Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES
May 4, 2009
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, May 4, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, 3rd Floor, Town Hall. Chairman Coburn called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.
Members Present: Dirk Coburn, David Margil, Amy Mistrot, David Murphy, Anne Zernicke
Anne Blanchard arrived at 8:00 p.m.
Members Absent: Karen Adelman Foster
Others Present: Peter Sanchioni Superintendent
Karen LeDuc Assistant Superintendent
William Hurley Director of Fiscal & Management Services
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Mark Baranoff Teacher Representative
Corinne Worthington Student Representative
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Mistrot moved for approval the minutes of April 6, 2009. Mr. Margil seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Mr. Margil has a minor factual amendment to the Executive Session minutes of April 6 which he will forward to Ms. Reilly for approval at the next meeting.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairman Coburn asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak. No one came forward.
HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING UPDATE
Mr. Hurley provided an update on the High School Building Project. He reported that a meeting was held at the Massachusetts School Building Authority office this past Friday to review with them the Feasibility Study at which time they explained why there would be a significant increase in cost to renovate Natick High School vs. build new. They also held a discussion with MSBA regarding enrollment projections. MSBA agreed to look at other factors other than the Cohort Survival method to determine enrollment projections. There will be another followup meeting this week to answer any questions they may have. Mr. Hurley stated that the goal would be to be placed on MSBA’s agenda for their May 27 meeting with the hopes of being invited to participate in the model school program.
Chairman Coburn passed out a warrant document for costs related to the feasibility process with RF Walsh which needs the School Committee’s approval. This warrant includes an invoice in the amount of $47,687.50. Members reviewed the invoice. Ms. Mistrot moved for approval. Ms. Zernicke seconded. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF OUT OF STATE TRAVEL
Mr. Zach Galvin, Vice Principal Natick High School requested the School Committee’s approval for an out of state travel request which was just received for the Natick High School Speech Team to participate in the Grand National Speech Tournament in Albany, New York from May 22-25th, 2009. The six students will be traveling in two rental vans with four chaperones. Mr. Galvin stated that policies for chaperones and transportation have been followed. Ms. Blanchard moved for approval of this trip. Ms. Zernicke seconded. The district does not incur any costs for this trip. It is paid for through fundraising and by the student and/or their families. Ms. Blanchard moved for approval of this trip. Ms. Zernicke seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Mr. Galvin also reported that trip for the Business Professionals of America (BPA) students to attend the National Competition in Dallas, Texas from May 6-10, 2009 which the School Committee approved, is now being rescheduled to June 17-21, 2009. Chairman Coburn suggested that the School Committee approve the date change at a future meeting.
FY10 BUDGET REVIEW
Dr. Sanchioni provided an overview of the FY10 Budget which he plans to present to Town Meeting He provided more detailed information on the use of the IDEA funds . A discussion continued. The administration responded to questions. Further information was requested on the $200K for Professional Development from the IDEA Funds.
Mr. Mark Baranoff, President of the EAN, read a letter which stated that it is the belief of many school employees that the decision to lower the school budget request by approximately $200,000 will have a negative impact on Natick’s Educational programs. They believe that other town departments and boards need to make difficult decisions and the Board of Selectmen should have had the opportunity to reconsider the increase in the trash fee after the House Ways and Means Committee cut local aid. He suggested other areas in the school budget where these funds could be used and asked the School Committee to reconsider their decision to further reduce the school budget.
Dr. Sanchioni pointed out that other communities are seeing more of the stimulus money going to the municipal side and Natick is fortunate that only $193,450 is being given to its municipal side. Ms. Blanchard pointed out that the decision to turn $193,450 to the municipal side was not a unanimous decision and members had a strong reluctance to not give up these funds.
MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH PLACEMENT
Dr. Karen LeDuc introduced Ms. Anna Nolin, Principal at Wilson Middle School, and Ms. Rosemary Vickery, Principal of Kennedy Middle School, who provided information on the Middle School math placement process. They along with Dr. LeDuc responded to questions from the Committee.
ELA CURRICULUM REVIEW
The ELA Curriculum Review was postponed to a future meeting.
ESTABLISHMENT OF SUBCOMMITTEES
Chairman Coburn reported that the School Committee needs to populate its representation on the various negotiation subcommittees as it did previously for the EAN unit. Chairman Coburn pointed out that some of these subcommittee positions were filled last October, however, there are some openings due to changes on the Committee. A discussion continued and the following representation was agreed upon for the Committee’s approval:
|
SC Members |
Cafeteria |
Karen Adelman Foster, Amy Mistrot, Dave Murphy |
Maintenance & Custodians |
Karen Adelman Foster, Dirk Coburn, Dave Murphy |
Secretaries |
Anne Blanchard, Dave Margil, Amy Mistrot |
SSF’s |
Anne Blanchard, Karen Adelman Foster, Dave Margil |
Title 1 |
Anne Zernicke, Dave Margil, Amy Mistrot |
Chairman Coburn would like School Committee members to provide him with some dates in order to schedule a retreat prior to the end of the school year in order to establish goals and priorities.
At 10:10 p.m., Ms. Blanchard moved for approval to enter into Executive Session to discuss strategy for negotiations with non-union personnel in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 39, Section 23b of the Massachusetts Generals Law. Ms. Zernicke seconded. It was unanimously approved. Chairman Coburn indicated that the Committee would not be returning to conduct any further business in the public session.
At 10:40 p.m. the School Committee returned to open session. Mr. Margil moved to adjourn. Mr. Murphy seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Peter Sanchioni, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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