Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
June 4, 2007
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, June 4, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, 3rd Floor, Town Hall. Chairman Wynn called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.
Members Present: Karen Adelman Foster, Anne Blanchard, Dirk Coburn, Stephen Meyler, David Murphy, Rick Wynn, Anne Zernicke
Others Present: Karen LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Students, Staff, Parents, Press
Per his request at the last meeting, Mr. Coburn moved for approval to begin each School Committee meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. It was unanimously approved.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairman Wynn asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak. Ms. Rosemary Driscoll came forward to promote the community planning weekend for the Natick 360 strategic planning project which is being held at Kennedy Middle School this weekend, June 8-10. She encouraged all to participate and attend these sessions.
RECOGNITION OF NATICK HIGH SCHOOL STAFF & STUDENTS
Mr. John Hughes congratulated the Class of 2007 on their graduation on Sunday, June 3. He reported that the ceremony went very well.
Mr. Hughes acknowledged the students of the Business Professionals of America – A+ Network Design team for coming in 2nd in the National Competition held recently in New York City. Mr. Doug Scott is the Advisor and the team members are: Anthony Drews, Donald Hamnett, Garrett MacDonald, and Martin Schefflear. Members of the School Committee and audience congratulated Mr. Scott and these students.
Mr. Hughes congratulated and acknowledged Mr. John Cice, Band Director for the Natick High School Symphonic Band and the entire band as recipients of Gold Medals in the MICCA Competition (State) recently held. Band Officers were also present: Anya Price, Maria Price, Elizabeth Georgiopoulos, and Rachel Robinson. Members of the School Committee and audience congratulated Mr. Cice and his students. Mr. Cice distributed copies of CD’s of their performance last month at Symphony Hall.
Mr. Hughes congratulated and acknowledged Mr. Dave Lombardi, Co-Ed Cheerleading Coach and the Co-Ed Cheerleaders for taking 1st place (Cheer Division – Level 3) in the JAMfest Nationals held in Richmond, Virginia. Present were Coach Lombardi and representatives of the team: Amanda White, Katie Tilton, Anna Goldberg and Sarah Mayer. The School Committee and members of the audience congratulated Coach Lombardi and the team. Chairman Wynn invited the entire team back to the meeting of June 18 so that they all may be recognized for winning this National competition.
Mr. Hughes acknowledged and congratulated Ms. Julie Wong, Natick High School Mathematics Teacher, for being accepted to participate in the Fullbright Teacher Exchange program. Ms. Wong will be spending the 2007-2008 school year in Istanbul, Turkey in exchange for a teacher coming from Turkey to NHS. The School Committee and members of the audience congratulated Ms. Wong.
Mr. Hughes congratulated Ms. Alese Rugabber, Natick High School German Teacher, on receiving the Duden Award, which is given annually to a teacher in Massachusetts, selected by her colleagues in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the study of German. The School Committee and members of the audience congratulated Ms. Rugabber.
APPROVAL OF OUT OF STATE TRAVEL
Mr. Hughes requested the School Committee’s approval for Natick High School to continue its student exchange (visitation) program with Basel-Stadt Switzerland. Ms. Amy Chapman, Natick High School Social Studies teacher was present and has been working on the exchange. The program was very well received this past school year and they would like to continue the exchange for the 2007/2008 school year. Swiss students would be visiting Natick in October 2007 and Natick students would be visiting Basel-Stadt over the April 2008 vacation. Mr. Meyler moved for approval for this program to continue. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
ACCEPTANCE OF NATICK EDUCATION FOUNDATION AWARD
Ms. Jan Phlegar, Ms. Tina Furdon and Ms. Sherry Sandoval, representing the Natick Education Foundation, presented the School Committee with a check in the amount of $42,000 to support the 2006/2007 grant awards. Eight grants were awarded which focus on Math in Every Day Life. Ms. Sandoval announced that for the 2007/2008 school year, NEF has selected the area for special attention to be – the Visual & Performing Arts – Get Inspired! Members of the School Committee thanked the Natick Education Foundation for the tremendous service they provide to our schools.
SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL UPDATE
Ms. Katie Blackburn, Ms. Denise Galford-Koeppel and Ms. Terri Charles, members of the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) were present to discuss the goals and accomplishments of the council and the role it plays. A discussion continued. Members of the School Committee extended their great appreciation to this organization for what they do. Mr. Meyler moved for approval to establish a link on the Natick school’s website to SEPAC’s website. Ms. Zernicke seconded. It was unanimously approved.
