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Approval of Minutes
June 2, 2008
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
April 28, 2008
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, April 28, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, Third Floor, Town Hall. Chairman Meyler called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
Members Present: Karen Adelman Foster, Anne Blanchard, Dirk Coburn, Steve Meyler, Rick Wynn, Anne Zernicke
Members Absent: David Murphy
Others Present: Joseph Keefe Interim Superintendent
Karen Leacu LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
Tom Rose Director of Fiscal & Management Services
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Staff Members, Parents, Public
APPROVAL OF OUT OF STATE TRAVEL
Mr. John Hughes, Principal of Natick High School, requested the School Committee’s approval for members of the Natick High School Speech Team to travel to Appleton, Wisconsin on May 22-26, 2008 to compete in the Grand National Speech Competition. Mr. Coburn moved for approval. Mr. Wynn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL TO CO-SPONSOR THE AFTER PROM PARTY
Dr. Keefe requested the School Committee’s approval to co-sponsor the upcoming 20th annual After Prom Party being held on Friday, May 16, 2008. Chairman Meyler indicated that he has been a volunteer at this party in the past and encouraged School Committee members and the public to participate if they are able. Ms. Blanchard moved for approval. Ms. Zernicke seconded. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval of the minutes of March 3, 2008. Ms. Zernicke seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Ms. Blanchard moved for approval of the minutes of April 7, 2008 with one change. In the section under Member Concerns, the bulleted item which reads “Local aid is at an all time high” should be modified to read: “Statewide local aid is at an all time high.” Ms. Zernicke seconded. They were unanimously approved with this change.
Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval of the minutes of April 15, 2008. Mr. Coburn seconded. They were approved by an affirmative vote of 5 members. Mr. Wynn abstained as he was absent for this meeting.
Mr. Coburn moved for approval of the Executive Session minutes of April 15, 2008. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. They were approved by an affirmative vote of 5 members. Mr. Wynn abstained as he was absent for this meeting.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Mr. Jimmy Brown, representative of the Redmen Forever Group, discussed the issue that some or all of the School Committee members may have in the past two or three weeks received threats from individuals claiming to be part of the Redmen Forever Group. He indicated that these individuals are in no way associated with the Redmen Forever Group. He suggested that if School Committee members are subjected to threats of any kind, they should seek legal action.
Mr. Meyler reminded the public of the Public Forum being held on the Redmen matter which is to take place on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at Wilson Middle School.
Ms. Lisa Movitz, Brown School PTO Co-Chair, spoke on behalf of the Brown School to express their concern of larger class sizes for next year. She expressed her concern that 25 students per classroom is unacceptable and many parents fought for the override to keep educational services status quo. Mr. Meyler explained that reviewing the class sizes is a yearly process and that the numbers change daily. This item will be on the agenda for the meeting of May 5, 2008.
Mr. Jeff Silverstein, private citizen, requested information pertaining to the public forum being held on May 7 regarding the Redmen matter, such as structure of the meeting, how the legal opinion will be communicated and if the public will have input once the legal opinion has been presented. Chairman Meyler indicated that the legal opinion would be presented to the public at a subsequent meeting.
Ms. Firkins Reed came forward and offered to loan to the School Committee a 3-ring binder of information that the Johnson School community put together on the benefits of smaller class sizes.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBER CONCERNS
Mr. Coburn reported that the Expense Control Taskforce has met twice and has another meeting this Wednesday as well as May 14th. They have drafted a mission statement which is in its final stages. They have been meeting at accessible times so that the public may attend. They have been collecting, evaluating and prioritizing ideas.
TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
Mr. Dennis Roche updated the School Committee on the Technology plan and the needs of the system today. He discussed the options of leasing vs. buying the equipment needed and discussed the pros and cons. A discussion continued and Mr. Roche responded to questions raised by the School Committee members. Mr. Roche recommended to the School Committee that we take an aggressive approach and lease computers to accelerate replacements. Mr. Roche introduced Mr. Bob DeBrase from GE Capital who responded to questions pertaining to the lease option. Some comments/concerns raised are as follows:
· Concern of entering into lease and not being able to fulfill
· Ideal and critically important that a plan is in place on how these tools will be used to enhance instruction
· Support for teachers needs to be in place
· Professional development will be key
· Need to be consistent across the district
· Keep an eye on replacement strategies in the 5 year plan
· The administration should consider what needs are anticipated to replace some of the upgraded equipment before the end of the five-year period reviewed in this analysis
· Could School Committee members see a copy of the lease before it is signed?
