Town of Natick - School Committee Minutes

Natick Public Schools

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, January 8, 2007 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, Rick Wynn,

David Murphy arrived at 7:55 p.m.

James Connolly Superintendent

Karen LeDuc Assistant Superintendent

Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary

Staff, Parents, Press

COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Recognition of NHS Robotics Team

Chairman Haugland recognized Natick High School Robotics Team (RoboNatick). RoboNatick is a newly formed team who recently participated in a competition and won first place as well as another award – the Amaze Award. They have now qualified to compete at the National level in Atlanta. Chairman Haugland introduced the team as well as their advisors, Mr. Joel Bradford and Mr. Douglas Scott. The team and advisors were congratulated by all.

Recognition of NHS Students

Mr. Dirk Coburn recognized the Natick High School students who participated in the 49^th Massachusetts Northeast Senior District Concert which was held at Lowell High School. He reported that their performance was outstanding and Natick High was very well represented by 12 students. The students were congratulated by all.

APPROVAL OF OUT OF STATE TRAVEL

Mr. Hughes requested the School Committee’s approval for the Natick High School Speech Team to travel to

New York City on January 19-21, 2007 to compete in the High School Speech Competition being held at Columbia University. Mr. Meyler moved for approval of this trip. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved.

APPROVAL OF NON-RESIDENT STUDENT

Mr. Connolly requested that the School Committee give its approval for a child of a staff member to be enrolled at Natick High School beginning second semester of this school year. This request falls within the provisions of Chapter 76, Section 6. There is no conflict with the “choice law” since the Committee has not charged tuition in similar cases. Mr. Coburn moved for approval to allow this child to attend Natick High School beginning with 2^nd semester of this school year. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was unanimously approved.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Wynne moved for approval of the minutes of December 11, 2006. Mr. Meyler seconded. They were unanimously approved.

Chairman Haugland asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak. Knowing that many people were present to discuss the Natick “Redmen” logo, Chairman Haugland explained that this is an opportunity for people to be heard and that the School Committee has not taken any position on whether to change this logo or not. He requested that people be respectful of one another and keep their comments brief. Several people came forward and expressed their concerns for both keeping the logo and for changing the logo.

Ms. Mary Leavitt, former Natick teacher and former town meeting member, came forward and expressed her concern to keep the Natick Redmen logo.

Mrs. Peggy Hladick Spencer presented the School Committee with a petition “to save the Natick Redmen” logo with 600 signatures and expects to receive more. She also presented a petition which her granddaughter provided with 27 signatures “to save the Natick Redmen” logo.

Ms. Ann Manning discussed her experience when UMASS changed its logo from the Redmen to the Minutemen. She felt the people in Natick would embrace a new logo no matter what the name is.

Mr. Scott Dixon expressed his desire to keep the Natick Redmen logo and felt if Native Americans are offended, we should hear from them.

Mr. Peter Sanfacon, former Natick resident and Director of the New England Anti-Mascot Coalition, came forward and urged the Committee to change the Redmen logo.

Ms. Erin Miller, Natick High School graduate, came forward to reiterate her concerns expressed at the last School Committee to change the Redmen mascot and to establish a new positive one that the community can embrace.

Natick Praying Indian Chief Caring Hands came forward and introduced Jacquelyn Payne Thompson, President of the historic Boston Equal Rights League who spoke briefly. Chief Caring Hands also introduced praying Indian Strong Bear as well. Chief Caring Hands addressed the group and provided some history, misconceptions and offered a suggestion to sit down and work things out to find a name that could bring the past and future together.

Chairman Haugland asked Committee members if there were any objections to offer some suggestions on this item given that procedurally during “Public Speak” there is no discussion or comment by the School Committee. Everyone concurred.

After some discussion, a recommendation was made to come to the next meeting with a motion which would involve the community and establish a taskforce to work on an appropriate way to honor Natick’s Indian. Ms. Adelman Foster will follow up with the Praying Indians to see if they wish to be part of this committee. More details will be worked out over the next week.

PERSONNEL ACTIONS

The following personnel actions were presented:

RETIREMENT: Professional Staff

Carol Finn, grade 2 teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. Retirement effective February 26, 2007.

RESIGNATION: Support Staff

Suzanne Young, food service worker at Memorial School. Resignation effective at the end of the day on December 22, 2006.

EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Professional Staff

Ana Carniero-Pena, School psychologist at Bennett-Hemenway School. Maternity leave effective March 19, 2007 to the end of this school year.

Jeannette Christensen, Director of the After School Activities Program at Wilson Middle School. Maternity leave is effective December 4, 2006 to TBA.

Anne Malloy, Grade 6 teacher at Wilson Middle School. Adoption leave is effective December 11, 2006 to March 16, 2007.

APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff

Michelle Barbato, to be Grade 1 long-term substitute teacher at Johnson School effective December 18, 2006 to March 26, 2007. She is replacing Susan Jarboe who is on a maternity leave. Salary, $148.00 per day.

Regina Byrnes, to be K-5 Math Curriculum Coordinator effective February 5, 2007. Salary, Masters +30, Step 14.

