Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
December 17, 2007
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lebowitz Meeting Room of the Morse Institute Library. Chairman Wynn called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.
Members Present: Anne Blanchard, Dirk Coburn, Karen Adelman Foster, Steve Meyler, David Murphy, Rick Wynn, Anne Zernicke
Others Present: James Connolly Superintendent
Karen LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
Tom Rose Director of Fiscal & Management Services
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Staff, Parents, Press
PUBLIC SPEAK
Ms. Mari Brenna Barrera came forward and stated that she is looking for volunteers to help with a townwide effort to get support across Natick to keep this town the great town that it is by supporting an override. She provided signup sheets for those interested in helping out.
Chairman Wynn announced that this evening is Mr. James Connolly’s last School Committee meeting as he is retiring at the end of the month. He thanked Mr. Connolly for his 26 years of service to the Town of Natick which includes 6 years of service as Superintendent of Schools.
Representative David Linsky presented Mr. Connolly with a resolution from the House of Representatives.
Mrs. Marianne Davis, Ms. Lauren Gilbert and Dr. Karen LeDuc presented Mr. Connolly with various books to be donated to the Morse Library in his name.
Ms. Karen Adelman Foster presented Mr. Connolly with a gift from the Natick School Committee and the Parents Coordinating Council.
Mr. David Murphy presented Mr. Connolly with a citation from Governor Duval Patrick.
UPDATE ON FINANCIAL PLANNING COMMITTEE
Chairman Wynn provided an update on the Financial Planning Committee which is a Committee made up of the Town Administrator, Superintendent of Schools, School Committee - Steve Meyler, Rick Wynn; Board of Selectmen - Carol Gloff, John Cicciarelli; Finance Committee - Paul Griesmer and Rick Jennett. The charge of this Committee is to help the town look holistically at the various budgets within the Town and determine if an operational override is necessary this year. About a month ago the Committee voted that an operational override is likely to be necessary. The Committee met this morning to determine what the range of an override might be which was determined to be $5.5M to $6.5M. Chairman Wynn reviewed spreadsheets which were developed with various override scenarios based on the
budget recommendation of the Town Administrator. He also provided an in depth explanation on the makeup of the town budget. Chairman Wynn explained that the School budget that the Superintendent has put forward, $42,974,430 (5% increase) is just the beginning of a long budget process. Over the next several meetings, the School Committee will look at all aspects of the budget including requests that have not been included in this amount and will determine what may need to be added as well as what cuts will need to be made if an override were to fail. No decisions will be made this evening. Chairman Wynn invited members of the audience to share their concerns. He stressed that the proposed cuts that Mr. Connolly has put forward are simply to be used for a contingency plan in the event an override were to fail and are not being recommended by the Superintendent or the School Committee.
The following concerns/comments were raised:
§ Several members came forward and expressed their concerns about the potential closing of Johnson School and the elimination of full day kindergarten and what impact that would have on the community such as:
o Larger class sizes
o Title 1 program being impacted if students are shifted to other schools
o The need for after school programs
o Override will never pass unless the whole community is impacted – not just Johnson School
o Take Johnson School off the list
§ The need for a long term technology plan
§ Cut items that can be reversed such as extracurricular activities
§ Need to work together and not pit one group against another
§ The need for people to stay involved – to educate others to the financial situation
Chairman Wynn thanked all who are here this evening and requested that people spread the word to get others in town involved.
CONTINUATION OF FY09 BUDGET
Mr. Connolly presented an overview of his FY09 recommended budget in the amount of $42,974,430, +5%. He reviewed the staffing changes, requests not included in the budget and the changes from last year’s budget. Mr. Connolly reviewed the proposed reductions which may be necessary if an override were to fail. These reductions were developed as a result of collective thinking of the central administration and the principals. They total $2,593,622. A discussion continued. Members of the School Committee expressed their desire for people to stay involved in this process as there will be many more meetings to develop this budget.
UPDATE ON SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH
Chairman Wynn reported that during the summer the School Committee worked with a consultant to survey the community to find out what they wanted in a new superintendent. They developed a brochure and advertised for the position of Superintendent in late August. They received 20 applications and appointed a Credential Review Committee to screen the applicant’s resumes, which subsequently resulted in 7 interviews. The pool was then narrowed down to three candidates. Dr. Shirley Grover, Dr. Peter Sanchioni and Dr. Christine Tyrie. These individuals will be interviewed in public on January 5th here at the Morse Library from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Each candidate will spend a day in the district on January 8, 9, & 10 with a snow day for January 11. The
committee hopes to make its decision by January 23 with the likely start time to be July 1. The schedule for these days will be posted on the website.
At 10:40 p.m., the administration requested an Executive Session to discuss non-representative personnel in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 39, Section 23b of the Massachusetts General Laws. A roll call vote was taken and all members answered in the affirmative to enter into Executive Session.
At 10:55 p.m. the Committee returned to open session. 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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