Approval of Records
April 26, 2004
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
April 12, 2004
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, April 12, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, third floor, Town Hall. Mr. Haugland called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Peg Broekel, Jonathan Freedman, Henry Haugland, Dave Murphy, 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
REORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Mr. Connolly welcomed Mr. Dave Murphy as the new member of the School Committee for a three-year term. Mr. Connolly began the reorganization process.
Mr. Connolly called for nominations for Chair of the School Committee:
Mr. Haugland nominated Ms. Diane Packer as Chair of the School Committee. Mr. Wynne seconded.
Ms. Broekel nominated Mrs. Van Amsterdam as Chair of the School Committee. Mr. Murphy seconded.
Mr. Connolly called for a vote for Ms. Packer as Chair. Ms. Packer was voted in as Chair with a vote of 4 to 2. Ms. Broekel requested a reconsideration vote for Ms. Packer as Chair. Ms. Packer was unanimously voted in as Chair.
Mr. Connolly called for nominations for Vice Chair of the School Committee:
Mrs. Van Amsterdam nominated Jonathan Freedman as Vice Chair of the School Committee. Chair Packer seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Mr. Connolly called for nominations for Clerk of the School Committee:
Chair Packer nominated Ms. Broekel as Clerk of the School Committee. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Mr. Connolly called for nominations for Recording Secretary of the School Committee:
Mr. Haugland nominated Mrs. Sharon Reilly as Recording Secretary of the School Committee. Chair Packer seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Mr. Connolly also requested that the School Committee reaffirm Attorney Naomi Stonberg as the School Committee’s attorney. Mr. Haugland moved for approval to reaffirm Attorney Naomi Stonberg as the School Committee's attorney. Chair Packer seconded. It was unanimously approved.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
The School Committee and Administration recognized Mr. Zachary Garafalo for his time and dedication as Student Representative for the School Committee for the school year 2003/2004.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Broekel moved for approval of the March 15, 2004 minutes. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. They were unanimously approved.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chair Packer asked if any member of the public wished to come forward for Public Speak. Ms. Jennifer Ward, Wellness Coordinator at Natick High School provided the School Committee with an annual report of the Metrowest Community Healthcare Foundation which highlighted the Wellness Program at NHS.
Mr. Scott Davis requested that the School Committee give some consideration to adding some sort of recess time for 5th and 6th graders.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed:
RETIREMENTS: Professional Staff
Gerald Ash, band director at Natick High School. Retirement effective June 30, 2004.
William Bell, special education department head at Natick High School. Retirement effective July 5, 2004.
Mary Breen, social studies teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Retirement effective June 30, 2004.
John Buckley, grade 6 teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Retirement effective June 30, 2004.
Helen Corscadden, special education team chairperson at Kennedy Middle School. Retirement effective September 30, 2004.
Ann Donovan, kindergarten teacher at Memorial School. Retirement effective June 30, 2004.
Gerald Farmelant, social studies teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Retirement effective June 30, 2004.
Laura Gobron, grade 4 teacher at Memorial School. Retirement effective June 30, 2004.
Sandra Grasfield, media specialist/librarian at Kennedy Middle School. Retirement effective June 30, 2004.
Bruce Houston, band director/music teacher at Wilson Middle School. Retirement efective June 25, 2004.
Judith Levin, speech pathologist at Brown School. Retirement effective June 30, 2004.
Ellen Mandell, foreign language teacher at Natick High School. Retirement effective June 30, 2004.
Kathleen Marmorek, guidance counselor at Lilja School. Retirement effective June 30, 2004.
Marcella McLaughlin, English teacher at Natick High School. Retirement effective June 30, 2004.
John Rowan, social studies teacher at Wilson Middle School. Retirement effective June 30, 2004.
W. Russell Rylko, science teacher at Wilson Middle School. Retirement effective June 30, 2004.
Andrea Taylor, media specialist/librarian at Wilson Middle School. Retirement effective June 30, 2004.
Mary Thomas, grade 1 teacher at Johnson School. Retirement effective June 30, 2004.
Patricia Wells, grade 4 teacher at Memorial School. Retirement efective August 23, 2004.
RETIREMENTS: Support Staff
Kathleen Dempsey, school year secretary at Johnson School. Retirement effective June 25, 2004.
Janet Pearl, student support facilitator at Memorial School. Retirement effective June 30, 2004.
RESIGNATIONS: Professional Staff
Kevin Crowley, Principal at Memorial School. Resignation effective at the end of the 2003-2004 school year.
Karen Belsley, kindergarten long-term substitute teacher [grant funded program] at Lilja School. Resignation effective at the end of the day on April 16, 2004.
Diane Bernasconi, family and consumer science teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Resignation effective June 30, 2004.
Andrew Heilpern, grade 6 teacher at Wilson Middle School. Resignation effective June 30, 2004.
Laura Loftus, guidance counselor (.5) at Wilson Middle School who has been on a leave of absence. Resignation effective February 18, 2004.
David Mooney, social studies teacher at Wilson Middle School. Resignation effective March 23, 2004.
Jill Peelle, music teacher at Memorial School. Resignation effective June 30, 2004.
Erica Pierce, laboratory preschool teacher at Natick High School. Resignation effective at the end of the day on May 14, 2004.
Caitlyn Queenin, learning center teacher at Brown School. Resignation effective June 30, 2004.
Krista Niit Riley, grade 2 teacher at Lilja School. Resignation effective June 30, 2004.
Kathleen Ryan, reading specialist at Bennett-Hemenway School. Resignation effective June 30, 2004.
Anson Smith, social studies teacher at Natick High School. Resignation effective June 30, 2004.
