Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
June 21, 2004
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, June 21, 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: Jonathan Freedman, Henry Haugland, Dave Murphy, Diane Packer,
Ted Wynne, Kristine Van Amsterdam
Members Absent: Peg Broekel
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
Staff, Parents & Press
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Wynne moved for approval of the School Committee minutes of June 7, 2004. Mr. Freedman seconded. They were unanimously approved.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Ms. Susan Bornstein commented on the number of new hires that hold Bachelors Degrees.
TO ACCEPT NATICK EDUCATION FOUNDATION GRANT DONATIONS
Ms. Karen Adelman Foster, on behalf of the Natick Education Foundation, presented the School Committee with a check in the amount of $37,609.20 for various teacher grants, mostly dealing with science initiatives. Ms. Adelman Foster reviewed the list of grant recipients. Mr. Freedman moved for approval to accept this grant money. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Mrs. Kristine Van Amsterdam reported on the playground dedication held at Memorial School last week. It was a wonderful tribute to Dr. Kevin Crowley.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed:
RESIGNATIONS: Professional Staff
Dean Custer, social worker at Wilson Middle School. Resignation effective June 30, 2004.
Wendy Hanlon, health/wellness teacher at Wilson Middle School. Resignation effective June 30, 2004.
Vera Larkin, science teacher at Natick High School.. Resignation effective June 30, 2004.
Suzanne Raskin, math teacher at Wilson Middle School. Resignation effective June 30, 2004.
Leola Wilson-Stewart, permanent substitute at Natick High School. Resignation effective at the end of the day on June 17, 2004.
RESIGNATIONS: Support Staff
Patricia Kilroy, student support facilitator at Lilja School. Resignation effective at the end of the day on June 17, 2004.
Jennie Shine, food service worker at Natick High School. Resignation effective at the end of the day on June 17, 2004.
TERMINATIONS: Professional Staff
Carole Bell, special needs teacher at Natick High School. Termination effective June 30, 2004.
Melissa Christmas, special needs teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Termination effective June 30, 2004.
Sally DeGeorge, special needs teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. Termination effective June 30, 2004
Lara Walleston, science teacher at Natick High School. Termination effective June 30, 2004.
TERMINATIONS: Family Network and Children First employees
This grant will now be administered by ACCEPT Collaborative
Daryl LoPresti, Family Network Coordinator. Termination effective June 30, 2004.
Audrey Newman, Children First Coordinator. Termination effective June 30, 2004.
Linda Blood, Children First secretary. Termination effective June 30, 2004.
Jennifer Wirkala, Family Network secretary. Termination effective June 30, 2004.
TERMINATION: Support Staff
Carlton Conaway, building support facilitator at Wilson Middle School. Termination effective at the end of the day on June 17, 2004.
CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Professional Staff
Effective for the 2004-2005 school year
Suzanne Johnson, to be (.2) music teacher at Wilson Middle School.
Elise Molloy, to be full-time guidance counselor at Lilja School.
Marjorie Roberson, to be instructional technology teacher at Natick High School.
CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Support Staff
Effective for the 2004-2005 school year
Anne Cantin, to be technology support facilitator for the system-wide Help Desk.
Maxine Klein, to be technology support facilitator for Memorial School (.6) and Lilja School (.4).
Myra Korin, to be student support facilitator at Natick High School.
Michael Dempsey, to be student support facilitator at Brown School.
Stephanie Meyler, to be technology support facilitator at Bennett-Hemenway School (.8) and Lilja School (.2).
