Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
September 22, 2003
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, September 22, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, Third Floor, Town Hall. Chairman Haugland called the meeting to order at 7:40 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
Mary Ellen Dunn Director of Fiscal & Management Services
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Zachary Garafalo Student Representative
Staff, Parents & Press
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of the retreat minutes of June 7, 2003. Ms. Broekel seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Mr. Freedman moved for approval of the minutes of June 16, 2003. Ms. Broekel 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
Chairman Haugland reported that Ms. Deb Sayre, Director of Kids Connect, would like the School Committee’s endorsement on a grant that she is applying for. Ms. Packer moved for approval for the School Committee to support this program in the grant application process. Mr. Cashman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Mr. Cashman provided the School Committee with the resolutions that will be voted on at the upcoming MASC annual meeting. The School Committee will need to take a position on these resolutions at a future meeting.
UPDATE ON SAT/AP TEST RESULTS AND MCAS RETEST
Mr. Hughes introduced Mrs. Jan Parsons, Director of Guidance, who provided the School Committee with a presentation on the Class of 2003 SAT/AP Scores as well as the MCAS Retest Results.
UPDATE ON TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn provided the School Committee with an interim report on the Transportation Program. A request was made to have information on the website pertaining to schedule changes, bus stop changes, etc. Concerns/issues raised were:
Better communication with the parents on schedule changes
Prompt responses to parents
Identification of buses, i.e. with Natick Public Schools
Change term of “Family Cap” to some other name
Would like more updates at future meetings
What glitches have we run in to this year and last year
Are there things we could do to improve level of service, i.e. more help, etc.
TOWN MEETING ARTICLES
Mr. Connolly reviewed the articles pertaining to the School Committee which will be presented to Town Meeting. A discussion took place on Article 18 submitted by (Anthony P. Lista, et al), which reads:
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.
Ms. Broekel moved for the School Committee to oppose Article 18 as written. Mr. Freedman seconded. A request was made to see if it is legal to put this article before Town Meeting or does it remain under the jurisdiction of the School Committee. A vote was taken on the motion made by Ms. Broekel. The motion carried 6 to 1.
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested the School Committees acceptance of the following donations:
High School Gifts – Donation to Science Department – Carney Management Group $500
High School Gifts – Choral Group – Natick Rotary $150
Wilson Middle School – Donation to Irrigation System
Natick Little League $8,000
Natick Soccer $8,000
Wilson Middle School – Backpacks, Natick Stop & Shop Value TBD
Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval to accept these donations. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
TO APPOINT VOTING DELEGATE TO ATTEND MASC MEETING
The School Committee needs to appoint an official voting delegate to attend the MASC annual business meeting which is being held on Wednesday, November 12th at 3:00 p.m. in Worcester. Mr. Wynne moved for approval to appoint Michael Cashman to attend this meeting on behalf of the School Committee. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
TO APPROVE CHANGES TO THE NON-REPRESENTED EMPLOYEES SALARY SCHEDULE
Mrs. Davis provided the School Committee with a chart showing recommended changes to the Non-Represented Employees’ Salary Schedule. Most of the positions and stipends have existed for many years, however, in an effort to formalize these positions and ensure consistency in compensation practices, they will now appear on the non rep schedule. Ms. Broekel moved for approval to include these position on the non-rep salary schedule along with the recommended compensation. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
At 10:20 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 to enter into Executive Session. All members were in favor of entering into Executive Session.
At 11:20 p.m. the School Committee returned to open session. The meeting adjourned at 11:20 p.m.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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