Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
May 7, 2007
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, May 7, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the School Committee Room, 3rd Floor, Town Hall. Chairman Wynn called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Members Present: Karen Adelman Foster, Anne Blanchard, Dirk Coburn, David Murphy, Rick Wynn,
Anne Zernicke
Mr. Meyler arrived at 7:10 p.m.
Others Present: James Connolly Superintendent
Karen LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
Marianne Davis Director of Human Resources
Tom Rose Director of Fiscal & Management Services
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Staff, Parents, Press
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairman Wynn asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak. No one came forward.
NATICK 360 PHASE I STATUS
Chairman Wynn discussed the status of the Phase 1 Report of the Natick 360. The School Committee has not approved this report as of yet. Chairman Wynn would like to have two School Committee members assigned to this matter to come up with a resolution to some of the issues raised. Mr. Craig Ross discussed the Natick 360 planning process. He indicated that time is of the essence and would like to resolve this matter as soon as possible. After some discussion, Mr. Coburn moved for approval for Karen Adelman Foster and Steve Meyler to be the School Committee members to work on this matter. Mr. Ross also indicated that the Phase 3 report also needs to be accepted by the School Committee. He would appreciate it if this could happen prior to Memorial Day. Chairman
Wynn called for a vote on Mr. Coburn’s motion. It was unanimously approved. Ms. Adelman Foster and Mr. Meyler will be in touch with Mr. Ross later this week.
INTERVIEW WITH SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH CONSULTANTS
The School Committee held interviews with the following Superintendent Search Consultants:
· NESDEC – Jim Walsh & Art Bettencourt
· JA Roy & Associates – Jacquelyn Roy
· MASC – Jim Hardy
· Cape Cod Collaborative Center for Exec. Search – Dr. Joseph Gilbert, Mr. Peter Cannone, & Mr. Walter Nagle
Committee members asked each firm a set of questions. The School Committee will make a decision at a future meeting on which consulting firm it will use.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Karen Adelman Foster moved for approval of the minutes of March 28, April 23 and April 28, 2007. Mr. Murphy seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Ms. Karen Adelman Foster moved for approval of the meeting minutes of March 19, 2007 and the Executive Session minutes of March 19, 2007. Mr. Murphy seconded. They were approved by a vote of Ms. Adelman Foster, Mr. Coburn, Mr. Wynn and Mr. Murphy. Mr. Meyler abstained as he was absent. Ms. Blanchard and Ms. Zernicke did not vote as they were not members of the Committee at that time.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed.
RETIREMENTS: Professional Staff
Clelia Cavicchio, Kindergarten teacher at Lilja School. Retirement effective June 30, 2007.
RESIGNATIONS: Professional Staff
Frances Burmeister, (.4) Music teacher at Bennett-Hemenway School. Resignation effective June 30, 2007.
Melissa Fryman, Special education teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Resignation effective June 30, 2007.
Andre Pelletier, Grade 1 teacher at Lilja School. Resignation effective June 30, 2007.
RESIGNATION: Support Staff
Jessica Johnson, Student support facilitator at Lilja School. Resignation effective June 30, 2007.
APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff
Niall Carney, to be full-year Vice Principal at Wilson Middle School effective October 29, 2007. Salary, Step 1 pro-rated.
Suzanne Kenny, to be school-year Vice Principal at Wilson Middle School effective August 20, 2007. Salary, Step 5
Regina Byrnes, to be Math K-5 Curriculum Coordinator effective for the 2007-08 school year. Salary, Masters +30, Step 14.
Mary Kenny, to be Grade 1 long-term substitute at Memorial School effective April 23, 2007 to June 12, 2007. She is replacing Deana Leonard. Salary, $148.00 per day.
Kathryn Muzyka, to be Speech & Language long-term substitute at Bennett-Hemenway School effective April 30, 2007 to June 12, 2007. She is replacing Kathleen Shipos and Sapna Colonna. Salary, $148.00 per day.
Lakisha Wilson, to be Help Desk Manager in the Technology Dept. effective April 17, 2007. Salary, $50,000 pro-rated.
APPOINTMENTS: Support Staff
JoEllen Plant, to be long-term substitute student support facilitator at Bennett-Hemenway School effective May 10, 2007 to June 12, 2007. Salary, $15.54 per hour.
Yolanda Lowenstein, to be part-time food service worker at Bennett-Hemenway School effective April 11, 2007. Salary, Step 1.
Jessica Williams, to be part-time food service worker at Natick High School effective April 30, 2007. Salary, Step 1.
TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION REGARDING SCHOOL CHOICE
Mr. Connolly indicated that the School Committee needs to take a vote regarding School Choice. In accordance with the provisions of the School Choice Law, a school committee must annually vote to not participate in school choice. If the committee does not vote, then the district automatically becomes a school choice district. Mr. Connolly recommended that the School Committee adopt the resolution submitted to the Committee to not participate in School Choice. Mr. Coburn moved for approval to adopt the resolution that states that the Natick School Committee declines to participate in the School Choice program. Ms. Blanchard seconded. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF MODIFICATION TO TRANSPORTATION FEE
Mr. Connolly, at the previous School Committee, requested that the School Committee make a change in the fee structure for transportation which would be that the $150.00 fee for transportation would increase to $175.00 for registrations received (after the June 15 deadline) ($350 family cap). Ms. Karen Adelman Foster suggested deferring this item for consideration at a later time and to strengthen the communications on the consequences of late registrations. Mr. Meyler moved for approval to take no action on this matter. Ms. Karen Adelman Foster seconded. It was approved by a vote of 6 to 1 (Mr. Murphy was opposed).
APPROVAL OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE
The following dates were provided to the School Committee for meetings for the 2007-2008 school year:
2007
August Monday August 27
September Monday September 10
Monday September 24
October Monday October 1
Monday October 15
November Monday November 5
Monday November 19 Student Advisory Board
December Monday December 3
Monday December 17
2008
January Monday January 7 Budget Session
Monday January 14 Budget Session
Wednesday January 23 Budget Session
Monday January 28 Student Advisory Board/Budget
February Monday February 4 Public Hearing on FY2009 Budget
Monday February 25
March Monday March 3
Monday March 17 Student Advisory Board
April Monday April 7
Monday April 28
May Monday May 5
Monday May 19 Student Advisory Board
June Monday June 2
Monday June 16
Chairman Wynn pointed out that the School Committee may wish to add some summer meetings. Some discussion took place about the possibility of needing more budget sessions. Mr. Meyler moved for approval of these dates. Ms. Zernicke seconded. They were unanimously approved.
APPROVAL TO CO-SPONSOR THE AFTER THE PROM PARTY
Mr. Connolly reported that the Natick High School After the Prom Party Committee requested that the School Committee agrees to co-sponsor the upcoming 19th annual After the Prom Party to be held on May 18, 2007 at Natick High School. Mr. Meyler moved for approval. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. It was unanimously approved.
At 10:25 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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