Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
February 2, 2004
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, February 2, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lower Meeting Room, Morse Library. 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 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
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairman Haugland asked if anyone wished to come forward for public speak. No one came forward.
PUBLIC HEARING ON THE FY05 BUDGET
The School Committee held a public hearing on the FY05 budget. Mr. Connolly presented an overview of the budget and responded to questions from the School Committee and public.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Ms. Packer reported that the Transportation Committee met last Thursday and will be meeting again this Thursday and are looking at a variety of scenarios.
Ms. Packer reported on the recent TEC Board of Directors meeting. The TEC budget has been approved. Natick’s overall assessment is slightly less this year. John Connolly, Director of TEC, will be coming to speak to the School Committee this Spring.
Mrs. Audrey Seyffert reported that the DOE conducted an onsite compliance review last Friday. The report will not be finalized for a month or two, but the findings were exemplary.
Mr. Connolly alerted the School Committee that the reorganization meeting on March 24 will have to be postponed to a later date since the election is not held until March 30. Mr. Haugland moved for approval to change the meeting of March 24 to March 31. Mr. Cashman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
PRESCHOOL TUITIONS
Mrs. Seyffert provided the School Committee with a recommendation to increase preschool tuitions for FY05. She provided them with a comparison of private school tuitions and other public school tuitions. Mr. Wynne moved for approval to increase the preschool rates as outlined. Ms. Broekel seconded. It was unanimously approved. Mr. Bruce Wright, Finance Committee member, requested backup material on the per pupil cost vs. the fees charged.
CAPITAL BUDGET
Mr. Graham reviewed the Town’s preliminary request for capital funds for the School Department. The list is sorted in priority order and totals $725,000. Mr. Graham re-prioritized the funds based on the immediate needs of the school buildings. Mr. Freedman moved for approval on Mr. Graham’s re-prioritized recommendations. Ms. Broekel seconded. After further discussion, Mr. Freedman requested that the item be tabled until the next meeting given the School Committee’s practice of presentations one night with action taken at the following meeting. Ms. Packer seconded. It was unanimously approved to table until the meeting of February 23, 2004.
ACCEPTANCE OF BUILDINGS
As required by the School Building Assistance Program, a vote of the School Committee accepting projects for school purposes is necessary in order to complete the SBA grant application and audit procedures. Therefore, the School Committee needs to accept the following schools for school purposes: Brown, Lilja and Bennett-Hemenway. Ms. Packer moved for approval to accept these schools for school purposes. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATION
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested that the School Committee accept a donation of $1,000 from Stop and Shop to be used to support the Wilson interscholastic Basketball Program. Ms. Packer moved for approval to accept this donation. Ms. Broekel seconded. It was unanimously approved.
At 9:00 p.m. the Administration requested an Executive Session to discuss 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 9:25 p.m. the School Committee returned to open session.
The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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