Approval of Records
January 9, 2006
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
December 19, 2005
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, December 19, 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.
Members Present: Michael Cashman, Dirk Coburn, Henry Haugland, David Murphy, Diane Packer, Rick Wynn, Ted Wynne
Others present: James Connolly Superintendent
Karen 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
Chair Packer requested a moment of silence in memory of Marshall Lebowitz, former School Committee member and active member of the community, who passed away over the weekend.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF NATICK HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PROGRAM
Mr. Connolly introduced Mr. Tom Lamb, Natick High School Athletic Director and NHS Football Coach, and acknowledged the Natick High School Football team on their recent Super Bowl win and their 13-0 season. Mr. Lamb introduced the captains of the varsity team, Kevin Eldridge, Reshaude Goodwyn, Dan Turner and Billy Flutie. The Committee congratulated the team on their successful season. Chair Packer acknowledged the freshman and junior varsity teams on their undefeated season as well.
ROTARY DICTIONARY PROGRAM
Mr. Andrew Meyer spoke about a program that the Natick Rotary Club would like to sponsor for the elementary schools. They currently have programs for the middle school students and the high school students. They would like to provide every third grader with a dictionary that they can use throughout their school years. They would like to present the dictionaries during a specific timeframe. They would like to have each dictionary inscribed with the students name inside the front cover. It is their hope that this would be an annual program. Dr. Karen LeDuc offered to work out the details with the Rotary Club and the principals.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Haugland moved for approval of the minutes of December 5, 2005. Mr. Wynn seconded. They were unanimously approved.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chair Packer asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak.
Mr. Rick Savoia discussed his and his neighbors unsuccessful attempts to have a bus stop moved off of Speen Street for the Kennedy Middle School students. They feel it is an unsafe area to have a bus stop. This bus stop serves the children who reside in the Pinehurst and Pheasant Hollow areas. He requested that an agenda item be put on for the next meeting which speaks to the way in which bus stops are determined, how they can be changed and identify the persons one should work with to resolve parental concerns.
Mr. Jerry Pierce requested that the School Committee review its policies on snow days and delayed openings.
He feels the administration needs to be more responsive to parental concerns.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS, & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Mr. Connolly provided some information regarding the snow storm of December 9. He has met with principals , the bus company and the Department of Public Works to try to resolve some issues that came about during this storm. Some things that were discussed were:
· Determination that early release is not an option
· Technology changes – due to phone system set up, when multiple calls come, they are directed to voice mail. A voice mail message needs to be updated throughout the day with a status report in a situation like this.
· Routes will run the way they are designed but may run slow
· May want to look into a broadcast system that will automatically call all the homes of students with a particular message.
Mr. Wynn requested that a review be done of what should be included in the upcoming bid for transportation. Mr. Connolly recommended that a transportation subcommittee be set up. Chair Packer and Mr. Wynn will present a charge for this subcommittee at the next School Committee meeting. Mr. Wynne asked who the contacts are for bus change requests. Mr. Connolly answered:
– Transportation Coordinator , Mrs. Ginny Constantine
– Director of Business, Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn
– Superintendent, Mr. James Connolly
Mrs. Dunn pointed out that bus stop change request forms are available on the website.
APPROVAL OF A PRIVATE SCHOOL
Mrs. Audrey Seyffert discussed a request submitted by Ms. Helen Bloomer, Executive Director of Crossroads Center for Children to relocate its program to Natick. The Crossroads Center for Children serves children within the Autism Spectrum for students ages 3-16. According to MGL, Chapter 76, Section 1, the local School Committee is required to approve the school’s curriculum The school has full Department of Education approval and currently operates in Sudbury. Mr. Kevin Hardy, Director of Education for Crossroads was present at the meeting to answer any questions. Mr. Haugland moved for approval of the school’s curriculum for students ages 3-16. Mr. Wynn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
FY07 BUDGET PREVIEW
Mr. Connolly presented a preview of the FY07 budget. Mrs. Seyffert presented a preview of the FY07 Special Education Budget. A discussion continued. Mr. Connolly suggested that the School Committee may wish to move its budget deliberations a little further out in the year (closer to Town Meeting in April). Mr. Wynn requested that more information be provided for future trends for Special Education costs, i..e. speculate what you may be seeing in the future, what is the ratio of children born in the town vs. moving into town that require special needs.
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS
Mrs. Dunn requested that the School Committee accept a donation in the amount of $50.00, to be used for the Natick High School Environmental Club. Mr. Coburn moved for approval of this donation. Mr. Wynn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
At 9:00 p.m., Mr. Haugland moved to adjourn Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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