Approval of Records
May 19, 2003
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
May 5, 2003
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, May 5, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee room, Town Hall. Chairman Haugland called the meeting to order at 7:35 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
Zach Garafalo Student Representative
Community Members, Parents,
Staff & Press
Mr. Haugland introduced and welcomed Zach Garafalo, the new student representative to the School Committee.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of the School Committee Meeting minutes of April 28, 2003. Ms. Packer seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Mr. Freedman moved for approval of the Executive Session minutes of April 28, 2003. Ms. Packer seconded. They were unanimously approved.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairman Haugland asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak. No one came forward.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Ms. Packer reported on the Suburban Coalition Annual Legislative Breakfast which she and Ms. Broekel attended today, May 5, 2003 in the Great Hall, at the State House. She also reported on the TEC Board of Directors Meeting she attended last Friday.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed:
RETIREMENT: Professional Staff
Susan Peristere, School nurse at Brown School. Retirement is effective June 30, 2003.
TERMINATION: Support Staff
Barbara O Brien, Accounts payable clerk in the Business Office. Termination is effective at the end of the day on April 29, 2003.
EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Support Staff
Joseph Minihan, Student support facilitator at Wilson Middle School. Unpaid leave of absence is effective April 28, 2003 to June 12, 2003.
APPOINTMENT: Support Staff
Kristen Rowan, to be long-term substitute student support facilitator at Wilson Middle School effective April 28, 2003 to June 12, 2003. She is replacing Joseph Minihan. Salary, $14.14 per hour.
REDISTRICTING UPDATE
Mr. Connolly updated the School Committee on the status of the redistricting plan for September 2003. He reviewed last year's presentation and vote, the present status of enrollments for September 2003, issues regarding the kindergarten class sizes at Lilja, future enrollment concerns and the need for "dual district" areas. Mr. Connolly recommended making some modifications to the redistricting plan due to the unexpected amount of students who are registered for Kindergarten at Lilja School. The areas being recommended for change will be the Kindergarten students in the areas of Arrow Path, Nokomis Way, Moccasin Path and Chieftain Way who will go to the Memorial School, and all other students in that area in Grades 1-4 will have a choice between Lilja or Memorial. In addition, all
Kindergarten students in the area of Washington Avenue and West (to Speen Street) will go to Bennett-Hemenway School and all other students in that area in Grades 1-4 will have a choice between Lilja or Bennett-Hemenway School. These areas would be considered dual district areas and bus transportation will be available to both schools from these areas. This plan will have to be reviewed again next year. There may be a need to establish more dual district areas. Mr. Connolly responded to questions from the School Committee and the public. The School Committee gave its consensus on these modifications.
REPORT ON HIGH SCHOOL ELECTIVES
Mr. Hughes reviewed the new electives being offered at Natick High School next year along with the current enrollment numbers for these courses. There are 10 additional classes being offered next year.
Comments/Issues raised:
Is a pass/fail grading system possible for the electives
More marketing on these electives is needed
More communication to parents is needed on these courses
Recommendation made for more arts, food, web design, music theory courses
What is the population of students who are overloaded with studies
APPROVAL OF SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS
The School Improvement Plans for Brown School, Lilja School, Memorial School and Natick High School were presented. Mr. Freedman moved for approval of these plans. Ms. Packer seconded. They were unanimously approved.
POLICY REVIEW - CORI POLICY
A draft of the updated CORI policy was reviewed at the School Committee meeting of April 28, 2003 and brought back to the meeting this evening for School Committee approval. Mr. Freedman moved for approval of the policy with one amendment: Change the last sentence of paragraph 6 to read: Upon termination of employment, an employee may request in writing, that he or she be given a copy of his/her report. Mr. Wynne seconded. The policy was unanimously approved with the amendment.
TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION REGARDING SCHOOL CHOICE
Mr. Connolly indicated that the School Committee needs to take a vote regarding School Choice. In accordance with the provisions of the School Choice Law, a school committee must annually vote to not participate in school choice. If the committee does not vote, then the district automatically becomes a school choice district. Mr. Connolly recommended that the School Committee adopt the resolution submitted to the Committee to not participate in School Choice. Ms. Broekel moved for approval to adopt the resolution that states that the Natick School Committee declines to participate in the School Choice program. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE
The School Committee was presented with a schedule of meetings for the 2003/2004 school year. Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of these dates. Ms. Broekel seconded. They were unanimously approved. In June, the committee will revisit the need for the August 25th meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
James J. Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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