Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
October 4, 2006
The School Committee held a meeting on Wednesday, October 4, 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, Dave Murphy,
Ted Wynne
Members Absent: Rick Wynn
Others present: James Connolly Superintendent
Karen LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
Mary Ellen Dunn Director of Fiscal & Management Services
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Maureen Cushing Student Representative
Staff, Parents & Press
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Wynne moved for approval of the minutes of September 25, 2006. Mr. Meyler seconded. They were unanimously approved.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Ms. Rosemary Driscoll came forward and updated the School Committee on the work of Natick360, (the long range strategic planning committee). The website for this committee is up and running at: www.natick360.org. A contract has just been awarded to the consulting firm of Blackerby Associates to conduct the next stages. Natick 360 will assess the town's present and help determine its future. They will host the Vision for the Future Weekend from Oct. 27 to Oct. 29 at Wilson Middle School.
Ms. Driscoll encourages anyone in the community to sign up for one of six two-hour workshops during the weekend to give suggestions for improving the town, or other comments. School Committee members thanked Ms. Driscoll profoundly for being its liaison to Natick360.
UPDATE ON BROWN SCHOOL PLAYGROUND
Ms. Bernadine Small, Principal of Brown School, and Robert Graham, Director of Facilities, provided the School Committee with an update on the newly constructed Brown School Playground, in memory of O.B. Hill. There will be a dedication ceremony on Sunday, October 15 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m. All are invited to attend. Mr. Coburn moved for approval to accept the O.B. Hill Memorial Playground. Mr. Wynne seconded. It was unanimously approved.
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS – WILSON & KENNEDY MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Ms. Ruth Evans, Principal of Wilson Middle School, and Ms. Rosemary Vickery, Principal of Kennedy Middle School, reviewed the highlights of their school improvement plans.
REVIEW OF SUMMER MAINTENANCE WORK/ENERGY CONSERVATION/CAPITAL BUDGET
Mr. Robert Graham, Director of Facilities, provided the School Committee with a report on summer maintenance, energy conservation and a history of capital budget requests and expenditures. One of the areas that Mr. Graham focused on is the aging high school facility and the costs involved with maintaining the boilers. Mr. Meyler suggested that since the boilers are at a level that could result in critical failure, perhaps the Committee should look into replacing one now so as to not disrupt the school environment.
POLICY UPDATE – FACILITY RENTALS
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn reviewed the revised changes to the draft policy for Facility Rentals. Mr. Connolly recommended that the School Committee approve these rental rates for the next two years. A discussion continued. Ms. Dunn responded to questions from the Committee and public. Mr. Wynne moved for approval of the recommended policy and procedures of this policy with no rate increase. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
RATIFICATION OF TITLE 1 CONTRACT
Mrs. Marianne Davis requested that the School Committee ratify the contract for Title I. This contract is funded through the Title I grant. The contract is for 1-year, effective September 1, 2006 – August 31, 2007 with a 3% increase for all steps. Mr. Coburn moved to approve this contract. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was unanimously approved.
ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ABA TECHNICIAN
Mrs. Marianne Davis requested that the School Committee establish a new non-represented hourly position: Applied Behavioral Analysis Technician with three steps at the following hourly rates:
Step 1: $20.8781
Step 2: $22.0317
Step 3: $23.1853
Mrs. Davis provided the School Committee with a memo from Lauren Gilbert, Director of Pupil Services which outlines the need for this position. The ABA Technician would work under the supervision of the Behavior Therapists. Mr. Meyler expressed his concern of not hiring an additional Behavior Therapist as opposed to the ABA Technician. After some discussion, Mr. Wynne moved for approval to establish the position of ABA Technician at the above hourly rates. Ms. Karen Adelman Foster seconded. Chairman Haugland called for a vote.
All in favor: Mr. Haugland, Mr. Wynne, Mr. Murphy, Ms. Karen Adelman Foster, Mr. Coburn.
All opposed: Mr. Meyler – was in favor of a higher level position of Behavior Therapist. The motion carried 5 to 1.
UPDATE ON TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn provided the School Committee with an update on the Transportation Program which included the number of registrations (including late registrations), route changes and a budget update. The projected balance at this point in time is $15,160. They are operating with 20 buses right now but are watching the number of riders at the high school. If the ridership numbers at the high school increases, an additional bus may be required. These numbers are being monitored. Mrs. Dunn also indicated that there is an increase in demand for late buses at the secondary level. Mr. Coburn suggested looking into the Natick Neighborhood bus as an alternative for students looking to go across town. Chairman Haugland requested a review of the high school
ridership numbers again sometime in December.
TOWN MEETING ARTICLE 7 – TECHNOLOGY
Mr. Connolly reported on the Finance Committee meeting of September 28 in which the Finance Committee voted to recommend a capital expenditure of $150,000 for technology instead of the $400,000 amount requested by the School Committee. The Town Administrator recommended funding the full amount requested by the School Committee using increased State Aid as a source of funds. Chairman Haugland recommended going forward to Town Meeting with the School Committee’s request of $400,000. Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval to request $400,000 at Town Meeting. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Mr. Wynne moved to adjourn at 10:25 p.m. Mr. Murphy seconded. It was unanimously approved.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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