Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
August 28, 2006
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, August 28, 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, Dave Murphy, Ted Wynne
Members Absent: Rick Wynn, Stephen Meyler
Chairman Haugland announced that Mr. Rick Wynn will be engaged in an educational opportunity until November and Mr. Ted Wynne will be Interim Vice Chairman until Mr. Wynn returns.
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. Wynne moved for approval of the Executive Session minutes of June 5, 2006 and June 19, 2006. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Mr. Wynne moved for approval of the School Committee minutes of June 19, 2006. Mr. Coburn seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Chairman Haugland requested that a motion be made to approve the School Committee minutes of June 22, 2006. Ms. Adelman Foster requested that an amendment be made in the section: End of Year Purchasing. The suggested correction is as follows:
Original
He then moved to direct the administration to expend the funds listed above but to change the designation of the $5,500 for School Committee Room furniture to wherever the Superintendent sees fit. Mr. Meyler seconded. Chairman Haugland called for a vote. The motion carried 5 to 0. Ms. Adelman Foster was not in favor.
Suggested correction
Mr. Murphy then moved to change the designation of the $5,500 for the School Committee Room furniture to wherever the Superintendent sees fit, and with that change to direct the administration to expend the funds listed above. Mr. Meyler seconded. Chairman Haugland called for a vote. The motion carried 5 to 1. Ms. Adelman Foster was not in favor.
Ms. Adelman Foster moved to approve the minutes of June 22, 2006 with this correction. Mr. Wynne seconded. They were unanimously approved with the correction as outlined above.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Mr. Bob Weithman from Cub Scout 1775 came forward and requested that a decision be reversed which would allow scout troops to hang posters in the schools for their membership drives. Mr. Connolly was not aware of this issue and will look into it.
Mr. Matt Eaton, Wilson Middle School Band Director, came forward and distributed a CD of the Wilson Middle School Bands to School Committee members. He thanked the Committee for their support and indicated that the making of this CD was a collaborated effort of students, parents, staff and administration.
POLICY REVIEW
Mr. Connolly presented the following policies to the School Committee:
Policy: Student Travel
Status: New
Reason: Chapter 346 of the acts of 2002 requires that school committees adopt a policy to govern student late night and overnight travel. This law is a result of the school bus tragedy in Canada of Newton students. The policy is the MASC policy except that we have stated that airplane travel is not included.
Policy: Criminal Offender Record Information
Status: Revision
Reason: The C.O.R.I. regulations were updated and the revised policy reflects those changes.
Policy: Medication Administration Policy
Status: Revision
Reason: The revised policy reflects regulation changes which allow students to self-administer medication, such as asthma inhalers and insulin delivery systems, under specific circumstances.
Policy: Natick Community Farm
Status: New
Reason: The School Committee voted a resolution on February 7, 2005 that incorporates the policy presented. A motion was made and passed to have the resolution return as a policy. The issue for the School Committee is whether to incorporate the resolution as a policy.
Policy: Naming and Dedication of School Facilities and Properties
Status: New
Reason: Requests to name or dedicate facilities will occasionally come before the School Committee. As of now, there is not a structured method of review.
Policy: Wellness Policy
Status: New
Reason: The federal Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act requires every district receiving federal funds to adopt a wellness policy before the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year.
Policy: Rental of Facility Policy
Status: Revision (Rates only)
Reason: Rates need to be revised to reflect increased labor and facility costs.
Due the amount of people in the audience who wish to discuss the policy on Rental of Facilities, Chairman Haugland suggested discussing this policy first.
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn reviewed the draft Facility Rental policy. A lengthy discussion continued and questions were raised. Mr. Coburn read an email he received expressing concern of the increase in rates for the travel basketball program. Questions, comments and concerns on the rates were made from representatives from various groups including the Boy Scouts, Natick Parks and Recreation, Metrowest Wind Symphony, Natick Basketball programs, Nancy Kelley Dance and Impulse Dance. Concerns were raised that outside groups are being charged more to cover the costs for the Schools’ programs. Mr. Wynne requested that more options be explored, particularly for the current time period (FY07) and perhaps more funds should be requested at Town Meeting to cover the costs of the
School Department’s programs. Mr. Connolly suggested bringing this one policy back for a more detailed discussion at the meeting of September 25, 2006.
