Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES
February 23, 2009
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, February 23, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, Third Floor, Town Hall. Chairman Meyler called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
Members Present: Karen Adelman Foster, Dirk Coburn, David Margil, Stephen Meyler, David Murphy, Anne Zernicke
Anne Blanchard arrived at 7:15 p.m.
Others Present: Peter Sanchioni Superintendent
Karen LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
William Hurley Director of Fiscal & Management Services
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Camille Napier Bernstein Teacher Representative
Corinne Worthington Student Representative
PUBLIC SPEAK
Mr. Seth Levine, member of the Natick Recreation & Parks Commission, Town Meeting member and Natick Basketball Travel League Coordinator, spoke in opposition of any fee increases for athletic fees. He requested that costs be cut in the existing budget and that rationale be explained as to why higher cost sports pay the same as lower cost sports. He suggested other ways to reduce costs, such as eliminating non-league away games, use parents to drive students to local towns, use smaller vehicles or town buses, organize study halls at away games so all teams can ride buses together (freshman, JV & varsity), make freshman coach a volunteer position, reduce pay for other coaching positions, offer sports clinics with a fee. He requested that the administration look at all opportunities to reduce costs
during these tough economic times before raising fees.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval of the minutes of January 12, 2009. Ms. Zernicke seconded. The minutes were approved by an affirmative vote of 5 members. Mr. Murphy abstained as he was not present at this meeting.
Chairman Meyler requested a motion to approve the minutes of January 21, 2009. Mr. Margil offered the following change pertaining to paragraph 2 of School Committee Members Concerns: change wording to:
Mr. Margil reported that he was pleased to see that Technology in the Classroom is working. He reported that his son's first grade teacher used her new laptop to show the class a video of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s I had a Dream speech. He expressed his hope and expectation that other students and teachers are having similar experiences throughout the district.
Mr. Coburn moved for approval of the minutes of January 21, 2009 with the above amendment. Mr. Margil seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval of the minutes of January 26, 2009. Mr. Margil seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Mr. Coburn moved for approval of the Executive Session minutes of January 26, 2009. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. They were unanimously approved.
REPORT OF NATICK COMMUNITY FARM
Ms. Lynda Simkins, Director of the Natick Community Organic Farm, came before the School Committee for the annual State of the Farm report. She provided the School Committee with an information packet of programs being held at the Farm. Ms. Simkins introduced Ms. Ursula King, the School Programs Coordinator, who discussed the various programs being offered to Natick’s elementary and middle school students. She responded to questions from School Committee members.
NATICK COMMUNITY ORGANIC FARM – TRANSFER OF PROPERTY
Chairman Meyler reported that the school Committee has received a request from the Town Administrator to transfer the land which the Natick Community Organic Farm is situated over to the Town to the Conservation Commission. Mr. Meyler indicated that a meeting will be taking place with members of the Conservation Commission, the School Department, the Farm and the Town Administrator on the possibility of this transfer. Chairman Meyler pointed out that before the School Committee would agree to this there are several questions that need to be answered such as ensuring that the Farm is able to stay a Farm solely for the use of the Natick Community Organic Farm, and if not the land would revert back to the School Committee. Ms. Adelman Foster added that the School Committee would also like assurances that there is no chance that there will be any need of the land for an expansion to Memorial School and that it is permissible for the Conservation Commission to use its funds for the
operation of the Farm. ~Chairman Meyler agreed to represent the School Committee at this meeting.
FOOD ALLERGY PROCEDURES
Ms. Lauren Gilbert, Director of Pupil Services, and Ms. Karen Rufo, Nurse Leader, provided the School Committee with a presentation of how they deal with life threatening allergies in the Natick Public Schools. They discussed the responsibilities of the students, families, nurses, teachers, administrators, food service personnel, bus drivers, and Athletic Director/Coaches. Ms. Rufo provided the School Committee with various statistics including the number of students who have Epi Pens, Epi Pens by school and the number of students with special allergic conditions. They responded to questions from the School Committee members. Ms Zernicke inquired about whether training and specific information about children with food allergies is provided to all teachers prior to the start of school, each year. Ms.
Rufo explained that every year in preparation for the beginning of the new school year all teachers receive a photo and the name of any children with food allergies who are assigned to their classrooms. Teachers also receive annual training in the use of Epi pens, at that time.
Ms. Gilbert pointed out that information on allergy procedures are posted on the website and are available in handbooks at all schools. Ms. Rufo plans on holding a parent information meeting this Spring where Dr. Michael Young from Children’s Hospital will be a guest speaker, discussing life threatening food allergies. Incoming kindergarten parents will also be invited. Chairman Meyler thanked and recognized Ms. Rufo and her staff for keeping our students safe.
