Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
September 24, 2007
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, September 24, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, 3rd Floor, Town Hall. Chairman Wynn called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Karen Adelman Foster, Dirk Coburn, Steve Meyler, David Murphy, Rick Wynn,
Anne Zernicke
Members Absent: Anne Blanchard arrived at 7:40 p.m.
Others Present: James Connolly Superintendent
Karen LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
Tom Rose Director of Fiscal & Management Services
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Staff, Parents
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairman Wynn asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak. No one came forward.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Mr. Connolly discussed a meeting held last Thursday with the Finance Committee where he presented the FY08 budget increase of $743,119 which the School Committee voted at their last meeting. A good discussion was held with the Finance Committee; however, they tabled this item until their next meeting of October 2, 2007.
Mr. Wynn reported that the Superintendent Search is well underway. As of now, there are 17 interested parties from more than 7 states. The brochure is at the printers and will be completed shortly. Letters will be going out to parents looking for volunteers for the Credentials Review Committee. The Credentials Review Committee will do the paper screening and will consist of:
1 Central Office Administrator
1 Principal
2 Teachers
1 member of the Board of Selectmen or designee
2 Members of the School Committee
2 Members of the Community
Interested parties should contact Sharon Reilly at 508-647-6500, option 0. The School Committee will invite interested parties to the meeting of October 15 so that they may say a few words as to why they are interested.
CAPITAL BUDGET UPDATE
Mr. Robert Graham provided the School Committee with a status report of the 2007 capital projects, the proposed 2008 capital projects as well as a capital plan summary for FY2008-2012. A discussion continued and Mr. Graham responded to questions. Mr. Meyler requested a more detailed plan for the technology capital budget. It was suggested that a footnote be added to the replacement/renovation costs for the school buildings that they are estimates and will more than likely be increased over the next few years.
SUMMER MAINTENANCE UPDATE
Mr. Graham provided the School Committee with a detailed report of the summer maintenance done at each of the schools.
TRANSPORTATION UPDATE
Mr. Coburn and Mr. Rose, on behalf of the Operations, Safety & Transportation Subcommittee provided an update on the Transportation program. A more proactive management approach has been implemented and policies will be organized for greater accessibility.
UPDATE ON ENROLLMENTS
Mr. Connolly reviewed the current enrollments for all grades.
APPROVAL OF DONATIONS
Mr. Coburn moved for approval of the following donations. Ms. Zernicke seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Source/Donation Amount/Value Purpose
Mr. Galuszka & Ms. Mulvihill $100.00 Business Professionals of placecountry-regionAmerica
Microsoft/Susan Lau $527.00 NHS Robotics Team – Student Activity Account
placeCityNatick Education Foundation $41,943.65 June 2007 Grant Awards
Leukemia Lymphoma Society $200.00 WalMart Gift Certificate to placePlaceNameKennedy PlaceTypeMiddle School
For the School Committee’s information, $506 was donated through a 50/50 raffle and personal donations to the Wilson Middle School’s Mass. Cultural Council Grant in June, 2007.
ACCEPTANCE OF CONTRACTS
Mr. Rose requested that the School Committee award the bid for the penthouse wall repair at Kennedy Middle School to Reliable Roofing & Sheet Metal LLC, 105 Irving Street, Framingham who was the lowest bidder. Mr. Meyler moved for approval. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
MEMBERS CONCERNS
Chairman Wynn provided an update on the Financial Planning Group and its last meeting. This Committee consists of 2 member of the Board of Selectmen, 2 members of the Finance Committee and 2 members of the School Committee. They will be meeting this Wednesday at 7:00 a.m. to decide whether or not they feel it is necessary for the town to vote an override. The Board of Selectmen is the body that would actually decide whether an override vote would be put on the ballot.
At 9:55 p.m., Ms. Adelman Foster 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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