Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
December 6, 2004
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, December 6, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, third floor, Town Hall. Chair Packer called the meeting to order at 7:35 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
Mary Ellen Dunn Director of Fiscal & Management Services
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Timothy O’Brien Student Representative
Staff, Parents & Press
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Freedman moved for approval of the minutes of November 15, 2004. Ms. Broekel seconded. They were unanimously approved.
REPORT FROM STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD
Members of the Student Advisory Board were present and reported on events and activities at the high school.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chair Packer asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak. No one came forward.
FY06 BUDGET PREVIEW
Mr. Connolly provided the School Committee with a preview of the FY06 budget. The School Committee will begin its budget meetings on January 3rd with subsequent meetings on January 5, 10 and 24. The public hearing will be held on February 7. The Finance Committee will schedule a hearing late in February. Town Meeting will vote the budget in April.
ELEMENTARY CLASS SIZE
Mr. Connolly provided background information on elementary class sizes, including history and assumptions. This information was provided due to a concern raised previously by a contingent of parents in the Bennett-Hemenway school district due to kindergarten class sizes of 21, 23, 24, 24. Mr. Murphy made a motion for the School Committee to establish a policy to work to reduce kindergarten and first-grade class sizes in the district with the goal being to limit the number of students in each kindergarten and first-grade class to twenty students. Further, that the School Committee establish a policy to try to provide an aide in those kindergarten and first-grade classes with more than twenty students. Chair Packer seconded for discussion purposes. A discussion continued.
The following comments/concerns were raised.
§ There is a financial impact to this motion – need to define
§ Concern that schools won’t allow parent volunteers
§ Extra help or aides could resolve large class size issues
§ Curriculum at Ben-Hem doesn’t appear to be same as other schools
§ Concern of coping vs. excellence
§ Can’t funds be found for 4.5 aides from other parts of the budget
Mr. Murphy withdrew his motion in lieu of further discussion taking place on this issue at the January 24, 2005 meeting. Ms. Packer seconded. It was unanimously approved.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed:
RETIREMENT: Support Staff
Caryl Gleeson, student support facilitator at Bennett-Hemenway School. Retirement effective December 11, 2004.
RESIGNATION: Support Staff
Stephanie Struense, student support facilitator at Lilja School. Resignation effective at the end of the day on December 3, 2004.
TERMINATION: Professional Staff
Paul Haitis, special needs teacher at Natick High School North Star Program. Termination effective at the end of the day on November 19, 2004.
TERMINATION: Support Staff
Grace Prestera, food service worker at Memorial School. Termination effective November 15, 2004.
EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Professional Staff
Kathy Pierce, special education teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Maternity leave of absence is effective January 21, 2005 to the end of this school year.
APPOINTMENTS: Coaching Staff
Paul Harmon, to be assistant boys’ swim coach for the winter season 2004-2005 replacing Jessica Henderson who has resigned.
APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff
Betty Cantor, to be long-term substitute preschool teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School effective January 10 to April 15, 2005. She is replacing Kim Lambert who is on a maternity leave. Salary, $136.00 per day.
Lauren Goodwin, to be art teacher at Natick High School effective November 15, 2004 to the end of this school year. Salary, Masters, Step 6 pro-rated.
Renee Mason, to be part-time (.5) occupational therapist effective November 17, 2004 to the end of this school year. Salary, $18,253.50 pro-rated.
Ann Northup, to be long-term substitute art teacher at Natick High School effective December 6, 2004 to March 11, 2005. She is replacing Maureen McNally who is on a maternity leave. Salary, $136.00 per day.
Carol Shriber, to be long-term substitute Spanish teacher at Natick High School effective January 3 to the end of this school year. She is replacing Paula Barbosa who is on a maternity leave. Salary, $136.00 per day.
APPROVAL OF 2005/2006 SCHOOL CALENDAR
Mr. Connolly recommended Option A for the 2005/2006 School Calendar. This option has staff reporting back to school on Monday and Tuesday, August 29 and 30, 2005 with students returning on Wednesday, August 31, 2005 and the final day of school being June 21, 2006 (185 school days including 5 snow days). Mr. Haugland moved for approval of this recommendation. Ms. Broekel seconded. It was unanimously approved.
SUPERINTENDENT EVALUATION TIMELINE
Chair Packer provided a timeline for the Superintendent’s evaluation. A job description and past evaluations will be provided to the new members.
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested the School Committee’s acceptance of the following donations:
Mr. & Mrs. A. Fair - $25.00 to the NHS Wall of Achievement
Mr. Paul Beswick - $300 to the NHS Wall of Achievement
Mr. Haugland moved for approval of these donations. Mr. Murphy seconded. They were unanimously approved.
At 10:40 p.m., Ms. Broekel moved for approval for adjournment. Mr. Murphy seconded. It was unanimously approved.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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