Approval of Records
October21, 2002
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE RETREAT
September 8, 2002
The School Committee held a Retreat on Sunday, September 8, 2002 at 1:00 p.m. in the Staff Development Room, Town Hall. Chair Broekel called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
Members Present: Peg Broekel, Michael Cashman, Jonathan Freedman,
Henry Haugland, Diane Packer, Kristine Van Amsterdam,
Ted Wynne
Others present: James J. Connolly
ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES
Mr. Connolly handed out an enrollment chart reflecting enrollment numbers as of August 28, 2002. Mr. Connolly will update the School Committee on enrollment numbers at the Committee’s meeting on October 7, 2002. Mr. Connolly told the Committee that he will attend the first meetings of all of the parent/teacher organization meetings at each of the schools. His comments will focus on budget issues confronting the school system and the status of the various high school building options. Mr. Connolly told members that their meeting on September 23 would include a presentation on the latest SAT scores and Advanced Placement course offerings and test results. Chair Broekel asked for further suggestions on School Committee agenda topics. Mrs. Van Amsterdam asked for more presentations on curriculum-related topics. Mr. Connolly will provide
updates on the redistricting transition plans at future School Committee meetings. The Committee briefly discussed the dates for the formal evaluation of the Superintendent. Committee members Broekel, Packer and Van Amsterdam will put together a schedule for the evaluation process for the Committee to consider. Committee members discussed the warrant articles submitted by the Charter By-law review Committee to Town Meeting. Chair Broekel reminded members that further discussion would take place at the School Committee’s September 23 meeting. Mr. Connolly reminded that Committee that future discussion of the high school building options will take place in the October/ November timeframe. Chair Broekel reminded members that training for collective bargaining for members will take place in November.
CURRICULUM ISSUES
Chair Broekel informed Committee members of the overwhelming response to the request for community members to serve on the Technology Subcommittee. Mr. Connolly mentioned that he would be attending a two-day technology workshop for Superintendents. Mr. Connolly informed the members that Mr. Schettini started meeting with the two middle school principals, Ms. Evans and Ms. St. George, to address the middle school program issues. Members requested that the results of these discussions be brought to the Committee at a future meeting. Committee members also requested that Mr. Connolly provide the Committee with some concrete recommendations as to how the School System can better integrate the expectations of Administrators, teachers, students and parents at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Committee members briefly discussed the
MASC resolution on MCAS. Chair Broekel reminded members that this issue would be discussed further at the September 23 meeting.
MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES
Committee members discussed the skate park issue of helmet compliance. Mr. Haugland expressed concern about the numbers of children not adhering to the posted requirement of wearing a helmet when skating at the park. Mr. Connolly stated that he would confer with town counsel about the wording of a past School Committee vote on the requirement of helmets when skating at the park. Mr. Connolly will provide the information to the Committee at a future meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
James J. Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Recorded by: Kristine Van Amsterdam, Vice Chair
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