Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
October 5, 2005
The School Committee held a meeting on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. Chair Packer called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, 3rd Floor, Town Hall.
Members Present: Michael Cashman, Dirk Coburn, Henry Haugland, Diane Packer,
Rick Wynn
Members Absent: Ted Wynne
David Murphy arrived at 7:50 p.m.
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
Staff, Parents & Press
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Coburn moved for approval of the minutes of September 12, 2005. Mr. Haugland 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
Mr. Connolly reported that Mrs. Joanne Meuse, long time employee in the Natick Public Schools, who retired two years ago, suddenly passed away after a brief illness.
ENROLLMENT UPDATE
Mr. Connolly provided a revised update on the October 1, 2005 enrollment numbers. No significant changes from his previous presentation except in kindergarten at the Johnson School. Some late registrations have put the kindergarten numbers up to 47 with two classrooms. Mr. Connolly recommended offering to parents the option of switching to another school with lower kindergarten numbers. The School Committee gave its consensus on this option. Mr. Connolly will work out the details with the principal.
MCAS PRELIMINARY DISTRICT REPORT
Mr. Connolly provided an overview of the 2005 District MCAS results. He indicated that there is a need to move more students from the “Needs Improvement” category to “Proficient”, particularly at the high school. The principals will be doing a more detailed analysis of the results. Mr. Haugland requested that we take a longitudinal look at the data.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed:
RETIREMENT: Support Staff
Alva VanTassel, secretary in the guidance department at Natick High School. Retirement effective at the end of the day on October 14, 2005.
RESIGNATION: Support Staff
Beverly Diamond, student support facilitator at Lilja School. Resignation effective at the end of the day on September 23, 2005.
Beth Soha, part-time food service worker at Brown School. Resignation effective August 30, 2005.
APPOINTMENT: Professional Staff
Frances Burmeister, to be (.4) music teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School effective September 6, 2005 to the end of this school year. Salary, Step 7 pro-rated, Masters Salary Schedule.
Lelana George, to be part-time kindergarten tutor [grant funded] at Memorial School effective September 13, 2005. Salary, Step 1
ENERGY COST UPDATE
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn provided the School Committee with an update on FY06 Utility and Transportation budget which included cost increase estimates. She will be providing monthly updates on the cost increases and would appreciate any feedback on the format in which the information was presented. These price increases could have an impact of $150K-200K over budget and could be as high as $500K but there are many avenues to manage the situation between now and April.
MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATE
Mr. Connolly provided an overview of the changes made at the middle schools over the past two years. The process for the middle school NEASC Accreditation will be discussed at the next meeting. At the meeting of November 7, the principals will provide an update on how things are going.
MISCELLEANEOUS
Mr. Dirk Coburn questioned if American Sign Language would satisfy the high school language requirement. Mr. Connolly will follow up.
Chair Packer requested that the School Committee be kept informed on the long term capital plan.
At 8:40 p.m., Mr. Haugland moved to adjourn. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved to adjourn.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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