Town of Natick - School Committee Minutes

Approval of Records

Natick Public Schools

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

February 24, 2003

The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, February 24, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in the Natick High School Cafeteria. 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,

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mrs. VanAmsterdam moved for approval of the School Committee Meeting minutes of January 22, 2003. Mr. Freedman seconded. They were unanimously approved.

Mrs. VanAmsterdam moved for approval of the School Committee Meeting minutes of February 3, 2003. Mr. Freedman seconded. They were unanimously approved.

Chair Broekel asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak.

· Mr. Gary Sutherland, Co-Chair of the Natick High School PTSO expressed appreciation for the positive movement in identifying more elective offerings for Natick High School. He feels this is a good start although there are additional needs. He looks forward to working with the administration and school committee next fall to address more specifically what needs the high school may have. A determination also needs to be made as to “what is an acceptable amount of studies a high school student should have.” Mr. Sutherland also stressed that the grant funded math position at Natick High School should be maintained.

· Dr. Janet Gillmore expressed her concern that Natick High School's course offerings fall short. There are only 1.5 FTE's in the Music Department and 2.0 FTE's in the Art Department for 1153 students. She feels the needs of all students need to be met and feels Natick High School students are poorly prepared for college.

· Mrs. Tina Furdon expressed her concern for the possible cut of a physical education teacher at Natick High School. The high school recently received a grant to hire a wellness coordinator and the loss of a physical education teacher will now impact the curriculum change that was expected to take place with the wellness program. She hopes the committee will reconsider this position.

· Joshua Ostroff, parent and town meeting member, would like to see what the School Committee would constitute as excellent standards at Natick High School and what would it cost? What are we giving our kids today and what is the price tag for a school that meets your standards? He would like to see this as part of the FY2004 budget discussions.

CONTINUATION OF FY2004 BUDGET DISCUSSION

Mr. Connolly discussed the FY2004 budget request of $34,387,498 which is an increase of $1,278,946. The Town Administrator's original budget target for the School Department was $34,308,552, an increase of $1,200,000. There is a difference of $78,946. In late January, Governor Romney reduced FY 03 state aid to Natick by $440,000. The Town Administrator recommended a $410,000 reduction in his FY 04 School Department budget recommendation and would use funds originally allocated for FY 04 to cover the reduction in FY 03. The amount was recommended to be taken from the School Department budget in the accounts set aside for prospective salary adjustments. The School Department was the only department that included any funds for prospective salary adjustments.

The revised Town Administrator's budget recommendation for the School Department is $33,898,522, an increase of $ 789,970. If the School Committee accepts the amount, an additional $78,946 would need to be reduced in addition to the $410,000.

Mr. Connolly discussed the following outstanding budget issues that are still to be resolved:

Reduction of School Department Budget to meet Town Administrator's guideline $78,946

High School Electives ?

High School Math Position (Presently Grant Funded) $38,831

Bennett-Hemenway/Wilson Nursing Position $39,261

Kindergarten Position (Lilja/Johnson) $77,662

Bus Fee Modification ?

Additional Grant Reductions ?

A discussion took place. Following are some comments/questions/concerns raised:

· Is it possible to negotiate with the Town Administrator to return all of the Medicaid reimbursement to the School Department?

· Adding 10 additional electives to the high school is a good start - our music and art staff numbers are low. Discussion needs to continue as to what we want to see in “our perfect world”.

· Differences of opinion on family cap for bus fees and multiple buses for those who need it (extra fee or not)

· Would like to see presentation on what co-curricular activities middle school and high school students would be interested in - it is likely you could get some 3^rd party funding.

· What kind of flexibility do we have to add additional art and music electives if we would accept larger class sizes in other areas?

· Would like the Superintendent and High School Principal to come before the School Committee next fall prior to budget season for a presentation on the current schedule, reevaluate it, etc. - does it make the best sense for the needs of the students?

At the next meeting it is expected that Mr. Connolly will present the School Committee with a recommended budget figure for FY2004 that the School Committee will vote on to bring forward to the Finance Committee. The School Committee will provide the superintendent with some direction regarding its interest and support for additional electives for the high school next year and will provide a recommendation on the bus fee program.

UPDATE ON SBAB FUNDING AS IT PERTAINS TO THE HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT

Mr. Connolly provided the School Committee with a letter from David Driscoll, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Education, which addressed the School Building Assistance Program. Given that the state owes more than $5 billion for projects which have already received grants and there are more than 300 additional projects on the waiting list, they expect that few, if any, new grants will be awarded in the next few years. A moratorium has been put in place on any further review or approval of pending school construction applications which will last until at least the end of this fiscal year. The situation will be reevaluated after the FY04 state budget is enacted. Mr. Connolly indicated that the School Committee will have to start thinking about putting funds into the high school building if this program is reduced.

SUPERINTENDENT EVALUATION PROCESS

Chair Broekel reviewed the following process for the superintendent's evaluation as follows:

2/26/03- Mr. Connolly provides members of the Natick School Committee with his goals and a self-evaluation of his performance over the past year as well as proposed goals for the coming year.

3/5/03- Committee members write and submit their evaluations of the superintendent's performance to the Chair.

3/12/03-The Chair submits a composite evaluation to members of the committee for feedback.

3/13/03-The Chair revises the School Committee Evaluation as necessary.

3/14/03-The Chair reviews the School Committee Evaluation with the superintendent.

3/17/03-The Chair presents the evaluation during the regularly scheduled meeting.

The School Committee and Superintendent will discuss the terms and conditions of his employment as the Superintendent of the Natick Public Schools and announce an agreement when it is finalized. At a later date, the School Committee and the Superintendent will review and discuss goals for the coming year. The Committee will vote on those goals at the appropriate time.

The Administration requested an Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 39, Section 23B of the Massachusetts General Laws. A roll call vote was taken. All members present were in favor of entering into Executive Session.

Returned to open session at 9:50 p.m.

The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

Secretary to the School Committee

Attest:_____________________________ By: Sharon Reilly