Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
January 28, 2008
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, January 28, 2008 at 8:15 p.m. in the Lebowitz Meeting Hall of the Morse Library. Chairman Wynn called the meeting to order at 8:20 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
Tom Rose Director of Fiscal & Management Services
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.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Wynn requested that the minutes of December 17, 2007 be approved. Mr. Coburn requested that the minutes of December 17 be amended as follows: On Page 1, the sentence that reads: Ms. Karen Adelman Foster presented Mr. Connolly with a gift from the Natick School Committee. The sentence should read:
Ms. Karen Adelman Foster presented Mr. Connolly with a gift from the Natick School Committee and the Parents Coordinating Council. Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval of the amended minutes. Ms. Blanchard seconded. They were approved by a vote of 6-0. Mr. Meyler was out of the room for this vote.
Mr. Coburn moved for approval of the minutes of January 7, 2008. Ms. Zernicke seconded. They were approved by a vote of 6-0. Mr. Meyler was out of the room for this vote.
Chairman Wynn requested that the minutes of the December 17, 2007 executive session be brought back to the next meeting for approval.
APPROVAL OF NATICK 360 DRAFT
Mr. Meyler provided the School Committee with copies of the final draft of the Natick 360 activity document which includes a compilation of the School Committee’s comments and changes. He requested that the Committee approve the document this evening. Ms. Rosemary Driscoll, School Committee representative to the Natick 360 Oversight Committee, provided an update of where things stood. Ms. Driscoll reported that all boards have or will have approved their documents this week and that a combined document with overall goals will be prepared for the Spring Town Meeting which will be the Strategic Plan. Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval of this document. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS CURRICULA REVIEW - GR. 7-12
Dr. Karen LeDuc provided a curricula review of English Language Arts for grades 7 to 12. The review consisted of an outline of the objectives, the history of the review, the evaluation process, areas reviewed, findings and next steps. Dr. LeDuc responded to questions raised by Committee members. The following actions steps resulted:
· Provide samples of curriculum matrixes that show specific content and resources listed
· Provide model of vertical articulation of the standards
· Provide outline of grade level writing expectations
· Need for mechanism to get feedback from college students
· What teacher collaboration time is needed to accomplish action steps
· How many literature works per grade are required to be read
· Provide samples of models of writings and rubrics
Dr. LeDuc and the ELA Department Heads plan to come back to the School Committee in March to present the action plan.
COMPARISION OF NATICK HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
WITH MASS CORE RECOMMENDATIONS
Ms. Jan Parsons, Director of Guidance at Natick High School, presented to the School Committee the recommended high school program of studies referred to as “MassCore” which was approved by the Massachusetts Board of Education. In the early 90’s, Natick High School’s graduation requirements were revamped which are in line with these recommendations. Ms. Parsons responded to questions from the School Committee.
PERSONNEL ACTIONS
The following personnel actions were reviewed:
APPOINTMENTS: Support Staff
Kimberly Hillard, to be part-time food service worker at placePlaceNameNatick PlaceTypeHigh School effective dateMonth1Day7Year2008January 7, 2008. Salary, Step 1.
Julie Van Tassel, to be long-term substitute student support facilitator at placePlaceNameJohnson PlaceTypeSchool effective dateMonth1Day2Year2008January 2, 2008.
Ashley Mabardy, to be long-term substitute student support facilitator at placePlaceNameNatick PlaceTypeHigh School effective dateMonth1Day2Year2008January 2, 2008 to dateMonth2Day11Year2008February 11, 2008. She is replacing Nadia Keller who is on a maternity leave.
APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff
Lois Brown, to be part-time long-term substitute speech & language pathologist at placePlaceNameBennett-Hemenway PlaceTypeSchool effective dateMonth1Day2Year2008January 2, 2008 to dateMonth4Day1Year2008April 1, 2008. She is replacing Melissa Waltuck who is on a maternity leave.
Brenna Cunningham, to be long-term substitute Title I teacher at placePlaceNameJohnson PlaceTypeSchool effective dateMonth1Day15Year2008January 15, 2008.
Jennifer Dannin, to be long-term substitute grade 3 teacher at placePlaceNameBennett-Hemenway PlaceTypeSchool effective dateMonth1Day2Year2008January 2, 2008 to dateMonth2Day4Year2008February 4, 2008. She is replacing Nina LaPlante who is on a maternity leave.
CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Professional Staff
Alicia Cohen, to be (.6) chairperson at placePlaceNameBrown PlaceTypeSchool effective January 2, 2008.
Marion Guild, to be (.8) occupational therapist effective dateMonth1Day14Year2008January 14, 2008 to June 2008.
TO AWARD BID FOR KENNEDY MIDDLE SCHOOL CONVECTION STEAMER
Mr. Rose requested the School Committee’s approval to award the bid for a convection steamer for Kennedy Middle School to Boston Showcase Company. Chairman Wynn questioned whether the price included installation. Mr. Rose indicated that the price does include installation. Mr. Meyler requested that Mr. Rose review the warranty and maintenance of this product with the vendor. Mr. Coburn moved for approval to award the bid to Boston Showcase Company. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. It was unanimously approved.
CONTINUED DISCUSSION ON $100,000 EXTRAORDINARY HIGH SCHOOL CAPITAL REPAIR FUND
Dr. Keefe provided an update on the request by the School Committee to establish a $100,000 extraordinary high school capital repair fund. Discussions with the Finance Committee have gone back and forth. Dr. Keefe reported that the Finance Committee has a $300K reserve (without the override) and if the School Committee needs to access funds for an emergency repair in order to keep the high school open, the town would need to provide them. At this time, the Town Administrator has included the $100,000 in her override proposal which the Selectmen are being asked to approve on January 28, 2008.
At 10:05 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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