· Track expenses of this lease program throughout the year (include any costs which may be incurred as part of principals budget as well)
· Concern expressed of the expectations of teachers – job never ends
Mr. Wynn moved for approval to support Mr. Roche’s recommendation to lease this equipment as outlined. Ms. Zernicke seconded. It was unanimously approved.
ELA CURRICULUM REVIEW
Dr. Karen LeDuc introduced English Department Chairs, Heather Bishop (Kennedy Middle School) Judy Coleman (Wilson Middle School) and English Department Head, Margaret Hagemeister (Natick High School) who presented the English Language Arts Curriculum Review Action Plan. The plan was discussed and questions were responded to. An update of the progress of the action plan will be provided in the Fall.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed:
RETIREMENTS: Professional Staff
Kirk Buschenfeldt, Director of Physical Education/Health. Retirement effective dateMonth9Day6Year2008September 6, 2008
Louise Mikaelian, Grade 6 teacher at placePlaceNameWilson PlaceNameMiddle School. Retirement effective dateMonth3Day31Year2008March 31, 2008
John Lauzon, Alternative Education Program Coordinator. Retirement effective dateMonth6Day30Year2008June 30, 2008
Ann Mahaney, English teacher at placePlaceNameKennedy PlaceTypeMiddle School. Retirement effective dateMonth6Day30Year2008June 30, 2008
Beverly Mulholland, Family & Consumer Science teacher at placePlaceNameWilson PlaceNameMiddle School. Retirement effective dateMonth6Day30Year2008June 30, 2008
Janice Parsons, Guidance Department Head at placePlaceNameNatick PlaceTypeHigh School. Retirement effective dateMonth6Day30Year2008June 30, 2008
Donald Petrone, Grade 6 teacher at Kennedy Middle School. Retirement effective dateMonth6Day30Year2008June 30, 2008
RETIREMENTS: Support Staff
Barbara Levy, Metco Academic Liaison at Kennedy & Wilson Middle Schools. Retirement effective dateYear2008Day30Month6June 30, 2008
Elaine Polansky, Media Assistant at placePlaceNameWilson PlaceNameMiddle School. Retirement effective dateMonth6Day30Year2008June 30, 2008
Cheryl Stanley, Metco Academic Liaison at placePlaceNameNatick PlaceTypeHigh School. Retirement effective dateMonth6Day30Year2008June 30, 2008
RESIGNATIONS: Professional Staff
[Effective dateMonth6Day30Year2008June 30, 2008]
Robert Allison, Science teacher at placePlaceNameNatick PlaceTypeHigh School.
Whitney Chamberlin, Kindergarten grant long-term substitute at placePlaceNameBennett-Hemenway PlaceTypeSchool
Amy Chapman, Social studies teacher at placePlaceNameNatick PlaceTypeHigh School
Kelly Hartman, Special education teacher at placePlaceNameWilson PlaceNameMiddle School
Keri Hotarek, Guidance counselor at placePlaceNameWilson PlaceNameMiddle School and currently on a leave of absence
Christopher Jacobi, Physical education teacher at placePlaceNameWilson PlaceNameMiddle School
Catherine Lawton, ELA/Social studies teacher at placePlaceNameWilson PlaceNameMiddle School
Julie McManuis, Grade 5 teacher at placePlaceNameWilson PlaceNameMiddle School
Elizabeth Plumer, Science teacher at placePlaceNameNatick PlaceTypeHigh School
Blair Reich, Science teacher at placePlaceNameNatick PlaceTypeHigh School
Jenny Tsai, Grade 3 teacher at placePlaceNameLilja PlaceTypeSchool
James Wilcon, Physical education teacher at placePlaceNameKenedy PlaceTypeMiddle School
Jennifer Vento, Theater arts teacher at placePlaceNameKennedy PlaceTypeMiddle School
EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Professional Staff
Kristen Blake, (.6) Grade 2 teacher at placePlaceNameJohnson PlaceTypeSchool. Maternity leave is effective dateMonth5Day15Year2008May 15, 2008 to June 2008
Kristy Gould Ladieu, Math teacher at placePlaceNameWilson PlaceNameMiddle School. Maternity leave is effective dateMonth5Day22Year2008May 22, 2008 through the 2008-09 school year.
