Town of Natick - School Committee Minutes

Approval of Records

Natick Public Schools

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, August 26, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, Town Hall. Chair Broekel called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.

Members Present: Peg Broekel, Michael Cashman, Jonathan Freedman, Diane Packer, Ted Wynne, Kristine Van Amsterdam

Members Absent: Henry Haugland

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

Abigail Shatkin-Margolis Student Representative

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of the minutes of June 17, 2002. Ms. Packer seconded. They were unanimously approved.

Ms. Sara Lane, parent, raised her concern of bus stops directly off of Route 9 on Oak Street.

COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Ms. Packer announced that there is a Suburban Coalition meeting this Wednesday at 7:30 at the TEC Office. She is unable to attend this meeting but has requested receiving information on future meetings.

Chair Broekel reported on the opening day program held at Natick High School this morning where she, Mr. Connolly, and Ms. Karen Cotter spoke to and welcomed all staff members. Chair Broekel also announced a fundraiser that Zach Galvin is sponsoring to raise money for the Jimmy Fund. Recommended donations are $1.00 per mile (26 mile walk). The Dolphin Restaurant has offered to host a social event for those contributing to this cause on Friday, September 13^th from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.

PERSONNEL ACTIONS

The following personnel actions were reviewed.

RESIGNATION: Professional Staff

Mary Burke, Title I teacher at Lilja. Resignation effective July 11, 2002.

Kristen Corazzini, (.5) School psychologist at Natick High School. Resignation effective August 15, 2002.

Patricia deGuzman, ESL/English at Natick High School. Resignation effective August 2, 2002.

Richard Grandmont, Principal of Memorial School. Resignation effective August 9, 2002.

Lisa Kovacs, Mathematics teacher at Natick High School. Resignation effective August 13, 2002.

Kim McParland, Mathematics department head at Natick High School. Resignation effective July 3, 2002.

Jeffrey Mela, Guidance counselor at Wilson Middle School. Resignation effective June 30, 2002

Suzanne Murphy, Music teacher at Brown and Johnson School. Resignation effective August 1, 2002.

H. Camille Napier, English teacher at Natick High School. Resignation effective July 15, 2002.

Joyce Tapper-Benham, Staff development specialist. Resignation effective July 12, 2002.

Lisa von Braun, Special education teacher at Natick High School. Resignation effective July 25, 2002.

Linda Waters, Special education program supervisor. Resignation effective August 23, 2002.

RESIGNATION: Support Staff

Kristina Barragan, Teacher assistant at Kennedy Middle School. Resignation effective August 12, 2002.

James Crump, Technology assistant at Natick High School. Resignation effective June 18, 2002.

Jacqueline Fitzpatrick, Teacher assistant at Bennett-Hemenway School. Resignation effective June 18, 2002.

Joyce MacGregor, Building assistant at Memorial School. Resignation effective June 18, 2002.

Heidi McGilvray, Teacher assistant at Bennett-Hemenway School. Resignation effective June 18, 2002.

Jason Meade, Teacher assistant at Wilson Middle School. Resignation effective August 7, 2002.

Brian Moores, Custodian at Kennedy Middle School. Resignation effective August 10, 2002.

Patricia Poirier, Teacher assistant at Bennett-Hemenway School. Resignation effective August 8, 2002.

Lawrence Samuels, Food service worker at Johnson School. Resignation effective August 22, 2002.

Janet Trubiano, Teacher assistant at Brown School. Resignation effective August 21, 2002.

Robin Ward-Panarelli, Teacher assistant at Lilja School. Resignation effective June 18, 2002.

Dianna Webb, Satellite cook at Natick High School. Resignation effective August 16, 2002.

Mary Zullo, Food service worker at Kennedy Middle School. Resignation effective August 6, 2002.

NON-REAPPOINTMENT: Support Staff

Mathew Casey, Teacher assistant at Wilson Middle School. Termination effective June 18, 2002.

Marie Hagenbuch, Teacher assistant at Wilson Middle School. Termination effective June 18, 2002.

Ron Shapiro, Teacher assistant at Bennett-Hemenway School. Termination effective June 18, 2002.

EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Professional Staff

Caryn Cheverie, Mathematics teacher at Natick High School. Maternity leave of absence is effective for the 2002-2003 school year

CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Professional Staff

Linda Broderick, to be Staff Development Specialist effective for the 2002-2003 school year.

Deborah Chase, to be Math Department Head at Natick High School effective for the 2002-2003 school year

Kevin Crowley, to be Principal of Memorial School effective for the 2002-2003 school year

CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Support Staff

Juan Cruz, to be Jr. Custodian I at Memorial School effective August 19, 2002.

Carlos, Famania, to be Jr. Custodian I at Kennedy Middle School effective August 19, 2002.

Elaine Fontes, to be student support facilitator at Wilson Middle School effective August 26, 2002. Salary, step 2

Luis Galan, to be Jr. Custodian I at Brown School effective August 19, 2002.

Gregory Pearson, to be Jr. Custodian I at Kennedy and Brown School effective August 19, 2002.

