Approval of Records
May 16, 2005
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
May 2, 2005
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, May 2, 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. Superintendent Connolly took the roll call.
Members Present: Michael Cashman, Henry Haugland, David Murphy, Diane Packer, Rick Wynn, Ted Wynne
Dirk Coburn arrived at 7:35 p.m.
Others present: James Connolly Superintendent
Karen Leacu LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
Mary Ellen Dunn Director of Fiscal & Management Services
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Staff, Parents & Press
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Ted Wynne moved for approval of the minutes of April 25, 2005. Mr. Rick Wynn seconded. They were unanimously approved.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chair Packer asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak. No one came forward.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Chair Packer announced that the annual NEF Spelling Bee is being held on May 3, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. at Natick High School. Mr. Rick Wynn, Mr. Dirk Coburn and Mr. Henry Haugland will represent the School Committee at the Spelling Bee.
Mr. Cashman requested that the administration look into a bus safety issue involving Bus 19 to Bennett-Hemenway School.
Chair Packer reported that Town Meeting voted to establish a CPA study committee and is looking for School Committee representation, as well as representation from other town departments. Mr. Cashman volunteered to serve as the School Committee’s representative. Mr. Wynn moved for approval for Mr. Cashman to represent the School Committee. Mr. Haugland seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Dr. Karen LeDuc reported that a Poetry Trail Walk was held this weekend which was the culmination of a program held in the schools in which poet, Andrew Green, was the Poet in Resident. The children’s poems have been distributed throughout the town in store windows. She thanked the businesses for their support and acknowledged Christy Slavik who coordinated the program and Chris McLarnon, parent volunteer, who assisted with the poetry walk.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were discussed:
RETIREMENT: Professional Staff
Karen Gloyd, Health teacher at Natick High School. Retirement effective June 30, 2005.
RESIGNATION: Professional Staff
Paula Barbosa, Spanish teacher at Natick High School. Resignation effective June 30, 2005.
Rebecca Chenard, literacy specialist at Bennett-Hemenway School. Resignation effective April 15, 2005.
Helen Greeley, special education teacher at Wilson Middle School. Resignation effective June 30, 2005.
Kathy Pierce, special needs teacher at Kennedy Middle School and currently on a maternity leave. Resignation effective June 30, 2005.
Jennifer Webb, math teacher at Natick High School and currently on a maternity leave. Resignation effective June 30, 2005.
RESIGNATION: Support Staff
Mary Ingleby, satellite cook at Natick High School. Resignation effective April 8, 2005.
EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Professional Staff
Tamara Kennedy, grade 6 teacher at Wilson Middle School. Maternity leave of absence is effective August 29, 2005 to December 1, 2005.
CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Professional Staff
Gina Da Lan, to be (.5) special education teacher at Lilja School effective April 25, 2005 to the end of this school year.
APPOINTMENT: Coaching Staff
Veronica Savaglio, to be girls’ freshman lacrosse coach for the spring season 2005.
APPOINTMENT: Professional Staff
Christine Avery, to be long-term substitute art teacher at Johnson and Memorial School effective May 3, 2005 to the end of this school year. She is replacing Laura Wheeler. Salary, $136.00 per day.
Indira Chivukula, to be long-term substitute science teacher at Natick High School effective April 4, 2005 to the end of this school year. She is replacing Arthur Taddeo. Salary, $136.00 per day.
Jennifer Dannin, to be literacy specialist at Bennett-Hemenway School effective April 22, 2005 to the end of this school year. Salary, Step 1
Juliet Murphy, to be kindergarten long-term substitute at Brown School effective April 11, 2005 to the end of this school year. She is replacing Kathryn Anastasio who is on a maternity leave. Salary, $136.00 per day.
APPOINTMENT: Support Staff
Lynne O’Brien, to be satellite cook at Natick High School effective May 2, 2005. Salary, Step 2.
Mark Robbins, to be long-term substitute student support facilitator at Natick High School North Star effective March 22, 2005 to the end of this school year. Salary, $14.64 per hour.
Lisa Verner, to be part-time food service worker at Natick High School effective April 15, 2005. Salary, Step 1.
