Approval of Records
October21, 2002
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
October 7, 2002
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, October 7, 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
Abigail Shatkin-Margolis Student Representative
Community Members, Parents,
Staff & Press
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Packer requested that the words under the section of School Committee Dedication be changed as follows: to name the performing arts center, the Keefe Performing Arts Center, after former Superintendent Joseph Keefe to: to name the performing arts center, the Keefe Performing Arts Center, in honor of former Superintendent Joseph Keefe. Mr. Freedman moved for approval of the minutes of September 23, 2002 with the above change. Mr. Wynne seconded. They were unanimously approved.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Ms. Liz Smith-Freedman came forward and invited interested parties to attend Natick Education Foundation’s event: Lead the Way Gala being held on Saturday, November 2 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. This evening will honor this years’ grant recipients as well as the recipient of the Shining Light award, Mrs. Joan Craig. Tickets are $25.00 each.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Chair Broekel announced that the Bacon Street Farm is once again holding their pumpkin fest on October 20 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. Proceeds from pumpkin sales will go to the school of your choice within the Natick Public Schools.
Mr. Connolly provided the School Committee with a summary of the MCAS results. At the next meeting, October 21, a detailed report will be provided along with remediation plans.
Mr. Connolly announced that work will be started to construct a press box behind home plate at the Natick High School baseball field as well as a new roof over for the press box at the Natick High School football field.
Mr. Schettini announced that the Cultural Arts Committee has received a $1,000 grant from the Natick Firefighters charity fund and thanks them for their generosity and support.
Ms. Packer announced that she attended a TEC B.O.D. meeting last Friday. Much of the meeting was devoted to a discussion on finding a replacement for the TEC Director, Mr. Roger Ritch, who will be retiring at the end of June.
OUT OF COUNTRY TRAVEL
Dr. Barry Parker along with Mr. Ed Connor, Foreign Language Department Head, requested the School Committee’s approval for three trips for this upcoming April vacation: Germany, France & Costa Rica. A review of the itineraries was provided as well as a discussion regarding safety issues and cancellation policies. Town Counsel is currently reviewing a parental release form, which will be included in the student packet. Mr. Haugland moved for approval of these trips, pending approval of the release form by Town Counsel. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. They were unanimously approved.
REPORT FROM SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH & EVALUATION, INC.
A Comprehensive Youth Health & Mental Health Assessment
Mrs. Audrey Seyffert introduced Mr. Wayne Harding and Ms. Michele Cummins from SSRE, Inc. who provided a summary of A Comprehensive Youth Health and Mental Health Assessment for the Natick Public Schools. Mrs. Seyffert also introduced Marty Cohen, President of the Metrowest Community Health Care Foundation. The Metrowest Community Health Care Foundation funded this project and other projects within our school system. Students at the Middle School and High School were surveyed in the areas of:
1. Overall Mental Health (coping, stress, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideations, etc.)
2. Mental Disorders (ADD/ADHD, hyperactivity, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc.)
3. Traumatic Incident/Crisis
4. Alcohol, Tobacco, and other drug use
5. Sexual Behavior and Related Issues
6. Violence and Safety (bullying, anger management, vandalism, etc.)
7. Dietary Behavior (nutrition, eating disorders, etc.
8. Physical Activity (exercise, etc.)
9. Other Health Issues (chronic illness, disease prevention, sleep disorders, etc.)
Areas needing attention are:
· student stress: 70% of our middle school students and 72% of our high school students describe their lives as somewhat or very stressful.
· having at least one teacher or other school adult that they can talk to if they have a problem – 64% middle school, 69% high school. The percentage of high school students in Natick reporting having a trusted school adult to turn to (69%), is much lower than the overall rate in Massachusetts (81%).
The School Committee looks to the Administration to follow up on the findings and recommendations provided in this report. A copy of the full report was previously distributed to the School Committee.
CHARTER BY-LAW REVIEW COMMITTEE PROPOSAL
Chair Broekel moved for approval for the School Committee to reconsider the vote they took at their meeting of September 23 on Articles 32 & 57 which the Charter By-Law Review Committee is putting forward for Town Meeting. Mr. Haugland seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Mr. Paul Connolly was present on behalf of the Charter By-Law Review Committee and explained the reasonings behind the recommended changes.
After some discussion took place, Chair Broekel made a motion for the School Committee to keep its original vote of that taken at its meeting of September 23, which is to not support the proposed recommendations of the Charter By-Law Review Committee as it pertains to Section 5-2 b of the Natick Home Rule Charter. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. Further discussion took place. It was unanimously approved to reaffirm the School Committee’s original vote to not support the proposed recommendations in Section 5-2b of the Natick Home Rule Charter (Article 32 of the Town Meeting Warrant).
Some discussion took place regarding Article 57 - Changes to The South Middlesex Regional Vocational Technical School District Agreement. The change being that 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.
Chair Broekel moved for approval to not support changing the district agreement as outlined above. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded.
Mr. Haugland moved for approval to support the change in the district agreement as outlined above. Ms. Packer seconded.
Dr. Stephen Kane, School Committee Member of the South Middlesex Regional Vocational Technical School, provided some background information. Further discussion took place.
Chair Broekel called for a vote on Mr. Haugland’s motion to support the changes being recommended in the district agreement. The motion lost 1 to 6.
Chair Broekel called for a vote on her motion to not support the change in the district agreement. It was unanimously approved.
ADJUSTMENT TO NON-REPRESENTED PERSONNEL
Mr. Connolly reviewed a recommendation being made by Mrs. Marianne Davis, Director of Human Resources, to establish a salary range for tutors of $21-$24 per hour. Mr. Freedman moved for approval to establish this range. Mr. Wynne seconded. The motion carried 6 to 0; Ms. Packer was out of the room at the time of the vote.
ENROLLMENT REPORT/CLASS SIZE
Mr. Connolly reviewed the October 1, 2002 enrollment numbers and class sizes.
REVIEW OF RESOLUTIONS & BY-LAW AMENDMENTS BEING DISCUSSED AT THE ANNUAL MASC MEETING
The School Committee briefly reviewed the Resolutions and By-Law Amendments being discussed at the annual MASC meeting on October 30th. The School Committee will take action on these resolutions and amendments at their next meeting of October 21, 2002.
The meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
James J. Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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