Approval of Records
May 24, 2004
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
May 3, 2004
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, May 3, 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, 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
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Wynne moved for approval of the School Committee minutes of April 26, 2004 without the section regarding subcommittee assignments. Ms. Broekel seconded. They were unanimously approved without the subcommittee assignments.
The School Committee reviewed the subcommittee assignments and made the following corrections to the information that was contained in the School Committee packet of May 3, 2004:
· Ms Broekel will remain as the only representative to the Safety Committee
· Ms. Broekel will continue as the alternate on the Teachers, Nurses & Administrators (EAN Units A,B,C)
Ms. Broekel moved for approval of the following revised subcommittee assignments for the period of April 2004 to March 2005. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. They were unanimously approved.
SUBCOMMITTEE SC REP/DESIGNEE
FOR 4/2004-3/2005
Suburban Coalition Rep - 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)
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chair Packer asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak. No one came forward.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Chair Packer made the following announcements:
· The Natick Education Foundation’s Annual Spelling Bee is being held on Tuesday, May 4 at 7:00 p.m. at Natick High School.
· The School Committee has received an invitation to participate in the Fourth of July Parade which is being held at 9:00 a.m. on July 5.
· The Transfer of Flags is being held on the evening of May 26 at Wilson Middle School. Mrs. Van Amsterdam indicated that she will be attending this event.
· The educational town meeting that Governor Romney will be having in Framingham on May 17th is now being held at the Fuller Middle School, Flagg Drive in Framingham (behind the courthouse) at 7:00 p.m. The next School Committee meeting will now be held on May 24 to allow members to attend the meeting with Governor Romney.
· Bus pass registration is due by May 30. There will be a registration option online for use with credit cards.
MERIT SCHOLAR FINALISTS
The Administration and School Committee recognized Jonah K. Ostroff, Betar M. Gallant, and Brian D. Stark for being Finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. These students have met all the requirements to advance to Finalist standing for National Merit Scholarship Program for 2004. They were presented with certificates of achievement and congratulated by all present.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed:
RETIREMENT: Support Staff
Barbara Rose, media/library assistant at Brown School. Retirement effective June 30, 2004.
RESIGNATIONS: Professional Staff
Gina DeLuca, special education teacher at Wilson Middle School. Resignation effective June 30, 2004.
Frank Weinert, math tutor at Wilson Middle School. Resignation effective at the end of the day on April 8, 2004.
EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Professional Staff
Lisa Hayes, grade 3 teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. Family/adoption leave is effective April 26 to June 1, 2004.
Jennifer Oriel, grade 1 teacher at Memorial School. Maternity leave is effective for the 2004-2005 school year.
APPOINTMENT: Professional Staff
Paula Cohen, to be social studies long-term substitute at Wilson Middle School effective May 15, 2004 to the end of this school year. Salary, $134.00 per day.
APPOINTMENT: Support Staff
Brian Moloney, to be student support facilitator long-term substitute at Natick High School effective April 16, 2004 to the end of this school year. Salary, $14.42 per hour.
APPROVAL OF OUT OF STATE TRAVEL
Mr. Freedman moved for approval for Natick High School students to travel to Holderness, New Hampshire on May 26, 2004 to visit the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. Mr. Freedman moved for approval of this trip. Mr. Haugland seconded. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE
The School Committee was presented with a schedule of meetings for the 2004/2005 school year. Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of these dates. Ms. Broekel seconded. They were unanimously approved.
TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION REGARDING SCHOOL CHOICE
Mr. Connolly indicated that the School Committee needs to take a vote regarding School Choice. In accordance with the provisions of the School Choice Law, a school committee must annually vote to not participate in school choice. If the committee does not vote, then the district automatically becomes a school choice district. Mr. Connolly recommended that the School Committee adopt the resolution submitted to the Committee to not participate in School Choice. Mr. Haugland moved for approval to adopt the resolution that states that the Natick School Committee declines to participate in the School Choice program. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
TO DISCUSS THE NAMING OF WILSON MIDDLE SCHOOL LIBRARY
Mrs. Evans discussed a request which has been made to name the Wilson Middle School Library after Mrs. Gwen Airasian, a beloved colleague and teacher, who passed away in January of 2002. Mrs. Evans introduced Ms. Anne Malloy, Grade 5 Teacher at Wilson Middle School, who worked with the staff to come up with this suggestion to honor Mrs. Airasian. The request was submitted along with 520 signatures in support of this idea. Mrs. Evans also introduced Ms. Kay Dopfel, Grade 5 Wilson Middle School teacher, and Ms. Faith Woodside, Grade 8 student, who spoke very highly of Mrs. Airasian. Mr. Haugland moved for approval of this request. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS
School Improvement Plans were presented for Lilja School, Memorial School, Kennedy Middle School and Wilson Middle School. Ms. Broekel moved for approval of these plans. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. They were unanimously approved.
At 9:25 p.m. the Administration requested an Executive Session to hear a grievance in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 39, Section 23B of the Massachusetts General Laws.
At 10:35 p.m. the School Committee returned to open session.
The School Committee set a date for its next retreat to Saturday, June 5, 2004 at 8:15 a.m. at the Town Hall.
The meeting adjourned at 10:38 p.m.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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