Approval of Records
May 3, 2004
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
April 26, 2004
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, April 26, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, third floor, Town Hall. Chair Packer called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Peg Broekel, Jonathan Freedman, Henry Haugland, Diane Packer,
Kristine Van Amsterdam, Ted Wynne
Mr. Murphy arrived at 7:40 p.m.
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
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of the minutes of April 12, 2004. Ms. Broekel seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of the Executive Session minutes of April 12, 2004. Ms. Broekel seconded. They were unanimously approved.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chair Packer asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak. No one came forward.
OVERVIEW OF THE EDUCATION COLLABORATIVE
Mr. John Connolly, Director of The Education Collaborative provided the School Committee with an overview of services provided by The Education Collaborative. He provided them with a packet of material describing the various programs.
INTRODUCTION OF SCOTT BROWN, STATE SENATOR
Mr. Connolly introduced the newly elected Senator, Scott Brown. Senator Brown gave a quick overview of the funding for METCO, the Circuit Breaker, Chapter 70 funding and the SBAB Program. Mr. Connolly gave a presentation on funding concerns for three state programs: METCO, School Choice and Charter Schools and discussed the inequities in the funding formulas. Senator Brown indicated that he would like to meet with Mr. Connolly at a later date and discuss this in more detail.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Chair Packer announced that the Natick Education Foundation will be holding its annual Spelling Bee on Tuesday, May 4 at NHS.
Chair Packer thanked Town Meeting for their support of Article 14 - $287,000 to support transportation costs which will reduce the fee based transportation cost to $150 per student, $300 family cap for students who live under 2 miles to their school. Transportation for students who live over 2 miles will be town funded.
Mr. Freedman announced that there will be an educational town meeting in Framingham with Governor Romney. It is scheduled for the evening of May 17. Mr. Freedman moved for approval to reschedule the School Committee meeting of May 17 to May 24. Mr. Haugland seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Mr. Zachary Garafalo announced that the high school has held their elections for the Student Advisory Board. They will soon be electing a chairperson who will serve as the Student Representative of the School Committee.
Mr. Connolly recognized Shannon Daggett, reporter for the Natick TAB/Bulletin and the Metrowest News who will be leaving this area to become editor of the Sharon and Canton newspapers.
MIDDLE SCHOOL IMPLEMENTATION REVIEW
Dr. Karen LeDuc presented an overview of the middle school model which was implemented this school year.
The following concerns/comments/questions were raised:
· Is there enough down time for students, particularly for 5th graders?
· Are children being challenged in class – is differentiated instruction being executed?
· Is there enough staff development for differentiated instruction?
· Look at the experience of the high school and elementary schools as to how they are dealing with the concept of differentiated instruction.
· Transition of 4th to 5th grade – look beyond the emotional transition, focus on the educational transition
· Consider stronger parent/teacher partnership
· We are looking at new books for algebra and geometry – do we have the right strategy – find out what exemplary schools are doing.
· Are we certain we are doing the right thing in the K-6 environment?
· Would like to see K-12 vertical look at all subjects – particularly 8th – 9th
· What are the plans for additional feedback?
· Inconsistencies in communications
· What are the changes in the special subject areas?
· Deeply concerned of lowering the standards of performance of the band program
· Concern raised about labeling students “the smart kids”, high achievers, gifted, etc.
· Concerns over diminishing the band program
· Would like more information on the special subject areas particularly chorus and band this year vs. next year
· Need better understanding of wellness concept – physical education, consumer foods, health
· Could more time be structured for band and chorus after the academic day? What are the advantages/disadvantages
More discussion will take place at the meeting of May 24.
RATIFICATION OF EDUCATION SUPPORT FACILITATORS CONTRACT
Mr. Haugland moved for approval of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Education Support Personnel and the Natick School Committee dated March 28, 2004. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
TO EXTEND THE LEASE FOR NATICK EXTENDED DAY
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested the School Committee’s approval to extend the lease for the Natick Extended Day program for the 2004/2005 school year at the rate of $4500 per quarter. Mr. Haugland moved for approval. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
EXTENSION OF BUS CONTRACTS
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested the School Committee’s approval to extend the transportation contracts for Michael J. Connolly & Sons, Inc. and JFK Transportation, Inc. for year 4 and 5 as bid on May 9, 2001. Mr. Haugland moved for approval to extend these contracts. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
TO APPROVE SCHOOL COMMITTEE SUBCOMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD OF APRIL 2004 TO MARCH 2005
The School Committee reviewed its various subcommittees. Mr. Wynne moved for approval to disband the Athletic Advisory Committee, the Curriculum Council and representation on the Charter By Law Committee and to accept the subcommittee assignments below for the period of April 2004 to March 2005.
