Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
June 5, 2006
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, June 5, 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, Henry Haugland, Stephen Meyler, Dave Murphy, Rick Wynn
Dirk Coburn arrived at 7:40 p.m.
Members Absent: Ted Wynne
Others present: James Connolly Superintendent
Karen LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
Mary Ellen Dunn Director of Fiscal & Management Services
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Matt Lanchantin Student Representative
Maureen Cushing Student Representative
Staff, Parents & Press
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Wynn moved for approval of the minutes of May 15, 2006. Mr. Meyler seconded. The motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Meyler moved for approval of the minutes of May 17, 2006. Mr. Wynn seconded. The motion carried 5-0.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairman Haugland asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak. No one came forward.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Tour de Natick
Mr. Peter Golden provided an update of the Natick Rotary’s 3rd Annual Tour de Natick, a bicycle ride for Natick scholars being held on Sunday, June 18, 2006 (Father’s Day). All proceeds go towards educational support for Natick Students. Mr. Golden encouraged all to participate. Fliers will be dropped off to each of the schools for distribution to students.
July 4th Parade
Chairman Haugland reported that the School Committee has been invited to participate in the 4th of July parade.
Mr. Connolly reported on the graduation ceremony held on Sunday, June 4. The decision was made to hold the ceremony outside, despite the misty weather. He also reported that at class night, over $180,000 in scholarships was awarded. Mr. Connolly reported that the 2006 Class gift will be a new sign for the “new high school”.
Mr. Connolly reported that Representative David Linsky announced that a check will be presented in the amount of $11,496,915 for the Wilson Middle School Renovation. This presentation will take place on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. at Wilson Middle School. The funding comes from the School Building Authority. All members of the community are invited to attend.
UPDATE ON BROWN SCHOOL PLAYGROUND
Ms. Bernadine Small, Principal of the Brown School, along with Robert Graham, Director of Facilities provided an update on the Brown School Playground, to be known as the O.B. Hill Memorial Park. A partnership between the O.B. Hill family, the Brown School PTO and the Brown School Council has been formed and funds have been raised to purchase new equipment for the intermediate playground. Mr. Graham stated that all ground work will be prepared over the summer to accommodate the new equipment and relocation of other equipment. Mr. Wynn moved to approve this project so that equipment may be ordered. Mr. Haugland seconded. It was approved 6 to 0.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed:
RETIREMENTS: Professional Staff
Joyce Ananian, Guidance counselor at Wilson Middle School. Retirement effective June 30, 2006.
Judith Kelley Kindergarten teacher at Lilja School. Retirement effective June 30, 2006.
Dianne Keough Elementary Curriculum Coordinator/Math. Retirement effective November 3, 2006.
Donna McCabe Physical education teacher at Lilja School. Retirement effective July 19, 2006.
Kathleen Montgomery Grade 2 teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. Retirement effective June 30, 2006.
Michael Panchuck, Guidance counselor at Natick High School. Retirement effective June 30, 2006.
Jane Quilty Grade 5 teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Retirement effective June 30, 2006.
Anne Starek Kindergarten teacher at Memorial School. Retirement effective June 30, 2006.
RETIREMENTS: Support Staff
Irene Ferguson, Student Support Facilitator at Kennedy Middle School. Retirement effective June 30, 2006.
Anne Rollins, Media/library assistant at Johnson School. Retirement effective June 16, 2006.
Mary Schneekloth, Secretary to Principal at Natick High School. Retirement effective August 26, 2006.
RESIGNATIONS: Professional Staff- Effective June 30, 2006.
