Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
April 4, 2005
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, April 4, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, third floor, Town Hall. Mr. Connolly called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Michael Cashman, Dirk Coburn, Henry Haugland, David Murphy, Diane Packer, Rick Wynn, Ted Wynne
Others present: James Connolly Superintendent
Karen Leacu LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
Audrey Seyffert Assistant Superintendent
Mary Ellen Dunn Director of Fiscal & Management Services
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Sasha Smalky Student Representative
Staff, Parents & Press
REORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Mr. Connolly called for nominations for Chair of the School Committee:
Mr. Haugland welcomed newly elected members, Michael Cashman, Dirk Coburn, and Rick Wynn. Mr. Haugland nominated Ms. Diane Packer as Chair of the School Committee. Mr. Wynne seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Mr. Connolly welcomed Ms. Sasha Smalky as the new student representative to the School Committee.
Chair Packer called for nominations for Vice Chair:
Mr. Ted Wynne nominated Mr. Rick Wynn for Vice Chairman of the School Committee. Mr. Murphy seconded.
It was unanimously approved.
Chair Packer called for nominations for Clerk of the School Committee:
Mr. Murphy nominated Mr. Ted Wynne as Clerk of the School Committee. Mr. Cashman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Chair Packer called for nominations for Recording Secretary of the School Committee:
Mr. Haugland nominated Mrs. Sharon Reilly as Recording Secretary of the School Committee. Chair Packer seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Chair Packer also requested that the School Committee reaffirm Attorney Naomi Stonberg as the School Committee’s attorney. Mr. Haugland moved for approval to reaffirm Attorney Naomi Stonberg as the School Committee's attorney. Mr. Rick Wynn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Ted Wynne moved for approval of the minutes of March 21, 2005. Mr. Rick Wynn seconded. They were approved 5 to 0. Mr. Coburn and Mr. Cashman abstained as they were not part of the Committee at that time.
Mr. Rick Wynn moved for approval of the Executive Session minutes of March 21, 2005. Mr. Ted Wynne seconded. They were approved by a vote of 5-0. Mr. Coburn and Mr. Cashman abstained as they were not part of the Committee at that time.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Ms. Lauren Komack, Classical Arts Chair for The Center for the Arts in Natick came forward to announce some performances taking place at TCAN. She passed out fliers and asked for the support of the schools to distribute the information. She also indicated that she would love to be more involved with the students in Natick in working with The Center for the Arts in Natick.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Dr. Karen LeDuc reported that the Adequate Yearly Progress Reports have been posted on the school website.
Chair Packer announced that she is in receipt of a letter from the Morse Institute Library thanking the School Committee for its recent donation of books in recognition of the service of Peg Broekel and Jonathan Freedman to the children of Natick.
Chair Packer announced the annual NEF Spelling Bee being held on May 3, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. at Natick High School.
OUT OF STATE TRAVEL
Mrs. Ruth Evans requested the School Committee’s approval for out of state travel for Wilson Middle School 8th grade students to travel to Portland, Maine on May 26, 2005. Mr. Haugland moved for approval of this trip. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Mr. John Hughes requested the School Committee’s approval for 5 students and 1 faculty advisor to travel to Anaheim, CA on April 22-26, 2005 to attend the Business Professionals of America National Leadership Conference. Mr. Haugland moved for approval. Chair Packer seconded. It was unanimously approved.
REQUEST FROM NADAC TO CO-SPONSOR THE AFTER THE PROM PARTY
Mr. Connolly requested the School Committee’s approval to co-sponsor the After the Prom Party which is being held on May 20th, 2005. Mr. Haugland moved for approval. Mr. Wynne seconded. It was unanimously approved.
SUBCOMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
The School Committee was provided with a list of Subcommittees. Members should contact Chair Packer with their preferences as to which subcommittees they wish to serve on. These subcommittees will be approved at the meeting of April 25, 2005. Chair Packer will recommend disbanding the Transportation Subcommittee.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed:
RETIREMENT: Professional Staff
Arthur Taddeo, Science teacher at Natick High School. Retirement effective April 1, 2005.
RETIREMENT: Support Staff
Judith Salvi, Media/library assistant at Natick High School. Retirement effective June 22, 2005.
RESIGNATIONS: Professional Staff
Lisa Blankespoor, Art teacher at Wilson Middle School. Resignation effective June 30, 2005.
Joanne Brauninger, Guidance counselor at Kennedy Middle School. Resignation effective June 30, 2005.
Rebecca Brink, (.4) Music teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. Resignation effective June 30, 2005.
Edward Connor, Foreign Language Department Head at Natick High School. Resignation effective June 30, 2005.
Hannah Cross, Grade 1 teacher at Lilja School. Resignation effective June 30, 2005.
Holly DiSalvo, Social studies teacher at Natick High School. Resignation effective June 30, 2005.
RESIGNATIONS: Support Staff
Judith D’Antonio, Building security monitor at Natick High School. Resignation effective August 26, 2005.
Robert Fuller, Student support facilitator long-term at Natick High School. Resignation effective March 25, 2005.
Patricia MacLeod, Food service worker at Natick High School. Resignation effective April 16, 2005.
APPOINTMENT: Professional Staff
Danielle Hildebrand, to be grade 1 long-term substitute teacher at Brown School effective March 8, 2005 to April 6, 2005. Salary, $136.00 per day.
APPOINTMENT: Support Staff
Sarah Kozlowski, to be long-term student support facilitator at Bennett-Hemenway School effective March 28, 2005 to the end of this school year. Salary, $14.64 per hour
UPDATE ON TOWN MEETING ARTICLES
Mr. Connolly recommended that the School Committee take no action on the warrant article it submitted pertaining to capital. The Town Administrator will be presenting a town wide capital plan in the fall. Mr. Connolly has spoken to Mr. Graham, Director of Maintenance, who feels he has the funds necessary for any repairs which may be required over the summer. A discussion took place and consensus was reached that the concern of lack of capital funds for the schools could be addressed at Town Meeting when the Capital Budget is discussed. Chair Packer moved for approval for the School Committee to take “No Action” on the Warrant Article that it put forward on Capital and to address its concerns when Town Meeting discusses the Capital Budget. Mr. Haugland seconded. It was unanimously approved.
ACCEPTANCE OF CONTRACTS
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested the School Committee’s acceptance of the following contracts:
1. Cam’s Auto School, Inc. to conduct a Driver Education Program through the Natick Public Schools
2. RDK Engineering for the engineering, design, bid assistance and project oversight services to provide Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Services for School fire alarm and intercom installations for Johnson, Kennedy, and Memorial Schools.
Mr. Haugland moved for approval to accept the above contracts. Mr. Wynn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
REPORT OF CHARTER SCHOOL TASKFORCE
Mr. Connolly provided an overview of a report of the Charter School Task Force. Copies of the report were provided to the School Committee. A recommendation was made to invite the local Senators and Representatives to a future meeting to discuss this report and to see what actions they may take.
At 9:05 p.m., Mr. Haugland moved to adjourn. Mr. Wynn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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