Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
March 21, 2005
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, March 21, 2005 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: Peg Broekel , Jonathan Freedman, Henry Haugland, Diane Packer, Rick Wynn,
Ted Wynne
David Murphy arrived at 7:40 p.m.
Others present: James Connolly Superintendent
Karen Leacu LeDuc 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 March 7, 2005. Mr. Haugland seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Mr. Wynne moved for approval of the minutes of March 15, 2005. Mr. Freedman seconded. They were approved by a vote of 5-0. Ms. Broekel abstained as she was absent for this meeting.
Mr. Freedman moved for approval of the Executive Session minutes of March 15, 2005. Mr. Wynne seconded. They were approved by a vote of 5-0. Ms Broekel abstained as she was absent for this meeting.
REPORT FROM STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD
Mr. Timothy O’Brien, Student Representative to the School Committee, introduced members of the Student Advisory Board – Bethany Guen, Jenna Grunes and Sasha Smalky who provided updates on happenings at Natick High School. Ms. Sasha Smalky will be the Student Representative to the School Committee for the next year.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chair Packer asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak. No one came forward.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The School Committee and Administration recognized Mr. Timothy O’Brien for his time and dedication as Student Representative for the School Committee for the school year 2004/2005. Mr. Connolly, on behalf of the School Committee and Administration, presented him with a recognition plaque.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Chair Packer reported on the Natick Education Foundation’s recently held “Shining Light Awards”. This year the individual recipient was Deb Sayre, Executive Director of Kids Connect and the business awards went to Stop & Shop and Park Street Ice Cream.
OUT OF STATE TRAVEL
Mr. Hughes requested the School Committee’s approval of two out of state travel requests as follows:
1. Natick High School Speech Team to travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to participate in the Grand National Speech Tournament on May 26-31, 2005. Mr. Haugland moved for approval of this trip. Ms. Broekel seconded. It was unanimously approved.
2. Natick High School Boys’ Lacrosse team to travel to So. Berwick, Maine this Saturday, March 26, 2005. Mr. Haugland moved for approval of this trip. Ms. Broekel seconded. It was unanimously approved.
JUST4KIDS WEBSITE
Mr. Connolly provided the School Committee with MCAS data that is available from the JUST4KIDS website, a site which has been developed that analyzes MCAS scores by school and compares them to schools with the same demographic makeup.
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
Dr. Karen LeDuc provided an overview of curriculum which she presented to the Parents Coordinating Council recently.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed:
RESIGNATION: Support Staff
Jean DePratti, part-time food service worker at Kennedy Middle School. Resignation effective February 18, 2005.
Laurene Ingham, part-time clerical support at Johnson School. Resignation effective March 14, 2005.
Elizabeth Robbins, student support facilitator at Wilson Middle School. Resignation effective March 11, 2005.
EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Professional Staff
Allison Hamm, grade 2 teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. Maternity leave of absence is effective May 20, 2005 to the end of this school year.
Nicole Malagodi, special education teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Maternity leave of absence is effective May 23, 2005 to the end of this school year.
Lisa Tobin-Cook, school psychologist at Kennedy Middle School. Maternity leave of absence is effective June 13, 2005 to October 28, 2005.
APPOINTMENT: Support Staff
Dennis Demytryck, to be maintenance III employee effective March 21, 2005. Salary, Step 3.
Ann Grady, to be long-term substitute student support facilitator at Brown School effective January 18, 2005 to indefinite. Salary, $14.64 per hour.
Jessica Schafer, to be long-term substitute student support facilitator at Wilson Middle School effective March 21, 2005 to the end of this school year. Salary, $14.64 per hour.
Valerie Stark, to be part-time musical accompanist effective for the 2004-2005 school year.