RE-APPOINTMENT: Non Professional Status

Susan Haverstick, to be science teacher at Natick High School effective for the 2002-2003 school year.

APPOINTMENTS: Support Staff

Effective for the 2002-2003 school year

Nancy Blum, to be substitute coordinator. Salary, $82.00 per day.

Susan Colby, to be student support facilitator at Lilja School. Salary, Step 1.

Rainelle Currier, to be student support facilitator at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Step 3

Michele Dillion, to be student support facilitator at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Step 2.

Diane Doyle, to be student support facilitator at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Step 1.

Julie Francescone, to be student support facilitator at Johnson School. Salary, Step 2.

Lisa Holmes, to be part-time food service worker at Johnson School, Salary, Step 1.

Catherine Jamieson, to be student support facilitator at Lilja School. Salary, Step 1.

Patricia Kilroy, to be student support facilitator at Lilja School. Salary, Step 3.

Ellen Maillet, to be full-time building assistant at Wilson Middle School, Salary, Step 1.

Lauren Marcus, to be student support facilitator at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Step 2.

Stephanie Meyler, to be (.5) technology support facilitator at Brown School. Salary, Step 3. Ms. Meyler will also serve as Director of Adult Education at the salary stipend of $5835.

Joseph Minihan, to be student support facilitator at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Step 1.

Parvaneh Mirzaaghasi, to be part-time food service worker at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Step 1

Edward Smith, to be student support facilitator at Natick High School. Salary, Step 2.

Leslie Thompson, to be student support facilitator at Lilja School. Salary, Step 1.

Jason White, to be student support facilitator at Natick High School North Star Program. Salary, Step 2.

Larry Wolpe, to be student support facilitator at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Step 1.

APPOINTMENTS: Administrative Staff

Kristen St. George, to be Principal of Kennedy Middle School effective July 1, 2002.

Robert Parga, to be Assistant Principal of Kennedy Middle School effective August 5, 2002.

Helen Chamides, to be Interim Principal of Johnson School effective August 14, 2002.

APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff

Effective for the 2002-2003 school year

Eileen Allison, to be mathematics teacher at Natick High School. Salary, Masters, Step 3.

John Astill, to be mathematics teacher at Natick High School. Salary, Masters +60, Step 11.

Dianne Bernasconi, to be family & consumer science teacher at Natick High School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 1.

Jessica Cormier, to be foreign language teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Masters +30, Step 3.

Karen DiVito, to be grade 1 teacher at Memorial School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 5.

Joanna Donnelly, to be English teacher at Natick High School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 3.

Susan Emmanouilidis, to be (.4) music teacher at Bennett-Hemenway and Brown School. Salary, Masters, Step 8.

Tina Hagan, to be science teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 7.

Wendy Hanlon, to be health teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Masters, Step 13.

Edythe Harkins, to be learning center teacher at Lilja School. Salary, Masters, Step 2.

Deborah Herring, to be mathematics teacher at Natick High School North Star Program. Salary, Bachelors, Step 13.

Mark Jodice, to be music teacher at Brown and Johnson School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 13.

Aleksandr Karetskiy, to be foreign language teacher at Natick High School. Salary, Masters, Step 9

Devon Koch, to be grade 4 teacher at Memorial School. Salary, Masters, Step 4

Deborah Krol, to be special education chairperson at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 13

Kimberly Lambert, to be special education preschool teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Masters, Step 6

Susan Levy, to be Title I teacher at Wilson Middle School, Salary, Step 5.

Kathleen MacIsaac, to be (.6) reading teacher at Johnson School. Salary, Masters, Step 8.

Michelle Mason, to be grade 5 teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Masters, Step 3.

Joseph McFarland, to be (.6) ESL and (.4) English teacher at Natick High School, Salary, Masters, Step 7.

Lisa O'Brien-Smith, to be reading specialist at Lilja School. Salary, Masters, Step 4.

Keri Poissant, to be guidance counselor at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Masters +30, Step 3.

Katie Rodliff, to be (.6) art teacher at Bennett-Hemenway and Memorial School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 2.

Warren Sadow, to be grade 5 teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Masters +30, Step 4.

Cheryl Szolomayer, to be special education teacher at Natick High School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 1.

Julie Wong, to be mathematics teacher at Natick High School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 1.

Mr. Connolly introduced Ms. Helen Chamides, Interim Principal of Johnson School, who was present at the meeting. Ms. Chamides has replaced Mr. Crowley who has moved to Memorial School replacing Dr. Richard Grandmont.

OPENING DAY REPORT

Mr. Connolly reported that over 50 new members of the teaching staff have been hired for this school year. There is only one position that remains to be filled - a .5 psychologist for Natick High School. The buildings are ready. Rutledge Road going to Wilson Middle School has reopened. There will be 18 buses operating in the transportation program with 49 routes. There is still a large amount of people trying to sign up for buses. Some bus routes have a wait list. The priority in the transportation office right now is getting the students their bus passes. Any changes to routes or bus stops will be implemented after the buses have been running for a couple of weeks. Mr. Connolly reported that a more formal presentation on transportation will take place at the September 9 meeting.

