Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
November 1, 2004
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, November 1 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: Henry Haugland, Dave Murphy, Diane Packer, Rick Wynn, Ted Wynne
Members Absent: Peg Broekel, Jonathan Freedman
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
Mr. Haugland moved for approval of the minutes of October 18, 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
Mr. Murphy reported on the MASC/MASS Annual Meeting he attended on behalf of the School Committee. He provided the School Committee with the results of the Resolutions which were voted on at the meeting.
Mr. Connolly attended the band and choral concert at Natick High School last week. He congratulated the members of the band and chorus and Mrs. Hopewell and Mr. Cice for the wonderful performance.
Chair Packer reported that she received a letter from Mr. Peter Dewar, Director/Superintendent of Keefe Technical School, who, once again, invited members of the School Committee to tour the facility. Anyone interested should contact Chair Packer.
AWARD OF CERTIFICATE OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE BY MASS
This item will be postponed to the meeting of November 15, 2004 due to a scheduling conflict.
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
DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION PRESENTATION
Dr. Karen LeDuc and Dr. Dianne Keough provided the School Committee with a presentation on Differentiated Instruction which included a sampling of a tiered activity. They responded to questions. Concerns were raised about the students who need more challenging activities. A request was made to schedule a more in-depth discussion for the middle schools and leveling.
2005/2006 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR
Mr. Connolly presented two options to the School Committee for the 2005/2006 School Calendar as follows:
Option A has staff reporting back to school on Monday and Tuesday, August 29 & 30, 2005 with students returning on Wednesday, August 31, 2005 and the final day of school being June 21, 2006 (185 days including 5 snow days).
Option B has staff reporting back on Thursday and Friday, September 1 and 2, 2005 with students returning on Tuesday, September 6, 2005 and the final day of school being June 26, 2006 (185 days including 5 snow days).
Mr. Connolly recommended Option A. Option B would release school too late in June. Mr. Connolly has shared this calendar with the EAN. This item will appear on the December 6, 2004 School Committee agenda for a vote.
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS
Ms. Mary Ellen Dunn requested that the School Committee accept the following donations:
Anonymous donation of iMac Computer to Lilja School $300
Anonymous donation to Wilson Library $500
Donation from Mr. & Mrs. O’Hearn to:
NHS Foreign Language Department $700
NHS Sassamon Newspaper $300
Mr. Haugland moved for approval to accept these donations. Mr. Rick Wynn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
At 8:40 p.m. Mr. Ted Wynne moved for adjournment. Mr. Rick Wynn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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