Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
September 22, 2008
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, September 22, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the School Committee Room, Third Floor, Town Hall. Chairman Meyler called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
Members Present: Karen Adelman Foster, Anne Blanchard, Dirk Coburn, Steve Meyler, David Murphy, Anne Zernicke
Others Present: Peter Sanchioni Superintendent
Karen LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
William Hurley Director of Fiscal & Management Services
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
POLICY UPDATE
Mr. Hurley discussed the request made by Mr. John Hamnett, Director of the Mass Bearcats, an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) boys and girls basketball program that Mr. Hamnett describes as Natick-based, pertaining to their categorization of the Facility Rental Policy. Mr. Hurley stated that the policy fee structure is very sound and logical and recommended not altering it. He did, however, suggest that language be added to the policy which would allow him to negotiate a lease with groups such as these who are frequent renters. Chairman Meyler requested that the lease be for a one year period. Mr. Hurley will come back to the next meeting with language to add to the policy which would cover extended use and will work on a lease agreement for groups such as this. Cancellation charges for these groups
should still apply and the Natick Public Schools should not bear any cost for these rentals.
At 7:30 p.m. the School Committee joined the Board of Selectmen meeting where the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen interviewed candidates for the vacant position on the School Committee. Board of Selectmen Chairman Ciccariello reviewed the process which was that each candidate would be asked the same questions while others waited in another room. He stated that the successful candidate must receive 6 votes (majority of the 11 members). The following candidates were interviewed:
Ms. Nanci Farquharson
Mr. Erich Thalheimer
Ms. Linda Thalheimer
Mr. David Margil
Ms. Pamela Kaufman
Ms. Christine Mulroney
The following questions were asked of each candidate:
1. What is your primary motivation for seeking an appointment on the School Committee?
2. Describe what you see as your role as a member of the School Committee.
3. What specific skills or experiences will you bring to the School Committee?
4. What do you see as the three most important issues confronting the Natick School Committee and how would you address those issues?
5. What do you like best about the Natick Public Schools? What would you like to see improved?
6. Follow up Question by Ms. Gloff: What experience do you have with contract negotiations?
7. Follow up Question by Ms. Amsterdam: How do you suggest freeing the classroom of bias while still encouraging students to craft arguments and articulate opinions?
8. Follow up Question by Mr. Ostroff: What experience do you have on town boards or other boards or committees that might help you be prepared on a 7 member School Committee?
9. Follow up Question by Mr. Coburn. Has any organization or board asked you to communicate with them for possible endorsement for this position?
10. As the term of this appointment is only until the next Town election in March 2009, if chosen to fill the vacancy, do you plan to run for office in March 2009?
Once the interviews were completed, all candidates joined together at the meeting. Chairman Ciccariello asked each member of the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee to indicate their choice of candidate by a roll call vote:
Mr. John Connolly voted for Erich Thalheimer
Ms. Anne Zernicke voted for David Margil
Ms. Carol Gloff voted for David Margil
Ms. Christine VanAmsterdam voted for David Margil
Mr. Dirk Coburn voted for David Margil
Chairman Ciccariello voted for Nanci Farquharson
Chairman Meyler voted for David Margil
Mr. Josh Ostroff voted for David Margil
Ms. Anne Blanchard voted for David Margil
Mr. David Murphy voted for David Margil
Ms. Karen Adelman Foster voted for David Margil
Mr. David Margil, by majority vote, was appointed to fill the vacant position on the School Committee.
Town Clerk Judith Kuhn swore in Mr. Margil as the new School Committee member.
At 9:48 p.m. Mr. Coburn moved to adjourn the School Committee meeting. Ms. Zernicke seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Peter Sanchioni, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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