Courtney Reagan Webb, behavior therapist in the Pupil Services Department. Resignation effective at the end of the day on August 6, 2004.
RESIGNATIONS: Support Staff
Theresa Drummey, student support facilitator at Bennett-Hemeway School. Resignation effective April 2, 2004.
Zita Lounsbery, food service worker at Memorial School. Resignation effective at the end of the day on April 16, 2004.
CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Support Staff
Gregory Pearson, to be Jr. I custodian at Bennett-Hemenway School effective March 15, 2004.
APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff
Chad Sinclair, to be long-term substitute physical education teacher at Johnson School effective April 7, 2004 to the end of this school year. He is replacing Laura Pestana who is on a maternity leave. Salary, $134.00 per day.
Robert Ghilani, to be long-term substitute social studies teacher at Wilson Middle School effective March 29, 2004 to the end of this school year. He is replacing David Mooney who has resigned. Salary, $134.00 per day.
Maria Sugrue, to be long-term substitute special education/links program teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School effective February 13, 2004 to the end of this school year. Salary, $134.00 per day.
APPOINTMENT: Coaching Staff
Ashley Savilonis, to be girls’ sub-varsity tennis coach for the spring season 2004. Salary, Step 3
APPOINTMENT: Administrative Staff
Beverly McCloskey, to be Principal of Memorial School effective August 1, 2004. Salary, $94,127.00.
APPOINTMENT: Professional Staff
Bridget Donahue, to be kindergarten long-term substitute teacher [grant funded program] at Lilja School effective April 26, 2004. Salary, $134.00 per day.
APPOINTMENTS: Support Staff
Devon Dopfel, to be long-term substitute student support facilitator/links program at Bennett-Hemenway School effective February 22, 2004 to the end of this school year. Salary, 14.14 per hour.
Laurene Ingham, to be lunchroom monitor at Johnson School effective March 8, 2004. Salary, $9.80 per hour.
Michael Marshall, to be Jr. I custodian at Brown and Kennedy Middle School effective March 22, 2004. Salary, Step 1.
George Towne, to be Jr. I custodian at Natick High School effective March 15, 2004. Salary, Step 1.
UPDATE ON FOOD SERVICE CONTRACT
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn reviewed some options for the Food Service Program. Ms. Dunn recommended that the program be reviewed, a revised Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Food Service Management Company be issued and an advertisement be submitted for a Food Service Director who would be a Natick Public Schools employee. The choice of staying with a management company or reverting back to being independent will be explored. Ms. Dunn indicated that this decision will come before the School Committee in May or June via a recommendation made from a group of parents, food service workers, and administrators who will review the RFP’s and interview qualified candidates. Mr. Haugland moved for approval to authorize the administration to issue an RFP for Food Service Management Company and an
Employment advertisement for Food Service Director. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. Mr. Garafalo requested that a student be on the Committee. Mr. Miller requested that a classroom teacher be on the Committee. Mr. Freedman requested that a report come back at the earliest opportunity with projected expenses, a job description and the impact on the revolving account. It was unanimously approved.
UPDATE ON TOWN MEETING ARTICLES
Mr. Connolly discussed the articles coming before Town Meeting where the School Committee has an interest. Mr. Haugland moved for approval to reconfirm the School Committees support of Article 14 which reads:
Move that the Town vote to appropriate the sum of $287,000 to be spent under the direction of the Natick School Committee for the operation and maintenance 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; and that the sum of $287,000 be raised from free cash.
Ms. Broekel seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Ms. Broekel moved for approval to have Chair Packer present the motion for Article 14 to Town Meeting. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Mr. Freedman moved for approval that if any other dollar amount is voted by Town Meeting in support of Article 14, the School Committee will accept this sum of money solely for the Transportation Program and will work out the details at a later date. Ms. Broekel seconded. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF OUT OF STATE TRAVEL
Mrs. Evans requested the School Committee’ approval of an out of state trip for Wilson Middle School Grade 8 students to travel to Portland, Maine on May 26 to attend a baseball game, tour the stadium, and to visit the Portland Head Lighthouse. Mr. Haugland moved for approval of this trip. Ms. Broekel seconded. It was unanimously approved.
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS & GRANTS
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested that the School Committee accept the following donations and grant:
Target – Take Charge of Education Program
Lilja - $309.25
NHS $203.75
Memorial $129.51
Cognex Grant to Wilson: $2500.00
Mr. Freedman moved for approval of the above grant and donations as well as future donations to these funds. Ms. Broekel seconded. It was unanimously approved.
TO AWARD A BID FOR WELLNESS EQUIPMENT
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested that the School Committee award the Wellness Equipment Bid to the following companies based on the recommendation of the Wellness Committee that reviewed and analyzed all of the bids received:
New England Fitness $31,040.00
Fitness Distributors $51,747.50
Life Fitness $8,506.00
$91,293.50
Mr. Freedman moved for approval to award these bids as outlined above. Ms. Broekel seconded. It was unanimously approved.
DECLARATION OF SURPLUS EQUIPMENT
Ms. Mary Ellen Dunn provided the School Committee with a listing of Cardiovascular and Weight Equipment from the Wellness Center at the High School that she wished the School Committee to declare as surplus. This equipment will be replaced by new equipment. There are a couple of area high schools interested in this Wellness Equipment and a move will be arranged during April vacation. This equipment may also be posted on Ebay. Ms. Broekel moved for approval to declare this equipment as surplus. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved. A request was made to alert the community if this equipment is to be posted on Ebay.
At 9:00 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. All members by voice vote agreed to enter into Executive Session.
Returned to open session at 9:20 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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