Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
November 7, 2005
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, November 7, 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, 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
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Wynn moved for approval of the minutes of October 17, 2005 with a couple modifications. He would like to add that significant discussion took place regarding the AYP reports and that no action was taken on the MASC resolutions due to the fact that the School Committee did not receive the materials in a timely manner to make any recommendations. Mr. Haugland seconded. The minutes were unanimously approved with the modifications.
PRESENTATION OF MASS CERTIFICATE OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Mr. Connolly introduced two students from the Class of 2006 who are in the top of their class and who were the best in academics and citizenship at the end of their junior year. He awarded Mr. Michael Williams and Mr. Michael Silvestri Certificates of Academic Excellence, which were instituted by the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents to honor students who have distinguished themselves in the pursuit of academic excellence. The Administration and the School Committee congratulated these students on this achievement.
MEMORIAL SCHOOL PLAYGROUND UPDATE
Mr. Rick Wynn, School Committee member and former Memorial School Council member, and Mr. David Dimmick, community representative for Memorial School Council, provided the School Committee with an update on the final stage of the Memorial School playground. The final stage consists of an “Outdoor Classroom” which should be completed in the Spring of 2006. Drawings for the classroom were provided to the Committee.
APPROVAL OF A PRIVATE SCHOOL
Mrs. Audrey Seyffert discussed a request submitted by Ms. Denise Rizzo and Mr. Louis Ranieri, Directors of Realizing Children’s Strengths Learning Center to open a daycare, preschool, K-6 program and eventually, a secondary program to serve children within the Autism Spectrum. According to MGL, Chapter 76, Section 1, the local School Committee is required to approve the school’s curriculum In addition the school will need to complete the Massachusetts Department of Education requirements which involve rigorous standards in order to achieve the status as an approved 766 school in the future. A discussion continued. Mrs. Seyffert answered questions raised by the Committee. Mr. Haugland moved for approval of the school’s curriculum for grades
K-6. Mr. Wynn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATE
Mrs. Ruth Evans, Principal, Mrs. Anna Nolin, Vice Principal, and Mr. Robert Macone, Vice Principal of Wilson Middle School along with Mrs. Kristen St. George, Principal and Robert Parga, Vice Principal of Kennedy Middle School provided the School Committee with a status report of the changes implemented in the Natick Middle Schools over the last few years. A lengthy discussion took place and questions were answered. When asked what resources they need to keep this program going in a positive direction, the answer given was more time for professional development, adding time to the teachers’ calendar and the need for additional guidance counselors. Another concern raised was teacher retention.
TO APPOINT A REPRESENTATIVE TO THE LONG RANGE STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE
The Board of Selectmen voted to establish a seven person Long-Range Strategic Planning Committee to develop a recommendation for the creation of a long-range strategic planning process for the Town of Natick. The School Committee has been asked to appoint a representative to this Committee. Mr. Rick Wynn nominated Mr. Ted Wynne to represent the School Committee on this Committee. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
DISCUSSION OF UPCOMING MEETING WITH STATE LEGISLATORS
Mr. Connolly reported that the Board of Selectmen have invited School Committee members to join them at their meeting of November 21 at 7:00 p.m. to meet with the State Legislators. The School Committee will join the Selectmen at 7:00 p.m. Immediately following the session with the State Legislators, the School Committee will reconvene their meeting to conduct an Executive Session for the purposes of discussing Collective Bargaining. Some areas that the School Committee would like the Legislators to discuss are Charter Schools, School Building Assistance and State Aid. Mr. Connolly will be attending some upcoming meetings regarding the School Building Assistance Program and will update the Committee in early December.