REAFFIRMATION OF THE APPROVAL OF A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
Mr. Hurley requested that the School Committee reaffirm its approval of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Cafeteria Employees of the Natick Public Schools, Local 1116 and the Natick School Committee. The School Committee previously approved this agreement in Executive Session, however, needs to reaffirm its vote in open session. Ms. Adelman Foster pointed out that this agreement is for the current school year and has nothing to do with the current negotiations. Mr. Hurley added that the cost to implement this agreement has no impact on the school budget and is effective for the period of July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. Ms. Blanchard moved for approval of this agreement. Ms Zernicke seconded. It was approved by an affirmative vote by six members. Mr.
Murphy was out of the room during this vote.
APPROVAL OF DONATIONS
Mr. Hurley requested the School Committee’s approval of the following donations:
Source/Donation Amount/Value Purpose
B.J.’s Warehouse $500.00 Ben Hem – Principal’s Discretionary
Various $205.00 Donations to Wilson Library
Natick Firefighters $250.00 Technology Donation
Joann Ganong $20.00 Student Activities – National Honor Society
The Hagerty Group, Inc. $300.00 Student Activities – Campuses Against Cancer
For the School Committees information, the following previously accepted donation has been received:
$1,100 Donated to the Brown School Library and $500 to the HS Library through the Dave Young Foundation.
Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval of these donations. Mr. Coburn seconded. They were approved by an affirmative vote by six members. Mr. Murphy was out of the room during this vote.
ACCEPTANCE OF CONTRACT EXTENSION FOR INSTRUMENT RENTAL & REPAIR
Mr. Hurley requested the School Committee’s approval to extend the contract for instrumental rental and repair with Leonards Music for the 2009-2010 school year. Mr. Hurley reported that the instrumental rental monthly prices for the 2009-2010 school year will remain the same and that Mr. Miller, Director of Fine and Performing Arts expressed that both parents and instructors have been very pleased with both the quality and service from Leonards Music. Mr. Coburn moved for approval to extend the contract with Leonards Music for the 2009-2010 school year. Ms. Zernicke seconded. It was unanimously approved.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING CURRICULUM REVIEW
Dr. Karen LeDuc provided the School Committee with a grid of the Action Plan for Science, Technology and Engineering Curricula Review for Grades K-12 as well as a Five year Curricula Review Plan. In addition, Dr. LeDuc provided an overview of the Science, Technology and Engineering Curricula Review for Grades K-12. This review included:
- Historical review
- Evaluation process
- Instructional Systems
- Organizational systems
- Quality of Work of the Student
Ms. Karen Adelman Foster questioned whether there was a mechanism in place for understanding whether, in general, the rigor of the Freshman physics level 0 and physics level 1 is appropriate and if parents had concerns, who should they contact. Dr. LeDuc will follow up with Ms. Kathi Browne, Science Department Head, to see what mechanism is in place on determining the appropriateness of the rigor. Ms. Browne would be the contact for parent concerns. Dr. LeDuc responded to questions from the School Committee members and the audience.
HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT UPDATE
Dr. Sanchioni provided the School Committee with various documents pertaining to the Natick High School Building Project:
- High School Building Committee formation/update
- Roles and Responsibilities Document
- RF Walsh – February 6, 2009 Update
- MSBA Document – Norwood High School/Districts by category
Dr. Sanchioni announced that the next meeting of the High School Building Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4th. He provided the School Committee with background information on Mr. Frank Locker, Educational Planner, who will be present at the next High School Building Committee meeting. Dr. Sanchioni stated that this will be an opportunity to see if the expertise of Mr. Locker would be of value to the Building Committee and School Committee as they go forward with the educational plans for a new high school. He stated that if it is the desire of the School Committee, he could have Mr. Locker attend a future School Committee meeting as well. The question was raised on whether there would be an overlap of what Mr. Locker would provide and that which RF Walsh will
be providing. Are we paying twice for the same service?
Dr. Sanchioni also discussed a warrant article that was submitted on Friday, February 13th to the Town Administrator as a citizen’s petition as follows:
The undersigned hereby request that the following Article be included on the warrant for the 2009 Spring Annual Town Meeting.
Article
(School Committee)
To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money for partial architectural services for the replacement/renovation of Natick High School including schematic design, design development and construction documents as required by the Massachusetts School Building Authority; to determine whether this appropriation shall be raised by borrowing or otherwise; or otherwise act thereon.
