Approval of Records
March 5, 2007
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
January 29, 2007
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, January 29, 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, Henry Haugland, Stephen Meyler, David Murphy,
Rick Wynn, Ted Wynne
Members Absent: Mr. Coburn arrived at 7:35 p.m.
Others present:
James Connolly Superintendent
Karen LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Staff, Parents, Press
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Wynne moved for approval of the minutes of January 17, 2007. Mr. Meyler seconded. Mr. Wynn abstained as he was absent for this meeting. They were approved by a majority vote.
Mr. Wynne moved for approval of the minutes of January 22, 2007. Mr. Wynn seconded. They were unanimously approved.
NATICK ROTARY CLUB – DISTRIBUTION OF DICTIONARIES
Mr. Andy Meyer, on behalf of the Natick Rotary Club, discussed the program that The Natick Rotary Club has developed, which provides every third grade student in Natick with their own dictionary. They will be handing out 409 books this week which will be personalized for all third graders. The School Committee thanked the Natick Rotary Club for their generosity.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Ms. Rebekka Farquharson, Natick High School student, spoke in favor of keeping the Natick Redmen name.
Mr. Peter Sanfacon spoke about the issue of uniform costs if the Redmen name were to change. He suggested replacing uniforms over a period of time as they are worn out. He also suggested bringing in more Native American studies into the curriculum.
Ms. Nanci Farquharson expressed her opinion that changing the Natick Redmen name is not something that seven members of the School Committee should be doing - it’s a townwide identity.
Mr. Peter Robbins expressed his opinion that this is an issue that cannot be solely decided by the School Committee.
Mr. Richard Sidney stated that the School Committee sets policy and that would include the name of athletic teams and felt that if any one class of people are offended by using the name “Redmen” that it is not right to keep using it.
CONTINUED DISCUSSION OF FY08 BUDGET
Mr. Bob Graham, Director of Facilities, provided an overview of the Facility Services, Capital and Utility budgets. Capital needs for FY08 total $2,885,000 of which $400,000 has been identified as fundable for FY08. An additional $100,000 will be needed from previous capital project balances which will be returned to the town this year which totals $420,000. However, if the $250,000 for the high school design is held, the net return will be $170,000.
Mr. Graham identified the following projects. Priority 1 items are being recommended as priority items for FY08.
C. |
FY08 Capital List by Priority |
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1 |
Replace obsolete fire alarm system |
Brown |
Oct-06 |
1 |
$ 60,000 |
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Install new modular boilers |
High School |
Jan-07 |
2 |
$ 195,000 |
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Install A/C in IT main frame room |
High School |
Oct-06 |
3 |
$ 20,000 |
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Replace Food Truck |
Vehicles |
Oct-06 |
4 |
$ 35,000 |
DPW to order |
|
Drainage & landscape rear play area |
Lilja |
Apr-05 |
5 |
$ 25,000 |
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Replace cafeteria flooring |
Brown |
Oct-06 |
6 |
$ 65,000 |
|
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Resurface rooftop penthouses |
Kennedy |
Jan-07 |
7 |
$ 100,000 |
|
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Subtotal Priority 1 |
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|
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$ 500,000 |
|
2 |
Roof replacement |
Kennedy |
Oct-04 |
8 |
$ 550,000 |
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Replace boilers 1 & 2 |
Kennedy |
Apr-05 |
9 |
$ 700,000 |
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Upgrade DDC system |
Brown |
Apr-05 |
10 |
$ 85,000 |
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Replace boilers 1 & 2 |
Johnson |
Apr-05 |
11 |
$ 375,000 |
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Exterior window replacement |
Johnson |
Apr-05 |
12 |
$ 150,000 |
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Repave driveway and parking |
Johnson |
Apr-05 |
13 |
$ 75,000 |
|
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Subtotal Priority 2 |
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|
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$ 1,935,000 |
3 |
Upgrade Library |
Memorial |
Oct-06 |
14 |
$ 160,000 |
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Upgrade kitchen |
Memorial |
Apr-06 |
15 |
$ 250,000 |
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Expand Kitchen |
Ben-Hem |
Oct-06 |
16 |
$ 40,000 |
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Subtotal Priority 3 |
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$ 450,000 |
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Total |
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$ 2,885,000 |
A discussion took place on the $195,000 expenditure for new modular boilers for the high school which Mr. Graham believes is critical due to the heat and boiler issues at the high school.
Mr. Graham explained that over $10,000,000 is needed over five years for capital expenditures. Over $2M per year has been forecasted in the plan and less than $.5M per year has allocated by the town for school building capital.
Mr. Connolly discussed the Transportation budget. There is a proposed $50.00 increase in fees. $200 per student vs. $150, family cap of $400 vs. $300. He stated that the Committee may want to look into extending fees to students in grades 7-12 regardless of whether or not they reside beyond the 2 miles as it is not mandated to provide transportation to this age group. In addition, he stated that the Committee may want to charge a fee for late registrations. Mr. Coburn would like to see the following analyses done: 1) how much more revenue would be brought in if we exempted only those riders who are exempt by state law, and also 2) what the fee would be if we did that but used the proceeds to reduce the fee for all fee-paying riders.
Mr. Meyler suggested looking at facility rental fees once again.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Chairman Haugland discussed a letter he received from the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Charlie Hughes requesting a School Committee designee to be on the Committee for the Town Administrator search. Mr. Rick Wynn volunteered.
Chairman Haugland questioned whether the Committee would be agreeable to reschedule the meeting of February 26 as Mr. Wynn will be out of town and would like to be present for both the public hearing on the FY08 budget and the Redmen discussion.
Mr. Haugland moved for approval to cancel the February 26 meeting, to hold a regular meeting for budget purposes if needed on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 and to hold public hearings on the FY08 budget and on the Redmen mascot on Monday, March 5th at Wilson Middle School. Mr. Meyler seconded.
Ms. Karen Adelman Foster wished to keep the February 26 meeting as scheduled since the public has been notified of this date. After some discussion, Mr. Murphy moved for approval to hold the meeting on February 26 for the public hearing and vote on the Redmen mascot and to hold the public hearing on the FY08 budget on March 5. Ms. Karen Adelman Foster seconded.
Chairman Haugland called for a vote on the motion to cancel the February 26 meeting, to hold a regular meeting for budget purposes if needed on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 and to hold public hearings on the FY08 budget and on the Redmen mascot on Monday, March 5th at Wilson Middle School.. All in favor: Chairman Haugland, Mr. Wynn, Mr. Meyler, Mr. Ted Wynne. All opposed: Ms. Karen Adelman Foster, Mr. Coburn, Mr. Murphy. The motion carried 4 to 3. Mr. Murphy’s motion became a moot point.
Mr. Wynn indicated that the Goals Subcommittee will come back next month or so to present some short term goals for the Superintendent.
APPROVAL OF NATICK 360 PHASE 2 REPORT
After some discussion took place regarding the Natick 360 Phase 2 report, Mr. Murphy moved to approve the Natick 360 Phase 2 report. Mr. Wynn seconded. It was unanimously approved. Ms. Rosemary Driscoll indicated that the Phase 3 report will be worked on during February with several cross function meetings being held. Mr. Coburn indicated that the Communications Subcommittee will be providing a bulleted list of items/issues/comments pertaining to the Phase 1 report which has not yet been approved by the School Committee.
At 10:15 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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