RE-APPOINTMENTS & PROFESSIONAL TEACHER STATUS APPOINTMENTS
BENNETT-HEMENWAY STATUS CURRENT ASSIGNMENT
RE-APPOINTMENTS: 2004-2005 school year
BRUNDIGE* SARAH 1ST YR SPEECH THERAPIST
COHEN* DEBRA 1ST YR EVALUATION TEAM CHAIR Re-appt to Lrng Ctr/Brown
COLONNA* SAPNA 1ST YR SPEECH THERAPIST
GIBSON* JAMES 1ST YR ELEMENTARY/GRADE 3
HJORTH* LORRIE 1ST YR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
MCGEE* GERALD 1ST YR PHYS ED (.2)
MULLER* LAURA 1ST YR ELEMENTARY/KINDERGARTEN
THOMPSON* BERNICE 1ST YR SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER
KING* JULIE 2ND YR ELEMENTARY/ KINDERGARTEN Re-appt to Gr 1/Memorial
LAMBERT* KIMBERLY 2ND YR SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER
TELSCHOW* JOANNA 2ND YR ELEMENTARY /GRADE 3
BRINK* REBECCA 3RD YR MUSIC (.4)
CAMAYA* CAROLINA 3RD YR ELEMENTARY/KINDERGARTEN
APPOINTMENTS: PROFESSIONAL TEACHER STATUS 2004-2005 school year
ANDERSEN* JEANNE 3RD YR SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER
DONOHUE* KRISTEN 3RD YR ELEMENTARY/GRADE 4
LAJOIE* KIMBERLY 3RD YR ELEMENTARY/GRADE 2
BROWN
RE-APPOINTMENTS: 2004-2005 school year
CONESA* ISABEL 1ST YR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
COSTELLO* PAMELA 1ST YR ELEMENTARY/GRADE 2
ROTMAN* RACHAEL 1ST YR ELEMENTARY/GRADE 2
VOGEL* MICHELLE 1ST YR ELEMENTARY/GRADE 1
KENNEY* MARTHA 2ND YR ELEMENTARY/GRADE 1
APPOINTMENTS: PROFESSIONAL TEACHER STATUS 2004-2005 school year
COHEN* ALICIA 3RD YR SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER
MABB* JENNIFER 3RD YR ELEMENTARY/GRADE 4
MARTIN* ANNA 3RD YR ELEMENTARY/GRADE 1
MUNSON* KAREN 3RD YR ELEMENTARY/GRADE 2
JOHNSON
RE-APPOINTMENTS: 2004-2005 school year
BEAUDOIN* MICHELLE 1ST YR ELEMENTARY/KINDERGARTEN
FLEMING* CHERYL 1ST YR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR (.6)
JACOB* AMELIA 1ST YR SCHOOL PYSCHOLOGIST (.4)
KENNY* BRENDA 1ST YR ELEMENTARY/GRADE 3
SCHUH* LESLIE 1ST YR ELEMENTARY/KINDERGARTEN
JODICE* MARK 2ND YR MUSIC
SCOTT* ELIZABETH 2ND YR ELEMENTARY/KINDERGARTEN
LILJA
RE-APPOINTMENTS: 2004-2005 school year
BOURN* KAREN 1ST YR ELEMENTARY/GRADE 4
BOWE* STEPHANIE 1ST YR ELEMENTARY/KINDERGARTEN
BOYLAN* MARY ELLEN1ST YR ELEMENTARYGRADE 4
CROSS* HEATHER 1ST YR SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER
ELSER SMITH* JEANNE 1ST YR ELEMENTARY/GRADE 1
WEAVER* JANE 1ST YR MUSIC
ADAMS* HANNAH 2ND YR ELEMENTARY/GRADE 1
CHASE* KENDRA 2ND YR ELEMENTARY/GRADE 3
HARKINS* EDYTHE 2ND YR SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER
O'BRIEN* ILSE 2ND YR ELEMENTARY/GRADE 4
O'BRIEN-SMITH* LISA 2ND YR READING
PELLETIER* ANDRE` 2ND YR ELEMENTARY/GRADE 1
APPOINTMENTS: PROFESSIONAL TEACHER STATUS 2004-2005 school year
DA LAN* GINA 3RD YR SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER
SHIPOS* KATHLEEN 3RD YR SPEECH THERAPIST Appt to Speech/Lang (.4)/Ben-Hem
MEMORIAL
RE-APPOINTMENTS: 2004-2005 school year
KINKEAD* MARYBETH 1ST YR SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER (.5)
MIKAELIAN* NEVART 1ST YR SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER
DIVITO* KAREN 2ND YR ELEMENTARY/GRADE 1
GROW* JORDAN 2ND YR ELEMENTARY/GRADE 4
APPOINTMENTS: PROFESSIONAL TEACHER STATUS 2004-2005 school year
ANDERSON* KATHLEEN 3RD YR ELEMENTARY/GRADE 4
DANDURAND*KRISTEN 3RD YR ELEMENTARY/GRADE 3
GETZ* E LLEN 3RD YR ELEMENTARY/GRADE 2
HRONES* PAMELA 3RD YR ELEMENTARY/GRADE 2
KENNEDY
RE-APPOINTMENTS: 2004-2005 school year
BRAUNINGER* JOANNE 1ST YR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