UPDATE ON STRATEGIC PLANNING OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
Ms. Rosemary Driscoll, as the School Committee’s Representative on the Strategic Planning Oversight Committee (Natick 360), provided an update of this Committee’s work to date. They have been meeting weekly and are in the middle of Phase 1. They expect this to be a 1 to 1 ½ year project. An initial report should be available for the various Committees for their review in early to mid September. Ms. Driscoll reported that Natick 360 will have a booth at “Natick Days” and urged people to stop by. In addition, there will be a visioning workshop for the community the weekend of October 27-29. Fliers will be sent home with the students. Their website should be up and running very soon at www.natick360.org
TO APPROVE SALARY RANGE FOR ELEMENTARY ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Mrs. Marianne Davis requested the School Committee’s approval of a salary range for Elementary Assistant Principal which was established last June. The position for this school year will be a .6 FTE. The following salary range was presented for the Committee’s consideration. This is based on a full time (192 day) position for the duration of this collective bargaining agreement.
Step |
SY 06-07 |
SY07-08 |
SY08-09 |
5 |
N/A |
83,039 |
85,530 |
4 |
79,429 |
81,812 |
84,266 |
3 |
77,871 |
80,207 |
82,613 |
2 |
75,296 |
77,555 |
79,882 |
1 |
72,764 |
74,947 |
77,195 |
Mr. Coburn moved for approval of this range outlined above. Mr. Wynne seconded. It was unanimously approved.
CONTINUATION OF POLICY DISCUSSION
The policy discussion was continued. Mr. Connolly reviewed the various policies. Some minor changes were made to these policies which will be brought back for approval to the meeting of September 11, 2006.
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested the School Committees acceptance of the following donations:
Natick Education Foundation
$7,870 Pondering Poetry
25,000 The Real Stuff
1,725 Biography Project
1,356 Elementary Weather Stations
120 Archaeology Kit
1,624 The Science of Literature
375 How Does My Garden Grow
Total $38,370
Web Reply $400 NHS Wall of Achievement
Memorial School – Class of 2005 $1042.38 Memorial Gifts
Mr. Coburn moved for approval to accept these donations outlined above. Mr. Haugland seconded. They were unanimously approved.
TO AWARD CONTRACT FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION TRANSPORTATION
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested that the School Committee award a contract to JFK Transportation for our In-Town Special Education transportation for the upcoming school years as outlined below:
Amount
FY07 $199,953.00
FY08 $216,208.80
FY09 $233,902.80
Mr. Wynne moved for approval to award the Special Education Transportation contract to JFK Transportation. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
REPORT OF SCHOOL OPENING
Mr. Connolly provided a report on school opening which included an update on teacher hiring, enrollment, FY07 budget status, FY06 budget balance, capital expenditures for technology and facilities. He discussed some of the things that will be worked on this coming school year such as:
· Department of Education Coordinated Review with Pupil Services – January 2007
· Program Review – preschool, vocational (18-22 years), autism
· Collaborative Programs and space needed
· Initiate a process of curricula review – Math K-8, English 7-12
· High School NEASC accreditation – March 2007
· Data analysis, best practices and comparable districts
TOWN MEETING ARTICLE FOR OCTOBER TOWN MEETING
Mr. Connolly reported that Dennis Roche, Director of Technology, will be present at the next meeting to provide a report on the Technology Department and to discuss the Technology Warrant Article. Mr. Connolly, on behalf of the School Committee, submitted the following article for the upcoming Fall Town Meeting:
To see what sum of money the Town will vote to appropriate and raise or otherwise provide for the purpose of purchasing technology equipment for the Natick Public Schools; determine whether this appropriation shall be raised by borrowing or otherwise; or take any action relative thereto.
Mr. Coburn moved for approval to affirm the filing of the above article for the Fall Town Meeting. Mr. Haugland seconded. It was unanimously approved.
MASC/MASS JOINT CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE
Mr. Connolly announced that the MASC/MASS Joint Conference is being held on November 8-11, 2006 in Hyannis. If any School Committee member is interested, they should let the Superintendent’s office know so they may register them. Mr. Meyler indicated to Mr. Connolly in a previous conversation that he may be interested in attending.
GRADE 7 ALGEBRA I
Chairman Haugland discussed an issue he has with the way in which students are screened for the 7th Grade Algebra I courses. Chairman Haugland moved for approval to allow any student in either middle school who wants to be given the opportunity to try Algebra I and if unsuccessful be moved into another class where he/she is deemed to be more successful. Ms. Karen Adelman Foster stated that she is inclined to 2nd the motion, however, wants to hear from the Administration. A discussion continued and concerns were raised about making this change without proper discussion and advance notice. Chairman Haugland called for a vote on his motion.
All in Favor: Chairman Haugland
All Opposed: Karen Adelman Foster, Ted Wynne
Abstained: Dave Murphy, Dirk Coburn
The motion lost.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were provided:
RETIREMENTS: Professional Staff
Patricia Rowan, Science teacher at Wilson Middle School. Retirement effective August 23, 2006.
RESIGNATIONS: Professional Staff
Effective June 30, 2006.