APPOINTMENTS: Coaching Staff
BASEBALL Step
Head Coach John Brown 3
Sub-Varsity Coach Josh Hanna 3
Freshmen Coach Collin O’Neil * 1
SOFTBALL
Head Coach Dave Tullgren 3
Sub-Varsity Coach Kirk Buschenfeldt ** 3
Freshmen Coach Robin Caccavelli 3
BOYS’ OUTDOOR TRACK
Head Coach Matt Brenneman 3
Sub-Varsity Coach Mark Mortarelli 3
(split) Brian Moloney
Freshmen Coach Dan Hinnenkamp ** 3
GIRLS’ OUTDOOR TRACK
Head Coach Matt Strother ** 3
Sub-Varsity Coach Dennis Driscoll 3
Freshmen Coach Julie Heyde * 3
BOYS’ TENNIS
Head Coach Ron Lapides * 3
Sub-Varsity Coach (Boys) Andre Brassard * 3
GIRLS’ TENNIS
Head Coach James Grein 3
Sub-Varsity Coach (Girls) Ashley Savilonis 3
BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL
Head Coach Peter Suxho * 3
Sub-Varsity Coach Ken Stanley 3
BOYS’ LACROSSE
Head Coach Nate Kittler 3
Sub-Varsity Coach Mike Braverman 3
Freshmen Coach Doug Scott 3
GIRLS’ LACROSSE
Head Coach Bill Zall 3
Sub-Varsity Coach Todd Kaplan 3
FACULTY MANAGER
Bill Presutti 3
* New coaching appointment
** New coaching appointment, teacher at NHS
UPDATE ON TOWN MEETING ARTICLES
Mr. Connolly reported that meetings were held with the Finance Committee last week and the School sponsored warrant articles were discussed - Transportation & Capital. Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn reported that after meeting with the Finance Committee last week, it was determined that the School Committee cannot carry forward the balance of Article #14 (Transportation) from April 2004 Town Meeting. As a result, the amount requested from Town Meeting for April 2005 should be $189,633 and the remaining funds from the transportation budget this year (approximately $130,000) will be returned to free cash. Mr. Haugland moved for approval of this adjusted budget request. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Mr. Connolly reported that Mr. Lemnios will attend the School Committee meeting of April 25 to discuss long term capital needs. A discussion took place on the School Committee’s warrant article pertaining to capital as to whether or not the School Committee should take action. Mr. Rick Wynn questioned if it is possible to request a specific bucket of money to use in case of unforeseen emergencies, i.e. heating issues, roof leaks at the high school, etc. If so, can the capital warrant article that the School Committee has submitted be used for this purpose? Mr. Connolly will meet with Mr. Lemnios and Mr. Graham and come back to the meeting of April 4 with a recommendation on how to proceed.
SUPERINTENDENT EVALUATION
Chair Packer reviewed the process used in the evaluation of the Superintendent, Mr. James Connolly. The individual evaluations of the seven School Committee members were summarized into one evaluation document which was presented to all School Committee members, the Superintendent and the public.
At 9:40 p.m. Chair Packer requested an Executive Session in order to discuss the Superintendent’s contract in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 39, Section 23B of the Massachusetts General Laws. A roll call vote was taken. All members were in favor of entering into Executive Session.
At 10:00 p.m. the School Committee returned to open session.
Chair Packer indicated that the School Committee had met in Executive Session last week and began discussions of the Superintendent’s contract. This discussion continued this evening in Executive Session. Mr. Haugland moved for approval to extend Mr. Connolly’s contract until June 2008 with a provision that the contract would automatically extend for one year if the School Committee did not take any action by June 30, 2006. Mr. Freedman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Chair Packer discussed the salary of the superintendent. In order to get Mr. Connolly into the 33% bracket of comparable districts, a raise in 2 steps was recommended – a salary increase to 150,000 (retroactive to January 2005) with an additional raise to $159,000 as of January 2006. Mr. Haugland moved for approval of this salary adjustment. Mr. Wynne seconded. It was unanimously approved.
RECOGNITION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Ms. Broekel was recognized for her six years of service to the School Committee and Mr. Freedman was recognized for his five years of service. They were presented with a book for their personal use as well as a book donated to the Morse Library in their name in recognition of their service to the School Committee.
At 10:10 p.m., Mr. Freedman moved to adjourn. Ms. Broekel seconded. It was unanimously approved.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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