COTTON KENNETH 1ST YR SOCIAL STUDIES
LOUNSBURY* MARA 1ST YR FOREIGN LANGUAGE
MALAGODI* NICOLE 1ST YR SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER
PITTMAN* SUSAN 1ST YR SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER
STEFANINI THOMAS 1ST YR INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY
WHALL MARINA 1ST YR MATH
BEARMAN* BRETT 2ND YR SOCIAL WORKER
CORMIER JESSICA 2ND YR FOREIGN LANGUAGE
DROLET* RICHARD 2ND YR GRADE 6
MASON* MICHELLE 2ND YR GRADE 5
ROSSI* JENNIFER 2ND YR TEACHER ESL
TOBIN-COOK* LISA 2ND YR SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST
PARGA* ROBERT 2ND YR VICE PRINCIPAL MIDDLE
APPOINTMENTS: PROFESSIONAL TEACHER STATUS 2004-2005 school year
BIRD* LYNN 3RD YR SPEECH THERAPIST
BRENNEMAN* ELLEN 3RD YR SCIENCE
PIERCE* KATHY 3RD YR SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER
WILSON
RE-APPOINTMENTS: 2004-2005 school year
BLANKESPOOR* LISA 1ST YR ART
DEMING* KAREN 1ST YR ENGLISH
DICKEY* SHAUNA 1ST YR GRADE 5
DONOHOE* RAYMOND 1ST YR GRADE 6
GAFUR* MARK 1ST YR SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER
HEIDEN* MICHAEL 1ST YR MATH
HEIDEN* ELIZABETH 1ST YR GRADE 6
JOHNSON* SUZANNE 1ST YR MUSIC (.4) Re-appt to Music (.2)
KENNEDY* TAMARA 1ST YR GRADE 6
MCDONOUGH* KIRSTEN 1ST YR GRADE 5
MILLER* MATTHEW 1ST YR GRADE 6
MOLLOY* ELISE 1ST YR SOCIAL WRKER (.5) Re-appt to FT Guidance/Lilja
SANBORN* RONALD 1ST YR GRADE 5
SCAFATI* JULIE 1ST YR SCIENCE
SMARDON* JENNIFER 1ST YR SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER
SMITH* AMANDA 1ST YR WELLNESS
WHITE* JENNIFER 1ST YR SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER
NOLIN* ANNA 1ST YR VICE PRINCIPAL MIDDLE
HAGAN* TINA 2ND YR SCIENCE
KROL* DEBORAH 2ND YR EVALUATION TEAM CHAIR
POISSANT* KERI 2ND YR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
SCAMPINI* ROSE 2ND YR SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER
ROBERSON* MARJORIE 3RD YR INSTR TECHNOLOGY Re-appt to Instr Technology/High School
APPOINTMENTS: PROFESSIONAL TEACHER STATUS 2004-2005 school year
HILLEY* MICHELE 3RD YR SPEECH THERAPIST
MORETZ* HEATHER 3RD YR MUSIC
RANDALL* MARY LOU 3RD YR MATH
SLETZINGER* JUDITH 3RD YR FOREIGN LANGUAGE
WATTS* JEANNE 3RD YR MATH
HIGH SCHOOL
RE-APPOINTMENTS: 2004-2005 school year
BLACKBURN* WINSTON 1ST YR SOCIAL STUDIES
BRENNEMAN* MATTHEW 1ST YR SOCIAL STUDIES
CHAMBERLAIN* BRIAN 1ST YR SPECIAL NEEDS NORTHSTAR
CHUTE* MICHAEL 1ST YR SOCIAL STUDIES
COLLINS* TIMOTHY 1ST YR ENGLISH
DARRAGH* KARI-ANN 1ST YR SOCIAL STUDIES
DICKERSON JOEL 1ST YR SPECIAL NEEDS NORTHSTAR
DISALVO* HOLLY 1ST YR SOCIAL STUDIES
DOYLE* JOHN 1ST YR SCIENCE
HARMON* PAUL 1ST YR ENGLISH
HUGHEY LISA 1ST YR SCIENCE
MCCARTHY* JANE 1ST YR SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER
NAPIER* CAMILLE 1ST YR ENGLISH
PLUMER* ELIZABETH 1ST YR SCIENCE
SCOTT* DOUGLAS 1ST YR BUSINESS ED
TIGGES* DOMENICA 1ST YR FOREIGN LANGUAGE
WARD* JENNIFER 1ST YR WELLNESS COORDINATOR
ALLISON* EILEEN 2ND YR MATH
BURNELL* ALYSE 2ND YR MATH
DONNELLY* JOANNA 2ND YR ENGLISH
KARETSKIY* ALEKSANDR 2ND YR FOREIGN LANGUAGE
LEVIN* ANDREA 2ND YR SOCIAL WORKER
MCFARLAND* JOSEPH 2ND YR ENGLISH/ESL
SZOLOMAYER* CHERYL 2ND YR SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER
VODVARKA* JANET 2ND YR SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST (.5)
WONG* JULIE 2ND YR MATH
ASTILL* K. JOHN 2ND YR MATH DEPT HEAD
LAMB* THOMAS 2ND YR ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
BARBOSA* PAULA 3RD YR FOREIGN LANGUAGE