NATICK 360 UPDATE – PHASE I & 111
Ms. Karen Adelman Foster moved approval for the School Committee to accept the Natick 360 Phase III document with the understanding that is a slate of possible choices for the community to weigh in on. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Adelman Foster moved for approval for the School Committee to accept the Natick 360 Phase I document, but to include the following signing statement (motion amended by Mr. Coburn and accepted by Ms. Adelman that the statement be located in the front section of the document so that it is applied to the entire document):
Proposed Signing Statement for 360 Phase I Document
The School Committee is pleased to accept this report with the exception of the demographic projections and related conclusions, suggestions, graphics, and overview items about a possible decline in school-age residents, and on the understanding that this statement will be included in the document. We strongly caution against these projections being used for budgeting policy decisions and especially school-planning purposes.
~
No projections or forecasts can include every potential variable. These projections and forecasts, however, fail to account for potentially significant factors contained in the report itself. These excluded factors could change, or even reverse, the direction of Natick’s demographic trends and call into question the projections’ results.
For example, the report says that “Considering only the demographic trends in school age population, demand for family housing in the coming decades may decline.~ Other factors, including the limited amount of new construction, relative housing prices, and the attractiveness of Natick to young families may mitigate this trend [p. 12].” Later, it says,~“Changing housing stock (in 40B, 40R and HOOP developments discussed below) may lead to changes to future demographics (i.e., the developments may attract younger families to town) [p. 13].” And finally, it says, “[I]f Natick remains a desirable community in which to live, one would expect that when seniors move from their single family homes to other housing designed to meet the needs of the
senior population, other families are likely to move into these homes [p. 15].”~
That is, the projections do not reflect the impact of changing housing stock, limited new construction, relative housing prices, the attractiveness of Natick to young families, or the likelihood that families may move into homes vacated by empty-nesters – all indisputable or likely realities, all important drivers of school-age population.
The projections, therefore, are not suited for use in guiding policy regarding schools. Relying on these projections could lead to underestimating future school needs, an error that would benefit no one.
We are most grateful to everyone who has participated in the Natick 360 process. We are especially appreciative of the efforts of the Strategic Planning Oversight Committee (SPOC), which has worked diligently and fairly to make this a document of which we can all be proud.
Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
RECOGNITION OF MATHWORKS
Dr. Karen Leduc acknowledged Ms. Liz Callanan and the staff of The Mathworks for their generosity in hosting four Leadership Summits at their offices for the Natick Public Schools. They provided workspace and refreshments for twenty-five curriculum and department leaders from the district. Chairman Wynn requested that a letter of appreciation be sent from the School Committee to Ms. Callanan.
SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH SELECTION
Chairman Wynn reported that after interviewing four Superintendent Search Consultants, the School Committee narrowed the candidates down to two finalists of which they did extensive research and reference checks on. The two finalists are J.A. Roy & Associates and NESDEC. Mr. Coburn moved for approval to appoint J.A. Roy and Associates as the Superintendent Search Consultant. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. After some discussion, Chairman Wynn called for a vote. It was unanimously approved. Chairman Wynn will invite Ms. Roy to a meeting on June 11 or an alternative date to discuss the search process.
RATIFICATION OF CONTRACT
Chairman Wynn reported that several meetings have been held for negotiations with the Cafeteria Employees (Local #1116, Massachusetts Laborers District Council) and a settlement is being put forth for the period covering July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2008 which includes a 3% across the board pay increase effective July 1, 2006 and a 3% across the board pay increase effective July 1, 2007. Mr. Meyler moved for approval to ratify this contract as outlined. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS
Mr. Coburn moved for approval to accept the following donations:
Source/Donation Amount/Value Purpose
NHS Boosters $500 Student Activities – North Star Program
*$21,000 Total Value NHS Softball Program
Mike Melchiorri
Bill & Jim Verner
Jeff Crosby
Richard Melchiorri
Arthur J. Hurley Company, Inc.
Tom Hladick
*($13,000 for shed, $6,000 for batting cage, $2,000 repair to backstop)
Mr. Coburn moved for approval to accept these donations. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Adelman Foster had a correction to the minutes of May 21st pertaining to the roll call vote to enter into Executive Session not being documented. These minutes will come back to the next meeting for approval.
Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval of the minutes of May 29, 2007. Mr. Meyler seconded. They were approved by an affirmative vote of 6. Mr. Murphy abstained as he was absent.
Mr. Meyler moved for approval of the Executive Session minutes of May 21, 2007. Ms Adelman Foster seconded. They were approved by an affirmative vote of 5. Mr. Murphy and Ms. Zernicke abstained as they were absent.
At 9:28 p.m., Mr. Coburn moved to adjourn. Ms. Blanchard seconded. It was unanimously approved.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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