Approval of Records
October 8, 2003
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
September 8, 2003
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, September 8, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, Third Floor, 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 of Schools
Karen Leacu LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
Audrey Seyffert Assistant Superintendent
Mary Ellen Dunn Director of Fiscal & Management Services
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Zachary Garafalo Student Representative
Staff, Parents & Press
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Packer requested that the minutes of June 16, 2003 be brought back. She was listed as seconding a motion, however, she was absent.
Ms. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of the minutes of August 11, 2003. Ms. Broekel seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Ms. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of the minutes of August 14, 2003. Ms. Broekel seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Mr. Freedman moved for approval of the Executive Session minutes of June 2, 2003. Mrs. Van Amsterdam 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 AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Ms. Broekel announced that there will be an open house at the new Wilson Middle School on Saturday, October 4, 2003. Tours will begin at 1:00 p.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony and dedication of the Joseph A. Keefe Performing Arts Center at 2:30 p.m.
Mr. Connolly reported to the School Committee the death of Mr. Philip Kliman who was an Administrator in the Central Office of the School Department from 1973 to 1990. Mr. Connolly will send out a letter of condolence to his family members.
OPENING DAY UPDATE
Mr. Connolly provided an update on the opening of schools. Mrs. Dunn reviewed the transportation program. There has been approximately 116 late bus registrations from August 1 to September 3. Forty of those have been placed on buses with the remaining being worked. She reported that there have been some bus delays due to road construction, particularly the Marion Street Bridge and Route 27. Mrs. Dunn will provide further updates at the meeting of September 22. Mrs. Seyffert provided an update on Pupil Services, including headcount, the status of the circuit breaker, tuitions, and health services grant.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed:
RESIGNATIONS: Professional Staff
Robert Allison, Science teacher at Natick High School. Resignation effective July 2, 2003.
Mindy Anderson, Grade 2 teacher at Brown School. Resignation effective July 7, 2003.
Mark Caulfield, English teacher at Natick High School . Resignation effective July 22, 2003.
Amy D’Anello, Guidance counselor at Brown School. Resignation effective July 31, 2003.
Richelle D’Elia, Guidance counselor at Johnson School. Resignation effective August 20, 2003.
Paula Fay, Mathematics teacher at Kennnedy Middle School. Resignation effective July 24, 2003.
Martin Geoghegan, English teacher at Natick High School. Resignation effective August 14, 2003.
John Lahar, Social studies teacher at Natick High School. Resignation effective August 27, 2003.
Patrick Schettini, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment. Resignation effective July 18, 2003.
MaryAnn Silvestri, Guidance counselor at Bennett-Hemenway School. Resignation effective July 10, 2003.
Holly Steiger, Speech & language pathologist. Resignation effective June 27, 2003.
Priscilla Webster, Special education teacher at Natick High School. Resignation effective August 27, 2003.
RESIGNATIONS: Support Staff
Andrew Bell, Student support facilitator at Natick High School. Resignation effective June 19, 2003.
Nancy Blum, Substitute coordinator. Resignation effective June 16, 2003.
Marissa Carli, Student support facilitator at Bennett-Hemenway School. Resignation effective August 27, 2003.
Matthew Casey Student support facilitator at Natick High School. Resignation effective August 27, 2003.
Caroline Donohoe, Secretary in the Children First Program. Resignation effective August 15, 2003.
Lisa Fass, Technology support facilitator at Lilja School. Resignation effective July 18, 2003.
Kevin Kacavich, Student support facilitator at Natick High School. Resignation effective August 27, 2003.
Renee Matter, Secretary in the Family Network Program. Resignation effective August 4, 2003.
Leslie Thompson, Student support facilitator at Lilja School. Resignation effective August 7, 2003.
Deborah Waters, Food service worker at Brown School. Resignation effective August 1, 2003.
EXTENDED LEAVES OF ABSENCE: Professional Staff
Kristy Dandurand, Grade 3 teacher at Memorial School. Maternity leave of absence is effective November 10, 2003 to January 30, 2004.
Julie Weil, English/language arts at Wilson Middle School. Maternity leave of absence is effective August 27, 2003 to November 7, 2003.
CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Professional Staff
Effective for the 2003-2004 school year
Rebecca Brink, to be (.4) music teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School.
Mary Kenny, to be Title I teacher at Kennedy Middle School.
Terry Pomper, to be (.5) school psychologist at Lilja School.
CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Support Staff
Effective for the 2003-2004 school year
Carole Bell, to be student support facilitator at Natick High School.
Anne Cantin, to be technology support facilitator at Lilja School & help desk.
Joanne Flaherty, to be full-time student support facilitator at Wilson Middle School.
Judy Goss, to be full-time student support facilitator at Johnson School.
Elissa Grunes, to be student support facilitator at Natick High School.
Jolene Marcus, to be student support facilitator at Natick High School.
Lauren Marcus, to be student support facilitator at Bennett-Hemenway School.
WITHDRAWAL OF APPOINTMENT: Professional Staff
Brenda Johanson, social studies teacher at Wilson Middle School
Jamie Moore, social studies teacher at Natick High School
APPOINTMENTS: Administrative Staff
Karen Leacu LeDuc, to be Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment effective August 18, 2003. Salary, $95,000.
APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff
Effective for the 2003-2004 school year
Peter Alderman, to be Title I teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Step 4
Donald Burnham, to be Title I teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Step 4
Winston Blackburn, to be social studies teacher at Natick High School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 2
Joanne Brauninger, to be guidance counselor at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Masters +30, Step 4
Matthew Brenneman, to be social studies teacher at Natick High School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 1
Sarah Brundige, to be speech & language pathologist at Bennett-Hemenway and Lilja School. Salary, Masters +30, Step 1
Brian Chamberlain, to be mathematics teacher at Natick High School North Star Program. Salary, Masters, Step 4
Sanghamitra Chowdhury, to be mathematics teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Masters, Step 3
Michael Chute, to be social studies teacher at Natick High School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 3
APPOINTMENTS: Coaching Staff
Football
Head Coach Tom Lamb Step 3
First Assistant Mark Mortarelli Step 3
Assistant Varsity Brian Chamberlain Step 3
Assistant Varsity Matt Brenneman Step 3
Assistant Varsity Matt Strother Step 3
Brian Linton
Head Freshmen Josh Hanna Step 3
Assistant Freshman Rick Slattery Step 3
Mike McCarthy
Track/Cross Country
Head Coach Dennis Driscoll Step 3
Assistant Coach Don Burnham Step 3
Boys’ Soccer
Head Coach Lou Papadellis Step 3
Sub Varsity Coach Andy Rollins Step 3
Freshman Peter Manna Step 3
Girls’ Soccer
Head Coach Franco Bruno Step 3
Sub-Varsity Coach Denise Trubiano Step 3
Freshmen Coach Anson Smith Step 3
Field Hockey
Head Coach Katie Gentile Step 3
Sub-Varsity Coach TBA
Freshmen Coach Beverly McGee Step 3
Girls’ Volleyball
Head Coach Arthur Taddeo Step 3
Sub-Varsity Coach Debbie Patch Step 3
Freshmen Coach Andrea Smith Step 3
Girls’ Swimming
Head Coach Jen Dutton Step 3
Assistant Coach Paul Power Step 3
Cheerleading
Head Coach Dave Lombardi Step 3
Faculty Manager William Presutti Step 3
Trainer
Head Dan Lussier
APPOINTMENTS: Support Staff
Gail Barbato, to be substitute coordinator effective September 2, 2003. Salary, $82.00 per day
Linda Blood, to part-time secretary for the Children First Program effective September 2, 2003. Salary, $14.88 per hour
Robin Caccavelli, to be pupil services secretary at Natick High School effective August 21, 2003, Salary, Step 3
Carlton Conaway, to be full-time building support facilitator at Wilson Middle School effective August 27, 2003. Salary, Step 2
Susan Doherty, to be student support facilitator at Bennett-Hemenway School effective September 2, 2003. Salary, Step 2
Nell Drews, to be part-time physical therapy licensed assistant effective August 27, 2003. Salary, $20.00 per hour.
