Town of Natick - School Committee Minutes

Approval of Records

Natick Public Schools

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, April 7, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria of Natick High School. Chairman Haugland called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

Members Present: Peg Broekel, Jonathan Freedman, Henry Haugland, Diane Packer,

Kristine Van Amsterdam, Ted Wynne

Michael Cashman arrived at 7:35 p.m.

Others present: James J. Connolly Superintendent

Pat Schettini Assistant Superintendent

Audrey Seyffert Assistant Superintendent

Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary

Community Members, Parents,

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Ms. Packer moved for approval of the School Committee Meeting minutes of March 26, 2003. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. They were unanimously approved.

Chairman Haugland asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak. No one came forward.

COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Mr. Connolly announced that due to the inclement weather expected for this evening into tomorrow morning, the Commissioner of Education has rescheduled the MCAS English Composition Testing to Thursday, April 10, 2003.

Mr. Connolly reported that the Natick Public Schools 8^th Annual Art Exhibition for students in Grades 5 through 12 will be held at the Morse Institute Library from April 2 - April 29, 2003.

Mr. Connolly indicated that he would like to schedule a policy subcommittee meeting to look at modifications to the CORI checks policy, which needs to be implemented.

RECOGNITION OF STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Mr. Connolly recognized Ms. Abigail Shatkin-Margolis for serving as Student Representative to the School Committee for the 2002/2003 school year. Chairman Haugland presented her with a Certificate of Appreciation from the School Committee. Elections for a new student representative will be held during the week of May 12.

MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM CHANGES

Mr. Connolly stated that we are at the endpoint of a very long process of discussing program changes to the middle school program. He reviewed the following three items, which are before the School Committee this evening:

1. the committee will vote on the option of expanding the grade 7 Spanish and French course from 90 to 180 days. In addition, an exploratory Cultural World Language component will be added to grade 6 for 30 days.

2. committee members requested that options for increased time for band/chorus at the 7th and 8th grade be investigated. We will present the original plan and a revised plan for increased band/chorus at the 8th grade. We were unable to accomplish the increase at the 7th grade. The committee may choose either model.

3. the original plan presented two levels for mathematics at the 7th and 8th grade. A revised plan recommends three levels of math in the 8th grade - two levels of Algebra 1 and one level of Introduction to Algebra. The two levels of Algebra 1 will be regrouped periodically based on student performance.

A report of staff development will be presented on May 19th, which will incorporate a section on the middle schools. In October, an opening of school report on the middle schools will be presented and in February a mid-year report that will focus on the Math levels and teaming will be presented.

Next year we will continue to focus on our extracurricular programs and options for what has been described as the “under challenged” students.

Mr. Schettini provided a more in-depth review of the specials options and the math levels for 7^th and 8^th grade.

The School Committee members and the audience asked questions and provided their input on the music programs and the math levels. After a lengthy discussion, Chairman Haugland requested the School Committee take action on the recommendations being made by the superintendent.

· Mr. Freedman moved for approval on the option of expanding the grade 7 Spanish and French course from 90 to 180 days. In addition, an exploratory Cultural World Language component will be added to grade 6 for 30 days. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.

· Ms. Broekel moved for approval to adopt the selective approach for band and chorus, which will maintain 90 periods for 7^th & 8^th grade students (with the exception of Wilson 7^th grade, who will maintain 60 periods). Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.

· Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved that the administration establish three levels of math in the 7^th grade and three levels of math in the 8^th grade (Grade 8 - two levels of Algebra I and Introduction to Algebra I) with a clearer delineation of what will be accomplished and the pace at which the students will move. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved.

Mrs. Van Amsterdam requested that more information be provided on what standardized testing will be used for math leveling and that a clear definition be provided for each math level.

UPDATE ON HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECT

Mr. Connolly provided the School Committee with a memo from David Driscoll, Commissioner of Education, regarding the status of applications for School Building assistance. Given the availability of funding, only the most urgent projects will be approved. The Natick High School renovation project falls into category 6 in the memorandum which states: projects to replace or renovate obsolete buildings in order to provide for a full range of programs consistent with state and approved local requirements. The only projects that are being considered in this category are those that:

1. present safety issues that cannot feasibly be remedied through repair work

2. buildings built prior to 1950 with significant structural or programmatic deficiencies

3. projects for schools placed on accreditation warning status in part due to facility deficiencies

Mr. Connolly indicated that since the high school project doesnt fit these criteria, a repair plan would need to be developed. More discussion will take place when the School Committee meets in May with the building committee.

SUBCOMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

The School Committee reviewed the list of subcommittee assignments for the period of April 2003 through March 2004. The only changes being recommended from last years' assignments were to:

1. disband one of the two technology subcommittees, which membership consists of Mr. Haugland,

Mrs. Van Amsterdam, and Ms. Broekel

2. Ms. Broekel to replace Chairman Haugland on the Secretaries & Clerks Negotiation Team.

Ms. Packer moved for approval of these changes. Ms. Broekel seconded. They ware unanimously approved.

