Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
December 11, 2006
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, December 11, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the School Committee Room, Third Floor, Town Hall. Chairman Haugland called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
At 7:00 p.m., the School Committee requested an Executive Session to discuss non-represented personnel in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 39, Section 23b of the Massachusetts General Laws. The Executive Session took place in the small conference room, 3rd Floor, Town Hall.
At 7:40 p.m. the School Committee returned to open session.
Members Present: Karen Adelman Foster, Dirk Coburn, Henry Haugland, Stephen Meyler, Rick Wynn,
Ted Wynne
Members Absent: David Murphy
Others present:
James Connolly Superintendent
Karen LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Staff, Parents, Press
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Wynn moved for approval of the School Committee minutes of November 20, 2006. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. They were approved by a majority vote. All in favor: Ms. Adelman Foster, Mr. Dirk Coburn, Mr. Stephen Meyler, Mr. Wynn. Mr. Haugland and Mr. Wynne abstained as they were absent for this meeting.
Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval of the minutes of December 4, 2006. Mr. Wynne seconded. They were approved by a majority vote. All in favor: Ms. Adelman Foster, Mr. Dirk Coburn, Mr. Henry Haugland, Mr. Stephen Meyler, Mr. Wynne. Mr. Wynn abstained as he was absent for this meeting.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairman Haugland asked if anyone had any items for Public Speak. No one came forward.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Mr. Haugland congratulated the Natick High School Robotics Team for winning a competition which took place this past Saturday. Mr. Haugland would like to acknowledge this team at the next meeting. This team was just formed this past October and has won their first competition.
TO HEAR A CONCERN REGARDING THE REDMEN LOGO
Ms. Erin Miller, graduate of Natick High School Class of 1997, came forward and expressed her concern over the name of the Natick High School mascot (“Redmen”) and requested that the name be changed. She provided the School Committee with documentation supporting her request. Ms. Marie Caradonna, Ms. Camille Napier Bernstein, NHS English teachers, Ben Crowell, former NHS student also spoke in support of the name change. Mr. Haugland indicated that this is just the beginning of a dialogue on this matter. He invited others to come forward during the next several meetings during Public Speak and suggested that the School Committee vote on this matter at the meeting of February 26, 2007. A discussion continued. Ms. Adelman Foster thought more time was
needed and moved for approval to put this item on the agenda for the 2nd meeting in April. No one seconded. Mr. Meyler moved for approval to put this item on the agenda for February 26, 2007. Mr. Wynne seconded. A vote was taken. All in favor: Mr. Coburn, Mr. Haugland, Mr. Meyler, Mr. Wynn, Mr. Wynne. All opposed: Ms. Adelman Foster. The motion carried to schedule this item for the meeting of February 26, 2007.
REPORT OF TECHNOLOGY SUBCOMMITTEE
Mr. Stephen Meyler and Mr. Dennis Roche provided an update of the Technology Subcommittee. The subcommittee members are: Stephen Meyler, Henry Haugland, Rick Wynn, Jim Connolly, Dennis Roche. The subcommittee has met three times. Its charter/objectives are to ensure that a measurable process has been established to meet existing critical district wide IT issues and capital project investment objectives, system stability and accessibility and selection of a new student information system or an upgrade to the existing one. A task timetable was reviewed. The subcommittee will continue to meet to monitor the progress towards objectives and to review the log of system inaccessibility. Improved communications both internally and externally will be implemented.
APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTOR OF FISCAL & MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Mr. Connolly requested that the School Committee vote to appoint Thomas P. Rose as the new Director of Fiscal and Management Services. Mr. Rose has been the Business Manager for the Malden Public Schools since April, 2003. Prior to that, he served as Cranston ( R.I.) Municipal Finance Director for three years. Mr. Rose holds an MBA in Finance from Monmouth College (NJ) and a BS in Accounting from Providence College.
Mr. Wynn moved for approval to appoint Thomas Rose as the Director of Fiscal & Management Services. Mr. Wynne seconded. It was approved by a vote of 6 to 0. Mr. Rose will be starting in Natick after February vacation.
UPDATE OF NATICK COMMUNITY FARM
Ms. Lynda Simkins, Director of the Natick Community Organic Farm, along with Ursula King and Patti Luke, provided the School Committee with an overview and slide presentation of the State of the Farm.
FY08 BUDGET UPDATE
Mr. Connolly provided the School Committee with a preview of the FY08 budget. Issues for this year’s budget include increased kindergarten enrollments, FY07 budget adjustments, collective bargaining, special education tuitions and staffing increases, transportation and electricity costs. The Town Administrator is including a school budget at a 3% & and a 5% increase. Mr. Connolly recommended starting the budget process on January 17 with the Public Hearing on February 26, 2007.
APPROVAL OF POLICIES
Mr. Connolly requested the School Committee’s approval of the following policies which were reviewed at the previous meeting:
Occupational Education
Pregnant Students
Non-Custodial Parents Rights
Mr. Coburn suggested changing the wording slightly in the policy for Pregnant Students to read: “Every reasonable effort will be made” as opposed to “Every effort will be made”. Mr. Wynn moved for approval of these policies as formatted. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. They were unanimously approved. These policies will be reviewed by Attorney Stonberg before they are disseminated.
APPROVAL OF DONATIONS
Mr. Meyler moved to accept the following donations:
Source/Donation Amount/Value Purpose
Mr. Paul Burke $50.00 Principal’s Discretionary at Brown
NHS Boosters $220.00 Business Professional of America
NHS Boosters $1095.00 Various Student Activities
Boston Scientific $1800.00 6 computer systems to HS Business Dept.
Various $2705.00 Wall of Achievement
Mr. Coburn seconded. They were unanimously approved.
At 9:35 p.m. Mr. Meyler moved to adjourn. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. It was unanimously approved.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
| 
