Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
May 1, 2006
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, May 1, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, Third Floor, Town Hall. Chairman Haugland called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Karen Adelman Foster, Dirk Coburn, Henry Haugland, Stephen Meyler, Rick Wynn,
Members Absent: David Murphy, 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
Staff, Parents & Press
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Wynn moved for approval of the Executive Session minutes of February 27, 2006 and March 27, 2006. Mr. Coburn seconded. The motion carried 3-0. Mr. Meyler and Ms. Adelman Foster abstained as they were not on the board at that time.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairman Haugland asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak. Ms. Christine Weithman, town meeting member and Finance Committee member, came forward to discuss the budget presentation held at town meeting last week. Although she was pleased that the school budget was approved, she had wished that more discussion took place for such an important piece of the town’s budget.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed:
RESIGNATION: Support Staff
Elizabeth Meuller, (.5) student support facilitator at Bennett-Hemenway School. Resignation effective at the end of the day on April 13, 2006.
APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff
Jamie Ashworth, to be long-term foreign language substitute at Natick High School effective April 24, 2006 to the end of this school year. She is replacing Denise Trubiano who is on a maternity leave. Salary, $141.00 per day.
Deborah Bresnick, to be interim Assistant Principal at Wilson Middle School effective April 24, 2006 to the end of this school year. She is replacing Anna Nolin who is on a maternity leave.
Catherine McCormick, to be (.5) long-term grade 1 substitute at Bennett-Hemenway School effective April 24, 2006 to the end of this school year. She is replacing Marcy Klay who is on a maternity leave. Salary, $141.00 per full day. She will also serve as elementary permanent substitute 2 days per week effective April 24, 2006 to the end of this school year. Salary, $94.00 per day.
Susan Peristere, to be long-term school nurse substitute at Brown School effective April 24, 2006 to the end of this school year. Salary, $141.00 per day.
Molly Saccardo, to be long-term grade 5 substitute at Wilson Middle School effective April 24, 2006 to the end of this school year. She is replacing Deborah Bresnick. Salary, $141.00 per day.
UPDATE ON TRANSPORTATION
Approval of Bus Fees
Mr. Connolly reported that although he is unhappy with the bids received for the transportation service, he is recommending that the School Committee approve Option A for the fee proposal which would be keeping the bus fee at $150 per student with a $300 family cap. The makeup of the transportation costs would be as follows:
$471,055 from School Department Operating Budget
$150,000 from bus fees
$307,322 revised Town Meeting Request, which is made up of:
- $195,322 (original request)
- $ 98,000 (encumbered technology funds)
- $14,390 (balance of FY06 town meeting transportation article)
$32,363 balance to be raised.
Mr. Wynn moved for approval to accept Option A for the bus fees and to modify the town meeting transportation request to $307,322. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Acceptance of Bus Contract
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested the School Committee’s acceptance to award Michael J. Connolly a three-year contract to provide regular school bus transportation to our students starting with the 2006-2007 school year. The School Committee shall have the sole option to renew the contract for an additional two year term from July 2, 2009 to June 30, 2011, subject to annual appropriation. Mr. Wynn questioned whether there would be a reduction in the insurance costs as mentioned at the last meeting. Mrs. Dunn reported that there would be an $18,000 per year reduction in insurance costs if the general liability insurance was changed. A discussion continued. The consensus of the Committee was that this is an expensive service and they would like further analysis done on
providing this service inhouse or looking at getting better rates by participating in a regional bid process. Given that neither of these options could be done in time for school opening in September, Mr. Meyler moved to award the transportation bid to Michael J. Connolly. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF STATEMENT OF INTEREST FOR NATICK HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Connolly requested that the School Committee approve a Statement of Interest form for the Natick High School building project which is the first step of the application process with the Massachusetts School Building Authority. A discussion continued. Mr. Connolly will be going to the Board of Selectmen’s meeting on May 22 to get their approval as well. Mr. Wynn moved for approval to submit this form. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
ACCEPTANCE OF STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested the School Committee’s approval to award a bid for student accident insurance to Lefebvre Insurance for the 2006-2007 school year. Mr. Wynn moved for approval. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was unanimously approved.
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS
Mrs. Mary Ellen requested that the School Committee accept the following donations:
Source Amount Purpose
Karen Gloyd $ 60 Business Professionals of America
RICO Sales Inc. $ 250 Business Professionals of America
Angel Gonzalez $ 30 Business Professionals of America
Roche Bros. $ 500 Business Professionals of America
H.R. Bazigian $ 100 Business Professionals of America
Restmore Inc. $ 50 Business Professionals of America
Powered Staging Inc. $ 55 Business Professionals of America
Washington Mutual $ 16.09 HS Principal’s Discretionary
Sam’s Club $ 700 NHS Senior Class
Sam’s Club $1,000 NHS Language Arts Department
New Sound Assembly Chorus $ 400 NHS Acappella Chorus Program
For the Committee’s information, NHS received $214.42 as part of the Target, “Take Charge of Education” Program.
Mr. Coburn moved for approval to accept these donations. Mr. Meyler seconded. They were unanimously approved.
ACCEPTANCE OF CONTRACTS
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested that the School Committee accept the contract with Chartwells for the Operation and Management of the School Food Service Program for the 2006-2007 School Year. This is the last of two yearly extensions that may be granted by the School Committee under the contract and fulfills the DOE rules to have a management company. This item will come back to the first meeting in June to have a more in-depth discussion on pricing and participation.
APPROVAL OF TUITIONS
Dr. Karen LeDuc provided the School Committee with an outline of tuition rates for the Natick Summer Academics 2006 Program. There will be no price increase on tuitions from last year for this program.
Dr. LeDuc introduced Ms. Jeanette Christianson who came forward and discussed the After School Activities Program and the Early Riser programs. She reviewed the proposed FY07 fees which are the same as FY06. Mr. Coburn moved for approval of the fee structure. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Dr. LeDuc introduced Ms. Stephanie Meyler who reviewed the Natick Adult & Community Programs and program rates. Mr. Coburn moved for approval of the program rates. Mr. Wynn seconded. The motion carried 4-0 with Mr. Meyler abstaining.
Mrs. Audrey Seyffert reviewed the tuitions for the Pre-School, the Alternative High School and the Summer School. The recommendations put forward provide for:
· an increase of 15% for preschool tuitions
· an increase of 20% for High School Alternative Education Program
· no increase for the specialized summer school
· an increase of 30% for the Splash/Summer preschool program
Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval of these tuition rates. Mr. Meyler seconded. They were unanimously approved.
ACCEPTANCE OF CONTRACT – K & C MUSIC
Mr. Haugland requested that this item be brought back to the next meeting.
At 8:50 p.m., Mr. Wynn 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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