Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
January 23, 2008
The School Committee held a meeting on Wednesday, January 28, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Wilson Middle School. Chairman Wynn called the meeting to order at 7:40 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 Leacu LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Staff
Parents, Press
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairman Wynn asked if anyone wished to come forward for “Public Speak”. No one came forward.
ACTION ITEMS RELATED TO THE FY09 BUDGET
Dr. Keefe reviewed some action items he recommended the School Committee take as a result of several discussions which have been held at recent meetings pertaining to the FY09 budget.
1. To approve the addition of $400,000 to the School Committee’s FY 2009 operating account budget in support of technology acquisition. Dr. Keefe indicated that additional discussion on technology as it applies to student learning will take place at the meeting of February 25. Ms. Karen Adelman Foster moved for approval to add $400,000 to the FY09 School Committee’s budget for technology. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
2. To approve the addition of $100,000 to the School Committee’s FY 2009 operating account budget for the purchase of instructional materials and equipment. Chairman Wynn indicated that this line item has been cut over the last several years and adding $100,000 is a restoration of what has been under funded year after year. Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was unanimously approved.
3. To approve the establishment of $100,000 Extraordinary High School Capital Repair Fund, said fund to be placed in the Finance Committee’s Reserve Account for possible use by the School Committee during FY 2009. Ms. Cathi Collins, Chair of the Educational Subcommittee of the Finance Committee, indicated that a vote by the School Committee would be required indicating its desire and need for these funds and to acknowledge that these funds will be placed in the Finance Committee’s Reserve Account. A discussion continued and concerns were raised as to whether this money would be available if an override were to fail even though the Finance
Committee has a town wide reserve account with $250K for emergency purposes in the budget. Mr. Meyler moved for approval to table this item until more information may be obtained from the Finance Committee. Ms. Zernicke seconded. It was unanimously approved.
4. To approve a Natick School Committee budget for FY 2009, July 1, 2008-June 30, 2009 in the amount of $43,474,430. Mr. Coburn moved for approval of this budget amount, with a notation made that this budget amount does not include several under funded items such as:
· Wilson- additional 5th grade position to make a full team, part time staff for world language and technology and part time guidance. Total 2.4 fte $126,379
· Kennedy – additional 6th grade staff to make a team, part time staff for world language and technology. Total +1.7 fte $89,519
· Restoration of adequate equipment replacement at all schools-$150,000
· Increased elementary secretarial time-$10,000
· Ben-Hem- vice principal to full time-$33,700
· Additional elementary art, music positions-$105,316
· Additional elementary math tutor positions-$85,392
· Additional guidance at high school-$52,658
· Additional engineering/technology teacher at high school-$52,658
· Extensive high school equipment and technology upgrades and replacement (NEASC report)-$100,000
· Extracurricular reductions- $???
· K-8 curriculum leadership positions- $304,000
· Additional HS teacher reductions- $250,000
· Elementary guidance elimination- $277,000
· Elementary literacy specialists- $85,000
· Middle school teaming elimination- $ ???
· Custodial Supervisor/ Contracted cleaning- $ ???
Ms. Blanchard seconded. It was unanimously approved.
5. To vote to hold a Public Hearing on the School Committee’s FY 2009 budget on Monday, February 4, 2008 at the Morse Institute Library at 7:30 p.m. Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval to hold a public hearing on the budget as stated above. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL TO SUBMIT WARRANT ARTICLE
FOR NATICK HIGH SCHOOL FEASIBILITY STUDY
Dr. Keefe recommended that the School Committee take action to approve the submission of a warrant article for the April Town Meeting in the amount of $250,000, the amount recommended by the Massachusetts School Building Authority to cover the costs of the Feasibility Study of the high school replacement process as follows:
Article
(School Committee)
To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money to implement the Feasibility Study required by the Massachusetts School Building Authority for the replacement/renovation of Natick High School; to determine whether this appropriation shall be raised by borrowing or otherwise; or to take any other action relative thereto.
Mr. Coburn moved for approval for the School Committee to submit this article for the April Town Meeting. Ms. Zernicke seconded. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL TO SUBMIT WARRANT ARTICLE FOR SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION
Dr. Keefe recommended that the School Committee take action on the following article for submission for the April Town Meeting:
Article
(School Committee)
To see what sum of money the Town will vote to appropriate for the purpose of operation and administration of the school bus transportation system, and to reduce or offset fees charged for students who elect to use the school bus transportation system for transportation to and from school; or otherwise act thereon.
*We have used the amount of $302,122, the sum approved by Town Meeting in
April 2007 in calculating the system’s regular transportation needs for FY09.
Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval for the School Committee to submit the above article for the April Town Meeting. Mr. Meyler seconded. It was unanimously approved.
MISCELLANEOUS
Chairman Wynn announced that the meeting of January 28, 2008 will begin with a meeting with the Board of Selectmen at 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall, Ed Dlott meeting room. The regular meeting of the School Committee will begin at approximately 8:15 p.m. and will be held at the Morse Library, Lebowitz Meeting Hall.
Mr. Meyler indicated that he has received a request from Rosemary Driscoll, the School Committee’s representative on the Natick 360 committee, asking for input on the action plans/goals. Mr. Meyler requested that members get back to him by Saturday with any changes/issues and he will compile the information for review at the next meeting.
At 8:50 p.m., the Administration requested an Executive Session to prepare for negotiations with non-represented personnel in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 39, Section 23b of the Massachusetts General Laws. Dr. Keefe took a roll call vote to enter into Executive Session. All were in favor.
At 10:55 p.m. the School Committee returned to open session. At 10:55 Mr. Meyler moved to adjourn. Ms. Blanchard 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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