Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
October 20, 2008
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, October 20, 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. Dr. Sanchioni took the roll call.
Members Present: Karen Adelman Foster, Anne Blanchard, Dirk Coburn, David Margil, 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
Corinne Worthington Student Representative
PRESENTATION OF MASS ACADEMIC AWARDS
Dr. Sanchioni discussed two awards he wished to present this evening. He stated that the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents has designed an award for academic excellence to be presented by the Superintendent of Schools in each community within the Commonwealth. These awards are presented to students who have distinguished themselves in the pursuit of excellence during their high school careers.
Dr. Sanchioni presented two certificates to Natick High School students, Michael Gibson and Aviva Siegel. Members of the Administration and School Committee congratulated these students on receiving this award.
INTRODUCTION OF STEPHEN MILLER, DIRECTOR OF FINE & PERFORMING ARTS
Dr. Karen LeDuc introduced Mr. Stephen Miller, the newly hired Director of Fine & Performing Arts. Mr. Miller provided the School Committee with an overview of his background and discussed some of the projects he is working on. Chairman Meyler requested that Mr. Miller come back later in the year to share some of his on-the-job experiences.
CONTINUED DISCUSSION ON BALLOT QUESTION #1
The School Committee continued its discussion on what the impact would be if Question 1 were to pass (reducing the Massachusetts State Income Tax). The general consensus was that if question #1 were to pass, it would be devastating to the state, town and to the Natick Public Schools.
At the School Committee meeting of October 6, 2008 the following motion was made by Ms. Adelman Foster, 2nd by Mr. Margil and is currently on table:
Resolved that the Natick School Committee opposes Question 1, a binding ballot initiative that would eliminate the state income tax and thereby reduce state revenues by an amount equal to nearly 40% of the state budget. The probable result of passing Question 1 would be greatly reduced state aid to Natick and other cities and towns. This would mean the need for either property tax increases and/or deep reductions in the Natick Public Schools and townwide.
Dr. Sanchioni indicated that he will be presenting to Town Meeting tomorrow evening the impact that the passing of Ballot Question 1 would have on the Natick Public Schools.
Chairman Meyler called for a vote on the motion made by Ms. Adelman Foster as outlined above. It was unanimously approved to forward this resolution to Town Meeting.
TO HEAR THE INTERIM REPORT OF THE EXPENSE CONTROL TASK FORCE
At 8:00 p.m. members of the School Committee joined the Board of Selectmen’s meeting on the 2nd floor, Town Hall to hear the interim report of the Expense Control Task Force presented by Ms. Kristine VanAmsterdam. Copies of the report were distributed. A subset of the Task Force along with the Town Administrator and Superintendent of Schools will be meeting to follow up on the recommendations put forth by the Task Force.
At 8:30 p.m., the School Committee returned to its meeting on the 3rd Floor, Town Hall.
APPROVAL OF DONATIONS
Mr. Hurley requested that the School Committee accept a donation from Harvard Pilgrim Foundation in the amount of $500 for the purpose of purchasing Science & Social Study literacy materials for Kennedy Middle School. Mr. Coburn moved for approval. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. It was approved by a vote of 6 in favor. Mr. Margil was not present for this item and vote.
SUPERINTENDENT ENTRY PLAN
Dr. Sanchioni provided the School Committee with draft copies of the Superintendent’s Entry Plan and the Goals for the Superintendent and School District for the 2008-2009 school year. He looks forward to the School Committee’s review and input at the next meeting.
2008 MCAS RESULTS
Dr. Sanchioni and Dr. LeDuc provided information to the School Committee on the MCAS results from the MCAS tests administered last Spring. Several graphs were provided showing percentages of students who scored in the advanced & proficient categories, student cohort data and comparisons with other districts. Dr. LeDuc discussed how the district will be analyzing the results using TestWiz and by doing item analyses with the building principals and teaching staff. Individual student success plans will be done for all students in the needs improvement and warning categories.
REPORT ON SCHOOL CAPACITY
Dr. Sanchioni provided the School Committee with a report on school capacity. Currently, there are only 3 unused classrooms, 2 at the Brown School and 1 at the Lilja School. Dr. Sanchioni will check on what grade levels these classrooms can accommodate. Some future options for increasing space could be to enclose the large group spaces at Wilson and move the Pre-School to the “new” high school.
UPDATE ON WARRANT ARTICLES
The School Committee reviewed its Fall Town Meeting warrant articles. They are as follows:
Special Town Meeting Article 2 – Request for Supplement to Feasibility Study Funding for High School Building Project.
The School Committee requests a $30,000 supplement to the previously approved High School Feasibility Study funding. The supplement would be used to compensate the Director of Facilities for performing the duties of the newly mandated position of Procurement Administrator as separate from and additional to his present duties.
Fall Town Meeting Article 2 – Funds for Fuel Escalation, Special Education Transportation
The School Committee requests $200,988 to cover unanticipated, mandated special education transportation costs and an unanticipated additional regular education bus route.
A recommendation was made to refer this article back to the School Committee for further study.
A discussion continued regarding the Fall Town Meeting Article 2 – Funds for Fuel Escalation, Special Education Transportation. As a result of a meeting with the Finance Committee, a recommendation was made for the School Committee to hold off on requesting these funds until the Spring town meeting given the fiscal state of the town and free cash. A discussion continued regarding free cash and the fiscal state of the town. A request was made for the Town Administrator to come to a future School Committee meeting to discuss the town budget in more detail. Members expressed the need to inform Town Meeting that the School Committee did return more than $400K to the town at the end of FY08 and anticipated a shortfall in the FY09 transportation budget.
Ms. Karen Adelman Foster moved for approval to support the recommendation to refer Fall Town Meeting Article 2 – Funds for Fuel Escalation, Special Education Transportation back to the School Committee. Ms. Blanchard seconded. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Coburn moved for approval of the minutes of September 15, 2008 and September 22, 2008. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. The minutes were approved by a vote of 6 in favor. Mr. Margil abstained as he was not a member of the School Committee at that point.
MEMBERS CONCERNS
Chairman Meyler discussed the Financial Planning Committee which has been reinstated. They will be holding a meeting on Wednesday, October 29 at 7:00 a.m. This Committee previously consisted of the Chair and Vice Chair of the School Committee and the Chair and Vice Chair of the Board of Selectmen along with the Town Administrator and the Superintendent of Schools. He is not sure what the makeup will be this time or when the meetings will be held. If anyone is interested in serving on this Committee, please let Chairman Meyler know.
At 10:50 p.m., Mr. Coburn moved to adjourn. 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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