Candace Albertian, ELL teacher at Kennedy Middle School
Peter Alderman, Title I teacher at Johnson School
Laura Erwin, (.5) Grade 1 teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School
Jessica Gabrielson, Special education teacher at Brown School
Lynette Gatti, Preschool teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School
Lorrie Hjorth, Guidance counselor at Bennett-Hemenway School
Martha Holmes, Foreign language teacher at Natick High School
Lisa Hughey, Physics teacher at Natick High School
Jennifer Hursey, Special education teacher at Wilson Middle School
Mary Kenny, Grade 1 teacher at Brown School
Catherine McCullough, Grade 4 teacher at Memorial School
Michele Offner, Special education teacher at Natick High School
Stephanie Raphael, Kindergarten teacher at Brown School
Mary Ellen Reece, Grade 4 teacher at Lilja School
Pollyanna Sidell, Grade 4 teacher at Memorial School
Sabina Steede, Literacy specialist at Lilja School
RESIGNATIONS: Support Staff
Doreen Dellorfon, Building support facilitator at Memorial School. Resignation effective May 1, 2006
Margaret Moran, Student support facilitator at Natick High School. Resignation effective June 30, 206.
Jessica Schaffer, Student support facilitator at Lilja School. Resignation effective June 30, 2006.
Karen Carr Student support facilitator at Lilja School. Resignation effective June 30, 2006.
David Bernstein Student support facilitator at Kennedy Middle School. Resignation effective June 30, 2006.
TERMINATION: Support Staff
Joseph Ceruti, Custodian at Brown and Kennedy Middle School. Termination effective May 26, 2006.
EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Professional Staff
Winston Blackburn, Social studies teacher at Natick High School. Leave of absence for professional development is effective for the 2006-2007 school year.
Lauren Gilbert, Pupil Services Program Supervisor. Maternity leave of absence is effective May 25 to July 31, 2006.
Mr. Connolly announced that Lauren Gilbert, soon to be the Director of Pupil Services, gave birth to a baby girl, Ayla Mary-Kathleen on May 25, 2006. Both Mom and baby are doing well.
FISCAL UPDATE
Mr. Connolly provided an end of the year summary for the FY06 budget. He reviewed the major variances, net available balances and end of year priority needs. This item will be brought back to the next meeting for a vote by the School Committee.
Mr. Connolly also reviewed the FY07 budget. The FY07 budget adjustment required ($549,982), the difference between the superintendent’s projection of $37,962,516 and the School Committee recommendation and Town Meeting vote of $37,412,534 has been covered by the following reductions:
Salaries and wages $434,773
(resignations, positions shifted to grants, late retirements)
2000 Supplies $77,209
7000 Equipment $38,000
Budget Adjustment Required $549,982
No further adjustments to the FY07 budget are required.
EXTENSION OF FOOD SERVICE CONTRACT
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn provided an overview of the Food Service Program currently operated by Chartwells. She discussed the need to increase the participation rate and discussed the deficit that the program is currently experiencing and the reasons why. A discussion continued on the need to improve this program in order to reduce this deficit.- better marketing, reduce the time students have to wait in line, implementing electronic point of sale system, etc.
Mrs. Dunn requested that the School Committee extend the contract with Chartwells for one year. A scheduled bid for food service will occur in the Fall of 2006 for fiscal years 2008-2010. She also requested that the School Committee increase lunch prices as follows:
Increase Breakfast Price by $.25 per meal – current price $1.00
Increase a-la-carte price range: $0 - $2.50 – current price $0 - $2.00
Allow premium meal price range: $3.00-$5.00
Mr. Meyler moved for approval to extend the contract with Chartwells for one year and to approve the increase in lunch prices as outlined above. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was approved 6 – 0.
Mr. Haugland requested that Mrs. Dunn come back to the first meeting in August with an update.
CURRICULUM SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATE
Dr. Karen LeDuc reviewed the work of the Curriculum Subcommittee which was to further study the motion before the School Committee to cause the administration and middle schools to offer Grade 7 Algebra as a formal course of study to identified students in the Fall of 2006. Dr. LeDuc indicated that no students were identified at this time for Grade 7 Algebra.
