Approval of Records
December 2, 2002
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
November 18, 2002
The Administration requested an Executive Session at 6:30 p.m. to discuss collective bargaining in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 39, Section 23B of the Massachusetts General Laws. The meeting was held in the Staff Development Room, Town Hall. A roll call vote to enter into Executive Session was taken. All School Committee members who were present were in favor of entering into Executive Session. The School Committee returned to open session at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room.
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
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
Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of the minutes of November 4, 2002. Ms. Packer seconded. The minutes were unanimously approved.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Mr. Tony Lista, Natick resident and parent, stated that he will continue with his complaint of the bus fee structure being unfair as it pertains to his custodial situation with his children until an amicable solution can be made. He has contacted the Department of Education, news media and counsel.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS, & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Mr. Connolly requested a moment of silence for Mr. Bob Harvie, employee of the Natick Public Schools, who died this morning. Mr. Harvie was a custodian at Natick High School and has been an employee of the system since 1978.
Chair Broekel announced that she along with Mr. Connolly and Mr. Cashman attended an award ceremony at Johnson School this morning where the school was presented with a check for $10,000 as a recipient of the Edgerly School Leadership Award due to their being in the top rank of academic improvement in the state for achieving one of the ten highest gains in this year’s MCAS tests. William Edgerly, Chairman of the Foundation for Partnerships, presented the school with the award. He is a former chairman of State Street Corporation, who set up this foundation upon his retirement.
Chair Broekel announced that this week (November 18-22) is American Education Week and the schools are open for visitors.
Ms. Packer attended the TEC Board of Directors meeting last Friday. Most of the meeting was devoted to discussions on changes in the state government. They will be looking at alternative ways of doing things in the future as the financial issues worsen. There will be another “Day on the Hill” meeting in the near future. She will notify School Committee members of that date once it has been established.
Mr. Cashman reported on his recent visit to Keefe Technical School. He was very impressed with the school and encourages others to visit if they have not already. He stated that Natick students who attend the school are being very well served.
REPORT FROM HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
Mr. Connolly introduced Mr. Ken Small, Chairman of the High School Building Committee, who provided a summary of the work of the building committee since its organization one year ago. Mr. Small introduced members from HMFH Architects, Mr. George Metzger, Mr. Steve Freelander, and Mr. Roger Dehaan who gave a presentation on four construction options for Natick High School as well as the cost associated with each.
Option 1B – KBA original study
Option 1B Revised – HMFH alternative to the original study
Option 4A – HMFH alternative to the original study
Option 5A/B – HMFH alternative for new construction
The preliminary cost estimates indicate that Option 5A/B (new construction) is approximately 10% lower than any of the other options listed above (for renovations).
The question of whether a pool could be added to the schemes came up. Mr. Connolly indicated that a pool would not be state reimbursable, whereas a wellness center would be. The Building Committee will continue to meet on the plans in order to be ready when the time is right.
REPORT FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
Ms. Mary Ellen Dunn reported on the Wilson Middle School building project. The parking lot is due to be paved. The interior work be will be underway in January. Mr. Haugland requested that options on the location of printers in the new building be brought before the School Committee.
ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT AWARD FROM BOSTON SCIENTIFIC
Mr. Connolly requested that the School Committee accept a grant award in the amount of $3,000 from Boston Scientific for the Wilson Math Team which Mr. Peter Alderman, Math Team Supervisor and Math Teacher at Wilson Middle School, applied for. Chair Broekel moved for approval to accept this award. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
REPORT FROM STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD
Ms. Abigal Shatkin-Margolis, Student Representative to the School Committee, gave a report on two items pertaining to Natick High School: the new credit attendance policy and the student ranking system. She indicated that a subcommittee is being formed to look at the ranking system, and Dr. Parker will be reporting back to the School Committee in February. Mrs. Van Amsterdam requested that the School Committee be kept abreast of the makeup of this subcommittee and would like to see in writing, its charge.
POLICY REVIEW
The School Committee received draft policies of:
JR – Student Records
IFCB – Field Trip Policy
JKAA – Physical Restraint of Students
The School Committee will review these policies and vote on them at the meeting of December 2. A couple of recommended changes were made to the Field Trip Policy as it pertains to the permission slip and student confidentiality. Mr. Schettini will revise this policy, review with Town Counsel and resubmit it to the School Committee for its approval.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
Mr. Connolly reviewed the following personnel actions:
RETIREMENT: Professional Staff
Jane Williams, School nurse supervisor. Retirement date has been changed to be effective November 14, 2002.
RETIREMENT: Support Staff
Janice Hall, Secretary to the Director of Fiscal and Management Services. Retirement effective January 3, 2003.
RESIGNATION: Support Staff
Takako Sullivan, part-time food service worker at Kennedy Middle School. Resignation effective at the end of the day on November 26, 2002.
APPOINTMENTS: Support Staff
Jolene Marcus, to be student support facilitator at Kennedy Middle School effective October 30, 2002. Salary, Step 3
Christopher Reilly, to be part-time instructor in the ASAP Program at Wilson Middle School effective October 28, 2002. Salary, $11.67 per hour.
APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff
Molly Green, to be multi-age class/learning links long-term substitute at Bennett-Hemenway School effe4ctive November 6, 2002 to the end of this school year. She is replacing Jodi Windover who has resigned. Salary, $131.00 per day.
Heather Twomey Bombardieri, to be grade 5 long-term substitute teacher at Wilson Middle School effective November 25, 2002 to April 4, 2003. She is replacing Andrea Dubbs who will be on a maternity leave. Salary, $131.00 per day.
Anne LaPlace Zernicke, to be literacy coordinator [grant funded] at Johnson School effective October 22, 2002 to the end of this school year. Salary, $56,788.00 pro-rated.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
James J. Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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