Approval of Records
November 18, 2002
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
November 4, 2002
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, November 4, 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
Mr. Cashman moved for approval of the minutes of October 21 with one change. He wished to add some wording to Page 4, paragraph 2 under Resolution 2 indicating that a discussion took place on this resolution. Mr. Haugland seconded. Chair Broekel suggested adding the words “The School Committee discussed Resolution 2” (followed by Chair Broekel moved for approval. . .) The minutes were unanimously approved with this addition.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Ms. Sandra LaFleur, a parent of Natick High School students, expressed her concerns that the Geometry 20 Honors Class, in her opinion is not truly an honors class. She feels that more input from parents should be given and that outreach from the community would go a long way.
Mr. Tony Lista, Natick resident and parent, expressed his frustrations with the poor communication with the school administration in his dealings regarding the Fee-based Busing Program. He feels the process has been unfair, arbitrary and inconsistent. Because of his custodial arrangement with his children, he is being asked to pay an additional $125 for his daughter to ride two different buses to Natick High School.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS, & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Acceptance of Gift from Lilja School
Ms. Mary Canner requested that the School Committee accept a gift from the Lilja PTA, a new swing set structure for the Lilja School playground. This six-seat swing set was installed in August 2002. The total value of the swing set structure and installation is $5,102. Chair Broekel moved for approval to accept this gift. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved. Chair Broekel expressed the School Committees appreciation for this gift.
Update on American Education Week
Ms. Mary Canner, Co-Chair of the American Education Week Committee, provided the School Committee with an outline of activities planned for American Education Week, which is being held November 17 through November 23. A schedule for each school will be sent home to the parents. The schedule will also be posted on the Natick Public Schools web page.
Miscellaneous
Chair Broekel reminded the School Committee to respond on their availability to attend the Keefe Tech Visit which is scheduled for November 13 at 10:00 a.m.
Chair Broekel reported on Natick Education Foundation’s Gala event held this past Saturday which honored Ms. Joan Craig as the recipient of the Harriet F. Siegel Shining Light Award , Dr. Robert Shillman, Cognex Corporation and Rick Ciccarelli, Bacon Street Farm as the Business Leadership Award recipients. Chair Broekel extended her appreciation for the hard work by Ms. Liz Freedman-Smith and others who coordinated this wonderful event.
Ms. Diane Packer reported that a group is trying to re-establish a League of Women Voters in Natick. There will be a meeting on November 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Morse Library.
Mr. Cashman provided the School Committee with an update of the MASC/MASS Annual Meeting held last week. He will share his handout material with School Committee Members.
Mr. Connolly reported that Natick Public Schools has received a $20,000 grant as part of the Green Schools initiative, which will be used for the design of Natick High School.
TECHNOLOGY
Mr. Connolly introduced the newly selected members of the Technology Subcommittee. They are as follows:
Jeffry Bram Catherine Neumann
Dan Cooper Stephen Portnoy
Ken Goldman Michael Ricard
Gabe Handel Ann Sager
Brent Koeppel Sean True
Daryl Morey School Department Personnel – James Connolly, Mary Ellen Dunn, Barbara Kane
Mr. Connolly provided a Technology Status Report and reviewed the concerns of the School Committee. He also provided an overview of the charge of the Technology Subcommittee. Mr. Connolly introduced Mrs. Barbara Kane, who presented an update of the systems actions over the past five years.
Comments/concerns raised:
· School Committee’s top priorities (from previous analysis) need to be addressed
· How many of the MAC’s in the infrastructure cannot be moved to OS X
· Results from Fresh Pond Study – low level integration, low level of usage - find out why
· Leasing vs. Purchasing – advantages/disadvantages
· Expected level of email usage for teachers needs to be defined
· Hope that the Technology Subcommittee will help Natick understand not only specific needs, but also give a broad sense of how technology could be integrated into learning – provide some context that can be brought to teachers, the parents and the students
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn and Ms. Barbara Kane left the School Committee meeting and met with the Technology Subcommittee for an organizational meeting.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed:
RESIGNATION: Professional Staff
Jodi Windover, Special education teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. Resignation effective at the end of the day on October 18, 2002.
RETIREMENTS: Support Staff.
Stella Ash, Receptionist/clerk at Natick High School. Retirement effective at the end of the day on November 29, 2002.
Joanne Meuse, Accounts payable bookkeeper. Retirement effective at the end of the day on December 31, 2002.
Elaine White, Secretary at Kennedy Middle School. Retirement effective at the end of the day on January 10, 2003.
EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Professional Staff
Kristen McEnaney, Grade 1-2 teacher at Lilja School. Maternity leave of absence is effective January 2 to February 14, 2003.
SCHOOL CALENDAR OPTIONS FOR 2003/2004 AND 2004/2005
Mr. Connolly provided the School Committee with two possible school calendars for each of the next two school years. Option A in each year continues our practice of beginning school the week before Labor Day. Option B in each year presents a calendar that begins school the week of Labor Day.
For 2003-2004 School Year
Option A has staff reporting on Monday, August 25, students beginning on Wednesday August 27 and the final day of School June 17th (185 days which includes 5 snow days).
Option B has staff reporting on Tuesday, September 2, students beginning on Thursday, September 4 and the final day of School, June 24th (185 days which includes 5 snow days).
For 2004-2005 School Year
Option A has staff reporting on Monday, August 30, students beginning on Wednesday September 1 and the final day of School June 22nd (185 days which includes 5 snow days).
Option B has staff reporting on Tuesday, September 7, students beginning on Thursday, September 9 and the final day of School, June 29th (185 days which includes 5 snow days).
The question at hand is, do we want to have consistency where we always start school prior to Labor Day, or do we want to flip back and forth depending on when Labor Day falls?
Mr. Connolly indicated that at the School Committee meeting of December 2, the public will be invited to provide input on these options. At the meeting of December 16th, Mr. Connolly will recommend a calendar to the School Committee for its approval.
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
James J. Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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