Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
April 7, 2008
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, April 7, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, Third Floor, Town Hall. Chairman Meyler called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Karen Adelman Foster, Anne Blanchard, Dirk Coburn, Steve Meyler, Rick Wynn, Anne Zernicke
David Murphy arrived at 7:50 p.m.
Others Present: Joseph Keefe Interim Superintendent
Karen Leacu LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
Tom Rose Director of Fiscal & Management Services
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Staff Members, Parents, Public
RECOGNITION OF STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The School Committee and Administration recognized Ms. Maureen Cushing for her time and dedication as Student Representative for the School Committee for the school years 2006/2007 and 2007/2008. Chairman Meyler and Vice Chair Blanchard, on behalf of the School Committee and Administration, presented Maureen with a plaque and recognized her accomplishments as a Natick High School student.
COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Dr. Keefe announced that he has been informed by the Principal of Kennedy Middle School, Ms. Rosemary Vickery, that the school has received a grant for $13,000 from Boston Scientific in order to implement a seismographic center at the school in partnership with Boston College. The administration and School Committee extended its congratulations.
Dr. Keefe announced that the Natick High School Symphonic Band received a Silver Medal (top rated – no gold were given) at the MICCA competition. The administration and School Committee extended its congratulations.
Dr. Keefe announced that the Natick High School Co Ed Cheerleaders came in 2nd at the National Invitation Competition held in Orlando, Florida. The administration and School Committee extended its congratulations.
Dr. Keefe announced that a public forum on youth substance abuse will be held on Thursday, May 8th at Wilson Middle School. He introduced Erika Dinnerman, Youth Substance Abuse Coordinator, who urged the public to attend.
Mr. Coburn announced that the Natick High School Choral Groups also received silver medals at the MICCA Competition.
PRESENTATION OF SCHOOL THREAT ASSESSMENT AND
RESPONSE SYSTEM (STARS) EXERCISE PROGRAM
Dr. Keefe introduced, Captain Eugene Rothman, Natick Fire Department, Sergeant Brett Conaway, Natick Police Department and Ms. Lauren Gilbert, Director of Pupil Services who provided the School Committee with an update on the STARS exercise program being held at the Kennedy Middle School and Brown School campuses this Thursday, April 10. The purpose of the exercise is to collectively exercise the Natick STARS response procedures with applicable mutual aid for an active shooter scenario in a Natick Public School. Fire and Police from area towns will also participate in this program along with American Medical Response and the METRO LEC SWAT and Mobile Incident Command Post. The community has been informed of this exercise which will take place between 12:30 -3:30 p.m.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE RESOLUTION
Dr. Keefe requested that the School Committee adopt the following resolution:
Resolved:
That the Natick School Committee hereby expresses its thanks to the following entities whose interests in and support of the Natick Public Schools manifest itself in the successful passage of Question 2 on the ballot of March 25, 2008:
To the citizens of Natick who participated in the Town Election of March 25th
To the leadership of the “Vote Yes for Natick” Committee: Co-Chairs Ms. Mari Barrera, Mr. David Margill; Treasurer Ms.Kimberlee Schmid; Precinct Coordinator Ms. Firkins Reed; Communications Coordinator Mr. Joel Haskell; Fundraising Coordinator, Mr. Glynn Hawley; Mr. Paul Joseph and Ms. Amy Mistrot; and the precinct captains.
To the members of the Committee’s Steering Committee
To the Board of Selectmen and the members of the Finance Committee
To the Town Administrator and her staff
To all Natick Public Schools staff members
To the Natick Public Schools Administration
To the editorial board of the Middlesex News
To everyone in the community as a whole who, in any way, provided assistance to the successful override effort
Mr. Coburn moved for approval for the School Committee to adopt this resolution. Mr. Murphy seconded. It was unanimously approved.
REQUEST FOR FEE INCREASES FOR THE
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES PROGRAM AND THE EARLY RISERS PROGRAM
Dr. Karen LeDuc introduced Ms. Andrea Shute, Director and Ms. Amy Balfortti, Assistant Director of the After School and the Early Riser Programs who provided an overview of the programs and discussed the need to increase fees for the upcoming school year. This program is self funded and fees have not been increased for five years. An outline of the proposed fees was reviewed. Discussion took place as to whether or not the Committee could vote on this matter at its next meeting to allow the public more time for public input. Ms. Shute indicated that due to time constraints, a decision is necessary now. Mr. Wynn moved for approval to increase the fees as outlined. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. A discussion continued and questions were responded to. The following
comments/actions resulted:
· Look into outside funding/grant funding
· Post their needs on the website - the community may be able to provide assistance for things they are in need of
· Consider a fee reduction if balance of reserve were to substantially increase
· $100K reserve seems excessive for a program of this nature
· follow up to see if students with low income are in need of services
· if enrollments drop off due to fee increases – Revisit with School Committee
Ms. Adelman Foster requested that in the future, the Natick School Committee follow its policy which is hearing the presentation at one meeting with the vote taking place at the following meeting. The School Committee unanimously approved the increase in fees as outlined.
