Approval of Records
October7, 2002
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
September 23, 2002
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, September 23, 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,
Kristine Van Amsterdam, Ted Wynne
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
Community Members, Parents,
Staff & Press
SCHOOL COMMITTEE DEDICATION
Chair Broekel stated that with the new Wilson Middle School opening in the fall of 2003, it will house a state-of-the art performing arts center – a valued asset for our school system and community. Ms. Broekel moved for approval to name the performing arts center, the Keefe Performing Arts Center, in honor of former Superintendent Joseph Keefe who served as Natick’s superintendent for 19 years. Mr. Haugland seconded. Chair Broekel reported that more than 20 former school committee members who had the distinction of serving during Dr. Keefe’s tenure as Superintendent of Natick Public Schools initiated this action. Chair Broekel presented Dr. Keefe with a rendering of the new performing arts center. Mrs. Craig, former Chair of the School Committee, presented
Dr. Keefe with a letter signed by the former school committee members requesting that the current Natick School Committee name the auditorium at the New Wilson Middle School in honor of Dr. Keefe. The School Committee unanimously approved this dedication. This was a surprise dedication for Dr. Keefe, who was present with his family members. A more formal dedication will be held when the new Wilson Middle School is open. Dr. Keefe was very humble as he accepted this honor and thanked the present and former School Committee.
A five-minute recess was held as members in the audience were invited to gather in the Morse Library for a small reception for Dr. Keefe and his family.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of the minutes of September 9, 2002. Ms. Packer seconded. They were unanimously approved.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Ms. Cynthia Sawyer stated that she feels there is no process to appeal matters pertaining to the new bus pass system. She previously sent in a letter on an issue, which has yet to be resolved.
PRESENTATION ON SAT/AP SCORES & MCAS RETEST FOR THE CLASS OF 2003
Mrs. Jan Parsons presented the School Committee with a report on SAT’s and AP test results, which included:
· a history of SAT Verbal and Math scores from 1954-2002
· profiles of college bound students, score distributions for SAT I
· number of students per interval, 1999 to 2002
· 2002 SAT Score Comparison – Local – State – National 1997-2002
· SAT II Means for the Class of 2002 and Selected AP Tests 2002
· SAT II figures for 1998-2002
· Schools attended by the top 20% of the Class of 2002
· AP Test Results
The School Committee and administration were very pleased with the 2002 test results and hope that they are sustained in the years to come.
Chair Broekel requested that a future discussion be held on course offerings at Natick High School including a discussion on those courses that have been dropped.
Dr. Barry Parker discussed the MCAS Retest results in ELA and Mathematics for students in the Class of 2003. He reported that there are 4 students who still need to pass the ELA portion of the MCAS test and 11 students who need to pass the Math portion. Dr. Parker remains optimistic that with further tutoring these students will pass or be eligible for a waiver in order to receive a high school diploma.
UPDATE ON WILSON MIDDLE SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETINGS &
NATICK HICH SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn reported that the construction of the Wilson Middle School continues on schedule and on budget. The time capsule has been put into the building. The masonry is 95% complete. The metal and steel walls are 60% complete. The next meeting will be held on November 6. The project is progressing very well.
Mr. Connolly reported that the High School Building last met on September 18. The next meeting will be held on October 23 at which time HMFH Architects will present cost estimates on two proposals – 1B and 4A. These proposals and cost estimates will be presented to the School Committee next month.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed:
RESIGNATION: Professional Staff
Devon Koch, Grade 4 teacher at Memorial School since August 26, 2002. Resignation effective at the end of the day on September 13, 2002
RESIGNATION: Support Staff
Marianne Toole, Food service worker at Kennedy Middle School effective August 30, 2002. Resignation effective at the end of the day on September 11, 2002.
TERMINATION: Professional Staff
Ruth Cheney, School nurse at Memorial School since August 26, 2002. Termination effective at the end of the day on September 6, 2002.
CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Support Staff
James Ambrosino, to be food service worker at Kennedy Middle School effective September 17, 2002.
Ronald Clements, to be custodian at Bennett-Hemenway and Lilja School effective September 9, 2002.
Richard Cooper, to be custodian at Natick High School effective September 9, 2002.