FY03 BUDGET UPDATE

Mr. Connolly provided the School Committee with an update on the budget since the state budget was not finalized until early August this year. After the legislature passed its budget, Governor Swift vetoed a number of state grant programs. There was one major grant reduction that had a material effect on our budget and that was the elimination of the Health Grant of $93,000. These funds are embedded in our budget supporting the salaries of our health educators. These positions cannot be reduced at this late date. Mr. Connolly notified the Town administrator's office and the Chair of the Finance Committee of this reduction. He plans on attending the first Finance Committee meeting on September 5^th to update them. Mr. Connolly reported that in order to help mitigate this shortfall, some of the federal grants have been rewritten and will use $14,000 to partially offset the deficit. In addition, there are two custodial positions that are vacant which will be offered to members of the maintenance department if they choose to transfer and the maintenance positions will not be filled. The savings on these two positions will be $58,000 less any amount needed to contract for maintenance services.

Mr. Schettini discussed the kindergarten grant. 88% of this grant will be funded leaving approximately $41,000 that will need to be reduced from the original budget. Mr. Schettini plans to make up this difference by reducing the professional development portion of the kindergarten grant and taking out the movement piece. One half of the kindergarten tutors that deal with literacy will be reduced. Mr. Schettini explained that the kindergarten grant funds are used to augment what we already do and even if this grant were eliminated, full day kindergarten is still in our budget.

Chair Broekel moved for approval for Mr. Connolly to go forward to the Finance Committee to provide information on these grant reductions. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.

MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE UPDATES

Mr. Connolly reported that the Middle School Building Committee has met a few times over the summer. The masonry is ½ to ¾ complete. The project is progressing on schedule and on budget. The building committee will be focusing their efforts on technology and furniture in the coming meetings.

Mr. Connolly also reported that the High School Building Committee has met a few times over the summer. They are focusing on two approaches to the project. Cost estimates to be presented to the building committee will be coming shortly. Mr. Connolly hopes to have a full report presented to the School Committee at the end of September.

Chair Broekel asked that minutes of these meetings be passed on to the School Committee.

APPOINTMENT PROCESS FOR TECHNOLOGY SUBCOMMITTEE

Mr. Connolly requested that the School Committee approve the following appointment process for membership to the Technology Subcommittee:

· A notice be prepared to advertise for members to the Technology Sub-committee.

· Applications will be received in the Superintendent's office until September 13^th.

· The School Committee will appoint the members at its meeting of September 23^rd.

· The advertisement will be similar to that used for the establishment of the Wilson and High School building committees.

· Letters of interest or resumes will be requested and the School Committee may have public interviews on September 23^rd.

Mr. Freedman moved for approval of this appointment process for the Technology Subcommittee. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved. Mr. Freedman requested that the notice be placed on the school and town websites.

TO APPOINT A VOTING DELEGATE TO ATTEND THE MASC ANNUAL MEETING

Chair Broekel indicated that the School Committee needs to appoint an official voting delegate to attend the MASC annual business meeting which is being held on Wednesday, October 30^th at 3:00 p.m. at the Worcester Centrum. This meeting takes place during the MASC/MASS Conference that runs from October 30 - November 1. Mr. Cashman has volunteered to attend on the School Committee's behalf. Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval for Mr. Cashman to attend the annual meeting on behalf of the School Committee. Mr. Wynne seconded. It was unanimously approved.

OCTOBER TOWN MEETING ARTICLES

Mr. Connolly reviewed the articles for the October Town Meeting that impact the school department. They are as follows:

Article 1- Omnibus Budget FY 03 - This article will make any adjustments to this school years budget as a result of state grant reductions.

Article 4 - Capital Improvement - This article will fund capital repairs to our buildings. Bob Graham and Maryellen Dunn will present an update to the capital plan at the September 9^th meeting.

Article 7 - Oil Tank Removal Remediation - This article includes funds to continue the remediation at the Lilja School among other projects. Bob Bois, the environmental compliance officer, is coordinating the project.

Article 32 - Charter and By-Law Review Committee (CBRC): School Committee Budget - This article was sponsored by the CBRC and reflects recommendations to the School Committee budget process.

Article 57 - CBRC - Appointment of Keefe Tech Representatives - This article was sponsored by the CBRC and changes the appointing authority of the Natick Keefe Tech representatives from the Board of Selectmen to the School Committee. I have made Paul Bento, Superintendent of Keefe Tech, aware of the article and he will review it with their counsel. Representatives of the CBRC will be invited to the September 9^th or 23^rd meeting to discuss both articles with the School Committee.

The Selectmen will be discussing the warrant articles being submitted by the Charter By Law Review Committee at its meeting of September 9. Mrs. Van Amsterdam requested that a member of the School Committee attend that portion of the Selectmen-s- meeting for further clarification of the submission of Articles 32 and 57. The School Committee could take action on these articles at its meeting of September 23. For comparison purposes, Mr. Cashman requested that copies be provided of the current article pertaining to the School Committee Budget (Article 5 in the Town Charter), the proposed charter being submitted by the CBRC, and recommended changes of the School Committee.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Secretary to the School Committee