Town of Natick - School Committee Minutes

Approval of Records

Natick Public Schools

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, April 28, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee room, Town Hall. Chairman Haugland 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

Pat Schettini Assistant Superintendent

Audrey Seyffert Assistant Superintendent

Mary Ellen Dunn Director of Fiscal & Management Services

Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary

Community Members, Parents,

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Freedman moved for approval of the School Committee Meeting minutes of April 7, 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 introduced two of the three newly hired administrators: Ms. Anna Nolin, School Year Vice Principal for Wilson Middle School and Ms. Barbara Brown, Principal for Johnson School. Mr. Zach Galvin, newly hired Vice Principal for Natick High School, was unavailable to attend.

Ms. Packer announced that the Suburban Coalition will hold its Annual Legislative Breakfast on Monday, May 5, 2003 in the Great Hall, at the State House from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Ms. Packer announced that a Freedom Flag is in the process of being created for the new Wilson Middle School. The School Committee along with students and other organizations has been asked to create a square for this flag.

Ms. Packer will be attending the TEC Board of Directors meeting this Friday. Ms. Packer has been asked to serve as Vice Chair for this group.

Ms. Broekel announced that the Natick Education Foundation will be holding its spelling bee on Thursday, May 1 at 7:00 p.m. at Natick High School.

Mr. Haugland announced that the office of Drs. Kane, Tesini, Soporowski & Associates will hold its Fourth Annual "Keeping Safety Warm" banquet on Thursday, June 5 at Franny's Place to thank the Natick crossing guards for keeping our children safe throughout the year.

REPORT FROM NATICK COMMUNITY ORGANIC FARM

Mr. Rud Ham, President of the Board of Directors, of the Natick Community Organic Farm along with Carol Krentzman, Vice President and Lynda Simkins, Director provided a report on the State of the Farm - 2003. Mr. Ham indicated that the Farm Board is looking for some commitment from the school department in order to implement their 10 year strategic plan. It was decided that a joint committee consisting of representation from the administration, the farm and School Committee should be formed in order to come up with an agreeable long range plan with the farm and the school department. Mrs. Van Amsterdam, Mr. Wynne and Ms. Carol Krentzman volunteered to serve on this subcommittee.

PERSONNEL ACTIONS

Mr. Connolly reviewed the following personnel actions:

APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff

Matthew Brenneman, to be social studies long-term substitute teacher at Natick High School effective April 14, 2003 to the end of this school year. He is replacing Elizabeth Ward who is on a maternity leave. Salary, $131.00 per day.

Lauren Marcus, to be grade six long-term substitute teacher at Kennedy Middle School effective April 11, 2003 to the end of this school year. She is replacing Jennifer Smith who is on a maternity leave. Salary, $131.00 per day.

EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Professional Staff

Pamela LeBlanc, art teacher at Natick High School. Leave of absence for maternity is effective August 27, 2003 to November 18, 2003.

Laura Loftus, (.5) guidance counselor at Wilson Middle School. Leave of absence for maternity is effective for the 2003-2004 school year.

Heather Moretz, music teacher at Wilson Middle School. Leave of absence for maternity is effective August 27, 2003 to November 18, 2003.

REPORT ON KENNEDY RENOVATION PLANS

Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn provided the School Committee with a report which included specific information on the plans for bringing Kennedy Middle School to educational parity with Wilson Middle School. There is concern that because the Capital Improvement Plan has not been funded many of the facility infrastructure items for Kennedy need to be addressed. Concern was raised that the capital projects need to be addressed with the Town Administrator for possible discussion at the fall town meeting. A request was made to have periodic updates on the Kennedy renovation.

BEST WISHES TO NHS STUDENTS ATTENDING

BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS OF AMERICA COMPETITION

Mrs. Maureen Carney, Department Head of the Business Department of Natick High School introduced Mr. Dan O'Leary, advisor for the Network+ class and Mr. Ted Cooper, NHS student who along with three other students will be attending the Business Professionals of America competition in Dallas, Texas on April 30th-May 4th. These students are enrolled in the Network+ after school class who competed in a state conference held March 8-10 as a team in the Network Design and Implementation category. The Natick team placed first of four teams competing which qualifies them for the National Competition in Dallas. The team consisted of Timur Alperovich, Ted Cooper, David Harrow and Nicholas Vandervelt. Ted Cooper won first place in the PC Servicing and Troubleshooting test. The School Committee and Administration wished these students well on their upcoming trip.

WILSON MIDDLE SCHOOL BUILDING UPDATE

Mr. Connolly reported that the Wilson Middle School Building Committee will be meeting on May 7. There are no concerns of the building not being ready. He is pleased with the quality of the building and credits the work of Architecture Involution, the onsite Clerk, Lou DiNapoli, and Bob Graham, Director of Facilities. Mr. Connolly will schedule another walkthrough for the School Committee before the end of the school year.

HIGH SCHOOL RENOVATION UPDATE

Mr. Connolly discussed the moratorium put in place on the SBAB program. A meeting will be held with the High School Building next week to bring them up to date. This project will be on hiatus until more information is provided by the state.

TO APPROVE THE FINAL DAY OF SCHOOL FOR 2002/2003

Mr. Connolly reported that since the system did not lose any days as a result of inclement weather as of this date, the last day of school for students and professional staff will be Thursday, June 12, 2003 (early release for students). This date provides for the completion of the required 180-day school year for students and the 182-day year for the professional staff. Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval to adjust the final day of school for the 2002/2003 school year to June 12, 2003. Ms. Broekel seconded. It was unanimously approved.

TO APPROVE NON-RESIDENT STUDENTS

Mr. Connolly reported that members of the Natick Public Schools professional staff have requested the School Committees permission to enroll their children in the Natick Public Schools, effective for the 2003/2004 school year. The children will be entering:

Natick High School Grade 9

Natick High School Grade 11

Memorial School Grade K

These requests fall within the provisions of Chapter 76, Section 6. There is no conflict with the “choice law” since the Committee has not charged tuition in similar cases. Ms. Broekel moved for approval to allow these children to attend Natick Public Schools as outlined above for the 2003/2004 school year. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.

POLICY REVIEW - CORI POLICY

Mr. Connolly presented a Draft of a CORI policy for the School Committee's approval which was recommended by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees along with Attorney Naomi Stonberg. In addition, the School Committee's policy subcommittee met and reviewed this policy on April 17, 2003. This policy is being implemented due to the fact that on November 27, 2002 the Massachusetts Legislature enacted Chapter 385 of the Acts of 2002, An Act Furthering Protection of Children which requires that all schools conduct Criminal Offender Record Information (C.O.R.I) checks on current and prospective employees, volunteers, school transportation providers, and any others who may have direct and unmonitored contact with children. This policy will be brought back to the next meeting for formal approval.

At 9:13 p.m. 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 and all members were in favor or entering into Executive Session.

Returned to open session at 9:20 p.m.

The School Committee reviewed the Title 1 Memorandum of Agreement for the period of 9/1/02 through 8/31/05.

Mrs. Packer moved for approval to accept the Title 1 Memorandum of Agreement as outlined. Ms. Broekel seconded. It was unanimously approved. A request was made to receive an update of the Title 1 program for next year and how it will pertain to the middle school.

The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

Secretary to the School Committee