Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE RETREAT
December 20, 2004
The School Committee held a retreat on Monday, December 20, 2004 in the Staff Development 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, David Murphy, Diane Packer, Rick Wynn
Members Absent: Ted Wynne
Others Present: James Connolly, Marianne Davis
At 7:31 p.m. Mr. Freedman moved to enter executive session for purposes of discussing strategies in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel. Chair Packer seconded. The Superintendent took a roll call vote. It was unanimously approved.
At 8:35 p.m. Ms. Broekel moved that the committee return to open session. Mr. Freedman seconded. The vote was unanimous.
The Superintendent updated the committee on the following issues. Brief discussions occurred.
HUMAN RESOURCES ISSUES
Ms. Davis provided the committee with updated information on administrative salaries in comparable communities. The committee will schedule another meeting to discuss and decide on appropriate ranges for Natick.
Ms. Davis provided the committee with a timeline for the principal search for Bennett-Hemenway. It follows the same process as has been effectively used for the past several years.
The position of Director of Fine Arts was discussed. Ms. Broekel requested a job description for the proposed position.
Chair Packer provided the committee with a timeline for the evaluation process for the Superintendent. The process follows the format established in previous years.
HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT
The Superintendent discussed the impending high school project with committee members. Through consensus, the committee agreed to re-establish the NHS Building Committee and to develop a timely charge for the group. Mr. Freedman provided the committee with a draft timeline for the construction of a new high school. Potential sites for the new school include: the softball field adjacent to the existing parking lot/building (this site will impose restrictions on the building), the current football field (which would cause minimal if any restrictions on the building), the gravel pit (deemed too small via previous studies) and the National Guard site on Speen St. (which is currently owned by the state).
The committee talked about committing to designing a building that meets the needs of NHS students, programs and the community vs. just what the SBA program may specify.
BUDGET
The Superintendent gave a general overview of the upcoming budget including the Town Administrator’s recommended 3.3% increase, SPED tuitions (including the circuit breaker and pre-payment of out of district tuitions), transportation costs and capital needs particularly at Kennedy, Memorial and Johnson.
The Superintendent informed the committee that a new private school is opening on Cottage Street. He provided an update on charter schools and the financial impact on Natick. He mentioned that extracurricular activities have expanded at the middle schools. He suggested the committee consider options regarding the currently closed Cognex Skate Park.
GOALS & PROGRESS
The Superintendent provided the committee with information about goals established in past years and progress to date regarding those goals. Specific goals for the coming year/s have yet to be established.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE AGENDAS
The Superintendent provided the committee with a list of upcoming dates and agenda items and requested input on additional items for discussion.
MARCH ELECTIONS
Elections will be held on Tuesday, March 22. The deadline to file papers to run for the School Committee is 1/11/05.
The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Peg Broekel
Clerk
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