Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
March 3, 2008
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, March 3, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, Third Floor, Town Hall. Chairman Wynn called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
Members Present: Karen Adelman Foster, Anne Blanchard, Dirk Coburn, 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 Members
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairman Wynn asked if anyone wished to come forward for “Public Speak”. No one came forward.
STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD
Members of the Student Advisory Board: Ms. Lauren Belforti, Ms. Rachel Bruns, Ms. Maureen Cushing, Ms. Bari Rosenberg, Ms. Corinne Worthington and Ms. Katherine Worthington provided updates on Natick High School events which included staff and student recognitions.
TO CONSIDER HONORING A CITIZEN
Dr. Keefe introduced Mr. Michael Melchiorri who has requested that the School Committee consider honoring Mr. Vangie Sticka by naming the Press Box at Memorial Field in honor of him. Mr. Sticka is a graduate of Natick High School, class of 1946, and a long time supporter of the school’s athletic programs. Mr. Melchiorri provided some additional background on Mr. Sticka and stated that it is his hope that a recognition program be held at the first home football game this Fall if the Committee votes favorably. Members of the School Committee expressed their appreciation for all that Mr. Sticka has done. Chairman Wynn explained that the School Committee policy is to wait 60 days before acting on such a request. This item will be back on the agenda following the 60 day waiting
period so that the School Committee may take action.
MATH ACTION PLAN
Dr. Karen LeDuc along with Ms. Regina Byrnes, Mr. Peter Manna and Mr. Michael Heiden presented the Mathematics Curriculum Review K-8 Update which included action steps and areas of improvement for:
· Providing a balanced instructional approach
· Ensuring consistency in instruction
· Increasing parent communication
They reviewed the efforts achieved, work in progress and goals to implement. They responded to questions from Committee members.
PROPOSAL TO ADDRESS POSSIBLE FY09 BUDGET SHORTFALL
Dr. Keefe discussed his memorandum dated January 14, 2008 which addresses his recommendation on the possible FY09 budget shortfall which totaled $1,418,000. He reported that the Finance Committee voted unanimously to endorse the School Committee’s budget of $43,473,430 at its meeting of February 25, 2008. If the override vote fails, the School Committee would need to reduce its budget by an additional $500K ($1.9M total). Dr. Keefe suggested some additional reductions to address the potential budget shortfall of $1.9 million. School Committee members expressed their concerns on many of the proposed cuts. The reductions to address the potential shortfall will be discussed at the meeting of March 17, 2008.
APPROVAL OF OUT OF STATE TRAVEL
Mr. Dave Walker, Wilson Middle School Teacher, was present to discuss the Barnhill Exchange Program which is celebrating its 34th year. He requested the School Committee’s approval for Wilson 8th graders to travel to St. John, New Brunswick, Canada to participate in the annual basketball exchange program with the Barnhill Memorial School, leaving on April 10, 2008 and returning on April 13, 2008. Mr. Coburn moved for approval. Ms. Blanchard seconded. It was approved by a vote of 6 to 0. Mr. Murphy was out of the room for the vote.
Mr. Hughes moved for approval for the Natick High School Varsity Baseball Team to travel to Cooperstown, NY during April vacation to participate in a game against Millis High School at Doubleday Field at the Baseball Hall of Fame. Mr. Coburn moved for approval. Chairman Wynn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL TO AMEND POLICY ON PREGNANCY
Ms. Lauren Gilbert requested the School Committee’s approval to amend the policy on Pregnant Students (File: JIE) in order to remove the following language, “in all instances when continued attendance has the sanction of the expectants mother’s physician. The physician’s approval of this continued attendance must be on file at the school.” Mr. Meyler moved for approval to amend this policy as recommended by Ms. Gilbert. Ms. Zernicke seconded. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL TO RESTRUCTURE THE SALARY DISBURSEMENT FOR
THE DIRECTOR OF THE YOUTH SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION INITIATIVE
Ms. Lauren Gilbert requested the School Committee’s approval to restructure the salary disbursement from full time to school year for the Director of the Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Initiative. The grant will be rewritten to reflect adjusted salary payments according to the school year as follows:
Year 1 $45,652.50
Year 2 $47,703.82
Year 3 $49,847.43
Year 4 $52,087.32
The approval of this request will give the program an opportunity to be extended to additional school years. Ms. Blanchard moved for approval. Ms. Zernicke seconded. It was unanimously approved.
WILSON MIDDLE SCHOOL – STATE OF THE SCHOOL
Ms. Anna Nolin, Principal of Wilson Middle School, presented an in depth presentation on the state of Wilson Middle School using the School Improvement Plan as the framework.
ACCEPTANCE OF DRIVER EDUCATION CONTRACT
Mr. Tom Rose requested the School Committee’s approval to award the contract for Driver Education to Cam’s Auto School. This program is administered through the Adult Education program. Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval to award the contract to Cam’s Auto School. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was approved by a favorable vote of 6. Mr. Meyler abstained.
TO APPOINT A DESIGNEE TO COMPLY WITH THE
ASBESTOS HAZARD EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACT
Dr. Keefe requested that the School Committee appoint Mr. Robert Graham, Facilities Director, to be the School Department’s designee to comply with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, to replace Mr. Jim Connolly who was the designee until his retirement of December 31, 2007. As outlined in the documents provided, this appointment would be effective as of January 1, 2008 with a stipend of $2,000. Mr. Meyler moved for approval to appoint Mr. Graham to this position. Ms. Zernicke seconded. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF DONATIONS
Mr. Tom Rose requested that the School Committee accept the following donation and any future donations from:
Source/Donation Amount/Value Purpose
Cognex Corporation $3000.00 NHS Science Department
For the School Committee’s information, the following previously accepted donations have been received:
$1000 to support the Math Team at Wilson from Cognex
$2750 in support of the NHS Robotics Club
$24.71 to the Principal’s Discretionary Fund at NHS from Ohiopyle Prints, Inc.
$1101 donated to the Wilson Mass. Cultural Council Mural Grant
$937.87 donated to the Principal’s Discretionary Fund at Wilson
$75 to the NHS Environmental Club from Lueders Environment, Inc.
Mr. Meyler moved for approval on the above donation. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Meyler moved for approval of the minutes of February 4, 2008. Ms. Zernicke seconded. They were approved by a vote of 5 to 0. Mr. Murphy and Ms. Adelman Foster abstained as they were absent from that meeting.
At 11:15 p.m., the Administration requested an Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations with non represented personnel in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 39, Section 23b of the Massachusetts General Laws. A roll call vote was taken and all members answered favorably to enter into Executive Session.
At 12:02 a.m., the School Committee returned to open session.
At 12:02 a.m., Ms. Karen Adelman Foster moved to adjourn. Mr. Coburn 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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