REQUEST FOR TRANSFER OF FUNDS
Dr. Keefe requested the School Committee’s approval of two transfers from the system’s Salary and Wages Account to the Instructional Account as follows:
$19,996.60 for the purchase of books and reference materials in the fields of science, social science and English literature for the Natick High School Library and Resource Center.
$7,440 for the purchase of twenty-four (24) advanced compound, coaxial microscopes for the Natick High School biology classrooms.
He reported that this request is based on the need to respond to recognized deficiencies in educational materials and equipment cited by the NEASC Visiting Committee in 2007.
Ms. Jane Connolly, High School Librarian, was present and responded to questions regarding the book purchases. Ms. Connolly pointed out that this purchase is the beginning of the plan to meet the deficiencies cited by the NEASC Visiting Committee and that additional purchases will continue to be put forth.
Mr. Coburn moved for approval to transfer these funds. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF DONATIONS
Mr. Rose requested that the School Committee approve the following donations:
Source/Donation Amount/Value Purpose
Mr. & Mrs. Sweeney $50.00 Wilson Library
Mr. Raymond Parino $50.00 North Star – Student Activity Acct.
Natick Firefighters’ Charity Fund $400.00 Yearbook – Student Activity Acct.
For the School Committee’s information, the following previously accepted donations have been received:
$6,782 donated to the Wilson Mass. Cultural Council Mural Grant
$500 donated to the Brown School Library through the Dave Young Foundation
Target has made donations through their Take Charge of Education Program to the following Schools:
Brown $267.33
Wilson $125.44
Ben Hem $279.66
Mr. Wynn moved for approval to accept these donations. Ms. Zernicke seconded. They were unanimously approved.
ACCEPTANCE OF CONTRACT FOR INSTRUMENT RENTAL & REPAIR
Mr. Rose requested the School Committee’s approval to accept a contract for instrumental rental and repair with Leonards Music to provide musical instrument rental and repair for the students of the Natick Public Schools. Mr. Rose pointed out that only one quote was received (from Leonards) as a result of a mailing conducted on February 13, 2008. No price increase was quoted for FY09 when compared to current FY08 rates. This is a one year contract for the FY09 school year with an option to renew for an additional two (2) years at the sole discretion of the School Committee. Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval to award this contract to Leonards Music. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
TO REVIEW WARRANT ARTICLES SPONSORED BY THE NATICK SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Dr. Keefe reviewed Town Meeting Article 12 which is being submitted based upon the advice of the Massachusetts School Building Authority to seek funding for a prospective Feasibility Study for Natick High School in the amount of $250,000. Mr. Meyler made a motion to reaffirm the School Committee’s support to submit this article. Ms. Blanchard seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Dr. Keefe reviewed Town Meeting Article 13 which requests the Town to vote to appropriate from Free Cash the sum of $302,122 for the purposes 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, said funds are to be expended under the direction of the Natick School Committee. Mr. Coburn made a motion to reaffirm the School Committee’ support to submit this article. Mr. Wynn seconded. It was unanimously approved. Mr. Coburn requested that for the future, the School Committee consider reviewing the order in which the funds for transportation are expended.
REVIEW OF APPROVED MOTIONS PERTAINING TO
NHS MASCOT MADE ON MARCH 31, 2008
Chairman Meyler requested that the School Committee review the approved motions made at the meeting of March 31, 2008 which pertain to the Natick High School mascot. These motions were unanimously approved.
Ms. Blanchard read the motions as follows:
Introduction:
In recognition of the facts that:
various persons have alleged that the use of the name "Redmen" and the corresponding use of a Native American "Indian" mascot are offensive, racist, derogatory, and that each may constitute a form of discrimination and/or violation of civil rights;
the School Committee, based on the above information, allegations and public testimony, voted 4-3 to cease the use of said name and mascot in March 2007;
prior to reaching its previous decision, the School Committee did not seek a formal legal opinion or to establish whether there was, in fact, a violation of applicable laws;
subsequent to the March 2007 vote, the School Committee, either collectively or through communications with its Chair and/or Superintendent has been threatened with formal legal action if the use of said name and mascot are continued by multiple parties;
while through a legally non-binding resolution, the citizens of Natick voted, by a nearly 2:1 margin, to request that the School Committee reconsider its previous decision to cease the use of the name "Redmen" and its Native American "Indian" mascot;
the School Committee should undertake the following recommended actions in order to properly respond to the community's recent public vote and to establish, as fact, whether the allegations of discrimination and potential violation of civil rights have merit under existing applicable local, state and federal laws. 3 specific motions are offered as follows:
Motions:
Motion A has separate sub-motions, created to make distinct actions more clear. The motion is offered with all parts included as a single motion: individual sub-motions should not be voted separately.