Melissa Willey, to be part-time food service worker at Kennedy Middle School effective March 24, 2005. Salary, Step 1
CURRICULUM REPORT - MATHEMATICS
Dr. Karen LeDuc introduced members of her staff who presented a curriculum report on Mathematics.
Elementary – Dr. Dianne Keough
Middle School – Mr. David Walker, Mr. Peter Manna
High School – Mr. John Astill
Items such as academic expectations of student learning, assessments, use of data, instructional strategies and role of positions were discussed. A discussion followed.
Mr. Haugland moved for approval for the School Committee to establish a formal policy that requires both middle schools to offer Algebra 1 in grade 7 that is equal to the level 1 Algebra offered at the high school today and that geometry be delivered in grade 8 equal in scope and quality to that of level 1 geometry at Natick High School and to make adjustments in grades K-6 to assure students are prepared to take these courses. These programs should be available for students in the Fall of 2006. Mr. Coburn seconded.
More discussion took place. This motion will be reviewed at a future meeting. A recommendation was made that this would be a good topic for review for the proposed Curriculum subcommittee.
APPROVAL OF SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS
Ms. Barbara Brown presented the School Improvement Plan for Johnson School. Mr. Coburn moved for approval of this plan. Mr. Wynne seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Ms. Kristen St. George presented the School Improvement Plan for Kennedy Middle School. Mr. Haugland moved for approval of this plan. Mr. Wynn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Ms. Ruth Evans presented the School Improvement Plan for Wilson Middle School. Mr. Haugland moved for approval of this plan. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
ESTABLISHMENT OF CURRICULUM SUBCOMMITTEE
At the School Committee meeting of April 25, Chair Packer put forth a proposal to establish a Curriculum Subcommittee which will work with the Administration regarding curriculum and assessment issues, as well as management and leadership structures. The Subcommittee will consist of three members of the School Committee, as well as designated members from the Administration, and will operate with direction from the full School Committee. The Curriculum Subcommittee will apprise the full Committee on Subcommittee discussions and may, from time to time, or as requested or appropriate, make recommendations to the Committee. Mr. Wynn moved for approval to establish this subcommittee. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Mr. Murphy moved for approval to appoint Chair Packer, Mr. Haugland, and Mr. Rick Wynn to this subcommittee. Mr. Wynn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION REGARDING SCHOOL CHOICE
Mr. Connolly indicated that the School Committee needs to take a vote regarding School Choice. In accordance with the provisions of the School Choice Law, a school committee must annually vote to not participate in school choice. If the committee does not vote, then the district automatically becomes a school choice district. Mr. Connolly recommended that the School Committee adopt the resolution submitted to the Committee to not participate in School Choice. Mr. Coburn moved for approval to adopt the resolution that states that the Natick School Committee declines to participate in the School Choice program. Mr. Wynn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE
The School Committee was presented with a schedule of meetings for the 2005/2006 school year. Mr. Haugland moved for approval of these dates. Mr. Wynn seconded. They were unanimously approved.
ADVANCED MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL – VOTE FOR LEGAL FEES
Mr. Connolly requested that the School Committee vote to support a legal challenge relating to the Advanced Math & Science Academy Charter School. He provided the School Committee with a letter from area superintendents expressing concern that the proposed school was presented to draw from a four-town area and even before it opens, it is drawing and recruiting from 49 different towns. Impacted school districts are being asked to participate in a legal challenge and are looking for a commitment of $2,000-$5,000 from each district. Discussion on this item was deferred to the next meeting.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE APPROVAL OF CREDIT CARD LIMIT INCREASE
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested that the School Committee give its approval to increase the limit on the School Department credit card from $5,000 to $10,000. Mr. Haugland moved for approval to increase the credit limit to $10,000. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
TO AWARD A CONTRACT FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENT RENTAL & REPAIR
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested that the School Committee accept a contract with K & C Music to provide musical instrument rental and repair to the students of the Natick Public Schools. K & C provided the lowest bid, out of three received, for a bid opening held on April 12, 2005. Mr. Haugland moved for approval to award the contract to K & C Music. Mr. Wynn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
At 11:10 p.m., Mr. Wynn moved to adjourn. Mr. Haugland seconded. It was unanimously approved.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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