Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES
December 1, 2008
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, December 1, 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, 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
OUT OF COUNTRY TRAVEL
Ms. Rosemary Vickery requested the School Committee’s approval for out of country travel for students from Kennedy Middle School, Grade 7 and Grade 8 to travel to Quebec Canada on April 18-20, 2009. Students will be traveling by bus. The trip will be coordinated through Visit Canada, a New Hampshire based agency that is experienced with conducting educational tours for student groups. Mr. Coburn questioned if there would be sufficient breaks for the bus driver and if the firm is a reputable firm. Mr. Coburn moved for approval with the understanding that his inquiries would be addressed. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. It was unanimously approved. Ms. Vickery will follow up on Mr. Coburn’s questions.
NATICK ROTARY GRADE 3 DICTIONARY PROGRAM
Dr. Karen LeDuc introduced Attorney Richard Glaser and Mr. Harold Rosen, representing the Natick Rotary Club, who discussed the Grade 3 Dictionary Program – a program sponsored by the Rotary in which all grade 3 students receive a personalized dictionary. Dictionaries will be distributed to the students on Thursday and Friday, December 3 & 4, 2008 at the five elementary schools. Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval to accept this generous donation with great gratitude. Ms. Blanchard seconded. It was unanimously approved. Members of the School Committee expressed their thanks and appreciation.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Meyler requested that the retreat minutes and Executive Session minutes of November 18 be held for the next meeting as he had some modifications.
Ms. Karen Adelman Foster modified the minutes of November 17, 2008 as follows:
In the Members Concerns section, change the sentence: Ms. Adelman Foster requested that a moment of silence be given at each meeting in honor of our veterans to:
Ms. Adelman Foster requested that a moment of silence be given at each meeting in honor of our service people currently in harms way, their families and our veterans.
Ms. Zernicke modified the minutes of November 17, 2008 as follows:
In the Members Concerns section, change the sentence: Ms. Zernicke moved for approval to request that Dr. Sanchioni come up with a schedule that would include some type of rotation to:
Ms. Zernicke moved for approval to request that Dr. Sanchioni come up with a schedule in consultation with the principals that would include some type of rotation
Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval of these minutes with the changes outlined above. Ms. Zernicke seconded. They were unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF SCHOOL CALENDAR 2009-2010
Dr. Sanchioni requested that the School Calendar for 2009-2010, which was provided to the School Committee at its meeting of November 18, 2008, be approved. This calendar establishes the first day of school as Wednesday, September 2, 2009 with faculty returning on August 31st and Friday, September 4, 2009 being a non-school day. Dr. Sanchioni explained that it is impractical to start school after Labor Day for the 2009-2010 school year given that Labor Day is so late (September 7). The last day of school will be June 24 (includes 5 snow days). At this time, the calendar does not list all early release days and other potential professional development days. Mr. Margil moved for approval of this calendar as presented. Ms. Blanchard seconded. It was
unanimously approved. Ms. Blanchard requested that consideration be given to the possibility of school starting after Labor Day to accommodate families during the years when Labor Day falls earlier in the month.
CHAPTER 70, NET SCHOOL SPENDING, CHOICE, CHARTER SCHOOLS
Dr. Sanchioni presented an overview of Chapter 70 funding which included:
· Understanding Chapter 70
· How the Foundation budget is calculated
· Required local contribution
· Chapter 70 Aid
· Required Net School Spending
· Actual Net School Spending
· Budget Considerations
· School Choice
· Charter Schools
A discussion took place and Dr. Sanchioni responded to questions from Committee members.
CAPITAL PROJECT REVIEW
The School Committee held a discussion regarding the recommendation to defer the Memorial School roof project as previously discussed at recent meetings in order to assist the Town with FY10 budget. Mr. Hurley provided the School Committee with a list of the Town’s capital projects which have been identified as projects that could be deferred. Members of the School Committee would like further clarification of these town projects and suggested inviting Mr. Michael Walters Young, Deputy Town Administrator, to a future meeting so they may understand the town wide problem and be able to work cooperatively and collaboratively with the Town. Mr. Coburn moved for approval to invite Mr. Michael Walters Young or his designee to a future meeting. Ms. Blanchard seconded. It was unanimously
approved.
UPDATE ON OPM (Owners Project Manager)
Mr. Hurley reported that a subcommittee of the High School Building Committee consisting of Mr. Robert Graham, Mr. Hurley, Mr. Joseph Naughton and Mr. Mysore Ravindra have been working on the contract for the OPM, RF Walsh, and are near completion. They have another meeting this week and will hopefully be able to put forth a contract for the School Committee’s approval in the very near future.
NATICK HOUSING PROJECT UPDATES
Dr. Sanchioni provided the School Committee with an update on the housing projects that have been built recently or that are slated to be built in the next few years that will have an impact on the enrollment numbers. A discussion continued. Members of the School Committee expressed the need to engage in conversations with the Planning Board, the Zoning board and suggested that Mr. Patrick Reffett, Community Development be invited to a future meeting.
PUBLIC SPEAK
None.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS CONCERNS
Mr. Meyler announced that the Finance Committee is holding a meeting on Thursday evening, December 4, 2008 to hear a presentation from Ms. Lauren Gilbert, Director of Pupil Services on Special Education Funding. The meeting is at 7:00 p.m. in the School Committee Room.
Chairman Meyler requested that the School Committee appoint two members to serve on the Financial Planning Committee. He has previously been serving on this Committee and there is a need for an additional member to serve. Mr. Coburn moved for approval to appoint Chairman Meyler and Ms. Adelman Foster to serve on this Committee. Mr. Margil seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Mr. Coburn discussed a concern raised by a constituent regarding the Town Hall Open House held last week and the fact that no School Committee members were present. He stated that School Committee members are happy to show up to events which they are invited to and generally coordinate amongst their membership so that there is some representation by the School Committee. Mr. Coburn noted that several members most recently served dinner at the Fire Dept. Veteran's Day observance, and that a member attends office hours at the Senior Center each month by invitation.~~Mr. Coburn~encouraged people to send invitations to the central school office, and asked for understanding in the rare event that members' conflicting duties at home with young children cause a need to decline an invitation.
Chairman Meyler reviewed several events taking place over the next month at the various schools. He also announced that the Natick High School Co-Ed Cheerleaders placed 3rd in the State competition and will be going to the Nationals in Florida, pending School Committee approval.
At 9:40 p.m., Ms. Blanchard 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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