A.1) Move that the School Committee authorize and direct the Chair of the School Committee and the Superintendent to jointly appoint independent legal counsel to review the claims and assertions made to the School Committee, or to the School Committee Chair and/or Superintendent collectively or individually, that the continued use of the name "Redmen" and the Native American "Indian" mascot or the use of any variation of the name “Redmen” are either discriminatory or in violation of individuals' civil rights. The appointed attorney's legal analysis should contemplate all relevant and applicable local, state and federal laws. Upon completion of his/her review, the attorney shall present to the school committee, in open public session, a
formal, written legal opinion which clearly indicates whether or not the continued use of the "Redmen" name and Native American "Indian" mascot each constitutes discriminatory practices and/or violation of individuals' civil rights, as has been alleged, under existing applicable local, state and federal laws. A written copy of the legal opinion shall be delivered to the Superintendent and current Chair of the School Committee in advance of the public presentation. The legal opinion should be presented to the School Committee, ideally, not later than the Committee's currently scheduled meeting on May 19, 2008.
A.2) Further, move that the School Committee organizes an open, public forum to: solicit public input and to assist its appointed counsel in fully understanding the range of claims and evidence having been previously made to, or against, the School Committee. Due to the potentially heightened emotional nature of this issue, the forum shall be moderated by an independent, third party mediator or facilitator, appointed by the Superintendent and current Chair of the School Committee. The forum will be organized to accomplish the following explicit outcomes: 1) To create an opportunity for all members of the community and other interested parties (both persons and representatives of interested groups or entities) to state his/her/its position and establish the
relevant facts in support of his/her/its position; 2) To give interested parties, not previously heard from in open public session, an opportunity to come forward and present new testimony; 3) To give the appointed counsel the opportunity, as well as his/ her affiliates or representatives, an opportunity to clarify testimony made by any party, if appropriate, in establishing the full range of claims which may be brought against Natick Public Schools. The public forum should be posted for a date in early May following the conclusion of Natick's annual spring Town Meeting, based on the availabilities of each of the School Committee's two appointed persons (the attorney and the facilitator).
B: Move that the School Committee holds the existing motion (to eliminate the use of the "Redmen" name and Native American "Indian" mascot, voted in March 2007) in abeyance, pending its receipt of the appointed attorney's legal opinion (as outlined in motion A). Further move that the School Committee shall, having both heard the attorney's full legal opinion in open public session and received same in writing, will take into consideration this formal legal opinion in the committee’s reevaluation of the appropriateness of the continued use of the name “Redmen” as well as the Native American “Indian” mascot. This reliance on the legal opinion does not constitute a delegation of the decision by the School
Committee to its attorney. The School Committee should make its final determination on the continued use of the name and mascot on a timely basis following the attorney’s presentation of his/her legal opinion, and in no case later than its meeting on June 16th, 2008.
C: Move that the School Committee request that the Superintendent postpones further action of the existing process, already in place, to develop a potential new name and mascot, pending the receipt of the appointed attorney's legal opinion, and ultimate decision on continued use of the existing name.
Ms. Adelman Foster requested that the superintendent contact the various Indian groups to determine what their current thinking is in using the name Redmen and to invite them to the forum if they so choose. Dr. Keefe stated that he will send registered letters to the spokesperson of the tribal councils.
Mr. Eric Thalheimer, supporter of the Redman Forever Group, indicated that they want to work in partnership with the School Committee and not in conflict and requested that the School Committee allow their input to participate in scope and tasks in dealing with the attorney.
Mr. Jeff Silverstein, private citizen, expressed concern about the amount of resources being put into this process and expressed concern of the legal expenses which will be incurred. He would like to see documentation of the threats which have been made and an accounting of the costs involved in hiring an attorney.
MEMBERS CONCERNS
Ms. Blanchard provided the School Committee with an update on the Suburban Coalition legislator breakfast meeting she attended this morning:
· Statewide local aid is at an all time high.
· 1% of sales taxes are going to Massachusetts School Building Authority.
· The states special education funds were $233M – the state requirements are exactly the same as Federal, however, there is no revenue sharing back to the state from the Federal Government.
· The state is facing a new economic recession without having recovered from the previous one, straining both revenues and reserves.~
Mr. Coburn reported that he attended the first meeting of the Expense Control Taskforce and passed along the concern to hold meeting times that are reasonable for the public to attend. As of now, there are meetings scheduled for April 16th and 30th at 7:30 p.m.
Mr. Meyler reported that the Revenue Task Force will also be holding its meetings in the evening.
Chairman Meyler asked Dr. Peter Sanchioni, Superintendent-Elect, if he would announce the appointment of Principal for the Bennett-Hemenway School. Dr. Sanchioni announced that it is his privilege to announce that Mr. Ian Kelly will be the new principal for the Bennett-Hemenway School. Mr. Kelly is currently a Vice Principal at the Newman School in Needham.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Zernicke requested holding off on approving the minutes of March 3, 2008 until she checks her notes.
Mr. Coburn moved for approval of the minutes of March 17, 2008. Ms. Karen Adelman Foster seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Ms. Karen Adelman Foster moved for approval of the minutes of March 31, 2008. Ms. Blanchard seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Mr. Coburn moved for approval of the Executive Session Minutes of March 3, 2008. Mr. Wynn seconded. They were unanimously approved.
At 10:15 p.m., Mr. Wynn moved to adjourn. Ms. Zernicke 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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