Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
May 15, 2006
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, May 15, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the School Committee Room, Third Floor, Town Hall. Chairman Haugland called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Henry Haugland, Stephen Meyler, Dave Murphy, Rick Wynn, Ted Wynne
The Administration requested an Executive Session to discuss Collective Bargaining and Non-Represented personnel in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 39, Section23B of the Massachusetts General Laws.
Dirk Coburn arrived at 7:15 p.m.
Karen Adelman Foster arrived at 7:35 p.m.
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
At 7:40 p.m., the School Committee returned to open session.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Wynne moved for approval of the minutes of April 24, 2006. Mr. Rick Wynn seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Mr. Ted Wynne moved for approval of the minutes of May 2, 2006. Mr. Steve Meyler seconded. They were unanimously approved.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairman Haugland asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak. No one came forward.
TO RATIFY A CONTRACT
Mrs. Marianne Davis reported that the School Committee had been in Executive Session this evening to review the Memorandum of Agreement for a contract with the Custodians and Maintenance Local 1116 which has been ratified by the Association. This agreement would cover three years from July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2009 It calls for a 2% pay increase along with other cost items for the first year and a 3% increase for the 2nd and 3rd years. Mr. Coburn moved for approval on this contract as outlined in the Memorandum of Agreement. Mr. Wynn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF NON-REPRESENTED PERSONNEL SALARY STRUCTURE
Mrs. Davis reported that the School Committee in Executive Session this evening reviewed the FY2007 salary schedule for non-represented personnel. This schedule provides a 3% increase to the ranges and steps of most positions, effective July 1, 2006. In addition the following changes were presented and acted upon.
1. Delete the position of Technical Support Coordinator and replace with Technical Support Specialist. Recommended range: 6 steps with step 1 at $19.4872 and step 6 at $23.0769 (equivalent to annualized $38,000 - $45,000). Rate must be hourly since this is a non-exempt position. Establish a new position of Help Desk Manager with a salary range of $48,000 to $55,000. Mr. Wynn moved for approval. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was
unanimously approved.
2. Delete Early Childhood Instructor since this position was eliminated with the High School preschool program. There are no plans to re-establish this program. Mr. Wynn moved for approval. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was unanimously approved.
3. Staff Development Specialist: Amend the salary range to be based on an hourly rate equivalent to steps 1-6 of the Unit A Master’s +30 level salary schedule. Step 1 will be $35.7649 and step 6 will be $40.9697. This position will now be a 15 hours per week, non-benefited position. Mr. Meyler moved for approval. Mr. Wynn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
4. Substitute Nurse: Increase rate to $99/day (effective first day of work). Mr. Meyler moved for approval. Mr. Wynn seconded. It was unanimously approved
5. Instrumental Music: Delete references to group, private and semi-private music instruction and establish one hourly rate of $42/hour for Instrumental Music Instructor. Mr. Wynn moved for approval. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was unanimously approved.
6. Establish a Part Time Clerical and Substitute Clerical rate of $12.9368. Mr. Wynn moved for approval. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was unanimously approved.
7. Confidential Secretaries (Secretary to the Director of Fiscal and Management Services, Secretary to the Director of Human Resources and Secretary to the Superintendent) - adopt and maintain a 3.5% differential between the H.R. and Fiscal and Management Services Confidential Secretaries’ rate and the highest paid unionized position, and adopt and maintain a 15.3% differential between the Superintendent’s Secretary and the highest paid unionized position. Mr. Wynn moved for approval. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was unanimously approved.
ELEMENTARY PRINCIPALS UPDATE
Ms. Barbara Brown and Ms. Beverly McCloskey, on behalf of the elementary principals, discussed the new kindergarten registration process and the work being done to revamp the elementary school progress reports.
A discussion continued. They responded to questions from Committee members.
REPORT FROM HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
Mr. John Hughes discussed the need to improve the MCAS ELA scores at Natick High School. He introduced Mr. Carl Bates who presented a plan to move students out of the needs improvement category and into the proficient and advanced category by identifying specific student needs, early detection, remediation, parent involvement and access to MCAS tools, such as TestWiz. A discussion continued and concerns were raised such as:
· Are the identified comparable towns the right towns to use?
· Is the English curriculum behind those in other towns?
· We should be looking at previous testing results of the same group of students
· We shouldn’t be focusing on just the MCAS test – should be looking at entire English program
· Concern of eliminating an English Teacher when we are trying to improve the program – student course selection needs to be finalized
· Would rather spend time on the ELA Curriculum as a whole
Chairman Haugland requested that a more detailed presentation on the full English program be brought back to a future meeting.
TO CO-SPONSOR THE AFTER THE PROM PARTY
Mr. Connolly requested that the School Committee Co-Sponsor the 18th annual After the Prom Party to be held on Friday, May 19, 2006. Ms. Karen Adelman-Foster moved for approval. Mr. Wynne seconded. It was unanimously approved.
TO APPROVE REQUEST FOR OUT OF STATE TRAVEL
Mr. Connolly requested the School Committee’s approval of an out-of-state travel trip for Wilson Middle School 7th grade students to travel to Canobie Lake Park in Salem, NH on Thursday, June 15, 2006 for their year-end trip. Mr. Wynne moved for approval of this trip. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was unanimously approved.
ACCEPTANCE OF CONTRACT – LASER PRINTER SERVICE & SUPPLIES
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested that the School Committee’s award a one-year contract for Laser Printer Service and Supplies to Expert Laser Printers, Inc. Mr. Wynn moved for approval. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was unanimously approved.
ACCEPTANCE OF CONTRACT EXTENSION FOR INSTRUMENT RENTAL & REPAIR
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested that the School Committee extend the contract with K & C Music for one year for instrument rental & repair. This is a recommendation by Mr. Chuck Brown since this is a transition year for hiring a new Director of Fine & Performing Arts. Mr. Wynne moved for approval. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was unanimously approved.
TO APPOINT A MEMBER TO SERVE ON THE STRATEGIC PLANNING OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
Mr. Craig Ross requested that the School Committee appoint someone to serve on the Strategic Planning Oversight Committee. Chairman Haugland requested that Ms. Reilly to get more information from Mr. Craig Ross as to the time commitment involved. This item will be revisited.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Mr. John Hughes announced that the Natick High School Students in the Business Professionals of America program faired very well in the recent competition held in Orlando, Florida. NHS student David Arnold placed 2nd out of 63 entrants nationwide and Ben Hollander placed 5th out of 63 entrants, for PC Servicing (A+).
Mr. Connolly reported that he is in receipt of a latter from Mr. David Flynn, Director of the Commission, of New England Association of Schools & Colleges, Inc. which states that Wilson Middle School was accepted and approved by NEASC.
Mr. Coburn reported on the successful 10th annual Spelling Bee sponsored by the Natick Education Foundation. Over $20,000 was raised to support education in Natick.
At 9:55 p.m., Mr. Rick Wynn moved to adjourn Mr. Ted Wynne seconded. It was unanimously approved.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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