Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
October 18, 2004
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, October 18, 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,
Rick Wynn
Members Absent: Ted Wynne
Others present: James J. Connolly Superintendent of Schools
Karen Leacu LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
Audrey Seyffert Assistant Superintendent
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Timothy O’Brien Student Representative
Staff, Parents & Press
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Broekel moved for approval of the retreat minutes of September 11, 2004. Mr. Freedman seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Mr. Freedman moved for approval of the minutes of September 27, 2004. Mr. Haugland seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Mr. Haugland moved for approval of the minutes of October 5, 2004. Ms. Broekel seconded. They were unanimously approved.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Ms. Corrie Dretler expressed her concern over the large Kindergarten class sizes at the Bennett-Hemenway School and provided a comparison of surrounding town’s kindergarten sizes and staffing. She would like to see class sizes for the entire system addressed.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Mr. Connolly reported that a meeting was held with principals to address the issue of traffic safety at the schools during the upcoming election.
Mr. Connolly announced that Town Meeting will begin tomorrow evening, October 19. He is prepared to discuss Article 24.
Chair Packer announced that the Bacon Street Farm Fall Pumpkin Spectacular was a great success and thanked all those who came out to purchase their pumpkins. Proceeds from the pumpkin sale will go to the Natick Public School of your choice.
WILSON BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT
Mr. Connolly introduced members of the Wilson Middle School Building Committee who were present. The Committee met earlier this evening for its final meeting. Members of the firm Architecture Involution were also present. The School Committee and Administration thanked the Wilson Middle School Building Committee for all its time over the past several years.
REPORT FROM KEEFE TECHNICAL SCHOOL
Mr. Peter Dewar, Superintendent-Director of the Keefe Technical School, introduced his Director of Guidance, Mr. Jon Evans and Chairman of the School Committee, Mr. Stephen Kane. They provided information on the programs offered at the school. More aggressive communications will take place to let the community know more about what programs they have to offer. Ms. Broekel requested that another tour of the Keefe Technical facility be arranged so that members who have not seen it may have an opportunity to do so.
REPORT ON SUMMER MAINTENANCE
Mr. Robert Graham, Director of Facilities, provided an overview of the work that the custodial and maintenance staff performed over the summer.
ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS
Mr. Connolly presented a revised report on Natick’s Adequate Yearly Progress. This data was formally released on October 14th, although earlier reports indicated that Natick was determined to be in need of improvement in the following areas – District (Special Education Math) and Wilson (Special Education Math). The Department of Education notified the Superintendent on October 7th that after recalculating the scores, it was determined that Natick was not in need of improvement. Steps will still be taken to improve these scores.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed.
RETIREMENT: Support Staff
James Webb, maintenance department employee. Retirement effective at the end of the day on November 16, 2004.
RESIGNATION: Professional Staff
Michael O’Brien, technical support coordinator. Resignation effective at the end of the day on October 22, 2004.
RESIGNATION: Support Staff
Elizabeth Ailinger, (.5) student support facilitator at Bennett-Hemenway School. Resignation effective October 1, 2004.
EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Professional Staff
Gina DaLan, special education teacher at Lilja School. Maternity leave of absence is effective January 14, 2005 to April 15, 2005.
CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Support Staff
Ronald Johnson, to be maintenance II employee effective October 25, 2004.
APPOINTMENTS: Support Staff
Elizabeth Mueller, to be (.5) student support facilitator at Bennett-Hemenway School effective October 5, 2004. Salary, Step 1.
Christine Fitzgerald, to be cafeteria monitor at Johnson School effective October 4, 2004. Salary, $9.95 per hour.
Mary Ingleby, to be satellite cook at Natick High School effective October 12, 2004. Salary, Step 1
Gerard Lindsey, to be Jr. I custodian at Lilja School effective October 25, 2004. Salary, Step 1.
Patricia MacLeod, to be part-time food service worker at Natick High School effective October 4, 2004. Salary, Step 1
Charlotte Roche, to be part-time food service worker at Lilja School effective October 4, 2004. Salary, Step 1
TO TAKE A POSITION ON THE MASC RESOLUTIONS
Mr. Connolly provided the School Committee with his recommendations on the MASC Resolutions which will be voted on at the annual meeting. Mr. Murphy will be the voting delegate for the Natick School Committee at this meeting. The School Committee reviewed each resolution and took the following position.
Resolution 1: School Committees and Duties Relative to the Selection and Termination of Principals
Approved by the Resolutions Committee and forwarded to the Delegate Assembly by the Board of Directors
Mr. Haugland moved for approval not to support this resolution. Ms. Broekel seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Resolution 2: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Submitted by the Brookline School Committee
Mr. Haugland moved for approval to support this resolution. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Resolution 3: Student Assessment and Accountability
Recommended by the MASC Student Assessment Committee
Mr. Haugland moved for approval not to support this resolution. Chair Packer seconded. Ms. Broekel moved to support this resolution. Mr. Murphy seconded. A vote was taken on Ms. Broekel’s motion to support this resolution. The motion lost 2 to 4. A vote was taken on Mr. Haugland’s motion not to support this resolution. The motion carried 4 to 2.
Resolution 4: Value Added Assessment
Submitted by the Worcester School Committee
Mr. Haugland moved for approval not to support this resolution. Mr. Freedman seconded. Ms. Broekel moved to support this resolution. Mr. Murphy seconded. A vote was taken on Ms. Broekel’s motion to support this resolution. The motion lost 2 to 4. A vote was taken on Mr. Haugland’s motion not to support this resolution. The motion carried 4 to 2.
Resolution 5: MCAS
Submitted by the Brookline School Committee
Mr. Haugland moved for approval not to support this resolution. Ms. Broekel seconded. Mr. Murphy moved for approval to support this resolution. Chair Packer seconded. A vote was taken on Mr. Murphy’s motion to support this resolution. The motion lost 1 to 5. A vote was taken on Mr. Haugland’s motion not to support this resolution. The motion carried 5 to 1.
Resolution 6: on Metco
Submitted by the Arlington School Committee and Brookline School Committee
Mr. Freedman moved for approval to support this resolution. Mr. Haugland seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Resolution 7: Reaffirmation of Advocacy Agenda
Sponsored by the MASC Board of Directors
Mr. Haugland moved for approval to support this resolution. Ms. Broekel seconded. It was unanimously approved.
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS
Ms. Broekel moved for approval to accept the following donation:
$100 to NHS Drama Club from EAN Trust at Kennedy
Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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