Jan Merson, to be Permanent substitute teacher at Wilson Middle School effective December 12, 2006. Salary, $99.00 per day.

Christopher Yancey, to be Web & Database Administrator effective December 18, 2006. Salary, $50,000.

APPOINTMENT: Support Staff

Sandra Dineen, to be part-time food service worker at Kennedy Middle School effective January 2, 2007. Salary, Step 2.

APPOINTMENTS: Coaching Staff – winter season

Boys’ Basketball

Head Coach Tim Collins Step 3

Sub-Varsity Coach Matt Miller 3

Freshman Coach Ted Loynd 3

Girls’ Basketball

Head Coach Danielle Chaisson Step 3

Sub-Varsity Coach Dan Hinnenkamp 3

Freshman Coach Kenneth J. Fleming 2

Boys’ Ice Hockey

Head Coach Bob Lavin Step 3

Sub Varsity Coach Doug Scott 3

Freshman Coach Matt Rogers 2

Girls’ Ice Hockey

Head Coach Bob Mei Step 3

Sub-Varsity Coach Zach Galvin 3

Freshmen Chris Cook 2

Head Coach - Boys Matt Brenneman Step 3

Head Coach - Girls Dennis Driscoll 3

Asst. Coach - Girls Thomas Brenneman 3

Asst. Co-Coach - Boys Matt Strother 3

(Salary will be divided between co-coaches)

Head Coach Bob Anniballi Step 3

Sub-Varsity Coach Ed Smith 3

Freshmen Coach Chad Sinclair * * 3

Head Coach David Lombardi Step 3

Boys’ Swimming

Head Coach Paul Power Step 3

Asst. Coach Andrew J. Rogers 3

Head Coach Gregory Rogers Step 3

Asst. Coach Abbie B. Green 2

Head Coach Susan Shagory Step 3

Trainer Lisa Ahles

Faculty Manager William Presutti Step 3

Mr. Connolly provided the School Committee with timetables for the selection of a Vice Principal for Kennedy Middle School to replace Mr. Robert Parga who will become Principal of Medfield Middle School as of July 1 and a timetable for selection of a Principal for Wilson Middle School to replace Mrs. Ruth Evans, who has announced that she will be retiring at the end of this school year. The School Committee will need to appoint a member to both the paper screening committee and the interviewing screening committee for the Wilson principal and a member to the paper screening committee for the Kennedy Vice Principal.

BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

Chairman Haugland reported that at the School Committee meeting of April 24, 2006, the School Committee voted to establish a Budget Subcommittee; however, the membership for this Subcommittee was never formally established. The School Committee needs to appoint members to serve on this Budget Subcommittee. Mr. Meyler moved to formally appoint himself, Mr. Wynn and Mr. Haugland as members to the Budget Subcommittee. Ms. Adelman Foster 2^nd. It was unanimously approved.

SIGNATORY AUTHORIZATION/APPOINTMENTS

FOR DIRECTOR OF FISCAL & MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Mr. Connolly requested that the School Committee give its approval for the following for the new Director of Fiscal & Management Services, Thomas Rose, who will be starting after February vacation:

- Signatory approval for the Director of Fiscal and Management Services for the School Department credit card which has a credit limit of $10,000, and the requirement of a signed Purchase Order on file for all transactions. When the card is used or committed for the payment of services or supplies for the benefit of the Director of Fiscal and Management Services the Purchase Order must be signed by the Superintendent.

- Appointment to Town of Natick Safety Committee

- Appointment as School Department Procurement Officer (By Law reference)

Mr. Dirk Coburn moved for approval on the above. Mr. Wynne seconded. It was unanimously approved.

FACILITY RENTALS FOR RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS

Mr. Connolly provided an update on a request he had received for a facility rental for religious purposes. Ms. Adelman Foster recused herself from this item as she was previously involved with the group requesting the rental. Mr. Connolly is awaiting a response from the School Committee’s attorney and will bring it back once received. Mr. Meyler requested that the attorney’s response distinguishes between religious education and religious services.

MEMBERS CONCERNS

Ms. Adelman Foster asked when the English Curriculum review would take place. Dr. Karen LeDuc reported that parent meetings will take place in March and the review would come before the School Committee in late March or early April.

Ms. Adelman Foster questioned when the Superintendent’s goals would be reviewed. Mr. Meyler indicated that they would be on the agenda by the end of January.

UPDATE ON NATICK 360

Ms. Karen Adelman Foster moved for approval for the Communications Subcommittee to work on issues/concerns regarding the Natick 360 strategic plan rather than taking up agenda time for the full School Committee. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was unanimously approved. Ms. Rosemary Driscoll was present and reported that she recently sent School Committee members notes on the feedback that the School Committee had given to the consultants as well as feedback from the other four boards. School Committee members will also receive a report on Phase 2 this Friday.

At 9:30 p.m. Mr. Meyler moved to adjourn. Ms. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved.

Secretary to the School Committee

Attest:_____________________________ Sharon Reilly