Nola Kelley-Heafitz, Special education teacher at placePlaceNameNatick PlaceTypeHigh School. Maternity leave is effective dateYear2008Day25Month8August 25, 2008 to dateYear2009Day26Month1January 26, 2009.
Janine Persechini, Kindergarten teacher at placePlaceNameBrown PlaceTypeSchool. Maternity leave is effective for the 2008-09 school year.
Cindy Vihinen, Grade 1 teacher at placePlaceNameLilja PlaceTypeSchool. Maternity leave is effective for the 2008-09 school year.
CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Support Staff
Raechel Chiavarini, to be part-time food service worker at placePlaceNameWilson PlaceNameMiddle School effective dateMonth3Day19Year2008March 19, 2008
APPOINTMENTS: Summer Academics
Joshua Hanna and Kari-Ann Darragh, to be Co-Directors of the Summer Academic Program effective June 2008 as a result of Kathleen Kattany resignation as Director.
APPOINTMENTS: Support Staff
Patricia Dunn, to be part-time food service worker at placePlaceNameKennedy PlaceTypeMiddle School effective dateMonth4Day7Year2008April 7, 2008. Salary, Step 1
Stacey Hastings, to be part-time food service worker at placePlaceNameNatick PlaceTypeHigh School effective dateMonth3Day31Year2008March 31, 2008. Salary, Step 1
APPOINTMENTS: Coaching/Spring Season 2008
BASEBALL Step
Head Coach Josh Hanna 3
Sub-Varsity Coach Collin O’Neil 3
Freshmen Coach Bill Dempsey 3
SOFTBALL
Head Coach Ginny Walsh 3
Sub-Varsity Coach Kirk Buschenfeldt 3
Freshmen Coach Robin Caccavelli 3
BOYS’ OUTDOOR TRACK
Head Coach Matt Brenneman 3
Sub-Varsity Coach Mark Mortarelli 3
Freshmen Coach Dan Hinnenkamp 3
GIRLS’ OUTDOOR TRACK
Head Coach Matt Strother 3
Sub-Varsity Coach Dennis Driscoll 3
Freshmen Coach Julie Heyde 3
BOYS’ TENNIS
Head Coach – V/JV Rob Lapides 3
GIRLS’ TENNIS
Head Coach – V/JV Stephen Ewing 3
BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL
Head Coach Peter Suxho 3
Sub-Varsity Coach Serge Melnik 2
BOYS’ LACROSSE
Head Coach Nate Kittler 3
Sub-Varsity Coach Jim Wilcon 3
Freshmen Coach Doug Scott 3
GIRLS’ LACROSSE
Head Coach Ashley Mabardy 3
Jessica Stefanini
Sub-Varsity Coach Todd Kaplan 3
Freshmen Coach Kari-Ann Darragh 3
FACULTY MANAGER Bill Presutti 3
TO APPROVE THE FINAL DAY OF SCHOOL FOR THE 2007/2008 SCHOOL YEAR
Dr. Keefe requested the School Committee’s approval to adjust the date for the last day of school for the 2007/2008 school year. Since the system lost one day as a result of inclement weather as of this date, the last day of school for students and professional staff will be Friday, June 13, 2008 (early release). This date provides for the completion of the required 180-day school year for students and the 182-day year for the professional staff. Mr. Wynn moved for approval of this date. Ms. Karen Adelman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF NON-RESIDENT STUDENTS
Dr. Keefe reported that members of the Natick Public School’s professional staff have requested the School Committee’s permission to continue to enroll their children in the Natick Public Schools, effective for the 2008/2009 school year. The children will be entering:
Kennedy Middle School Grade 5 – 1 Student
Brown School Grade 4 - 2 Students
Brown School Grade 2 - 1 Student
Johnson School Grade 1 – 1 Student
These requests fall within the provisions of Chapter 76, Section 6. There is no conflict with the “choice law” since the Committee has not charged tuition in similar cases. Mr. Coburn moved for approval to allow these children to attend Natick Public Schools as outlined above for the 2008/2009 school year. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Dr. Keefe alerted the School Committee that he may need to postpone any action at Town Meeting for Article 12 (Funding in the amount of $250,000 for Feasibility Study for Natick High School) due to some new information received late today from bond counsel on the language of the motion. Dr. Keefe will try to resolve this matter prior to Town Meeting.
At 10:50 p.m., Mr. Coburn moved to adjourn. Mr. Wynn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Joseph A. Keefe, Ed.D.
Interim Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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