Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
February 28, 2005
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, February 28, 2005 at 6:45 p.m. in the School Committee Room, third floor, Town Hall. Chair Packer called the meeting to order at 6:50 p.m.
Members Present: Peg Broekel, Jonathan Freedman, Henry Haugland, Dave Murphy, Diane Packer,
Ted Wynne
Rick Wynn joined the Committee at 7:00 for the meeting with the Selectmen and Legislators
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
JOINT MEETING WITH SELECTMEN AND STATE LEGISLATORS
The School Committee joined the Selectmen in the Ed Dlott Meeting Room, 2nd Floor Town Hall at 7:00 p.m. to meet with the State Legislators. State Legislators present were: Representative David Linsky, Representatative Alice Peisch, Senator Karen Spilka, and Senator Scott Brown.
The Legislators provided an update on local aid. It was their general feeling that local aid will be, at a minimum, level funded. Other items discussed were:
§ The SBA program – Suggestion made to invite Katherine Craven, Director of this program to Natick for a meeting to obtain information for the high school project
§ Reimbursement for Wilson project and Kennedy renovation
§ METCO Program
§ Charter School Funding
§ Emergency Funds (“Pothole Funds”)
§ The Lottery
At 8:00 p.m. the School Committee returned to the 3rd floor to resume its regular meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Haugland moved for approval of the School Committee retreat minutes of February 7, 2005. Mr. Wynn seconded. They were approved by a vote of 6 to 0. Mr. Murphy was not present during the vote.
Mr. Haugland moved for approval of the Executive Session minutes of January 24, 2005. Mr. Freedman seconded. They were approved by a vote of 6 to 0. Mr. Murphy was not present during the vote.
Mr. Freedman moved for approval of the Executive Session minutes of January 31, 2005. Mr. Haugland seconded. They were approved by a vote of 6 to 0. Mr. Murphy was not present during the vote.
DECLASSIFICATION OF EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES 2002-2004
Mr. Connolly reported that the School Committee should review on an annual basis the Executive Session minutes of the previous calendar year to determine what minutes could be declassified as public records. He suggested that the School Committee take this action at the first meeting in March. He reported that he is in receipt of a letter that went to many districts from the Metrowest News requesting information pertaining to Executive Session and the release of its minutes. Executive Session minutes for the years 2002-2004 were provided to the School Committee in order to determine if they could be declassified. Mr. Haugland moved for approval to declassify all of the Executive Session minutes for the years of 2002-2004. Ms. Broekel seconded. It was unanimously
approved.
Ms. Broekel moved for approval for the School Committee to set the date of the first meeting in March as the time to review the prior calendar year’s Executive Session minutes to determine if they can be declassified. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chair Packer asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak. Mr. Cashman came forward and asked a question pertaining to the reimbursement for Wilson/Kennedy renovations as discussed earlier at the meeting with the State Legislators.
APPROVAL OF THE TOBIN SCHOOL
Mr. Connolly requested the School Committees approval of The Tobin School. He reviewed the language of the law, Chapter 76, Section 1 which reads: school committees shall approve a private school when satisfied that the instruction in all studies required by law equals in thoroughness and efficiency, and the progress made therein, that of the public schools in the same town, but shall not withhold such approval on account of religious teaching. Ms. Mary Beth Klaus Tobin, Executive Director, of the school provided an overview of the plans of the school. The school will be open for grades kindergarten through grade 5 in September 2005. The location is 73 Cottage Street in Natick. An information packet was provided to the School Committee members. The school will house 1 classroom
per grade with a maximum of 12 students per classroom – a maximum of 72 students for the school. Mr. Haugland moved to approve this school. Mr. Wynn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Chair Packer announced Natick Education Foundation’s Shining Light Award event being held on Monday, March 14 at Whitney Place at 7:00 p.m.
Chair Packer announced that the League of Women Voters is sponsoring a candidate’s debate evening at the Morse Institute Library on Thursday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m. for School Committee candidates and Selectmen candidates. Another debate will take place at the Senior Center on the morning of March 21 at 9:30 a.m.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed.
RESIGNATION: Professional Staff
Anu Karna, mathematics teacher at Natick High School. Resignation effective at the end of the day on February 11, 2005.
Suzanne O’Neill, grade 5 teacher at Wilson Middle School. Resignation effective at the end of the day on March 11, 2005.
CONTINUED DISCUSSION ON FY2006 BUDGET
Mr. Connolly discussed the FY2006 budget request. After holding several meetings he is requesting the School Committee’s approval of the FY06 budget amount of $35,837,412, an increase of 3.14% above the FY05 budget. He may need to make some staffing changes and section moves at the high school due to teacher retirement. Adjustments may need to be made to the 20 kindergarten classes for next year depending on registration numbers.
An outline of fees for next year was provided:
Fees Remaining the Same
Athletics $125
Transportation $150
Northstar Tuition $17,000
Fee Increase Proposal
Preschool: Half Day
2 days $1,661
3 days $2,145
4 days $2,635
5 days $3,262
Full Day
5 days $5,040 (no change)
Summer Remedial: $35/week – specialized summer
$50/week – SPLASH Program
Mr. Wynne moved for approval of the above fees. Mr. Haugland seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Fees for food service and facility rentals will be discussed in greater detail at a future meeting.
The School Committee was provided with an update of the FY2006 Capital Improvement Plan Submission.
The Committee wishes to discuss this item at the next meeting in order to allow more time.
Mr. Haugland moved for approval of the FY2006 budget amount of $35,837,412. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
TECHNOLOGY REORGANIZATION
Mr. Connolly provided a brief overview of the present Technology organization, the future goals and next steps.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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