Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
January 22, 2007
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, January 22, 2007 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.
Members Present: Dirk Coburn, Henry Haugland, Rick Wynn, Ted Wynne
Mr. Murphy and Mr. Meyler joined the meeting at 7:05 p.m.
Members Absent: Karen Adelman Foster
Others present:
James Connolly Superintendent
Karen LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Staff, Parents, Press
Chairman Haugland announced that the School Committee will be joining the Finance Committee and Board of Selectmen in a meeting in the Ed Dlott Meeting Room, 2nd floor, Town Hall to discuss the FY08 budget. Members of the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee and School Committee were present. A discussion took place on the discrepancy of the school budget requests put forth by the Town Administrator and the Superintendent. The Superintendent’s budget request for FY08 is $40,283,029, an increase of $2,870,495 (7.7%) from last year . The Town Administrator’s school budget request is $38,534,910, an increase of $1,122,376 (3.0%). The difference is $1,748,119. If revenue sources are not sufficient to cover this increase, decisions will need to be made to either
make service cuts or to go for an operational override. Mr. Connolly reviewed the major changes from last year’s budget which make up the 7.7% increase. He also reviewed the dates for the school budget hearings.
The following comments/concerns were raised:
· The process and discussions of all three boards should be an open process
· Make sure the numbers are real and accurate
· Encumbrances should be reviewed
· State Aid will not resolve the matter - revenue from State Aid has not yet caught up to the 2002 figure
· Many senior citizens can’t afford any more taxes – might certain income levels be exempt from override taxes?
The three boards will be working together over the next few months and will keep the lines of communications open. Mr. Bruce Wright, Chairman of the Finance Committee, reported that the Finance Committee schedule has been posted and will be televised on Pegasus.
The School Committee reconvened its regular meeting at 8:15 p.m. in the School Committee Room, 3rd Floor, Town Hall.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairman Haugland asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak.
Mr. Jeffrey Phillips, 20-year Town Meeting member, former School Committee member and former Finance Committee member, came forward. Since he did not get recognized to speak at the joint session held earlier this evening, he expressed his desire to do so now. He expressed his concerns that their may be more money available in the Town in areas of free cash, increased revenues, the stabilization fund and the overlay account and that discussions and debates need to take place before presenting an override vote.
Ms. Marianne Hendricks, Natick Nipmuc Sachem came forward to speak about the Natick Redmen logo. She is a descendent of Joshua Speen. She introduced her granddaughter, Kristen Wyman, Natick Nipmuc who spoke to the Committee and urged them to take their time and form a focus group to work together with them to come up with an appropriate solution and to let the culture speak
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Chairman Haugland read a letter he received from Earl Mills, Sr., Chief Flying Eagle, Son of Mashpee, a Wampanoag requesting that the School Committee retain some type of Native cultural reference for the sports teams in Natick and requested that the Indian logo be reinstated in some way perhaps by using the Woodland Indian.
Mr. Connolly requested a moment of silence for a former student who passed away, James Alenson, the victim of a slaying at Lincoln Sudbury High School this past Friday. James was a student in the Natick Schools for grades K-8. He had attended the Lilja School, Kennedy Middle School and Wilson Middle School. Counselors have been available at the schools to assist any students who may need help dealing with this death.
Mr. Coburn passed out copies of the Phase II report of Natick 360. This report will require the attention and input from the full School Committee. It will be on the agenda for January 29.
CONTINUED DISCUSSION ON FY08 BUDGET – PUPIL SERVICES
Ms. Lauren Gilbert, Director of Pupil Services, presented an overview of the Pupil Services budget for FY08. A discussion continued. Ms. Gilbert responded to questions raised.
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS
Mr. Wynn moved for approval of the following donations:
Source/Donation Amount/Value Purpose
Snap-On Tools $2,700.00 13-drawer tool box for NHS Drama crew
Natick Firefighters $250.00 NHS Wall of Achievement
Ms. Kori Anniballi $50.00 Business Professionals of America
Cognex $1,000.00 Wilson Math Club
Cognex $1,200.00 Kennedy Science Dept. for Stereo Microscopes
Cognex $3,000.00 Robo Natick – Student Activity Account
Microsoft/Susan Lau $918.00 Robo Natick – Student Activity Account
Boston Scientific $2,500.00 Band (Disney trip) – Student Activity Account
Natick Firefighters’ Charity Fund $400.00 Yearbook – Student Activity Account
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Bonanno $15.00 Wilson Library
NHS Boosters $980.00 Shakespeare Now! – Student Activity Account
For the Committee’s information:
Leuders Environmental, Inc. has donated $50 to the NHS Environment Club.
Target donated $248.32 to Lilja School through their Take Charge of Education Program.
The Dave Young Children’s Literature Foundation has donated to the libraries at Natick High School ($500) and Brown School ($800).
Mr. Coburn seconded. They were unanimously approved.
At 9:40 p.m. Mr. Coburn moved to adjourn. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was unanimously approved.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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