Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
October 1, 2007
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, October 1, 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, Anne Blanchard, Dirk Coburn, Steve Meyler, Rick Wynn,
Anne Zernicke
Members Absent: David Murphy
Others Present: James Connolly Superintendent
Karen LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
Tom Rose Director of Fiscal & Management Services
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Maureen Cushing Student Representative
Staff, Parents
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairman Wynn asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak. Ms. Mary Leavitt came forward to thank the members of the School Committee who did not vote to change the Natick “Redmen” name and spoke in support of maintaining the logo of “Redmen”.
INTRODUCTION OF FULBRIGHT TEACHER
Mr. John Hughes introduced Bulent Agsakal, Fulbright Teacher from Istanbul, Turkey who is here as part of the Fulbright exchange program. Ms. Julie Wong, NHS Math Teacher applied to the Fulbright organization to participate in this program and was accepted. Mr. Agsakal and Ms. Wong have exchanged jobs for one year.
RECOGNITION OF RECIPIENT OF MASSACHUSETTS TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP AWARD
Mr. John Hughes recognized Mr. Douglas Scott from the Natick High School Business Department who has been selected as a recipient of the 2007 Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council’s Above and Beyond Award which is recognized as “the states most influential high tech group”. Mr. Scott was awarded a $1,000 grant for a project completed last spring by students in his A+ class who constructed a working, computer controlled submarine, capable of providing a live video feed from significant depths. Mr. Scott along with some of the students exhibited their submarine, the S.S. Nosinki and spoke about the project.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATHEMATICS INITIATIVES (STEM)
Dr. Karen LeDuc discussed the STEM initiatives which have taken place in the Natick Public Schools. There is a need to increase the number of Massachusetts secondary school students to successfully pursue science, technology, engineering and math in preparation for the 21st century skills and careers. Dr. LeDuc introduced Mr. James Stanton and Dr. Pat Hamblett from the Metro South/West Regional Employment Board who have been instrumental in coordinating programs to support teachers and students in STEM areas. Dr. LeDuc also discussed the LIFT2 program (Leadership Initiative for Teaching Technology) which is a professional learning program for middle and high school STEM teachers who are ambassadors for public education. She introduced Mr. Andrew
Hollins, Math Teacher at Natick High School and Mr. Dan Hinnenkamp, Science Teacher at Natick High School who both spoke about their participation in the LIFT program and how they implement this information into the classroom.
NATICK HIGH SCHOOL – SAT/AP REPORT
Ms. Jan Parsons, Natick High School Guidance Department Head, provided the School Committee with a detailed report of SAT I, SAT II and AP scores for the Class of 2007. She also provided a report of the schools that the top 40% are attending. She responded to questions from the Committee. A request was made to get a list of the majors that the students applied for. It was also suggested to put as much of this information as possible on the website.
NEASC ACCREDITATION
Mr. John Hughes provided an overview of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) accreditation process and reviewed the timeline for the Natick High School accreditation as follows:
Ten Year Cycle:
Ø 2005 - New Standards – (Commission on Public Secondary Schools)
Ø 2005 - NHS Begin Self-Study
Ø 2007 - March - Host Visiting Team (15)
Ø 2007 - Late Summer - Report received
Ø 2007 – Follow Up Workshop – last week
Ø 2007 - CPSS meets (today) - Determines status & future response priority - notified in 4-6 weeks
Ø 2009 - Two Year Report
Ø 2012 - Five Year Report
A detailed report was provided to members previously on the findings of the visiting team. Mr. Hughes should hear from the Commission in 4-6 weeks on the accreditation status. He indicated that committees will be formed who will work on resolving the recommendations made for each of the standards. Mr. Hughes will come back late spring with an update or sooner if necessary.
MEMBERS CONCERNS
Ms. Adelman Foster requested an update regarding the high school building process. Mr. Connolly reported that he attended a School Building Authority meeting this morning. A walk through of Natick High School was done this past July. He expects that very shortly a priority listing will be developed as to when projects will be scheduled.
UPDATE ON FINANCIAL PLANNING COMMITTEE
Mr. Wynn reported that the Financial Planning Committee was expected to vote at their last meeting on whether or not an override would be recommended. Free cash numbers were not available, so the Committee tabled the vote until more information is obtained.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Meyler moved to approve the following minutes:
Retreat Minutes of August 7, 2007
Retreat Minutes of August 27, 2007
Retreat Minutes of September 17, 2007
Executive Session minutes of June 18, 2007
Ms. Blanchard seconded. They were unanimously approved.
FY08 YEAR END FUNDS
Mr. Connolly requested that the School Committee take a formal vote on returning any monies to the Town which may exist at the end of FY08 as a result of staff turnover. Mr. Coburn moved for approval that the School Committee return any monies to the Town which may exist at the end of FY08 as a result of staff turnover, however, if any unknown emergency or need should arise, the School Committee would communicate this as soon as possible. Ms. Zernicke seconded. It was unanimously approved.
At 10:45 p.m., Mr. Meyler moved to adjourn. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. It was unanimously approved.
James Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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