Judy Goss, to be (.8) student support facilitator and part-time cafeteria monitor at Johnson School effective August 26, 2002.
APPOINTMENTS: Support Staff
Lisa Dunn, to be (.5) student support facilitator at Bennett-Hemenway School effective September 9, 2002. Salary, Step 2
Vanessa Walsh, to be satellite cook at Natick High School effective September 11, 2002. Salary, Step 1
APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff
Jennifer Blixt, to be special education chairperson at Bennett-Hemenway School effective September 23, 2002. Salary, Masters, Step 8.
Michelle Vogel, to be elementary permanent substitute teacher effective September 11, 2002. Salary, $88.00 per day.
APPOINTMENTS: Grant Funded Programs
Effective for the 2002-2003 school year
Title I 15 hours per week
Rhonda Conaway - Johnson
Literacy Specialists 15 hours per week/170 days
Jeannie Keohane – Bennett-Hemenway
Kindergarten Long-Term Substitutes $131.00 per day
Alicia Keats - Johnson
Cynthia Wolf – Johnson
APPOINTMENT PROCESS FOR TECHNOLOGY SUBCOMMITTEE
Ms. Broekel suggested changing the process for the Technology Subcommittee. She moved for approval that given the overwhelming number of candidates and the scope of their areas of technology related expertise, she recommends that the Natick School Committee vote to change the selection process established on August 26, 2002, and recommend that the Superintendent be charged to continue with the selection process and appoint a maximum of 9 members to the subcommittee, which will then serve under his direction. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. Mr. Haugland amended the motion to change the wording appoint a maximum of 9 members to appoint a minimum of 9 members given the pool of candidates who are interested. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded.
Chair Broekel indicated that the subcommittee would be formed prior to October 21, at which time the administration is to "present a review of the investment, directions, and management of our technology efforts to date." The technology subcommittee will function similarly to that of our building committee in that the School Committee will be apprised of the committees discussions, direction and actions via minutes and agenda updates and will be available as a resource to the School committee as necessary.
Chair Broekel called for a vote on Mr. Haugland’s motion to amend the original motion and change words appoint a maximum of 9 members to appoint a minimum of 9 members. It was unanimously approved.
Chair Broekel called for a vote on the motion to change the selection process for the Technology Subcommittee, which was established on August 26, 2002, and recommend that the Superintendent be charged to continue with the selection process and appoint a minimum of 9 members to the subcommittee, which will then serve under his direction. It was unanimously approved.
CHARTER BY-LAW CHANGES
Chair Broekel again reviewed the proposed changes being recommended by the Charter By-Law Review Committee. The italic print represents the CBLRC’s recommended changes.
Town Meeting Warrant Article 37– Changes to:
Natick Home Rule Charter
Article 5
Fiscal Procedures
Section 5-2 School Committee Budget
(a) Submission to Town Administrator – The budget as proposed by the superintendent shall be submitted to the town administrator in sufficient time to enable him to consider its effect on the total town budget he is required to submit under this article.
Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval to support the above change to Section 5-2 (a). Ms. Packer seconded. It was unanimously approved.
(b) Public Hearing – In the notice of any meeting at which the school committee expects to receive testimony regarding its proposed budget for the next fiscal year, the school committee shall include in the notice information about the locations of (1) the complete proposed budget available for public examination and (2) copies of a general summary of the proposed budget available for public distribution. The general summary shall specifically indicate any major variations from the current budget and the reasons for such changes. At all such meetings, in accordance with the provisions of Section 7-9 (b), all interested persons shall be given an opportunity
to be heard for or against the whole or any part of the proposed budget.
Chair Broekel moved for approval not to support the change as outlined in Section 5-2 (b) above. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved
Town Meeting Article 57 - Changes to:
The South Middlesex Regional Vocational Technical School District Agreement.
To see if the Town will vote to take action to change the "Agreement Between the Towns of Ashland, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, and Natick, Massachusetts, dated December 5, 1966, as amended" so that Natick's two members of the South Middlesex Regional Vocational Technical School District Committee shall be appointed by vote of Natick's School Committee, not by vote of Natick's Board of Selectmen, or to take any other action relative thereto.
Chair Broekel moved for approval to not support changing the district agreement as outlined above. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
James J. Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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