Approval of Records
November 17, 2003
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE RETREAT
September 30, 2003
The School Committee held a Retreat on Tuesday, September 30, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in 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, Ted Wynne
Members Absent: Kristine Van Amsterdam
Others present: James J. Connolly
Review of beginning of school year
The Superintendent summarized the following:
· Personnel hiring is almost complete. Transitions for new staff and students seem to be going well.
· Traffic issues, particularly Wilson, are evident. Principals and central administrators are working on that with police and parents to find workable resolutions.
· Bus route concerns are being addressed and changes made if deemed appropriate.
· The Wilson construction punch list is continuing. Kennedy’s renovation work is substantially completed. A furniture order has been delayed, but it will be delivered a few weeks into the school year.
Prospective agendas through Dec. 2003
The Superintendent provided members with a tentative list of topics based on agendas from prior years, timeliness or priority of an item or issue.
FY04 Goals
The Superintendent provided the committee with an expansive list of goals for the coming year. Discussion about specific goals took place.
The Superintendent gave a brief overview of the projected budget for the coming year. It was noted that income from bus fees is incorporated into the budget projections. The committee acknowledged that collective bargaining agreement had not been reached. Members encouraged the Superintendent to look internally at changing or modifying the scheduling and/or staffing organizational structure, particularly at the high school, to accommodate any administrative or teaching needs. The committee expressed interest in further examination of previous requests for additional electives at the high school, particularly in the arts, and how that might be accomplished, if deemed necessary, in a fiscally responsible manner. It was agreed that the budget process will be extremely
challenging given the fiscal constraints of the economy and demands on the state budget.
It was agreed that the Superintendent would provide the committee with a more specific and prioritized set of goals at a regularly scheduled committee meeting early this fall to serve as a focus for discussions, foundation for decision making and basis for the annual evaluation of the Superintendent’s performance.
At 8:55 p.m., Chairman Haugland requested roll call vote to go into Executive Session for purposes of discussing strategies for Collective Bargaining. All present, agreed to enter into Executive Session.
A discussion ensued. No votes were taken.
A roll call vote was taken at 9:35 to return to open session. All said yes.
Peg Broekel moved to adjourn. Ted Wynne seconded.
Vote was unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Peg Broekel
Secretary
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