Approval of Records
April 12, 2004
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
March 15, 2004
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, March 15, 2004 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
Mary Ellen Dunn Director of Fiscal & Management Services
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Zachary Garafalo Student Representative
Staff, Parents & Press
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Broekel moved for approval of the February 23, 2004 minutes. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Ms. Packer moved for approval of the minutes of March 1, 2004. Ms. Broekel seconded. They were unanimously approved.
REPORT FROM DAVID LINSKY, STATE REPRESENTATIVE
Mr. David Linsky, State Representative, and Natick parent was in attendance and wished to thank the Superintendent and Natick School Committee for the superb job that has been done for education in Natick. He presented the superintendent and School Committee with a letter from Edward J. Markey congratulating them on the continued success of the Natick Public Schools. In addition, Mr. Linsky presented them with a citation signed by himself, Alice Peisch, State Representative and Thomas Finneran, Speaker of the House in recognition of Outstanding Achievement in Educating the Children of Natick. Mr. Linsky also provided an update on the state budget and the SBAB program. He requested that the School Committee and Administration get together
with the Finance Committee, the Town Administrator, the Board of Selectmen and get back to him with a recommendation on whether or not to extend the bonding period on school projects to 40 years vs. 20.
RECOGNITION OF HENRY HAUGLAND AS SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR
Mrs. Van Amsterdam, on behalf of the School Committee presented Mr. Haugland with books which will be donated to the Morse Library in his honor for being School Committee Chairman for the period of March 2003 to March 2004. Ms. Broekel, on behalf of the School Committee, presented Mr. Haugland with a plant.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairman Haugland asked if anyone wished to come forward for public speak. Ms. Nancy Jennett, President of the Natick Soccer Club, spoke of her concern of being granted and later denied rental of the gymnasiums for the town soccer program. Ms. Connie Bowman and Mr. John Wadsworth also spoke in support of using the school gymnasiums for soccer practice. A discussion took place about the soccer and lacrosse programs which were denied rentals due to the fact that these sports are outdoor sports given that the proposed facility rental policy prohibits the use of the gyms for outdoor sports. Further explanation was provided that special equipment will be used for these indoor practices.
At this point, Chairman Haugland decided to review the Facility Rental Policy which was scheduled on the agenda for later this evening.
APPROVAL OF FACILITY RENTAL POLICY
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn reviewed a draft copy of the Facility Rental Policy.
Mr. Wynne moved to approve the Facility Rental Policy (Effective July 1, 2004) as stated with the exception of removing item #5 of the Renters Copy of Rules and Regulations which reads:
5. Natick Public School gyms are not available for rental for sports that are designed to be played outside on fields. These sports include, but are not limited to: soccer, lacrosse, baseball and softball.
Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Mr. Wynne made a motion for the Superintendent to work with the Athletic Director and others and come back at his earliest convenience with a recommendation on item #5 (above) of the Facility Rental Policy.
Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Mr. Wynne moved for approval to grant the requests made by the soccer and lacrosse organization (the specific dates that were requested and denied) as long as the administration is satisfied that all the appropriate insurance is in place, waivers have been signed, appropriate equipment is being used and if the facility requested is not available, an alternate location will be offered. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Mr. Wynne moved for approval that those organizations who will be charged reduced fees as a result of the new Facility Rental Policy, which will go into effect July 1, 2004, will receive a retroactive reimbursement back to September 1, 2003. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
EVALUATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
Mr. Haugland reviewed the process used in the evaluation of the Superintendent, Mr. James Connolly. He and Vice Chair, Diane Packer, reviewed the individual evaluations of the seven School Committee members and summarized them into one evaluation document. Mr. Haugland provided copies of the summarized evaluation to all School Committee members, the Superintendent and the public. Mr. Freedman moved for approval of this evaluation document. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
OUT OF STATE TRAVEL
Mr. Hughes requested an out of state travel request for students of Natick High School to travel to Cincinnati, Ohio, April 28 to May 2, 2004 to attend the Business Professionals of America Competition. The students won first and second place at the State competition (Networking) held by the Massachusetts Business Professionals of America last week in Taunton and have qualified for the National competition. Mr. Hughes will provide an update at the School Committee meeting of April 12. Ms. Broekel moved for approval of this trip. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Mr. Connolly reviewed a request for Kennedy 8th grade students to travel to New York City on June 4, 2004. This trip is in place of the former 8th grade trips to Washington. Mr. Freedman moved for approval of this trip. Ms. Packer seconded. It was unanimously approved.
UPDATE FROM MARCH 9 & 11 FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Mr. Connolly provided an update from the March 9 & 11 Finance Committee Meetings. The Finance Committee referred the warrant article on transportation funding back to the School Committee and the school department’s capital budget was unanimously voted as recommended.
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested that the School Committee accept the following donations.
6 Spaulding NBA Ultimate Indoor Basketballs from Mass Bearcats AAU Basketball program valued at $150.00 and $1,323 from the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation – the H & R Block Education Fund. Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of these donations. Ms. Packer seconded. They were unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF CREDIT CARD
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested approval of the School Committee to obtain a credit card for the purpose of its use on E-Bay to auction our surplus equipment. E-Bay requires the card to charge us for services rendered under our auctions. Mr. Freedman moved for approval for the acquisition of a School Department credit card with a credit limit of $5,000 with the only signatory being the Director of Fiscal and Management Services, and the requirement of a Purchase Order being on file and signed by the superintendent when the card is used or committed for the payment of services or supplies. Ms. Broekel seconded. It was unanimously approved.
The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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