Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
August 30, 2004
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, August 30, 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,
Ted Wynne
Others present: James J. Connolly Superintendent of Schools
Karen Leacu LeDuc 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 June 21, 2004. Mr. Freedman seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Mr. Freedman moved for approval of the School Committee Retreat minutes of June 5, 2004. Mr. Murphy 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
Chair Packer reported that Peg Broekel will no longer be able to serve as the School Committee’s representative on the Safety Committee due to other obligations. Chair Packer expressed her thanks to Ms. Broekel for serving on this committee over the past 5 years. The Safety Committee meets once a month on Tuesday mornings at 10:00. Ms. Mary Ellen Dunn will attend the Safety Committee meeting tomorrow.
REPORT ON OPENING OF SCHOOL FOR 2004/2005
Mr. Connolly gave a status report on matters pertaining to the opening of school. Everything seems to be in order and we are ready to go. Chair Broekel requested a copy of Mr. Connolly’s speech given to the staff at the opening day breakfast.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
Mr. Connolly reviewed the following personnel actions:
RETIREMENT: Professional Staff
Stuart Peskin, Principal of Bennett-Hemenway School. Retirement effective August 31, 2004.
RETIREMENT: Support Staff
Arthur Mann, maintenance department employee. Retirement effective September 30, 2004.
John Moran, custodian at Memorial School. Retirement effective September 1, 2004.
RESIGNATIONS: Professional Staff
Ann Marie Anderson, special education teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Resignation effective June 30, 2004.
Brian Chamberlain, special education teacher at Natick High School. Resignation effective June 30, 2004.
Anna Hughes, English teacher at Natick High School. Resignation effective July 9, 2004.
Kristi Lipka Burk, English teacher at Natick High School. Resignation effective June 30, 2004.
Karen Lucy, grade 1 teacher at Johnson School. Resignation effective June 30, 2004.
Sharon Mittelman-Murphy, mathematics teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Resignation effective July 20, 2004.
Jeanne O’ Hearn, Spanish teacher at Natick High School. Resignation effective July 6, 2004.
Shilpa Patel, kindergarten long-term substitute teacher [grant funded position] at Memorial School. Resignation effective June 30, 2004.
Sheila Pogarian, permanent substitute teacher at Wilson Middle School. Resignation effective June 30, 2004
Carie Scagliarini, special needs teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Resignation effective June 30, 2004.
Julie Scafati, science teacher at Wilson Middle School. Resignation effective August 23, 2004.
Jennifer Smardon, special education teacher at Wilson Middle School. Resignation effective June 30, 2004.
Jeffrey Stone, physical education teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Resignation effective August 23, 2004.
Bernice Thompson, special education teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. Resignation effective June 30, 2004.
James VonEuw, physical education teacher at Wilson Middle School. Resignation effective July 13, 2004.
RESIGNATIONS: Support Staff
Tara Crowley, part-time clerical worker at Memorial School. Resignation effective August 16, 2004.
Debra DeWolfe, lunchroom monitor at Brown School. Resignation effective June 17, 2004.
Myra Korin, student support facilitator at Natick High School. Resignation effective August 20, 2004.
Lauren Marcus, student support facilitator at Bennett-Hemenway School. Resignation effective July 22, 2004.
Charlotte Pansire, food service worker at Memorial School. Resignation effective August 6, 2004.
Chad Sinclair, student support facilitator at Natick High School. Resignation effective August 24, 2004.
TERMINATIONS: Professional Staff
Michelle Evans, elementary permanent substitute teacher. Termination effective June 30, 2004.
TERMINATIONS: Support Staff
Joanne Andersen, student support facilitator at Bennett-Hemenway School. Termination effective June 18, 2004.
George Towne, custodian at Natick High School. Termination effective at the end of the day on August 13, 2004.
WITHDRAWAL OF APPOINTMENT: Professional Staff
Anne Marie Montello, withdrawn as learning center teacher at Kennedy Middle School.
EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Professional Staff
Jennifer Webb, mathematics teacher at Natick High School. Maternity leave of absence effective October 1, 2004 to the end of the 2004-05 school year.
CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Professional Staff
Effective for the 2004-2005 school year
Martha Curran, to be English teacher at Natick High School.
Elizabeth Green, to be English teacher at Wilson Middle School.
CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Support Staff
Effective for the 2004-2005 school year
Michael Dempsey, to be student support facilitator at Natick High School in the Life Skills Program.
Kathleen Fortini, to be student support facilitator at Natick High School.
Margaret Moran, to be student support facilitator at Natick High School North Star Program.
Katie vonder Leith, to be full-time student support facilitator at Johnson School.
Jonna Yager, to be full-time student support facilitator at Natick High School North Star Program.
APPOINTMENTS: Coaching Staff
See attached
APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff
Effective for the 2004-2005 school year
Jennifer Brenneman, to be special education teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Step 2, Masters.
Mary Ann Britton, to be special education teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Step 7, Masters +30.
Karen Brown, to be grade 5 ELA/social studies teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Step 1, Bachelors.
Susan Crowley-Bechtel, to be part-time Title I teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, $24.74 per hour.
Diane Doyle, to be special education teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Step 3, Masters +30.
Deana Genovese, to be grade 1 teacher at Johnson School. Salary, Step 1, Masters.
Lisa Goldman, to be grade 8 science/social studies teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Step 2, Masters.
Kristy Gould, to be grade 7 mathematics teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Step 11, Bachelors.
Michael Grimes, to be special education teacher/primary links at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Step 8, Masters.
Christopher Jacobi, to be physical education teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Step 1, Bachelors.
Karen Liptak, to be special education teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Step 7, Masters.
Theodore Lloynd, to be grade 7 English teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Step 5, Masters +30.
Kenneth Lovely, to be grade 7 science teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Step 4, Bachelors.
Kimberly McCollum, to be social studies teacher at Natick High School. Salary, Step 4, Masters.
Luis Mendez, to be Spanish teacher at Natick High School. Salary, Step 1, Bachelors.
Jean Morse, to be part-time early childhood teacher in the preschool lab at Natick High School. Salary, $15.97 per hour.
Alec Newman, to be special education teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Masters, Step 1.
Meghan O’Brien, to be school psychologist at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Step 2, Masters +30.
Mary Pappas, to be instructional technology teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Step 4, Masters.
Alexander Popp, to be interim principal at Bennett-Hemenway School.
Lynn Reulbach, to be health/wellness teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Step 10, Bachelors.
Thomas Rice, to be music teacher at Memorial School. Salary, Step 4, Bachelors.
Angela Sharp, to be special education teacher at Natick High School. Salary, Step 13, Bachelors.
Loren Stott, to be special education teacher/intermediate links at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Step 10, Masters.
Mary Ellen Sullivan, to be special education teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Step 3, Bachelors.
Cindy Taylor, to be mathematics teacher at Natick High School [effective September 29, 2004]. Salary, Step 12, Masters (pro-rated).
Paula Toomey, to be special educator/literacy specialist at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Step 8, Masters.
Bryant Walls, to be social worker at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Step 5, Masters
APPOINTMENT: Support Staff
Effective for the 2004-2005 school year
Ann Marie Andrews, to be (.5) student support facilitator at Lilja School. Salary, Step 1.
Laurel Dunn, to be building support facilitator at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Step 1.
Chris Fowler, to be Jr. I Custodian at Natick High School [effective August 16, 2004]. Salary, Step 1
Brian Moloney, to be student support facilitator at Natick High School. Salary, Step 2.
Jean Moran, to be school-year secretary at Kennedy and Wilson Middle School in the Pupil Services Department. Salary, Step 3
Maria Tock, to be lunchroom monitor at Brown School. Salary, $9.95 per hour.
