grade 1/Brown 2nd yr
Benjamin Gatto Grade 4/Johnson 2nd yr
Linda Broderick Grade 4/Memorial 2nd yr
Robyn Snyder Kindergarten/Memorial 2nd yr
Jennifer Wald Grade 1/Memorial 2nd yr
Anna Barys English/NHS 2nd yr
Mark Caulfield English/NHS 2nd yr
Martin Geoghegan English/NHS 2nd yr
Camille Napier English/NHS 2nd yr
Joshua Hanna Social Studies/NHS 2nd yr
John Lahar Social Studies/NHS 2nd yr
Robert Allison Science/NHS 2nd yr
Jennifer Gillett Math/NHS 2nd yr
Lisa Kovacs Math/NHS 2nd yr
Elizabeth May Math/NHS 2nd yr
Anu Karna Math/NHS 2nd yr [1st yr waiver]
Sharon Mittelman-Murphy Math/Kennedy 2nd yr
Maureen McNally Art/NHS 2nd yr
Jeanne Doherty For Lang/NHS 2nd yr
Denise Trubiano For Lang/NHS 2nd yr
Helen Martinez For Lang/Kennedy 2nd yr
Amy Hawrychak For Lang/Wilson 2nd yr
Kathleen Egy Phys Ed/NHS 2nd yr
Matthew Strother Guidance/NHS 2nd yr
Laura Loftus (.5) Guidance/Wilson 2nd yr
Rebecca Schneekloth Special Ed/Kennedy 2nd yr
Carie Scagliarini Special Ed/Kennedy 2nd yr
Katie Gentile Special Ed/Wilson 2nd yr
Helen Greeley Special Ed/Wilson 2nd yr
Stephanie Patrick Sch Psych/Ben-Hem-Johnson 2nd yr
Kathleen Anderson Grade 4/Memorial 1st yr
Carolina Camaya Kindergarten/Ben-Hem 1st yr [1st yr waiver]
Kristen Dandurand Grade 3/Memorial 1st yr
Kristen Donohue Grade 4/Ben-Hem 1st yr
Ellen Harder Grade 2/Memorial 1st yr
Pamela Hrones Grade 2/Memorial 1st yr
Kimberly Lajoie Grade 1/Ben-Hem 1st yr
Jennifer Mabb Grade 4/Brown 1st yr
Anna Martin Grade 1/Brown 1st yr
Karen Munson Grade 2/Brown 1st yr
Rebecca Sanborn Grade 1/Ben-Hem 1st yr
Jennifer Smith Grade 6/Kennedy 1st yr
Shannon Smythe Grade 6/Wilson 1st yr [1st yr waiver]
Joseph Doyle Soc St/NHS 1st yr
Rosemary Nichols Soc St-Science/Kennedy 1st yr
Anson Smith Soc St/NHS 1st yr
Elizabeth Ward Soc St/NHS 1st yr
Melissa Blomberg (.5) Science/NHS 1st yr
Ellen Brenneman Science/Kennedy 1st yr
Daniel Hinnenkamp Science/NHS 1st yr [1st yr waiver]
Linda Weber Science/NHS 1st yr
Kelly Lee Math/Wilson 1st yr
Mary Lou Randall Math/Wilson 1st yr
Jeanne Watts Math/Wilson 1st yr
Mary Ellen Wolfe Math/NHS 1st yr
Rebecca Brink Music/Ben-Hem-Lilja 1st yr [1st yr waiver]
Heather Moretz Music/Wilson 1st yr
Jill Peelle Music/Memorial 1st yr [1st yr waiver]
Michelle Graham For Lang/Kennedy 1st yr
Judith Sletzinger For Lang/Wilson 1st yr
Kelly Tavares For Lang/NHS 1st yr [1st yr waiver]
Paula Eaton For Lang/NHS 1st yr [1st yr waiver]
Susan Saraceno Business Ed/NHS 1st yr
Robert Anniballi Phys Ed/NHS 1st yr
Amy D’Anello Guidance/Brown 1st yr
Marjorie Roberson Technology/Wilson 1st yr [1st yr waiver]
Lynn Bird Speech-Lang/Kennedy 1st yr
Kristin Corazzini (.5) Sch Psychologist/NHS 1st yr
Dean Custer Social Worker/Wilson 1st yr
James Franciose Spec Ed/NHS 1st yr
Kathy Gillespie Spec Ed/Kennedy 1st yr
Michele Hilley Speech-Lang/Wilson 1st yr
Stacey Klasnick Spec Ed/Ben-Hem 1st yr
Brian Linton Spec Ed/NHS North Star 1st yr
Alicia Sands Spec Ed/Brown 1st yr
Kathleen Shipos Speech-Lang/Lilja 1st yr
Brooke Stephens (.5) Speech-Lang/Ben-Hem 1st yr
Lisa Von Braun Spec Ed/NHS 1st yr
Priscilla Webster Spec Ed/NHS 1st yr [1st yr waiver]
Kerry Welch Spec Ed/Kennedy 1st yr
Annette Ziegler Social Worker/NHS 1st yr
JoAnna Telschow Spec Ed/Ben-Hem-Memorial 1st yr [1st yr waiver]
Jeanne Andersen Spec Ed Out-of-District Coor 1st yr
Karen Milch Spec Ed/Wilson 1st yr
Gina Gagliardi Spec Ed/Lilja 1st yr
Andrea Levin Social Worker/NHS 1st yr
UNIT C/NURSES
Karen Rufo School Nurse/Ben-Hem 3rd yr
Anne Fitzgerald School Nurse/Kennedy 3rd yr [1st yr waiver]
Lynn Hersh (.5) School Nurse/Kennedy-Wil 2nd yr
Susanne Beatty School Nurse/NHS 1st yr
Elizabeth Cross (.5) School Nurse/Ben-Hem` 1st yr
Jayne Worthington (.5) School Nurse/NHS 1st yr [1st yr waiver]
ADMINISTRATION/UNIT B
Stephen Saradnik Dept Head Social Studies 2nd yr
Edward Connor Dept Head Foreign Language 1st yr
APPOINTMENT: Administrative Staff
John Hughes, to be Principal-elect at Natick High School effective July 1, 2002.
APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff
Effective for the 2002-2003 school year
Hannah Adams, to be early childhood teacher [grade TBA] at Lilja School. Salary, Masters, Step 4
Brett Bearman, to be student assistance coordinator at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Masters, Step 4
Ruth Cheney, to be elementary school nurse [school assignment TBA]. Salary, Bachelors, Step 6
Jennifer Cuker, to be ESL teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Masters, Step 1
Richelle D’Elia, to be (.6) guidance counselor at Johnson School. Salary, Masters, Step 4
Anne Freeman, to be school nurse (.5) at Johnson School [full-time pending grant approval]. Salary, Bachelors, Step 6
Julie King, to be grade 1 teacher at Memorial School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 2
Suzanne Makunas, to be kindergarten teacher at Lilja School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 4
Janice Rahn, to be elementary school nurse [school assignment TBA]. Salary, Bachelors, Step 6
Lisa Tobin, to be school psychologist at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Masters +30, Step 4
Jodi Windover, to be special education/multi-age classroom teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Masters, Step 1
APPROVAL OF TRANSPORTATION POLICIES
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn provided the School Committee with changes to two policies which pertain to transportation: Policy #EEAA Walkers and Riders and Policy # JGG Student Transportation. Mrs. Dunn also provided the School Committee with a draft of a booklet titled Natick Public Schools – Transportation Program Regulations. Mr. Freedman moved for approval on the policy changes. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. They were unanimously approved. A request was made to put the booklet Natick Public Schools – Transportation Program Regulations out on the website.
TO APPROVE SALARY INCREASE FOR NON-REPRESENTED PERSONNEL
Mrs. Davis provided the School Committee with the final component of non-represented staff which included a 3% increase in the salary ranges. In addition, Ms. Davis presented the School Committee with a new part-time position, which was approved this evening, Elementary Literacy Specialist with a range of $14.15-$16.37 per hour. Mr. Haugland moved for approval for a 3% increase to the ranges of the positions outlined. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
TO APPROVE EAN SIDE LETTERS
Mrs. Davis reviewed three side letters to the EAN Collective Bargaining Agreement to be effective for the 2002/2003 school year. The School Committee reviewed these in Executive Session on June 3, 2002. The School Committee EAN Negotiating Subcommittee met to review these letters with the EAN on June 10, 2002. The EAN membership approved these letters on June 12, 2002. Mrs. Davis requested that the School Committee approve these letters this evening.
Side Letter pertaining to the High School Schedule – Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of this side letter. Mr. Haugland seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Side Letter pertaining to credits towards M+30 and M+60 – Mr. Haugland moved for approval of this side letter. Mr. Freedman seconded. Mr. Freedman then noted that there was a typographical error in the last paragraph referring to the provisions of Article XI (it should read Article IX). Mr. Haugland moved to rescind the motion to approve this side letter. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved to rescind the vote on this side letter.
Mr. Freedman moved for approval to amend the side letter to correct the typographical error in the last paragraph to read: Notwithstanding the provisions of Article IX, Section I . . . . Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved to amend the side letter.
Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of the side letter (with the approved amendment). Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Side Letter pertaining to Health and Safety pertaining to Wilson Middle School Construction - Mr. Haugland moved for approval of this side letter. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
RATIFICATION OF TEACHER ASSISTANT CONTRACT
Mrs. Davis presented a Memorandum of Agreement, which the Teacher Assistants approved on June 13, 2002. Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of the Teacher Assistant Contract submitted by Mrs. Davis. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
The meeting adjourned a 9:50 p.m.
James J. Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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