Sedi Ghodrat, to be student support facilitator at Wilson Middle School effective August 27, 2003. Salary, Step 2
Susan Grassia, to be student support facilitator at Bennett-Hemenway School effective August 27, 2003. Salary, Step 3
Ryan Hall, to be Jr. I custodian at Wilson Middle School effective August 28, 2003. Salary, Step 2
Jessica Johnson, to be student support facilitator at Lilja School effective August 28, 2003. Salary, Step 2
Katie Kalra, to be part-time food service worker at Brown School effective September 8, 2003. Salary, Step 1
Ellen Maillet, to be school year secretary at Wilson Middle School effective August 21, 2003. Salary, Step 2
Kathleen Mattia, to be accounts payable clerk in the Business Office effective July 21, 2003. Salary, Step 3
Margaret Moran, to be student support facilitator at Natick High School effective September 2, 2003. Salary, Step 2
Rebecca Moss, to be student support facilitator at Lilja School effective August 27, 2003. Salary, Step 3
Robin Murray, to be part-time food service worker at Wilson Middle School effective August 22, 2003. Salary, Step 1
Matthew Rogers, to be student support facilitator at Natick High School effective September 2, 2003. Salary , Step 1
Laura Tognacci, to be part-time elementary pupil services secretary effective September 4, 2003. Salary, Step 3
OCTOBER TOWN MEETING ARTICLES
Mr. Connolly reviewed the following articles for the October Town Meeting that pertain to the school department.
ARTICLE 4
(School Committee)
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, or otherwise provide a sum or sums of money to implement a Capital Improvement Program, to protect the physical infrastructure of the Natick Public Schools, or otherwise act thereon.
ARTICLE 9
(School Committee)
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, or otherwise provide the funds necessary to implement the Terms of Agreement reached between the Natick School Committee and the following collective bargaining units:
a. Education Association of Natick - Unit A Teachers, Unit B Administrators and Unit C Nurses
b. Education Association of Natick - Educator Support Personnel
c. MTA Secretaries and Clerks Unit
d. Laborers International Union Local 1116 Maintenance and Custodial Unit
e. Non-represented personnel
ARTICLE 18
(Anthony P. Lista, et al)
To see if the Town will vote to revise the Natick School’s busing policy with regard to the $500 family cap to include all citizens of the community in the “capping” policy without regard for special conditions, or take any other action relative thereto.
Purpose
To take action to change the current busing policy which excludes certain members of the community from the “cap maximum”.
Rationale
The current policy is not uniform, fair or equitable to citizens of our community.
The current bus policy requires a $250/per student bus fee for students who live 2 or more miles from the school. The policy further provides a per family cap of $500, for the fee-based bus service provided for students who use a single bus to/from a single ride location, regardless of the number of family members who require bus services. i.e. a family with 4 children who require bus services would pay the same fee as a family with 2 children
Exceptions to this family cap are:
a. Families in shared custodial parental arrangements are required to pay an extra $125 per student for each additional bus ride needed.
b. Families who require drop offs or pickups for daycare or other family matters, are required to pay an extra $125 per student for each additional bus ride needed.
Note: A Shared custody arrangement with 2 children or a family requiring alternative care arrangements for 2 children would be required to pay $750, $250 more than a family with 4 children
Mr. Wynne would like to see some real numbers presented to Town Meeting for the outstanding capital projects that have gone unfunded over the past several years for the School Department.
ACCEPTANCE OF CONTRACT FOR STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested the School Committee's approval to award a bid to Lefebvre Insurance to provide Student Accident Insurance to our students for the 2003-2004 school year. Ms. Broekel moved for approval to award this bid to Lefebvre Insurance. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
TO ACCEPT DONATIONS
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested the School Committee's approval to accept the following donations:
Donation Fund Value
Kennedy Principal's Discretionary Account $500
Equipment Donations
Computer Equipment $200
Hsinghai Clarinet $ 75
Odell Clarinet $125
Ms. Packer moved for approval to accept these donations. Ms. Broekel seconded. It was unanimously approved.
The meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ By: Sharon Reilly
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