Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
June 25, 2007
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, June 25, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the School Committee Room, 3rd Floor, Town Hall. Chairman Wynn called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
Members Present: Karen Adelman Foster, Anne Blanchard, Dirk Coburn, Stephen Meyler, Rick Wynn, Anne Zernicke
David Murphy arrived at 7:15 p.m.
Others Present: Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Jacqueline Roy Superintendent Search Consultant
The meeting was moved to the Training Room 3rd Floor, Town Hall with signage left for whoever may wish to attend.
The School Committee met with Ms. Jacqueline Roy to discuss the following:
· Timelines for the Superintendent Search Process
· Major challenges facing a new superintendent/desirable qualities in a new superintendent
· Screening Process/Credential-Screening Committee
· Interim Superintendent
Ms. Roy updated the School Committee on the sessions she had earlier in the day with various constituencies. These sessions were held to begin the process of obtaining feedback from stakeholders about what they see as the strengths of the school system, issues and challenges the staff and superintendent will face in the near future and what they are looking for in a new superintendent. Attendance was less than what was hoped for, however, more opportunities will be given to these groups at a later date.
Ms. Roy provided the School Committee with a draft brochure for their review and requested feedback by the 1st week in August.
The School Committee developed a tentative timeline. Discussion was held about the importance of an aggressive, yet realistic schedule that provides candidates adequate time to reply, but wastes no time. The resulting tentative timeline calls for running ads from mid-August through September, with November 9 as a deadline for applications. The hope is to appoint a new Superintendent by February, 2008, to start no later than July 1, 2008. Public input will continue to be sought through the summer and into the start of the school year. The first part of the School Committee meeting on September 10 will be a public forum on the search.
The Committee then discussed the challenges and issues that the new superintendent will need to address, and the qualities a new superintendent might need to meet those challenges.
Mr. Coburn left the meeting at 10:10 p.m.
A discussion took place regarding the need for an interim superintendent. It was discussed that even an aggressive timeline would result in a gap between the time Mr. Connolly retires and before a new person could start. After some discussion, Mr. Meyler moved to enter into contract negotiations with Dr. Joseph Keefe as Interim Superintendent. Ms. Zernicke seconded. All in favor: Ms. Adelman Foster, Mr. Meyler, Mr. Murphy, Chairman Wynn, Ms. Zernicke. Ms. Blanchard abstained.
At 11:00 p.m., Ms. Zernicke moved to adjourn. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Attest:_____________________________ Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
| 