FALL SEASON COACHING RECOMMENDATIONS
Football
Head Coach Tom Lamb Step 3
First Assistant Mark Mortarelli Step 3
Assistant Varsity Brian Linton Step 3
Assistant Varsity Matt Brenneman Step 3
Assistant Varsity Matt Strother Step 3
Brian Moloney
Head Freshmen Josh Hanna Step 3
Assistant Freshman Rick Slattery Step 3
Matt Strother
Track/Cross Country
Head Coach Dennis Driscoll Step 3
Assistant Coach Don Burnham Step 3
Boys’ Soccer
Head Coach Lou Papadellis Step 3
Sub Varsity Coach Andy Rollins Step 3
Freshman Peter Manna Step 3
Girls’ Soccer
Head Coach Lisa Wilkins Step 3
Sub-Varsity Coach Denise Trubiano Step 3
Freshmen Coach John Doyle Step 3
Field Hockey
Head Coach Katie Gentile Step 3
Sub-Varsity Coach Virginia Drozd Step 3
Freshmen Coach Beverly McGee Step 3
Girls’ Volleyball
Head Coach Arthur Taddeo Step 3
Sub-Varsity Coach Debbie Patch Step 3
Freshmen Coach Andrea Smith Step 3
Girls’ Swimming
Head Coach Jen Dutton Step 3
Assistant Coach Paul Power Step 3
Cheerleading
Head Coach Dave Lombardi Step 3
Faculty Manager William Presutti Step 3
Trainer
Head Dan Lussier
RESIGNATION OF KRISTINE VAN AMSTERDAM FROM
THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Mr. Connolly discussed the letter he received from Kristine Van Amsterdam announcing her resignation from the School Committee. He indicated that interested parties may apply for the open slot by sending in a letter of interest by September 16. Chair Packer discussed the selection process as follows: interested parties will be interviewed by both the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen on Monday, September 20 at 7:00 p.m. The selected candidate will serve on the School Committee through March and the remainder of Mrs. Van Amsterdam’s term (1 year) will be filled via the Town election process in late March. Ms. Broekel thanked Mrs. Van Amsterdam for her service on the School Committee for the past five years.
TO APPOINT A VOTING DELEGATE TO THE MASC ANNUAL MEETING
The School Committee needs to appoint an official voting delegate to attend the MASC annual business meeting which is being held on Wednesday, October 27 at 3:00 p.m. in Worcester. Ms. Packer moved for approval to appoint David Murphy to attend this meeting on behalf of the School Committee. Mr. Haugland seconded. It was unanimously approved.
RENTAL WAIVER FOR NHS CAFETERIA
Mr. Connolly reported on a request, submitted by Jay Ball, Selectman, for a waiver of rental fees and custodial/cafeteria fees in order to use the High School cafeteria to offer a free Thanksgiving Dinner for the community. Robert Cardoo, who previously operated his restaurant in Natick, has offered to cater this meal. The School Committee would incur a cost of approximately $1,000 if approved. Mr. Freedman moved for approval on this waiver and to incur this cost. Mr. Wynne seconded. It was unanimously approved. A concern was raised about insurance for this event which will be looked in to. Mr. Haugland would like the whole facilities rental policy revisited
APPROVAL OF TOWN MEETING ARTICLE – USE OF RECREATIONAL CONVEYANCES
Mr. Connolly requested that the School Committee give its approval to submit a Town Meeting article which amends the Town of Natick By-Law, Article 53:
Section 1 Prohibited Areas of Use
Recreational conveyances, both motorized and non-motorized, including, but not limited to, scooters, skateboards, roller skates, and roller blades may not be used or operated in, on or upon any non-school building owned by the Town of Natick or the stairs and grounds of a non-school building owned by the Town of Natick, except grounds specifically designated for recreational use or operation. Such recreational conveyances may not be used or operated upon any private building or land where the owner or other person in control of the property has posted a notice prohibiting such use or operation.
The amendment would be to remove the words “non-school”.
Concern was raised with the wording of the article. A recommendation was made for the policy subcommittee to review the language and have it come back to a future meeting. Mr. Wynne volunteered to fill the vacant slot on the policy subcommittee until a permanent appointment is made.
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS
Mrs. Dunn requested that the School Committee accept the following donations:
Anonymous – Lilja School $250.00
Computer Monitor – Wilson School $200.00
Woodtrail Donation to High School Wellness, $200.00
Woodtrail Donation to Lilja School $100.00
Woodtrail Donation to Brown School $200.00
Ms. Broekel moved for approval to accept these donations. Mr. Wynne seconded. They were unanimously approved.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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