REQUEST FOR MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT RATE INCREASE
At the meeting of October 17, 2005, Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested a change to the School Mileage Reimbursement Practice. The current rate for mileage reimbursement is $0.32. She is requesting that the mileage reimbursement rate be equal to the effective IRS rate at the time the mileage occurred retroactive to July 1, 2005. The current IRS rate is 48.5 cents. Mr. Coburn moved for approval to set the mileage reimbursement rate to that of the IRS rate, retroactive to July 1, 2005. Mr. Wynn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
RECOMMENDATION OF SCHOOL CALENDARS FOR 2006/2007 AND 2007/2008
Mr. Connolly provided the School Committee with recommendations for the School Calendars for 2006/2007 and 2007/2008. Mr. Connolly also reported that he is in receipt of a letter from a parent in the community requesting that schools be closed only one day for Rosh Hashanah as opposed to two. Mr. Connolly reported that it’s a 50/50 split for other communities in the area who close schools for 1 or 2 days. The calendar will be reviewed with the EAN and brought back to the first meeting in December for approval.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed:
RESIGNATIONS: Professional Staff
Lisa O’Brien-Smith, reading teacher at Lilja School and currently on a leave of absence. Resignation efective October 19, 2005.
Jennifer Rossi, ELL teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Resignation effective at the end of the day on November 18, 2005.
RESIGNATIONS: Support Staff
Jacqueline Casey, media assistant at Bennett-Hemenway School. Resignation effective at the end of the day on October 21, 2005.
Ryan Hall, Custodian at Wilson Middle School. Resignation effective at the end of the day on October 7, 2005.
Dorothy LaCouture, building support facilitator at Bennett-Hemenway School. Resignation effective October 25, 2005.
Kimberly O’Donnell, (.5) student support facilitator at Bennett-Hemenway School. Resignation effective at the end of the day on October 14, 2005.
CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Support Staff
Christopher Gilbert, to be maintenance II employee effective October 17, 2005.
Ronald Johnson, to be maintenance III employee effective September 28, 2005.
Michael Marshall, to be Jr. I custodian at Wilson Middle School effective October 17, 2005.
David Rodrigues, to be Jr. II custodian at Natick High School effective October 17, 2005.
Donna Slattery, to be secretary in the guidance department at Natick High School effective October 17, 2005.
APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff
Peter Alderman, to be Title I teacher at Johnson School effective September 26, 2005. Salary, Step 5.
Erin Boylen, to be part-time kindergarten tutor [grant funded] at Brown School effective November 7, 2005. Salary, $23.50 per hour.
Paul DeCouto, to be (.06) adaptive physical education teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School effetive October 7, 2005. Salary, Step 13, Bachelors.
Catherine McCormick, to be elementary permanent substitute teacher effective September 29, 2005. Salary, $94.00 per day.
Ellen Reynolds, to be kindergarten [grant funded] long-term substitute teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School effective November 1, 2005. Salary, $141.00 per day.
APPOINTMENTS: Support Staff
Joseph Ceruto, to be Jr. I Custodian at Brown and Kennedy Middle School School effective November 7, 2005. Salary, Step 1.
Barbara-Jean Lee, to be part-time food service worker at Natick High School effective October 25, 2005. Salary, Step 1
Susan Mascioli, to be student support facilitator at Lilja School effective September 26, 2005. Salary, Step 3.
Victoria McShane, to be (.5) student support facilitator at Bennett-Hemenway School effctive October 14, 2005. Salary, Step 3.
David Morrison, to be maintenance IV employee effective October 11, 2005. Salary, Step 5.
Dana Webb, to be Jr. I custodian at Natick High School and Bennett-Hemenway School effective october 11, 2005. Salary, Step 1
ACCEPTANCE OF SCHOOL DONATIONS
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested the School Committee’s acceptance of the following donations:
SJL Foundation $3,000 Parent Resource Library – Memorial School
Family Reading Program $27.24 Kennedy – Principal Discretionary
Sharon Manuel and Ken Stevens $1,000 Brown – Principal Discretionary
A Ai Pharma (Office Furniture) N/A Memorial School
Mr. Haugland moved for approval of these funds. Mr. Wynn seconded. They were unanimously approved.
At 10:20 p.m., Mr. Haugland moved to adjourn. Mr. Wynn seconded. It was unanimously approved to adjourn.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
| 
