013f
Approval of Minutes
January 7, 2008
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
December 3, 2007
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, December 3, 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: Dirk Coburn, Karen Adelman Foster, Steve Meyler, David Murphy, Rick Wynn,
Anne Zernicke
Anne Blanchard arrived at 7:50 p.m.
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, Press
KENNEDY MIDDLE SCHOOL ROBOTICS TEAM PRESENTATION OF
FIRST LEGO LEAGUE COMPETITION
Chairman Wynn welcomed students from Kennedy Middle School and introduced Ms. Rosemary Vickery, Kennedy Middle School Principal who spoke about Kennedy’s Robotics Team and the project they are currently undertaking. Ms. Vickery introduced Amy Ward, parent advisor who discussed the project that the Robotics Team is currently involved in – The 2007 First LEGO League Power Puzzle Research Project. She reported that students have been working on this project since September 18th with the assistance of Mr. Tom Stefanini, Tech Ed Teacher at Kennedy Middle School, Connie and John Culkin, Parent Volunteers, Mr. Tom Toomey, retired engineer and Mr. Bob Graham, Director of Facilities. Students performed a skit pertaining to “The Energy Crisis at Kennedy Middle School”. The students will be presenting their project to judges at Worcester Poly Tech at the First LEGO League State Tournament. Committee members and the audience applauded the students and wished them well in the competition.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairman Wynn asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak. Ms. Camille Napier Bernstein came forward to provide feedback regarding the 2008/2009 school calendar since she had to leave the meeting prior to this being discussed as an agenda item later this evening. Ms. Napier Bernstein stated that one change that the EAN would recommend would be to have the Friday off prior to Labor Day.
CONTINUATION OF FY09 BUDGET DISCUSSION
Mr. Connolly provided a recap of his recommended FY09 Budget that he presented to the School Committee at its meeting of November 19, 2007. The budget consists of a 5% increase as recommended by the Town Administrator. The FY09 budget that Mr. Connolly presented was in the amount of $42,974,430. Mr. Connolly also provided a list of requests provided by the administration which are not included in the budget. He presented proposed reductions, in priority order, in the event that an override is not passed. These proposed reductions were developed along with the central office, building principals, and the interim Superintendent. Mr. Connolly provided the following disclaimer:
The superintendent does not recommend that the following reductions take place.
If these reductions take place, educational services to our students will be diminished and the capacity of the school system will be reduced.
The proposed cuts are as follows:
Priority 1
· Full Day Kindergarten – 10 fte $500,000
· Close Johnson School $700,000
Total $1,200,000
Priority 2
· MS library assistants 2 fte $45,464
· Maintenance position 1 fte $47,615
· HS/MS Met-west Counselor 3 fte $96,181
· Staff Dev. Coordinator 1 fte $33,075
· 8th grade geometry .4 fte $21,000
Total $243,335
Total Level 1 and 2 $1,443,335
Priority 3
· Ben-Hem Asst. principal .6fte $50,560
· HS Detention & Attendance $21,453
Total $72,013
Level 1,2 and 3 $1,515,318
Priority 4
· Increase bus fee- $150 to $250 $100,000
· All grades 7-12 pay bus fee $125,000
· Increase athletic fee-$125 to $250 $125,000
Total $350,000
Total Level 1,2,3 and 4 $1,865,348
Priority 5
· High School – 5 fte $260,000
· Elementary reading- 4.8 fte $332,527
· Director Fine & Performing Arts $89,567
· Athletic Director- reduce to.5fte $46,180
Total $728,274
Total Level 1,2,3,4 and 5 $ 2,593,622
Chairman Wynn stated that this is just the beginning stages of the budget discussion which will take place for several weeks. He requested that members reflect on what has been presented and not make snap decisions. Questions should be forwarded to Mr. Connolly with copies to the Chair and Vice Chair and will be answered at the meeting of December 17. A discussion continued and School Committee members expressed their concerns/comments such as:
· No one recommends making these cuts
· Perhaps a full funded budget should be presented – kick it up a notch
· A level funded budget does not move the system forward from good to great
· Technology issues – how to fund technology, increase override??
· Funding for NEASC compliance – should it be a line item in the budget?
· Are there more items that should be on the list, that aren’t?
· Need to discuss incremental improvement
· How does the 5% increase in the budget impact the School Improvement Plans
· Need to see what the costs are for all extracurricular programs
· Need better understanding of philosophy of technology before funds are allocated for equipment replacements
· How much is the town off balance for the next two years – How much is the deficit for a 1-year override solution?
· Development of override campaign is essential
· Recommendation of 5% increase for schools is 2% more than what other town departments are being recommended for
· Possible closing of Johnson & possible elimination of full day kindergarten impacts elementary schools – is there a more equitable way to spread the cuts?
