Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES
March 9, 2009
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, March 9, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium of Wilson Middle School. Chairman Meyler called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Members Present: Karen Adelman Foster, Anne Blanchard, Dirk Coburn, David Margil, Stephen Meyler, Anne Zernicke
David Murphy arrived at 9:15 p.m.
Others Present: Peter Sanchioni Superintendent
Karen LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
William Hurley Director of Fiscal & Management Services
Mr. Coburn moved for approval to enter into Executive Session to discuss Collective Bargaining in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 39, Section 23b of the Massachusetts General Laws. Ms. Zernicke seconded. By roll call vote, all members present were in favor of entering into Executive Session.
The School Committee returned to open session at 7:40 p.m. and continued with their regular meeting.
Joseph McFarland, Teacher Representative and Corinne Worthington, Student Representative joined the meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Blanchard moved for approval of the minutes of February 2, 2009. Mr. Coburn seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Ms. Blanchard moved for approval of the Executive Session minutes of January 12, 2009. Mr. Coburn seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Mr. Margil wished to make a change to the Executive Session minutes of February 2, 2009. He will submit changes to Ms. Reilly.
Ms. Blanchard moved for approval of the Executive Session minutes of February 9, 2009. Mr. Coburn seconded. They were unanimously approved.
FY10 BUDGET REDUCTIONS
Dr. Sanchioni provided a presentation on the FY10 Budget. He stated that this budget is predicated on transparency, accountability and full disclosure. His overall goal from day 1 is to preserve teacher and student programs. He reviewed the following budget figures.
Natick Public Schools
• FY 09 Budget $43,474,430
• FY10 Level Staff Budget $45,647,841
• FY 10 Budget Allocation $42,576,500
• Education Deficit $ 3,071,340
Dr. Sanchioni provided three tiers of reductions and revenue enhancements to address the $3M deficit. Chairman Meyler stated that no votes will be taken this evening on the budget amount or any fees and that the purpose of this meeting is to review the budget and solicit opinions from School Committee members and the public on the proposed cuts. A discussion continued and the administration responded to questions from Committee members and the public. Chairman Meyler stated that it is the hope of the School Committee to approve a budget amount at its next meeting.
APPROVAL OF TOWN REVENUE SPLIT
Chairman Meyler requested that a motion be made for the School Committee to approve the town revenue split of 61.6/38.4% (school/town). A discussion continued on the need for voting on this item this evening. Mr. Margil expressed his concern for voting on this tonight since it was just added to the agenda and he isn’t clear on what the impact will be on the potential reduction on the town side for field maintenance and crossing guards. Although he supports this split, his preference would be to wait until the next meeting since this was not on the original agenda. Chairman Meyler expressed his desire to vote this tonight. Further discussion was held.
After considerable discussion, Mr. Coburn moved for approval that the School Committee accept the assumption of a 61.6/38.4% split. Ms. Adelman Foster requested a friendly amendment to add the language “with the understanding that the Finance Committee will review the impact across town and make recommendations to Town Meeting accordingly.” Ms. Blanchard seconded the motion including the amendment by Ms. Adelman Foster. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF TOWN MEETING ARTICLES
Dr. Sanchioni requested that the School Committee approve the following articles which are being submitted for the April Town Meeting:
1. Warrant Article #15 – School Bus Transportation (to offset transportation costs)
2. Warrant Article #31 – Funds for Special Education Transportation, Salaries & Expenses
3. Warrant Article #33 – Partial Architectural Services – NHS Project
Mr. Margil moved for approval of the School Bus Transportation article #15. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Ms. Zernicke moved for approval of the warrant article #31 for funds for Special Education Transportation, Salaries & Expenses. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Mr. Coburn requested that action on the warrant article #33 for funds for Partial Architectural Services – NHS Project be delayed until after the Update on the High School Building Committee has been presented later on in the agenda.
