Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
January 21, 2004
The School Committee held a meeting on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 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 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
Mr. Connolly requested a moment of silence in memory of Paul Ambler who died last evening. Paul was a member of the School Committee from 1958 to 1986.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Packer moved for approval of the minutes of January 5, 2004. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of the minutes of January 7, 2004. Ms. Broekel seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Ms. Packer moved for approval of the minutes of January 12, 2004. 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.
CONTINUATION OF FY05 BUDGET REVIEW
Mr. Connolly introduced Mr. John Hughes who provided a status report of Natick High School including studies, programs and initiatives that are taking place.
Mr. Tom Lamb provided an overview of the Athletic Program. A request was made from supporters of the Ski Team to at least fund a coach in the FY05 budget for this program. The cost for a coach would be between $3,187?$3,641.
Mr. Ron Miller provided an overview of a new program being used in the guidance office – TCCi Naviance which will aid students in their college search. It is a secure web based system for career and college counselors that lets you collect, organize and analyze detailed information about your students’ post-secondary plans.
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn and Mr. Robert Graham provided an overview of the 5 Year Capital Improvement Plan.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed:
RESIGNATION: Professional Staff
Julia Borger, Special needs teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. Resignation effective at the end of the day on January 20, 2004.
CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Professional Staff
Barbara Singer, to be (.8) school nurse at Bennett-Hemenway School effective December 22, 2003.
APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff
Melissa Christmas, to be special education teacher at Kennedy Middle School effective September 16, 2003 to the end of this school year. Salary, Bachelors, Step 2.
Elizabeth Cross, to be school nurse at Johnson School effective January 5, 2004 to the end of this school year. Salary, Bachelors, Step 6.
Joel Dickerson, to be special education teacher in the NorthStar/Omega program at Natick High School effective November 24, 2003 to the end of this school year. Salary, Masters, Step 1.
Kirsten Doherty, to be (.5) school nurse (grant funded position) at Bennett-Hemenway School effective January 13, 2004 to the end of this school year. Salary, Bachelors, Step 6.
Heidi Linn, to be instructor in the Early Riser Program at Brown School effective December 4, 2003. Salary, $15.91 per hour.
Richard Morse, to be part-time MCAS tutor (grant funding program) at Natick High School effective January 26, 2004. Salary, $25.00 per hour.
Thomas Stefanini, to be industrial technology education teacher at Kennedy Middle School effective January 26, 2004 to the end of this school year. Salary, Masters, Step 5.
Lara Walleston, to be science teacher at Natick High School effective December 3, 2004 to the end of this school year. Salary, Bachelors, Step 2
Marina Whall, to be mathematics teacher at Kennedy Middle School effective December 1, 2003 to the end of this school year. Salary, Bachelors, Step 1
OUT OF STATE TRAVEL
Mr. Freedman moved for approval for the Natick High School Speech Team to travel to New York City on January 23-24 to compete in the Regis/Loyola High School Speech Competition. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
REVIEW DRAFT OF TOWN MEETING ARTICLE TO SEEK
FUNDING FOR SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION
Mr. Connolly presented the following draft of a warrant article for the April Town Meeting:
To see what sum of money the Town will vote to appropriate for the purpose of operation and administration of the school bus transportation system, and to reduce or offset fees charged for students who elect to use the school bus transportation system for transportation to and from school; or otherwise act thereon.
Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval to have the superintendent submit this article. Ms. Packer seconded. It was unanimously approved.
At 10:30 p.m. the Administration requested an Executive Session to discuss Collective Bargaining and to hear a grievance in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 39, Section 23B of the Massachusetts General Laws. A roll call vote was taken. All members were in favor of entering into Executive Session.
At 11:28 p.m. the School Committee returned to open session.
During the Executive Session, Mrs. Davis recommended to the School Committee that the implementation schedule of pay increases for non-represented employees be changed. The approved plan of 1% effective July 1, 2003 has turned out to be too labor intensive for timely implementation and retroactive payments. Therefore a recommendation was made to implement a 2% increase, effective mid-year for non-represented personnel. Mr. Freedman moved for approval of this change. Ms. Packer seconded. It was unanimously approved.
The meeting adjourned at 11:30 p.m.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
| 