SUBCOMMITTEE SC REP/DESIGNEE
FOR 4/2004-3/2005
Suburban Coalition Re - Diane Packer/Kristine Van Amsterdam
This is an open meeting – all members are invited to attend if available
TEC Board of Directors - Diane Packer, Jim Connolly, Kristine Van Amsterdam (Alternate)
This is an open meeting – all members may attend if available
Natick Education Foundation - Dave Murphy (Appointed by NEF)
Policy Subcommittee Jonathan Freedman, Kristine Van Amsterdam, Jim Connolly
Safety Committee - Peg Broekel
Senior Center Liaison - Peg Broekel, Ted Wynne
Technology Subcommittee
Established November 4, 2002
Jeffry Bram Catherine Neumann
Dan Cooper Stephen Portnoy
Ken Goldman Michael Ricard
Gabe Handel Ann Sager
Brent Koepel Sean True
Daryl Morey Jim Connolly
Mary Ellen Dunn Barbara Kane
Town Budget Planning Committee - Kristine Van Amsterdam
Middle School Building Committee
1 Member appointed by Selectmen – Mysore Ravindra
1 Member appointed by Town Moderator –Dight Crain
1 Member appointed by Fin Com – Patrick Haswell
1 member appointed by Plng Board – John Ciccariello
5 Members appointed by the School Committee
– Joe Naughton
– Jack O’Neil
– Jason Makofsky
– Jay Sheehan
High School Building Committee
1 Member appointed by Selectmen – John Ciccariello
1 Member appointed by Town Moderator –John O’Neil
1 Member appointed by Fin Com – Bruce Wright
1 member appointed by Plng Board – Kenneth Small
5 Members appointed by the School Committee
– Barbara Isaf
– Joseph Naughton
– Mark Raider
– Mysore Ravindra
– Mark Sereda
Transportation Subcommittee - Mary Ellen Dunn, Kristine Van Amsterdam, Diane Packer
NEGOTIATION TEAM
SC REPRESENTATIVE
4/2004-3/2005
Maintenance & Custodians - Peg Broekel, Henry Haugland
Cafeteria - Henry Haugland, Diane Packer
Teachers, Nurses & Administrators (EAN Units A,B,C) - Jonathan Freedman, Henry Haugland, Kristine Van Amsterdam, Peg Broekel (Alternate)
Secretaries & Clerks - Peg Broekel, Ted Wynne
Teacher Assistants - Jonathan Freedman, Ted Wynne, Dave Murphy (Alternate)
Title 1 - Diane Packer, Dave Murphy
Non- Represented Personnel - Peg Broekel, Henry Haugland, Diane Packer (Alternate)
APPROVAL OF NON-RESIDENT STUDENTS
Mr. Connolly reported that members of the Natick Public School’s professional staff have requested the School Committee’s permission to enroll their children in the Natick Public Schools, effective for the 2004/2005 school year. The children will be entering:
Natick High School Grade 10
Natick High School Grade 12
Memorial School Grade K
Memorial School Grade 1
Brown School Grade K
These requests fall within the provisions of Chapter 76, Section 6. There is no conflict with the “choice law” since the Committee has not charged tuition in similar cases. Mr. Haugland moved for approval to allow these children to attend Natick Public Schools as outlined above for the 2004/2005 school year. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF THE FINAL DAY OF SCHOOL FOR 2003/2004
Mr. Connolly requested the School Committee’s approval to adjust the date for the last day of school for the 2003/2004 school year. Since the system lost two days as a result of inclement weather as of this date, the last day of school for students and professional staff will be Thursday, June 17, 2004 (early release). This date provides for the completion of the required 180-day school year for students and the 182-day year for the professional staff. Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of this date. Ms. Broekel seconded. It was unanimously approved.
The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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