HINNENKAMP* DANIEL 3RD YR SCIENCE
TAVARES* KELLY 3RD YR FOREIGN LANGUAGE
APPOINTMENTS: PROFESSIONAL TEACHER STATUS 2004-2005 school year
ANNIBALLI* ROBERT 3RD YR WELLNESS
FRANCIOSE* JAMES 3RD YR SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER
HAVERSTICK* SUSAN 3RD YR BUSINESS ED/SCIENCE
KARNA* ANU 4TH YR MATH
LINTON* BRIAN 3RD YR SPECIAL NEEDS NORTHSTAR
WARD* ELIZABETH 3RD YR SOCIAL STUDIES
WEBER* LINDA 3RD YR SCIENCE
ZIEGLER* ANNETTE 3RD YR SOCIAL WORKER
CENTRAL ADMIN
RE-APPOINTMENTS: 2004-2005 school year
SLAVIK* CHRISTY 1ST YR CURRICULUM COORD/ELA
APPOINTMENTS: PROFESSIONAL TEACHER STATUS 2004-2005 school year
KLASNICK* STACEY 3RD YR SPECIAL NEEDS COORDINATOR Appt to
Preschool Chair/Ben-Hem
APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff
Susan Grassia, to be grade 1 teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 1.
Todd Kaplan, to be grade 7 social studies teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 1.
Allison Lenk, to be reading specialist at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Masters +30, Step 10.
Jonathan Levy, to be physics teacher at Natick High School. Salary, Masters, Step 4.
Angela Martino, to be mathematics teacher at Natick High School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 1.
Ann Marie Montello, to be learning center teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Masters, Step 6.
Suzanne O’Neill, to be grade 5 teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Masters, Step 4.
Kelle Shugrue, to be English teacher at Natick High School. Salary, Bachelors, Step 3.
Maria Sugrue, to be grade 1 teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Masters, Step 8.
APPOINTMENT: Support Staff
Carole Bell, to be student support facilitator at Natick High School effective August 30, 2004. Salary, Step 3
Constance Culkin, to be media/library assistant at Kennedy Middle School effective August 30, 2004. Salary, Step 2
In addition, Mr. Connolly announced that Mr. Alex Popp will be the interim Principal for the Bennett-Hemenway School for the 2004/2005 school year. Mr. Popp recently retired as the Principal of the Thoreau School in Concord.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPECIALS UPDATE
Mr. Connolly discussed middle school scheduling issues pertaining to the special subjects. He discussed the pros and cons of holding band and chorus programs before and after school. He recommended that band and chorus meet twice a cycle for next year and support before and after school enrichment programs in the arts as part of an expanded extracurricular activity program and will continue to work with the principals and strategize a plan for the future. Mr. Connolly apologized to the School Committee for the fact that the 7th and 8th grade band and chorus programs only met 2 times in a 6 day schedule this past year as opposed to what the School Committee had voted on last Spring which was to have band and chorus meet 3 times in a 6 day cycle.
Mr. Haugland moved for approval to:
· rescind the vote taken by the School Committee last Spring which was to have band and chorus meet 3 times in a 6 day cycle;
· to approve the superintendent’s recommendation that the band and chorus meet twice a cycle for next year;
· support before and after school enrichment programs in the arts as part of an expanded extracurricular activity program; and continue to work with the principals and strategize a plan for the future.
