Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
January 7, 2008
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, January 7, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lebowitz Meeting Room of the Morse Institute Library. Chairman Wynn called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
Members Present: Anne Blanchard, Dirk Coburn, Karen Adelman Foster, Steve Meyler, David Murphy, Rick Wynn, Anne Zernicke
Others Present: Joseph Keefe Interim Superintendent
Karen LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
Tom Rose Director of Fiscal & Management Services
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Staff
Parents, Press
Chairman Wynn welcomed Interim Superintendent Joseph Keefe.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairman Wynn asked if anyone wished to come forward for “Public Speak”. No one came forward.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Wynn requested that approval of the minutes of November 26 be put on hold for corrections.
Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval of the minutes of December 3, 2007. Ms. Zernicke seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval of the minutes of December 12, 2007. Ms. Zernicke seconded. They were unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF OUT OF STATE TRAVEL
Dr. Keefe requested approval for out of state travel for the Natick High School Speech Team to travel to New York City to participate in the High School Speech Competition being held at Columbia University on January 25, 2008. Mr. Coburn moved for approval. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. It was unanimously approved.
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS
Mr. Tom Rose requested that the School Committee accept the following donations and any future donations from:
Source/Donation Amount/Value Purpose
Ohiopyle Prints, Inc. $84.97 NHS Principal Discretionary Fund
R. W. Holmes Realty Co. Inc. $250.00 NHS Robotics Club
Various $125.00 NHS Wall of Achievement
For the committees information: Target has made donation through their Take Charge of Education Program to the following School: Memorial - $168.67
$935.83 was donated to the Wilson Mass. Cultural Council Mural Grant.
A letter was sent to Mr. Tim Callahan of the Rotary Club of Natick acknowledging the distribution of dictionaries to each of the third grade students of the Natick Public Schools.
Mr. Coburn moved for approval of these donations. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. They were unanimously approved.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed:
RESIGNATIONS: Professional Staff
Heather Weiner, Media specialist at placePlaceNameWilson PlaceNameMiddle School. Resignation effective February 1, 2008
RESIGNATIONS: Support Staff
Karen Sticka, food service worker at placePlaceNameNatick PlaceTypeHigh School. Resignation effective December 14, 2007.
EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Support Staff
Nadia Keller, student support facilitator at placePlaceNameNatick PlaceTypeHigh School. Maternity leave is effective January 2 to dateYear2008Day11Month2February 11, 2008.
APPOINTMENTS: Support Staff
Carol DeMasi, to be part-time food service worker at placePlaceNameLilja PlaceTypeSchool effective dateYear2007Day11Month12December 11, 2007. Salary, Step 6.
APPOINTMENTS: Coaching Staff/Winter Season
Boys’ Basketball
Head Coach Tim Collins Step 3
Sub-Varsity Coach Matt Miller 3
Freshman Coach Ted Loynd 3
Girls’ Basketball
Head Coach Danielle Chaisson Step 3
Sub-Varsity Coach Dan Hinnenkamp 3
Freshman Coach Jessica Stefanini ** 3
Boys’ Ice Hockey
Head Coach Bob Lavin Step 3
Sub Varsity Coach Doug Scott 3
Freshman Coach Mark Mortarelli ** 3
Girls’ Ice Hockey
Head Coach Bob Mei Step 3
Sub-Varsity Coach Zach Galvin 3
Freshmen Chris Cook 3
Track - Indoor
Head Coach - Boys Matt Brenneman Step 3
Head Coach - Girls Dennis Driscoll 3
Asst. Coach - Girls Thomas Brenneman 3
Asst. Co-Coach - Boys Matt Strother 3
Asst. Co-Coach - Boys Julie Heyde **
(Salary will be divided between co-coaches)
Wrestling
Head Coach Bob Anniballi Step 3
Sub-Varsity Coach Ed Smith 3
Freshmen Coach Chad Sinclair 3
Cheerleading
Head Coach David Lombardi Step 3
Boys’ Swimming
Head Coach Paul Power Step 3
Asst. Coach Andrew J. Rogers 3
Gymnastics
Head Coach Gregory Rogers Step 3
Asst. Coach Abbie B. Green 3
Skiing
Head Coach Susan Shagory Step 3
Trainers
Lisa Ayles
(See Trainer Contract with MetroWest Medical)
Faculty Manager William Presutti Step 3
UPDATE ON SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH
Chairman Wynn thanked members of the Superintendent’s Credentials Review Committee who participated in the paper screening and confidential interviews of the candidates for the position of Superintendent. He reported that the School Committee interviewed two final candidates this past weekend - Dr. Peter Sanchioni and Dr. Christine Tyrie. Members of the Community may participate in an open forum with these candidates this week on:
§ Wednesday, January 9– Dr. Tyrie
§ Thursday, January 10 – Dr. Sanchioni
at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria of Natick High School.
The School Committee hopes to make a decision on or before January 23, 2008.
FY09 BUDGET DISCUSSION
Dr. Joseph Keefe Interim Superintendent spoke about the projected housing projects that will be coming on line in Natick which would raise the issue of inadequate elementary school housing capacity in the future if the Johnson School is taken offline.
Dr. Keefe also stated that to reduce kindergarten to half day would be an educational step backwards. Therefore he provided a different model of a “Cut List” which the Committee could consider if an override were to fail. He stressed that this is simply a list of possibilities that will be revised and that the School Committee has not taken a position on any of this.
Dr. Keefe also provided an overview of The School System which included how the system is staffed, highlights of the educational programs, highlights of Pupil Services, performance data of the class of 2007, per pupil expenditure. He reported that The Natick Public Schools FY09 draft budget is currently in the amount of $42,974,430, which represents a 5% increase over the FY08 budget. Excluded from the budget is over $800,000 of positions and materials which are needed but could not be included in the 5% increased budget over the prior year.
A lengthy discussion continued where questions and comments were raised by members of the School Committee and the public. Committee members stressed the need for the public to stay involved and keep informed. Budget discussions will continue to take place over the next few months. At the next meeting items such as Technology, Capital Budget, Impact of NEASC Report for Natick High School, Athletics, will be discussed.
At 10:10 p.m. Mr. Coburn moved to adjourn. Mr. Meyler 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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