Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE RETREAT
May 9, 2005
The School Committee held a retreat on Monday, May 9, 2005 at 6:45 p.m. The meeting was called to order at 6:45 p.m. in the Small Conference Room, 3rd Floor, Town Hall.
Present were Diane Packer, Rick Wynn, Henry Haugland, Ted Wynne, Mike Cashman, Dave Murphy, Dirk Coburn and Jim Connolly.
Chair Packer discussed the relationship between the open meeting law and e-mail communications, as well as the proper procedure for handling transportation complaints.
Mr. Connolly provided a report on the NHS Prom.
Chair Packer indicated that orientation for new members of the School Committee would be provided through a meeting to be held over the summer with members of the administration.
Mr. Connolly provided an update on collective bargaining, and expressed his desire to have a new contract in place for presentation to the April 2006 Town Meeting.
Mr. Connolly then provided an update on the High School building project. Based on his meetings with administrators of the SBA, it appears that new regulations will not be in place until July of 2006, with applications for new projects not being accepted until July of 2007. It is anticipated that the High School Building Committee will meet this spring, and perhaps select an architect in Fall 2005. Because the new SBA regulations are not available, it is still too early to do any detailed planning.
Mr. Connolly then gave an overview of enrollment projections for Fall 2005. While kindergarten class sizes appear to be at acceptable levels, the enrollment increase at Ben-Hem (projected at 126, up from 91 in 2004) will require the addition of a sixth kindergarten class.
Mr. Connolly then reported that Mr. Chuck Brown has been hired as the new Director of Fine and Performing Arts and will start in the 2005-2006 school year.
Mr. Connolly then presented a request for an out of state field trip over the November 11, 2005 weekend for the NHS Chorus. Mr. Haugland moved approval, Mr. Wynn seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
There then ensued a discussion of the importance of setting goals for the Superintendent. Chair Packer and Mr. Connolly agreed to draft a list of goals for further discussion by the Committee.
At 8:50 p.m. Mr. Haugland moved adjournment. Mr. Wynne seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted
Edward Wynne
Clerk, Natick School Committee
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