Ms. Packer seconded. A discussion continued. A request was made for the superintendent to send out a letter to middle school staff members explaining that this is a one year change until such time that a strategic decision can be made on the specials schedule. A vote was taken. The motion carried 4 to 2. This item will come back to the School Committee in early November.
CURRICULUM REPORT
Dr. Karen LeDuc summarized the work done this past year in regard to curriculum, instruction and assessment. The School Committee commended Dr. LeDuc for the accomplishments made this past year and suggested that this information be communicated throughout the community.
TECHNOLOGY SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATE
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn provided an update on what the Technology Subcommittee has been working on over the past seven months.
NATICK FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM REVIEW AND OPTIONS
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn reported that the Natick Food Service Management Contract with Aramark expires on June 30, 2004. In April a Food Service Advisory Committee was established to begin a review process to decide whether or not to form a partnership with a management company with clearly defined expectations or find a Food Service Director to operate the program that we envision. After several meetings of the advisory committee, including interviews, they recommended that we continue with a Food Service Management Company and requested that the top two Food Service Director candidates be considered for employment with the management company. Mrs. Dunn requested that the School Committee allow her to enter into a contract with Chartwells, a Food Service Management Company for the school year 2004-2005,
with one-year extensions until June 2007. Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval of Mrs. Dunn’s request. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested the School Committee’s approval to accept the following donations:
Barnes & Noble Gift Card to HS Library $50.00
Original Art Work to Lilja School $750.00
Wilson PTO to Science Dept. for Vernier Probes $3000.00
Mr. Freedman moved for approval to accept these donations. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
POLICY REVIEW
Mr. Connolly presented the following policies/amendments to the School Committee for its approval. At its meeting of June 7th, proposed policy changes were presented to the School Committee. After discussion, the School Committee voted to have the policy subcommittee meet and submit revised recommendations. The policy subcommittee met on June 17th. The following are its recommendations:
Staff Personal Security and Safety – eliminates the requirement of a TB test (change in state law) and states the school system may require a physical rather than shall. Mr. Freedman moved for approval of this change. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Environmental Policy – in paragraph three added “to the extent possible”. Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval to implement this policy. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Rental Policy Adjustments- adjusts the rate charged to Parks and Recreation for summer use of school buildings and exempts rental charges to TEC and Project Accept for certain uses. Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval on this change. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Student Activity Account – Establishes student activity accounts in accordance with Chapter 71, Section 47. Mr. Freedman moved for approval to implement a policy. Mrs. Van Amsterdam seconded. It was unanimously approved.
All votes will be contingent upon review by Town Counsel.
APPROVAL OF 26TH AMENDMENT TO THE TEC AGREEMENT
Mr. Freedman moved for approval of the 26th Amendment to the TEC Agreement. Mr. Haugland seconded. It was unanimously approved.
END OF YEAR BUDGET STATUS/FY05 BUDGET/HIGH SCHOOL BOILER REPAIRS
Mr. Connolly discussed the status of the end of year budget. Due to a surplus in the special education tuitions budget and the salary and wages budget, he recommends that we prepay special education tuitions, replenish the 10% instructional supply budget reduction, replace textbooks, replace the cafeteria ceilings in Brown & Lilja , upgrade the computer operating systems to OS X, purchase software to manage internet bandwidth, convert the IEP writing program to web based software, purchase two floor scrubbers, purchase some new classroom furniture for Johnson and upgrade library catalog software in that order. Mrs. Van Amsterdam moved for approval on these expenditures. Mr. Freedman seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Mr. Connolly updated the School Committee on the FY05 budget and a proposal to repair the high school boilers at a cost substantially less than expected.
TO APPROVE AN ADJUSTMENT TO THE SUPERINTENDENT’S SALARY
Chair Packer requested the School Committee’s approval to increase the superintendent’s salary commensurate with the bargaining units which is a 2% mid year raise which will be retroactive to January 1, 2004 and a 1.5% increase as of July 1, 2004. Mr. Haugland moved for approval of this request. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved. Mr. Freedman moved for approval to authorize Chair Packer to amend the Superintendent’s contract. Mr. Murphy seconded. It was unanimously approved.
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
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