Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
June 7, 2004
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, June 7, 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, Dave Murphy, Diane Packer,
Ted Wynne
Members Absent: Henry Haugland, 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
Timothy O’Brien Student Representative
Staff, Parents & Press
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Broekel moved for approval of the School Committee minutes of May 24, 2004. Mr. Wynne seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Ms. Broekel moved for approval of the Executive Session minutes of May 3, 2004. Mr. Freedman seconded. They were unanimously approved.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chair Packer asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak. No one came forward.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Mr. Connolly introduced Mr. John Cice, who will be replacing Jerry Ash. Mr. Cice was welcomed and congratulated on his new appointment.
Chair Packer commended Mrs. Marianne Davis on the recent training session she held with the TEC School Committee members on Collective Bargaining.
Chair Packer announced that the Natick High School graduation ceremony ran very smoothly and thanked all involved for their help in making this a successful day.
Mr. Connolly announced that he attended the dedication ceremony for the Wilson Library and Media Center in honor of Mrs. Gwen Airasian.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed:
RESIGNATIONS: Professional Staff
Karen Milch, special education teacher at Wilson Middle School. Resignation effective June 30, 2004.
Alicia Multer, math teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Resignation effective June 30, 2004.
Christina Ramirez-Platt, school psychologist at Bennett-Hemenway School. Resignation effective June 30, 2004.
Jennifer Smith, grade 6 teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Resignation effective June 30, 2004.
Rebecca Sanborn, grade 1 teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. Resignation effective June 30, 2004.
Carolyn Sullivan, grade 3 teacher at Memorial School. Resignation effective June 30, 2004.
RESIGNATIONS: Support Staff
Vanessa Kern, satellite cook at Natick High School. Resignation effective August 31, 2004.
EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Professional Staff
Caryn Cheverie, math teacher at Natick High School. Maternity leave of absence is effective for the 2004-2005 school year
Melissa Christmas, special education teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Military leave of absence is effective June 4-17, 2004.
Tina Hagan, science teacher at Wilson Middle School. Maternity leave of absence is effective September 1 to December 3, 2004.
CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT/TRANSFER: Professional Staff
Effective for the 2004-2005 school year
Debra Cohen, to be learning center teacher at Brown School.
Ann Galvani, to be English teacher at Wilson Middle School.
Claudia Hopewell, to be full-time music teacher at Natick High School.
Julie King, to be grade 1 teacher at Memorial School.
Stacey Klasnick, to be preschool chairperson at Bennett-Hemenway School.
Marilyn Saltzberg, to be grade 5 teacher at Kennedy Middle School.
Kathleen Shipos, to be (.4) speech & language pathologist at Bennett-Hemenway School.
CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT/TRANSFER: Support Staff
Robin Slattery, to be school-year secretary at Johnson School effective August 23, 2004. Salary, Step 3
APPOINTMENT: Long-Term Substitute
Juliet Murphy, to be grade 3 long-term substitute teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School effective April 26, 2004 to June 1, 2004. Salary, $134.00 per day.
APPOINTMENT: Professional Staff
Effective for the 2004-2005 school year
Thomas Brenneman, to be special education department head at Natick High School.
Karen Rufo, to be system-wide school nurse supervisor.
Julia Boehm, to be grade 2 teacher at Memorial School. Salary, Masters, Step 2.
Meghan Bonaparte, to be grade 2 teacher at Lilja School. Salary, Masters, Step 3.
Dawn Bursk, to be learning center teacher at Johnson School. Salary, Masters +30, Step 4.
Niall Carney, to be grade 7 social studies teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Masters, Step 2.
Catherine Carroll, to be learning center teacher/chairperson at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Masters, Step 8.
John Cice, to be music teacher/band director at Natick High School. Salary, Masters +30, Step 8.
Paula Cohen, to be grade 7 social studies teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 3.
Maria Creonte-Meisner, to be (.5) guidance counselor at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Masters, Step 8.
Neil DiFrancesca, to be English teacher at Natick High School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 5.
Matthew Eaton, to be instrumental music teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 1.
Colleen Fitzpatrick, to be library/media specialist at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Masters, Step 6
Lauren Gilbert-Roithmayr to be special education program supervisor. Salary, Unit B, Step 3.
Joan Habib, to be special education teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Masters +30, Step 6.
Susan Jarboe, to be grade 1 teacher at Johnson School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 4.
Kate Harrington, to be learning center teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Masters, Step 1.
Steven Houston, to be grade 8 science teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Masters, Step 2.
Samuel Kadish, to be special education teacher at Natick High School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 5
Melissa Lifland, to be speech & language pathologist at Brown and Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Masters, Step 3
Michelle McCann, to be grade 8 social studies teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 1.
Catherine McCullough, to be grade 4 teacher at Memorial School. Salary, Masters +30, Step 11.
Ravitte Miller, to be behavioral therapist [full-year]. Salary, $24.53 per hour.
Katherine Rotkiewicz, to be library/media specialist at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 1
Elizabeth Russo, to be grade 3 teacher at Memorial School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 5.
Pollyanna Sidell, to be grade 4 teacher at Memorial School. Salary, Masters +30, Step 1.
Sarah Simon, to be Spanish teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 1.
Caitlin Stempleski, to be family & consumer science teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 1.
APPOINTMENT: Support Staff
Michelle Heyde, to be media/library assistant at Brown School effective August 30, 2004. Salary, Step 3.
APPROVAL OF SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS
Mrs. Barbara Brown presented the School Improvement Plan for the Johnson School. Ms. Broekel moved for approval of this plan. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Ms. Small presented the School Improvement Plan for Brown School. Ms. Broekel moved for approval of this plan. Chair Packer seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Mr. Peskin presented the School Improvement Plan for Bennett-Hemenway School. He touched on his 35 years of experience at Bennett-Hemenway School as he is retiring this year. Ms. Broekel made a motion to name the Bennett-Hemenway School Library after Mr. Peskin in honor of his many years of commitment and dedication to the children of Natick. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved. Ms. Broekel indicated that a formal ceremony will take place in the Fall.
Chair Broekel moved for approval of the School Improvement Plan for Bennett-Hemenway School. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
TO APPROVE THE DEDICATION OF THE MEMORIAL SCHOOL PLAYGROUND
Mr. Connolly requested the School Committee’s formal approval to dedicate the Memorial School Playground to Dr. Kevin Crowley. The Memorial Staff presented this honor to Dr. Crowley last week and a celebration for the formal opening will be held on June 15, 2004 at 1:00 p.m. at Memorial School. Mr. Freedman moved for approval of this dedication. Chair Packer seconded. It was unanimously approved.
UPDATE ON MIDDLE SCHOOL SPECIALS
Mr. Connolly indicated that he is not in a position right to make a recommendation on the middle school specials schedule. More work is needed. He hopes to have a recommendation for the School Committee in early July.
POLICY REVIEW
The School Committee was provided with information on new policies and proposed policy changes pertaining to the following policies:
1. Adjustment to Rental Policy – revised rate structure for the Park and Recreation Department and Collaboratives.
2. Employment Physical and Tuberculosis Test – eliminate the requirement of pre-employment physicals for some positions and reflect the state law change that eliminates a TB test.
3. Environmental Policy – new policy for recycling
4. Student Activity account – new policy
The policy subcommittee will schedule a meeting to give a final review of these policies. These policies will be brought back to the June 21 meeting for a vote.
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
| 
