Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
February 7, 2005
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, February 7, 2005 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, Diane Packer, Rick Wynn, Ted Wynne
Dave Murphy arrived at 8:20 p.m.
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 School Committee retreat minutes of January 19, 2005. Mr. Freedman seconded. They were approved by a vote of 6 to 0.
Mr. Wynn moved for approval of the minutes of January 24, 2005 with one typographical correction. Under the section of the FY06 budget, 2nd paragraph, the 4th bullet item should read “What is the ratio of students” instead of “What is the ration of students”. Ms. Broekel seconded. They were approved with this one correction by a vote of 6 to 0.
Mr. Haugland moved for approval of the minutes of January 31, 2005. Mr. Wynne seconded. They were approved by a vote of 6 to 0.
Approval of the Executive Session minutes of January 24, 2005 and January 31, 2005 will take place at the next meeting.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chair Packer asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak. Ms. Carol Schoen came forward and expressed her concern over class size and space issues at Memorial School and other schools with in the town as it relates to optimum class sizes of 18-20. She also feels that class sizes above 20 should be staffed with a Teacher Assistant who has a 4-year college degree.
PUBLIC HEARING ON FY2006 BUDGET
Mr. Connolly began the public hearing on the FY2006 budget which included:
§ The fiscal environment of the state and local budgets
§ Long term objectives of the Natick Public Schools
§ Review of budget goals for FY2004, FY2005 and FY2006
The FY2006 budget request is in the amount of $35,837,412 – an increase of $1,091,412 or 3.14% from FY05. He discussed enrollment growth, staffing needs and reviewed a statement of changes in expenses, capital budget and the high school project. This budget will be voted on at the meeting of February 28, 2005. Transportation fees will also need to be voted on at the meeting of February 28. Concerns about the under funded capital budget were raised. Mr. Haugland moved for approval to submit a separate warrant article to Town Meeting with an amount to be determined for capital improvements and repairs for the Natick Public Schools. Mr. Rick Wynn seconded. .After further discussion, a vote was taken and the motion was unanimously approved. Members of the public
came forward and expressed comments/concerns:
§ Mr. Popp, Interim Principal at Bennett-Hemenway has made great strides with over crowded Kindergarten classes, however, the issue should be kept on the table
§ Teachers have hard time coping with large class sizes – would rather pay for ½ day kindergarten in order to get class sizes smaller
§ Need to explain our kindergarten program better to parents – what we do and why
§ Capital budget discussion needs to be spread throughout the community
§ Warrant articles for bus fees should be put back in the school budget
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Chair Packer announced that the Natick Education Foundation will hold the Harriet F. Siegel Shining Light and Community Business Award night on Monday, March 14, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. at Whitney Place.
Chair Packer announced that the annual Natick Education Foundation Spelling Bee will be held on May 3rd. School Committee team members are yet to be determined.
UPDATE ON NATICK COMMUNITY ORGANIC FARM
Ms. Lynda Simkins, Director of the Natick Community Organic Farm and Carol Krentzman, President of the Board of Directors of the Natick Community Organic Farm reviewed the Farm’s major accomplishments and what’s in store for the future. Mr. Ted Wynne moved for approval of a resolution which was submitted as follows:
The School Committee acknowledges that, by operating on land and buildings owned and/or controlled by the School Committee located at 117 Eliot Street, South Natick (the “Land”), the Natick Community Organic Farm is a unique and valuable asset to the Town of Natick and provides valuable educational and recreational opportunities and serves as a source of food and open space for the residents of the Town of Natick.
The School Committee agrees that any subcommittee established by it to study and/or implement any use of the Land that is inconsistent with the continued operation of the Natick Organic Community Farm thereon, shall include an individual appointed by the Natick Organic Farm.
Mr. Freedman seconded. Mr. Haugland requested that this be a policy instead of a resolution. It was the consensus of the committee that the idea of this being a policy could be looked into by the policy subcommittee, but for now it should be voted as a resolution as proposed. The motion to accept the above resolution was unanimously approved.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed.
RESIGNATION: Professional Staff
Terri Marculitis, Title I teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Resignation effective January 27, 2005.
APPOINTMENT: Professional Staff
Marilyn Gillis, to be long-term substitute special education teacher at Kennedy Middle School effective January 31, 2005 to the end of this school year. She is replacing Kathy Pierce who is on a maternity leave. Salary, $136.00 per day.
Marisa Torcasio, to be long-term substitute grade 2 teacher at Memorial School effective February 28, 2005 to the end of this school year. She is replacing Ellen Getz who is on a maternity leave. Salary, $136.00 per day.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO UNIT A AND UNIT B
As outlined in a memorandum from Marianne Davis, dated February 1, 2005, a recommendation was made to:
1. Add a new Unit B position titled: Links and Preschool Program Coordinator, paid the same stipend as high school and middle school department heads and the North Star Program Coordinator, effective 8/30/04
2. Addition of Ski Coach to be paid at the same rate as the Head Coach for the NHS Indoor Track Team (3 steps - $3,578 - $4,041)
3. Addition of New Specialty Advisor position at a 1.0 ratio: Middle Winds
The School Committee, previously, reviewed these recommendations in Executive Session. Mr. Haugland moved for approval to establish these positions as outlined above. Mr. Freedman seconded. They were unanimously approved.
ESTABLISH A NEW POSITION OF LIGHTING BOARD OPERATOR
As outlined in a memorandum from Mrs. Marianne Davis dated January 27, 2005, a recommendation was made to:
Establish a new position of Lighting Board Operator at an hourly rate of $11.00. This request was reviewed by the School Committee in a previous Executive Session. Mr. Freedman moved for approval to establish this position. Mr. Haugland seconded. It was unanimously approved.
At 9:40 p.m., Ms. Broekel moved for approval to adjourn. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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