Approval of Records
November 20, 2006
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
November 6, 2006
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, November 6, 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,
Rick Wynn, Ted Wynne
Others present: James Connolly Superintendent
Karen LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
Mary Ellen Dunn Director of Fiscal & Management Services
Marianne Davis Director of Human Resources
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Wynne moved for approval of the minutes of October 16, 2006. Mr. Meyler seconded. All in favor: Karen Adelman Foster, Dirk Coburn, Henry Haugland, Stephen Meyler, Dave Murphy, Ted Wynne. Mr. Rick Wynn abstained as he was not present for the meeting. They were approved by a majority vote.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairman Haugland asked if anyone had any items for Public Speak. Ms. Harlee Strauss came forward who was standing in for Rosemary Driscoll, the School Committee’s representative to the Natick 360 Long Range Strategic Planning Committee. She updated the School Committee on the recently held focus workshops held during the weekend of October 27-29. Approximately 327 residents participated in the weekend workshops and approximately 200 surveys to date have been returned. She invited the public to join a meeting with the consultant, Blackerby Associates, on Monday, November 13, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. in the Training Room, 3rd Floor, Town Hall. In addition the consultant will be meeting with the School Committee on the same evening at 7:30 p.m.
At 7:40 p.m., the Administration requested an Executive Session to discuss Collective Bargaining in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 39, Section 23b of the Massachusetts General Laws. By roll call vote all members were in favor of entering into Executive Session which took place in the small conference room 3rd floor, Town Hall.
At 8:05 p.m., the School Committee returned to open session and continued with its regular meeting.
TO RATIFY A CONTRACT
Mrs. Davis requested that the School Committee approve the tentative agreement which was approved by The Education Support Personnel (student support facilitators and building support facilitators) on October 24, 2006 which consists of a three year contract, beginning with the 2006/2007 school year. To summarize, this agreement provides for a 3% increase across the board each year and includes some non-cost administrative and housekeeping changes. Mr. Coburn moved to approve this agreement as outlined. Mr. Wynn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
UPDATE ON FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn along with Bob Burr, Director of Food Services and Erin Long, Regional Manager, Chartwell’s provided the School Committee with an update on the Food Service Program which included a budget update, menu modifications and participation rates. Strategies need to be put in place to reduce the deficit. Decisions will need to be made as to what method will be chosen to operate the Food Service Program for the next three years, such as: self operation, modified management operations, fully privatized operation.
SIGNATORY APPROVALS/COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS FOR NEW
DIRECTOR OF FISCAL & MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested that the School Committee vote to approve the following for the new Director of Fiscal & Management Services, Timothy Shumaker:
· Signatory authorization for the School Department credit card which has a credit limit of $10,000 with the requirement of a signed Purchase Order on file for all transactions. When the card is used or committed for payment of services or supplies for the benefit of the Director of Fiscal & Management Services, the purchase order must be signed by the Superintendent.
· Appointment to the Town of Natick Safety Committee
· Appointment as School Department Procurement Officer (by Law reference)
Mr. Meyler moved for approval on the actions listed above. Mr. Coburn seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Mr. Connolly and members of the School Committee thanked Ms. Mary Ellen Dunn for her 5 years of service and wished her well in her new position in Lexington.
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS
Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn requested that the School Committee accept the following donations:
Source/Donation Amount/Value Purpose
Deborah Chase $100.00 Business Professionals of America
For the School Committee’s information:
$203,819 worth of resources and materials will be donated to Natick Public Schools through our parent/teacher organizations during FY07.
Boston Scientific will host a training session on safety for the Natick High School Science Staff on December 7, 2006. In addition, five chemistry teachers will attend a “Green Chemistry” workshop at UMass, Lowell on November 16, 2006.
Mr. Coburn moved for approval to accept these donations. Mr. Wynn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
REPORT ON MCAS/ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS (AYP)
Dr. Karen LeDuc and Mr. James Connolly reported on the Adequate Yearly Progress report and the 2006 MCAS results. A lengthy discussion continued. Some of the concerns raised were:
Comparison with like communities – who do we compare to?
Identify those in needs improvement and warning areas – what percentage are special education students?
How do we compare with all communities?
Where do we think we should be and how do we get there?
Need to show increase in Advanced & Proficient and less in Warning and Needs Improvement area
REVIEW OF SCHOOL CALENDAR 2007/2008 AND 2008/2009
Mr. Connolly provided the School Committee with options for the 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 school calendars. In both calendars, he is recommending the start of school before Labor Day. The 2007/2008 school calendar will be voted on at the first meeting in December.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed:
RESIGNATIONS: Professional Staff
Peter Alderman, Title I teacher at Johnson School. Resignation effective October 24, 2006.
RESIGNATIONS: Support Staff
Barbara Crosby, food service worker at Natick High School. Resignation effective October 27, 2006.
Laurie Daigle, food service worker at Natick High School. Resignation effective September 22, 2006.
EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Professional Staff
Susan Jarboe, Grade 1 teacher at Johnson School. Maternity leave is effective January 2, 2007 to March 23, 2007.
APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff
Timothy Shumaker, to be Director of Fiscal & Management Services effective November 15, 2006.
Stacey Adelman, to be Title I teacher at Johnson School effective October 24, 2006. Salary, Step 2
Jill Buonopane, to be grade 5 teacher at Kennedy Middle School effective November 6, 2006 to the end of this school year. Salary, Masters, Step 1
Janet Carmichael, to be (.6) kindergarten (grant funded) long-term substitute teacher at Johnson School effective October 25, 2006 to January 26, 2007. Salary, $148.00 per full day.
Lisa Fass, to be (.4) occupational therapist at Memorial School effective October 20, 2006. Salary, Masters, Step 12
Laura Loftus, to be (.5) guidance counselor long-term substitute at Wilson Middle School effective November 6, 2006 to February 2, 2007. She is replacing Maria Meisner who is on a maternity leave. Salary, $148.00 per full day.
Meredith McNamara, to be grade 2 long-term substitute [3 days/wk] at Johnson School effective October 25, 2006 to January 26, 2007. She is replacing Kristen Blake who is on a maternity leave.
Susan Melchiorri, to be (.5) kindergarten (grand funded) long-term substitute teacher at Memorial School effective November 1, 2006. Salary, $148.00 per full day.
Megan Pacheco, to be Applied Behavior Analysis Technician at Bennett-Hemenway School effective October 30, 2006. Salary, Step 1.
Susan Turner, to be (.5) kindergarten (grand funded) long-term substitute teacher at Memorial School effective October 19, 2006. Salary, $148.00 per full day.
Lakisha Wilson, to be Technical Support Specialist at Natick High School effective October 30, 2006. Salary, Step 3
TECHNOLOGY SUBCOMMITTEE
Mr. Haugland discussed the make up of the Technology Subcommittee which the School Committee voted to establish at their previous meeting. Mr. Haugland reported that this committee will report to the School Committee and be populated by 7-9 professional people with substantive data processing, IT backgrounds. Mr. Meyler, Mr. Wynn and Mr. Haugland expressed an interest to serve on this subcommittee. To fill the rest of the membership, the Committee will need to post and advertise.
At 10:10 p.m., Mr. Wynn moved to adjourn. Mr. Murphy seconded. It was unanimously approved.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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