The new subcommittee assignments are as follows:

SUBCOMMITTEE SC REP/DESIGNEE

FOR 4/2003-3/2004

Athletic Advisory Committee

Jim Connolly Dight Crain

Barry Parker Mike Fitzgerald

Tom Lamb Rich Peristere

John Brown Vi Tutuny

Richard Pingree Jim Webb

Kristine Van Amsterdam Ed Casey

Suburban Coalition Re - Diane Packer/Kristine Van Amsterdam

This is an open meeting - all members are invited to attend if available

TEC Board of Directors - Diane Packer, Jim Connolly, Kristine Van Amsterdam (Alternate)

This is an open meeting - all members may attend if available

Natick Education Foundation - Peg Broekel

Policy Subcommittee - Jonathan Freedman, Kristine Van Amsterdam, Jim Connolly, Pat Schettini

Safety Committee - Peg Broekel

Senior Center Liaison - Peg Broekel, Michael Cashman

Technology Subcommittee

Established November 4, 2002

Jeffry Bram Catherine Neumann

Dan Cooper Stephen Portnoy

Ken Goldman Michael Ricard

Gabe Handel Ann Sager

Brent Koepel Sean True

Daryl Morey Jim Connolly

Mary Ellen Dunn Barbara Kane

Town Budget Planning Committee - Kristine Van Amsterdam

Middle School Building Committee

1 Member appointed by Selectmen - Mysore Ravindra

1 Member appointed by Town Moderator - Dight Crain

1 Member appointed by Fin Com - Patrick Haswell

1 member appointed by Planning Board - John Ciccariello

5 Members appointed by the School Committee

High School Building Committee

1 Member appointed by Selectmen - John Ciccariello

1 Member appointed by Town Moderator - John O'Neil

1 Member appointed by Fin Com - Bruce Wright

1 member appointed by Planning Board - Kenneth Small

5 Members appointed by the School Committee

Charter By Law Committee Peg Broekel

Curriculum Council Representative - Diane Packer

NEGOTIATION TEAM SC REPRESENTATIVE

Maintenance & Custodians -Peg Broekel, Henry Haugland

Cafeteria - Henry Haugland, Diane Packer

Teachers, Nurses & Administrators (EAN Units A, B, C) - Jonathan Freedman, Henry Haugland, Kristine Van Amsterdam

Secretaries & Clerks - Peg Broekel, Ted Wynne

Teacher Assistants - Jonathan Freedman, Ted Wynne

Title 1 - Diane Packer, Michael Cashman

Non- Represented Personnel - Peg Broekel, Henry Haugland, Diane Packer (Alternate)

Open Alternate for all negotiation teams - Peg Broekel

REQUEST FROM NADAC TO CO-SPONSOR THE AFTER THE PROM PARTY

Mr. Connolly discussed a request from NADAC for the School Committee to co-sponsor the upcoming All Night After-The Prom Party to be held on May 16, 2003. Mr. Freedman moved for approval for the School Committee to co-sponsor this event. Ms. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.

OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL

Mr. Connolly reviewed a request from Mrs. Maureen Carney, Natick High School Business Department Head, for four students and a chaperone to travel to Dallas, Texas from April 30^th to May 4^th, 2003 to participate in the Business Professionals of America competition. The trip will be paid from a $2,000 donation from Boston Scientific and from fundraising. Ms. Broekel moved for approval of this trip. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.

PERSONNEL ACTIONS

The following personal actions were reviewed:

RETIREMENTS: Professional Staff

Peter Alderman, Grade 6 teacher at Wilson Middle School. Retirement effective August 5, 2003.

Celia Biagetti, Grade 1 teacher at Lilja School. Retirement effective June 30, 2003.

Donald Burnham, Special education teacher at Wilson Middle School. Retirement effective August 26, 2003.

John Cahill, Social studies teacher at Natick High School. Retirement effective June 30, 2003

Kathleen Hart, Special education teacher at Memorial School. Retirement effective June 30, 2003.

Elizabeth Eppsteiner, Special education teacher at Brown School. Retirement effective August 16, 2003.

Alfred Kirton, Social studies teacher at Natick High School. Retirement effective June 30, 2003.

John Leavitt, Social studies teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Retirement effective June 30, 2003

MaryAnn Limric, School nurse at Wilson Middle School. Retirement effective August 1, 2003.

Jean Lombardini, Grade 1 teacher at Memorial School. Retirement effective October 1, 2003.

Barry Parker, Principal at Natick High School. Retirement effective June 30, 2003.

Gretta Parker, Kindergarten teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. Retirement effective June 30, 2003.

Stephen Saradnik, Social studies department head at Natick High School. Retirement effective August 19, 2003.

Douglas Shepard, Grade 4 teacher at Lilja School. Retirement effective June 30, 2003.

David Zuretti, Grade 6 teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Retirement effective June 30, 2003.

APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff

Zachary Galvin, to be Vice Principal at Natick High School effective July 1, 2003. Salary, Step 1

Anna P. Nolin, to be school-year Vice Principal at Wilson Middle School effective August 20, 2003. Salary, $65,179.00

Sarah Dillaway, to be special education/primary links long-term substitute teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School effective March 17, 2003 to the end of this school year. Salary, $131.00 per day.

Amy Ostrowski, to be lead instructor in the ASAP program at Wilson Middle School effective February 28, 2003. Salary, $14.00 per hour

The meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m.

Secretary to the School Committee