Dr. Sanchioni stated that this article was submitted as a placeholder for Town Meeting due to the fact that Mr. Hurley, in his discussions with RF Walsh and his counterpart in Norwood, determined that additional funds would be needed to complete tasks to fulfill the project scope and budget agreement with the Massachusetts School Building Authority. Mr. Hurley pointed out that these funds would be available through borrowing and are reimbursable by MSBA. A lengthy discussion continued and the following comments/concerns were raised:
- Why this projected cost was not on the radar screen is disturbing.
- School Committee was to receive draft of a report from the Building Committee to review which it has not received – The School Committee will need more time to review.
- Request for Chairman Meyler to reinforce/encourage more communications between the Building Committee and the School Committee
- Has there been communications with the Town Administrator and Finance Committee on this warrant article?
- Roles and responsibilities need further definition – needs to be much more specific
- Any bills related to high school building project should be separated out from regular warrants
- Members expressed the gratitude for all the work that the High School Building Committee has done.
Mr. Margil moved for approval that any warrants pertaining to the high school building project be separated out from the regular school warrants so that the School Committee may have greater visibility to these expenses. Mr. Coburn seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Further discussion continued on the need for more visibility on what’s happening on the high school building project. Ms. Blanchard will work with Chairman Meyler to try and clarify some of the roles and responsibilities and to establish what the working relationship should be with the Building Committee.
A discussion continued on whether the School Committee needed to vote on the warrant article this evening as previously presented (to seek partial architectural services for the replacement/renovation of Natick High School). Mr. Murphy moved to approve this article. Ms. Blanchard seconded.
Further discussion continued. Mr. Margil questioned who the sponsorship of the article should be given that it was submitted as a citizen’s petition and not by the School Committee. He stressed the need to make sure it is done correctly. Mr. Murphy withdrew his motion. More information will be brought back to the next meeting which will include the dollar amount for the warrant article.
Other concerns/questions raised:
- Who has fiduciary responsibilities? Need to be extremely clear on the legal status of the Building Committee. Since Town Meeting established this Committee, does the School Committee have authority to set guidelines? Is it a subcommittee of Town Meeting or a subcommittee of the School Committee? Consensus was to seek legal opinion.
- Who is responsible for preparing budget projections for the High School Project since a portion of funds for this warrant article will have to come from the FY10 budget?
Mr. Coburn announced that he submitted a citizen’s petition for the Spring Town Meeting in the event that the composition of the High School Building Committee needed to be adjusted as follows:
Citizens’ Petition for an article to be placed on the warrant of the
Spring 2009 Natick Annual Town Meeting
To see what action Town Meeting will take regarding any adjustments to the existing High School Building Committee.
Mr. Coburn pointed out that this article could be withdrawn if it becomes unnecessary.
The Committee reviewed the feasibility study timeline prepared by RF Walsh and concern was raised on the educational programming – how can a cost estimate be done before the educational programming is done? Chairman Meyler requested that any cost estimate come before the School Committee before discussions take place in the public. He also requested that any site selection comes before the School Committee for review before discussions take place in any public forum.
Ms. Blanchard raised a concern and requested clarification on a new custom design vs. the model school – the model school advantage. Mr. Hurley explained that if you were to go with the model school approach, there is the ability to conform to your own educational specifications.
Chairman Meyler requested a current update from RF Walsh on the timeline of the project plans within the next week as many of the dates on the document provided did not make sense. Ms. Adelman Foster also requested a flow chart of who does what.
SCHOOL HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Dr. Sanchioni announced that a School Health Advisory Committee is in the process of being established per the School Committee’s Wellness policy. In the policy it states that a School Committee member may be a participant in this Committee. The next meeting of the School Health Advisory Committee is scheduled for April 30, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. at Natick High School.
FY10 BUDGET – CURRENT BALANCE STRATEGY
Dr. Sanchioni provided the School Committee with an updated outline of the FY10 Balanced Budget Study. He indicated that not much has changed with the numbers as he is still waiting for the outcome of the stimulus packet. It is his hope to receive figures on the stimulus packet by next week.
MEMBERS CONCERNS
Ms. Anne Blanchard requested an update on the Police Chief’s proposal to eliminate crossing guards. Chairman Meyler suggested waiting and seeing what happens after this proposal has been presented to the Town Administrator and Board of Selectmen before the School Committee intervenes. Members of the School Committee expressed that elimination of the crossing guards is of great concern to them and very disturbing.
Chairman Meyler announced that the following changes have been made to the School Committee meeting schedule.
March 2, 2009 meeting – CANCELLED
March 9, 2009 meeting – To discuss budget reductions will be held at Wilson Middle School at 7:30 p.m.
March 16, 2009 – Final Vote on the FY10 budget will be held at 7:30 p.m., Town Hall.
At 10:50 p.m., Mr. Coburn moved to adjourn. Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Peter Sanchioni, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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