APPROVAL OF OUT OF STATE TRAVEL
Mr. Hughes provided additional transportation information on an out of state travel request for the NHS Boys Wrestling Team to travel to New York to participate in the following tournaments:
January 4-6, 2008 to Wantagh, New York – David Bloom Memorial Wrestling Tournament
February 1-3, 2008 to Newburgh, New York – “The Newburgh Duals” Varsity Wrestling Tournament
Mr. Coburn moved for approval. Ms. Blanchard seconded. It was unanimously approved.
NATICK ROTARY – DONATION OF DICTIONARIES
Chairman Wynn reported that Mr. Andy Meyer, representative from Natick Rotary, was unable to be here this evening to discuss the Rotary’s donation of dictionaries for all third grade students. Dr. LeDuc explained that each grade 3 student will be provided with a dictionary with their name on a nameplate. Dr. LeDuc provided a schedule to School Committee members for the distribution of these dictionaries which will take place this Friday, December 7 at each of the elementary schools. School Committee members are invited to attend if their schedules permit. The School Committee expressed its appreciation to the Natick Rotary Club and will follow up with a thank you letter.
APPROVAL OF SCHOOL CALENDAR 2008/2009
Mr. Connolly provided the School Committee with his recommendation for the 2008/2009 school calendar, Option A, which has the staff returning on Monday, August 25, 2008 and the students returning on Wednesday, August 27, 2008, with the last day of school as June 22, 2009 (includes 5 snow days).
Ms. Karen Adelman Foster moved for approval of Mr. Connolly’s recommendation (Option A). Mr. Meyler seconded.
Mr. Coburn moved for approval to amend Option A to include the closing of school on the Friday before Labor Day as proposed by the EAN, which would change the last day of school to June 23, 2009 (with 5 snow days).
Mr. Murphy seconded.
Ms. Blanchard moved for approval for the staff to return Wednesday, August 27, 2008 and Thursday, August 28, 2008, have Friday off and return with the students after Labor Day on Tuesday, September 2, 2008.
Chairman Wynn called for a vote on Ms. Blanchards’s motion: All in favor: Dave Murphy, Anne Blanchard
All opposed: Chairman Wynn, Steve Meyler, Karen Adelman Foster, Anne Zernicke, Dirk Coburn. The motion failed 2 to 5.
Chairman Wynn called for a vote on Mr. Coburn’s motion: All in favor: Chairman Wynn, Dave Murphy, Anne Blanchard, Dirk Coburn. All opposed: Karen Adelman Foster, Anne Zernicke, Steve Meyler. The motion carried 4 to 3.
In summary, the approved 2008/2009 school calendar will have the staff returning on Monday, August 25, 2008 with the students returning on Wednesday, August 27, 2008. Schools will be closed on Friday, August 29, 2008. The last day of school will be June 23, 2009 (includes 5 snow days).
SCHOOL BUILDING AUTHORITY UPDATE
Mr. Connolly provided the School Committee with a copy of a presentation given by Katherine Craven, Director of the Massachusetts School Building Authority. The SBA has scheduled a meeting with Natick on January 17. Natick was one of 83 communities sent forward to proceed with its planning for a new school (high school). More information will be available after the meeting on January 17. Mr. Connolly reported that the SBA will be updated at the meeting on the recent report received from NEASC regarding Natick High School. Mr. Coburn suggested that all Committee members get a tour of Natick High School.
APPROVAL OF NATICK 360 GOALS
The School Committee was provided with a draft copy of the Proposed Modified Consolidated Goals of Natick 360 in order to get their acceptance.
Mr. Coburn moved to approve the goals, to express that the Committee prefers the proposed modified version of the Communication and Participation goal that reads “Ensure that there is effective mutual communication between the Town and its residents so that people are well informed, prepared to vote and to participate in Town boards and committees,” and to express that the Committee’s approval is not contingent on that wording. Mr. Meyler seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Meyler moved for approval of the minutes of October 29, 2007. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Mr. Meyler moved for approval of the minutes of November 5, 2007. Ms. Zernicke seconded. They were approved by a vote of 6 members. Mr. Wynn abstained since he was absent for this meeting.
The minutes of November 19 need to be amended. They will come back to the meeting of December 17, 2007.
MISCELLANEOUS
Ms. Adelman Foster reported that the Senior Center requested that the School Committee appoint a liaison as an official representative of the School Committee. Ms. Adelman Foster volunteered. Mr. Coburn agreed to share the role. Mr. Meyler moved for approval to appoint Ms. Adelman Foster and Mr. Dirk Coburn as the Senior Center liaisons. Ms. Blanchard seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Ms. Blanchard requested that a budget retreat be scheduled.
At 10:55 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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