Beth Ailinger, Kindergarten Early Intervention Instructor at Memorial School.
Immaculata Goldberg, Grade 4 teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School.
Tina Hagan, Grade 6 teacher at Wilson Middle School
Steven Houston, Science Teacher at Wilson Middle School
Karlene Fry, Kindergarten Early Intervention Instructor at Lilja School.
Kimberly Lambert, Preschool teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School
Renee Mason, Occupational Therapist at Bennett-Hemenway School.
Molly Saccardo, Permanent substitute teacher at Wilson Middle School.
Derek Stiles, Network Administrator at Natick High School. Resignation effective August 18, 2006.
RESIGNATIONS: Support Staff
Effective June 30, 2006.
Maura Barrasso, (.5) Student support facilitator at Brown School.
Kerin Buma, Student support facilitator at Bennett-Hemenway School.
Sherry Culver, Media assistant at Natick High School.
Rose McDermott, Building support facilitator/clerical at Memorial School.
Parvanah Mirzaaghasi, Food service worker at Johnson School.
Gayle Soma, Student support facilitator at Lilja School.
NON-RENEWAL OF CONTRACT: Support Staff
Effective June 30, 2006
Sarah Adams, (.2) Student support facilitator at Johnson School
Anne Cantin, Technology support facilitator at Natick High School.
Martha Shugrue, Literacy specialist at Bennett-Hemenway School.
CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Support Staff
Effective for the 2006-2007 school year
Jeanne Ackerly, to be full-time student support facilitator at Lilja School
Nora Boucher, to be full-time student support facilitator at Bennett-Hemenway School.
Kathleen Fortini, to be full-time student support facilitator at Natick High School/Northstar
Barbara Lodi, to be (.2) media assistant at Johnson School
Alexis Topham, to be (.6) student support facilitator at Kennedy Middle School.
CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Professional Staff
Effective for the 2006-2007 school year
Kristen Blake, to be (.6) grade 2 [job share] teacher at Johnson School
Christine Carson-Budgen, to be full-time Occupational Therapist.
Alison Caruso, to be (.7) Physical Therapist.
Marion Guild, to be (.7) Occupational Therapist.
Deana Leonard, to be Grade 1 teacher at Memorial School
Lauren Love, to be (.4) Occupational Therapist.
Kathleen McCall, to be Literacy specialist at Bennett-Hemenway School, Salary, Step 3
Elizabeth Miller, to be part-time Behavioral Therapist.
Marie Norton, to be Instructional Technology teacher at Kennedy and Wilson Middle Schools.
Jennifer Parker, to be (.8) Speech Pathologist at Memorial School.
Maria Shugrue, to be Kindergarten teacher at Johnson School
EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Professional Staff
Kristen Blake, (.6) grade 2 teacher at Johnson School. Maternity leave of absence is effective October 30 to January 26,2007.
Lauren Berkowitz, Art teacher at Natick High School. Maternity leave of absence is effective October 19 to January 26, 2007.
Sapna Colonna, Speech therapist. Maternity leave of absence is effective August 28 to December 22, 2006.
Elizabeth Heiden, Grade 6 teacher at Wilson Middle School. Maternity leave of absence is effective October 10 to January 8, 2007
Jennifer Risi, Kindergarten teacher at Brown School. Maternity leave of absence is effective August 28 to January 19, 2007.
APPOINTMENTS: Coaching Staff
Football
Head Coach Tom Lamb Step 3
First Assistant Mark Mortarelli Step 3
Assistant Varsity Matt Brenneman Step 3
Assistant Varsity Brian Moloney Step 3
Assistant Varsity Brian Linton Step 3
Rick Slattery
Head Freshmen Matt Strother Step 3
Assistant Freshman Chad Sinclair Step 3
Colin O’Neil
Track/Cross Country
Head Coach Dennis Driscoll Step 3
Assistant Coach Don Burnham Step 3
Boys’ Soccer
Head Coach Lou Papadellis Step 3
Sub Varsity Coach Andy Rollins Step 3
Freshman Peter Manna Step 3
Girls’ Soccer
Head Coach Lisa Wilkins Step 3
Sub-Varsity Coach Denise Trubiano Step 3
Freshmen Coach Kari-Ann Darragh Step 3
Field Hockey
Head Coach Cara Anne Chase Step 3
Sub-Varsity Coach Kimberly M. Todesco Step 1
Freshmen Coach Carolyn Lally Step 1
Girls’ Volleyball
Head Coach Peter Suxho Step 3
Sub-Varsity Coach Michael Frank Step 3
Freshmen Coach Karin Y. Chue Step 2
Girls’ Swimming
Head Coach Jen Dutton Step 3
Assistant Coach Sandra A. Smith Step 1
Cheerleading
Head Coach Dave Lombardi Step 3
Faculty Manager Bill Presutti Step 3
Trainer
Head Dan Lussier Contract
APPOINTMENTS: Support Staff
Effective for the 2006-2007 school year
Paula Dellorfon, part-time clerical at Memorial School. Salary, $12.93 per hour
Lisa DePalo, student support facilitator at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Step 3
Irene Ferguson, (.4) student support facilitator at Kennedy Middle School
Karen Gloyd, (.5) student support facilitator at Lilja School. Salary, Step 3
