Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
June 18, 2007
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, June 18, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, 3rd Floor, Town Hall. Chairman Wynn called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
Members Present: Karen Adelman Foster, Dirk Coburn, Stephen Meyler, Rick Wynn, Anne Zernicke
Anne Blanchard arrived at 8:10 p.m.
Members Absent: David Murphy
Others Present: James Connolly Suprintendent
Karen LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
Tom Rose Director of Fiscal & Management Services
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Students, Staff, Parents, Press
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairman Wynn asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak. No one came forward.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RUTH EVANS, PRINCIPAL OF WILSON MIDDLE SCHOOL
Chairman Wynn, on behalf of the Committee recognized Ms. Ruth Evans, Principal of Wilson Middle School for her years of service here in Natick. Ms Evans is retiring this year after completing seven years as Principal of Wilson. Ms. Evans was presented with a book which will be donated to the Morse Institute Library in her name and a plaque for her years of service. Members of the audience and School Committee applauded Ms. Evans.
RECOGNITION OF NATICK HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Mr. Tom Lamb and Mr. John Hughes recognized and congratulated 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. The cheerleaders came forward and introduced themselves. The School Committee and members of the audience congratulated the cheerleaders on winning this National competition.
Mr. Tom Lamb and Mr. John Hughes recognized and congratulated the boys’ volleyball team on their recent win in the State Championship volleyball tournament. Captains, Tim Lee and Shaun Sibley were present on behalf of the team. School Committee members and members of the audience congratulated the boys’ volleyball team. Mr. Hughes also announced that the Natick Boys’ Varsity Baseball team won the MIAA Division I Sportsmanship Award.
NAMING OF BASEBALL FACILITIES
Mr. Connolly reported that a request to name the baseball facilities at Edward Mahan field as the “John N. Carroll Baseball Complex” came before the School Committee at its meeting of March 19, 2007.
Per the policy on naming and dedicating school facilities, a 60-calendar day waiting is required before the School Committee takes action. As of this date, no one has come forward with any issues on this matter. Mr. Connolly recommended that the School Committee give its approval to name the baseball facilities at Edward Mahan field as the “John N. Carroll Baseball Complex” at the Edward Mahan Field. Mr. Coburn moved for approval. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was unanimously approved.
NATICK PUBLIC SCHOOLS WEBSITE DEMO
Mr. Dennis Roche, Director of Technology, introduced Mr. Chris Yancey, Website Administrator, who provided a demonstration of the new Natick Public Schools’ website. Phase I includes the district information which has been updated and is now in operation. Phase II will be worked on over the summer, which consists of updating the individual school sites, and Phase III will be developed in the fall which will include teacher sites. A discussion continued. Mr. Roche also updated the School Committee on the student information data conversion and training for IPASS. The school messaging system, ConnectED will also be installed over the summer.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Coburn moved for approval of the minutes of May 21, 2007. Mr. Meyler seconded. They were approved by a majority vote. Ms. Zernicke abstained as she was absent from this meeting.
Mr. Meyler moved for approval of the minutes of June 4, 2007. Ms. Coburn seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Mr. Coburn moved for approval of the minutes of June 11, 2007. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. They were unanimously approved.
FISCAL UPDATE
Mr. Connolly provided the School Committee with a fiscal update which included the FY07 year ending balance and spending and an update on the FY08 budget and staffing. He reported that approximately $550,000 will be available at the end of FY07 and recommended returning to the Town all but $25,000 which would be used for the fee for the superintendent search consultant. A discussion continued. Mr. Coburn moved for approval to accept the superintendent’s recommendation to return the balance of the FY07 funds to the Town with the exception of $25,000 which will be used for the superintendent search consultant fee. Ms. Blanchard seconded. It was unanimously approved.
PUPIL SERVICES UPDATE
Ms. Lauren Gilbert provided an update of the office of Pupil Services.
At 9:50 p.m. the Administration requested an Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 39, Section 23B of the Massachusetts General Laws. A roll call vote was taken and all members present were in favor of entering into Executive Session.
At 10:35 p.m., the School Committee returned to open session.
TRANSPORTATION UPDATE & PROCEDURE REVIEW
Mr. Tom Rose provided an overview of the transportation program. He provided the School Committee members with a packet of transportation information including forms, procedures and policies and requested that the Committee review them over the summer and provide feedback prior to the meeting of September 10. He plans to hold meetings with the transportation subcommittee and come back to the full Committee in October.
ACCEPTANCE OF BIDS
Mr. Rose requested that the School Committee accept the following bids:
1. Maintenance Heating Services – to be awarded to Cooling & Heating Specialists Inc.
2. Maintenance Electrical Services – to be awarded to Lantern Light and Electric
3. Maintenance Plumbing Services – to be awarded to Mechanical Builders Inc.
4. Food Service Contract – to be awarded to Chartwells
5. School Messaging Services – to be award ed to NTI/Connect-ED
6. Laser Printer Service & Supplies – to be awarded to Expert Laser Services, Inc.
Mr. Meyler moved for approval of these bid awards. Ms. Blanchard seconded. They were unanimously approved.
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS
Mr. Meyler moved for approval of the following donations. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded.
Source/Donation Amount/Value Purpose
Ratnakar Amaravadi $75.00 Business Professionals of America
For the Committee’s information, the following donations were received to support the Mass. Cultural Council Grant at Wilson:
Ms. Susan Shapiro $30.00
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Wong $20.00
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Holtz $30.00
Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Siegel $100.00
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Carcanague $25.00
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Iwanicki $10.00
Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Rosen $30.00
They were unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF CONTRACTS FOR ASSISTANT SUPERINTEDENT
AND DIRECTOR OF PUPIL SERVICES
Mr. Connolly requested authorization from the School Committee to offer employment contracts through 2010 for the Director of Pupil Services and the Assistant Superintendent. General Law Chapter 71 Section 59 delineates the joint responsibility of the School Committee and the Superintendent in establishing and appointing individuals to certain central office positions. Mr. Meyler moved for approval for the Superintendent to offer contracts to these individuals through 2010. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. It was unanimously approved.
At 11:10 p.m., Mr. Meyler moved to adjourn. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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