Mr. Haugland moved for approval that the School Committee will require that a Grade 7 Algebra course be made available for those students who can meet the same readiness requirements of 8th grade students for school year 2007/2008 and that adjustments be made to the 5th and 6th grade curriculum to insure that a minimum of 15% of the students will be capable of passing a readiness assessment. Mr. Wynn seconded.
Mr. Haugland moved for approval to defer discussion on this motion until the next meeting. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was approved 6 to 0.
AMENDMENT TO SUBCOMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
(Acceptance of Charge for the Communications Subcommittee)
Chairman Haugland reviewed the following proposed charge of the Communications Subcommittee for the Committee’s approval:
The charge of the Communications Subcommittee is to review and recommend to the School Committee, and if directed by the committee, to implement, ways to improve communications between the Natick Public School System and the entire community of constituents it serves, including students, parents, teachers, seniors and others.
Mr. Haugland moved for approval of this charge. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was approved 6 to 0.
TO AWARD BID FOR TRANSPORTATION ROUTING SOFTWARE
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn reviewed the bids received for the Transportation Routing Software. She requested that the School Committee award the bid to VersaTrans Solutions, Inc. Mr. Wynn moved for approval to award this bid to VersaTrans Solutions, Inc. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was approved 6 to 0.
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested that the School Committee accept the following donations:
Source Amount Purpose
The MathWorks, Inc. $2,797.25 Kennedy Student Activities, Robotics Club
The MathWorks, Inc. $1,000 Business Professionals of America
Arturo R. Rolla, M.D. $ 20 Business Professionals of America
Ms. Nancy Rebula $ 100 Business Professionals of America
Florentine Frames $ 100 Business Professionals of America
Mr. Angel Gonzalez $ 30 Business Professionals of America
Sam’s Club Foundation $1,000 Lilja Principal Discretionary Fund
Mr. Ray Martel $1,500 AV Equipment to Technology Dept.
Mr. Paul Zychowicz $ 841 13 ft. Aluminum Hull Committee Boat
And items to outfit the boat
Mr. Michael Kaiser $326.99 Electric Motor for Committee Boat
Mr. Haugland moved for approval to accept these donations. Mr. Coburn seconded. They were approved 6 to 0.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC LESSON RATES
Dr. Karen LeDuc proposed the following fee structure for the 2006-2007 school year:
Grade 4 (group) $160.00 per semester- 15 lessons No Change
Grade 5 (group) $175.00 per semester- 15 lessons No Change
Grades 6-8 (private) $315.00 15 lessons, 30 minutes @$21.00 per lesson $1.00 Increase
Registration $25.00 ($15.00 for each additional family member) New
Mr. Coburn requested that a family cap of $40.00 be instituted for the registration fee. Dr. LeDuc concurred.
Mr. Meyler moved for approval of the above fee structure including the addition of the family cap on the registration fee.. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. It was approved 6 to 0.
FACILITY RENTAL POLICY PROPOSAL FOR FY07-FY09
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn reported that a proposed revision to the School Committee Rental of Facility Policy has been submitted to the policy subcommittee for its review. Mrs. Dunn requested that the School Committee approve a subscription contract with Schooldude.com for scheduling facilities which is expected to be less than $3,000 per year. A discussion continued. Mr. Wynn moved for approval on the subscription for Schooldude.com. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was approved 6 to 0.
Ms. Karen Adelman Foster moved for approval to refer the facility rental rates to the policy subcommittee for its review. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was approved 6 to 0.
At 10:10 p.m., the Administration requested an Executive Session to discuss negotiations with non-represented personnel in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 39, Section 23b of the Massachusetts General Laws. A roll call vote was taken. All members present were in favor of entering into Executive Session which was held in the small meeting room, 3rd floor, Town Hall.
Returned to open session at 11:20 p.m.
At 11:20 p.m., Mr. Haugland moved to adjourn. Mr. Murphy seconded. It was approved 6 to 0.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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