UPDATE ON HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
Mr. Hurley provided an updated of the recent meeting of the High School Building Committee held last Wednesday, March 4, 2009. He reported that a presentation was given by Mr. Frank Locker, Education Design Specialist in the field who has worked with many area school administrations and School Committees presenting his expertise in educational specifications and space. Other topics covered at the Building Committee meeting were:
§ the need for the warrant article for partial architectural services for the High School project
§ an update of the status of a review by the Owner Project Manager (OPM), RF Walsh on previous feasibility studies done by KBA Associates and HMFH architects. The OPM will present an update on the feasibility study to the School Committee on April 6, 2009.
§ Communications – the Building Committee discussed how to better communicate with the OPM and the School Committee going forward. It was decided that a report of the Building Committee will be given at each School Committee meeting to keep the School Committee abreast of the project.
A discussion continued. Members expressed the need for the School Committee’s involvement in the educational programming process. Chairman Meyler pointed out that Ms. Blanchard has been working on a process to define the roles and responsibilities of the School Committee and the Building Committee.
Chairman Meyler reported that the Building Committee has visited one of the model schools – Whitman-Hanson High School and suggested that the School Committee visit the school some time in April.
Mr. Margil requested that going forward the School Committee receive updated timelines on the status of the high school project from R.F. Walsh.
Ms. Blanchard has collected some thoughts and suggestions on the roles and responsibilities between the School Committee and the High School Building Committee. She is looking for additional volunteers from the School Committee to form a subcommittee to come up with a document which will be presented to both Committees. Ms. Zernicke and Ms. Adelman Foster volunteered to work with Ms Blanchard on this subcommittee.
Chairman Meyler requested that the School Committee now vote to support Warrant Article # 33 – Partial Architectural Services – NHS Project. Ms. Blanchard moved for approval for the School Committee to support this article which is being submitted as a citizen’s petition. Ms. Zernicke seconded. It was unanimously approved.
VOTE MR. MEYLER AS A MEMBER OF THE HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
Chairman Meyler handed over the role of Chair to Ms. Blanchard for this item. Vice Chair Blanchard requested that Dr. Sanchioni explain the request to add Mr. Meyler as a member to the High School Building Committee. Dr. Sanchioni indicated that the MSBA requires the Chair of the School Committee to be a member of the High School Building Committee. Mr. Meyler is currently occupying two positions on the Building Committee – one as chair of the School Committee and one appointed by the School Committee. Once Mr. Meyler has retired his position as School Committee member & Chair, he wishes to remain on the High School Building Committee as the School Committee’s appointed member and the new Chair of the School Committee will be added to the Building Committee once elected. Ms.
Adelman Foster moved to appoint Mr. Stephen Meyler to the High School Committee Building Committee. Mr. Margil seconded. It was unanimously approved.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairman Meyler asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak. No one came forward.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS CONCERNS
Mr. Coburn alerted the School Committee to something that was in recent minutes of the Expense Control Task Force – a meeting which Mr. Coburn was unable to attend. The Expense Control Task Force is looking to do a town wide organizational audit which Mr. Coburn does not believe that even the School Committee has authority to do under Education Reform. He will keep the School Committee informed of this matter. Chairman Meyler requested that Mr. Coburn disseminate minutes of the Expense Control Task Force meetings to School Committee members. He also suggested that the Expense Control Task Force could be invited to a future meeting to describe what their next charter will be.
Chairman Meyler reviewed some of the agenda items for the next couple of meetings.
Ms. Blanchard stated that a lot of ground has been covered tonight in terms of the budget and cuts proposed by the administration and that it may take some time for the community to absorb. She urged people in the community to send in their comments and thoughts on the budget and reductions that have been put together by the administration. She looks forward to hearing from the community between now and the next meeting when the School Committee is expected to vote on the FY10 budget.
At 10:35 p.m., Mr. Coburn moved to adjourn. Mr. Margil seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Peter Sanchioni, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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