Jacqueline Goose, building support facilitator at Memorial School, Salary, Step 2
Nadia Keller, student support facilitator at Natick High School/Omega
Claire Lynch, (.5) student support facilitator at Brown School. Salary, Step 1
Christine Mendes, student support faciitator at Brown School. Salary, Step 3
Margaret Newman, student support facilitator at Lilja School. Salary, Step 3
Donna Testa, student support facilitator at Lilja School. Salary, Step 2
Marylee Watkins, school year secretary at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Step 3
Mary Ann Woods, (.5) student support facilitator at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Step 3
APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff
Effective for the 2006-2007 school year
Risa Abrams, (.6) Speech Pathologist at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Masters, Step 14 temporary assignment
Peter Alderman, Title I teacher at Johnson School. Salary, Step 5
Robert Allison, Physics/Science Teacher at Natick High School. Salary, Step 10, Masters
Marygrace Balben, Kindergarten Long-Term/Permanent Substitute Teacher at Brown & Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, $148.00/$99.00 per day
Marimartha Clark, ELL Teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Step 9, Masters
Emily Daly, Literacy Specialist [15 hours per week] at Lilja School. Salary, Step 3
Annmarie Damato, Special Education Chairperson at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Step 14, Bachelors
Katherine Denham, Preschool Teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School, Salary, Step 1, Bachelors
Holly DiSalvo, (.8) Social Studies/English Teacher at Natick High School, Salary, Step 3, Bachelors
Melissa Elliott, Grade 1 Teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School Salary, Step 1, Masters
Lindsay Ewick, Grade 4 Teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Step 1, Bachelors
Sif Ferrante, Preschool Teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Step 2, Bachelors
Elizabeth Gemmell-Steinberg, (.5) School Nurse at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Step 1, Masters
Lelana George, (.4) Grade 2 Teacher [job share] at Johnson School. Salary, Masters, Step 9
Rachel Geringer-Dunn, Grade 3 Teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Step 1, Masters
Karen Ghilani, (.6) Assistant Principal at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Step 2
Alison Huse, Grade 1 Teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Masters, Step 3
Christine Johnsen, Grade 4 Teacher at Memorial School. Salary, Masters, Step 4
Christopher Kiepert, Web & Data Base Administrator at Natick High School. Salary, $45,000
Richard King, Director of Fine & Performing Arts. Salary, Masters +30, Step 14
Meghan Kostoulakos, Grade 1 Teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Step 2, Masters
Megan Lazaroski, (.6) Physical Education Teacher at Natick High School. Salary, Step 1, Bachelors
Elizabeth Leonard, Physical Education Teacher at Memorial School Salary, Step 1, Bachelors
Kelly McAndrew, Special Education Teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Step 1, Masters
Steven McGrath, Help Desk Manager at Natick High School. Salary, $50,000.
Robert McNutt, Physical Education Teacher at Kennedy Middle School Salary, Step 1, Bachelors
Victoria McShane, Kindergarten Early Intervention Instructor at Bennett-Hemenway School . Salary $148.00 per day, grant funded
Faith Miller, Grade 6 Science Teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Step 1, Masters
Christine Nemeskal, Grade 1 Teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Step 4, Masters
Sara Noyes, School Psychologist at Kennedy Middle School. Salary, Step 2, Masters +30,
Alexandra Nunes, Spanish Teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Step 1, Masters
Judith O'Leary Thapa, (.4) French Teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Step 3, Bachelors
Sheila Pogarian, Grade 8 Science Teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Step 6, Masters
Rona Richard, Kindergarten Early Intervention Instructor at Lilja School. Salary $148.00 per day, grant funded
Jill Sangi, Grade 6 Science Teacher at Wilson Middle School. Salary, Step 7, Masters
Anna Kate Scooler, Grade 2 Teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, Step 4, Masters
Donna Spampinato, Grade 1 Long-Term/Permanent Substitute Teacher at Brown & Bennett-Hemenway School. Salary, $148.00/$99.00 per day
Jessica Tracy, Grade 3 Teacher at Memorial School. Salary, Step 1, Masters
Brandon Westfield, (.6) Physical Therapist. Salary, Step 4, Masters
The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 p.m.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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