Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
October 16, 2006
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, October 16, 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
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Maureen Cushing Student Representative
Matt Lanchantin Student Representative
Staff, Parents & Press
RECOGNITION OF NHS TEACHER & COACH – DENNIS DRISCOLL
Mr. Tim Kilduff and Fred Treseler from Race SpotWatch-CBS 4 Spotters Network, along with Bob Lobel, CBS Sports Director, recognized the work that Dennis Driscoll, NHS Teacher and Coach, has done for the past six years in coordinating student spotters for the Boston Marathon. They presented Dennis with a jacket and signed banner, from marathon participants, Dick & Rick Hoyt. Chair Haugland on behalf of the School Committee congratulated Mr. Driscoll.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Wynne moved for approval of the minutes of October 4, 2006. Mr. Meyler seconded. They were unanimously approved.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairman Haugland asked if anyone had any items for Public Speak. No one came forward.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS CONCERNS
Mr. David Murphy reported on an information sheet that the School Committee has put together for Town Meeting tomorrow evening in support of Article 7 – Technology request for $400,000. The Finance Committee’s recommendation is to fund $150,000. The School Committee has voted previously for the request of $400,000, however, Chairman Haugland would like to reaffirm that vote. Mr. Coburn moved for approval to reaffirm the request of $400,000 for Article 7 – Technology and to develop an appropriate communication to support that request. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Mr. Coburn moved for approval to establish a Technology Subcommittee and requested that members of the public who may be interested, contact any member of the School Committee. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. It was unanimously approved.
REPORT ON SAT II, AP, & MCAS-GR.10 TEST SCORES
Ms. Jan Parsons and Mr. John Hughes reported on the results of students taking the SAT II, AP and Grade 10 MCAS tests. Members expressed their pleasure with these results. The MCAS program will be expanding which will require that 9th grade students pass a science test. There will also be a pilot this year for US History. Chairman Haugland questioned whether a performance assessment could be done for the students who are in the Physic first group vs. the previous structure.
ENROLLMENT UPDATE
Mr. Connolly provided the School Committee with current and projected enrollment. An area of concern is the large size of kindergartners that are projected for entry next year and the possibility of having to do a minor redistricting.
UPDATE ON MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL BUILDING AUTHORITY
Mr. Connolly provided an update on the Massachusetts School Building Authority Program. He reviewed the goals of the program and the changes. Natick will be submitting a statement of interest in the Fall of 2006 for a new/renovated high school.
APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTOR OF FISCAL & MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Mr. Connolly recommended that the School Committee appoint Timothy Shumaker as the Director of Fiscal and Management Services. Mr. Shumaker is currently the Director of Administration for Harvard Medical School Office of Resource Development. Mr. Shumaker’s salary will be $104,000 and initial employment contract through June 2009. Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval to appoint Timothy Shumaker as the Director of Fiscal & Management Services. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was unanimously approved. Mr. Shumaker will be starting in mid-November.
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS
Mr. Connolly requested that the School Committee accept the following donations:
Source/Donation Amount/Value Purpose
Dr. & Mrs. Richard Cotter $25.00 Business Professionals of America
Mr. Ron Miller $180.00 Lexmark E240 Mono Laser Printer
Lilja PTA $7,728.00 Bench and 3 playground pieces
Target has made the following donations through their “Take Charge of Education Program”:
$207.40 to Natick High School
Mr. Coburn moved for approval to accept these donations. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was unanimously approved.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were presented:
RETIREMENTS: Professional Staff
Diane Giangrande, Kindergarten teacher at Lilja School. Retirement effective January 1, 2007.
Ann Horton, Art teacher at Bennett-Hemenway and Lilja Schools. Retirement effective January 2, 2007.
RESIGNATIONS: Professional Staff
Luis Mendez, Spanish teacher at Natick High School. Resignation effective September 16, 2006.
RESIGNATIONS: Support Staff
Yvonne Bleakney-Hicks, Secretary in the Technology Department. Resignation effective at the end of the day on September 29, 2006.
Robin Henderson, food service worker at Lilja School. Resignation effective September 21, 2006.
Betty Wong, food service worker at Kennedy Middle School. Resignation effective at the end of the day on September 29, 2006.
EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Professional Staff
Martha Godfroy, grade 2 teacher at Brown School. Maternity leave is effective November 16, 2006 to the end of the 2006-07 school year.
Maria Meisner, (.5) guidance counselor at Wilson Middle School. Maternity leave is effective November 3, 2006 to February 2, 2007.
APPOINTMENTS: Support Staff
Catherine Larkin, to be media assistant at Natick High School effective September 14, 2006. Salary, Step 2
Virginia Lockhart, to be student support facilitator at Bennett-Hemenway Preschool effective September 5, 2006. Salary, Step 3
Janine Sistrand, to be student support facilitator at Wilson Middle School effective October 10, 2006. Salary, Step 3
Gayle Soma, to be (.5) student support facilitator at Memorial School effective September 11, 2006. Salary, Step 3
Annemarie Theriault, to be (.5) student support facilitator at Bennett-Hemenway School effective September 6, 2006. Salary, Step 1
APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff
Irene Aguero-Torres, to be Spanish teacher at Natick High School effective October 10, 2006. Salary, Masters +30 Step 14
Michael Botelho, to be Network Administrator in the Technology Department effective October 23, 2006. Salary, $65,000
Maureen Morrissey, to be preschool teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School effective September 11, 2006. Salary, Masters, Step 13
Ann Northup, to be long-term substitute art teacher at Natick High School effective October 18, 2006 to January 26, 2007. She is replacing Lauren Berkowitz who will be on a maternity leave. Salary, $148.00 per day.
Michael Finke, to be long-term substitute grade 6 teacher at Wilson Middle School effective October 10, 2006 to January 8, 2007. He is replacing Elizabeth Heiden who will be on a maternity leave. Salary, $148.00 per day.
Mr. Haugland moved to adjourn at 9:05 p.m. Mr. Wynne seconded. It was unanimously approved.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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