Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES
June 1, 2009
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, June 1, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the School Committee Room, 3rd Floor, Town Hall. Chairman Coburn called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Members Present: Karen Adelman Foster, Dirk Coburn, David Margil, Amy Mistrot, Anne Zernicke
Chairman Coburn requested an Executive Session. Ms. Zernicke moved for approval to enter into Executive Session to discuss Collective Bargaining and Non-Represented personnel in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 39, Section 23b of the Massachusetts General Laws. Ms. Mistrot seconded. All present were in favor of entering into Executive Session.
Mr. Murphy arrived at 7:30 p.m.
At 7:40 p.m. the School Committee resumed its public meeting.
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
Ms. Blanchard arrived at 8:00 p.m.
Dr. Sanchioni introduced Dr. Edward Quigley who will serving as interim Principal of the Brown School. Dr. Quigley thanked the School Committee for this opportunity and stated that out of all the positions he has held in education (teacher, principal, superintendent), principal was his favorite job and looks forward to working at Brown School for the upcoming school year.
OUT OF COUNTY TRAVEL
Ms. Rosemary Vickery reported that because the trip to Quebec with the 7th and 8th grade French students this year was so successful and well received, it planted the seed at her school that perhaps opportunities should be expanded to offer a trip to Europe for 8th grade students who study Spanish and French as well as students in the ELL program. Ms. Vickery introduced four of her teachers who have been working on a proposed trip with EF Educational Tours: Katherine Presswood, Sara Simon, Marimartha Clark and Mara Lounsbury. Ms. Presswood discussed her positive experience over the years working with EF Educational Tours.
Ms. Vickery stated that since these trips are expensive and would require sufficient advance notice, she would like to inform families and students at the beginning of the next school year that this is an option for their February 2010 school break.
A discussion continued about chaperones and Ms. Vickery indicated that these teachers would be the designated chaperones and more staff could be added if need be. Ms. Vickery also indicated that she would follow the district’s policy for chaperones which is on the agenda for later this evening.
Mr. Margil moved for approval of this trip. Ms. Mistrot seconded. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF CHAPERONE INFORMATION FORM
Mr. Zach Galvin, Vice Principal of Natick High School, discussed the proposed Chaperone Information Form which the high school administration would like to use for overnight and out of state field trips. A discussion continued and a suggestion was made that this should be a district form. Ms. Mistrot suggested that the guidelines that are mentioned on this form are attached to the document so chaperones know what they are signing off on. This item will be placed on the next School Committee meeting agenda for approval.
NATICK HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
Mr. John Hughes, Principal of Natick High School, discussed a proposal which has been put forth by a group in the community to create a Natick High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Mr. Hughes pointed out that this initiative does not conflict with the well established NHS Wall of Achievement which recognizes graduates for accomplishments in their careers and life after graduation with an induction ceremony in November. The NHS Athletic Hall of Fame will recognize NHS athletes, teams and coaches for their achievements while at NHS with the induction taking place in May. Members expressed concern that equal attention should be given to students to promote and acknowledge their successes in other areas, i.e. the arts, academics, etc. This item will be back at the next meeting for a vote.
UPDATE OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS
Mr. Ian Kelly, Bennett-Hemenway School Principal, Ms. Bernadine Small, Brown School Principal, Ms. Barbara Brown, Johnson School Principal, Ms. Mary Canner, Lilja School Principal and Ms. Beverly McCloskey, Memorial School Principal provided an update of their School Improvement Plans. They responded to questions from Committee members. Ms. Blanchard requested that more information be provided on the various math assessment tools used in the schools so that the Committee may have a better understanding of where more resources may be needed.
APPROVAL OF NON-REP SALARY SCHEDULE
Ms. Marianne Davis provided the School Committee with the Non-Represented Salary schedule which needs the School Committee’s approval. This schedule provides a 0% increase to all ranges and steps, effective on July 1, 2009, or on the date specified.
Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval to give the non-represented personnel a 0% increase on all ranges and steps, effective July 1, 2009 or on the date specified. Mr. Margil seconded. Committee members thanked the employees for their continued hard work during this difficult economic time. It was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Davis outlined the following additions and deletions to the schedule which also requires School Committee approval.
- Delete Physician since this is now done by a contract.
- Delete Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Coordinator stipend since this has been incorporated into the salary of the Director of Facilities by previous School Committee vote.
Ms. Blanchard moved for approval to delete positions #1 and #2 above from the Non-Rep Salary Schedule. Ms. Zernicke seconded. It was unanimously approved.
- Establish hourly rate for existing position of Fitness Center Supervisor. This position is staffed 2 ½ hours after school each day and in the summer so the Wellness Center can be accessible to students and faculty. Recommended hourly rate is same as a summer lifeguard: $20.8711. Responsibility for overall supervision of room, proper use of equipment including hygiene. Also for fitness programs and team programming. Staffed by PE teachers or a certified personal trainer. Supervisors are all certified Nautilus instructors.
Mr. Margil moved for approval to establish an hourly rate for the existing position of Fitness Center Supervisor as outlined above. Ms. Mistrot seconded. It was unanimously approved.
- Add Data Analyst and pay at the same rate as the Technical Trainer. This position is being transferred from the Town to the School Committee effective July 1, 2009.
- Add Data Base Administrator II and establish an annual salary of $68,758. This position is being transferred from the Town to the School Committee effective July 1, 2009.
Mr. Margil moved for approval to add the positions #4 and #5 above as outlined to the Non-Rep Salary Schedule. Ms. Mistrot seconded. It was unanimously approved.
- Increase meeting rate for Secretary to the School Committee to $150 per meeting. Rate is currently $134 per meeting.
Mr. Murphy moved for approval to increase the meeting rate for the Secretary to the School Committee as outlined above. Ms. Zernicke seconded. It was unanimously approved.
- Increase hourly rate for the ASAP Assistant Director due to growth in the Early Riser program (from 2 programs this year to 5 programs next year) and an increased level of responsibility in book-keeping/accounting for the afternoon ASAP program at Wilson Middle School and the Early Riser program. Current rate is $20.2701/hour and the recommended new rate is $21.2701. The increase in cost is included in the ASAP budget and is not funded through the School Committee budget.
Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval to increase the hourly rate for the ASAP Assistant Director as outlined above. Mr. Margil seconded. It was unanimously approved.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE UPDATE
Ms. Corinne Worthington provided an update of Natick High School activities. She reported that:
Class Night is Thursday, June 4
SAT Testing is Saturday, June 6
Sunday, June 7 is graduation
Thursday, June 18 is the last day of school
CHARTER SCHOOL UPDATE
Dr. Sanchioni would like to postpone the Charter School update to the meeting of June 15, 2009.
HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECT UPDATE
Mr. Hurley reported that he and others will be attending the board meeting of the Massachusetts School Building Authority on Wednesday, June 3, 2009 where they will be discussing the possibility of Natick being invited to participate in the Model School Program for a new Natick High School. Once this is approved, a letter of intent will be sent to the architectural firms in the Model School Program to provide Natick with their proposals. The next High School Building Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Training Room, 3rd floor, Town Hall. Ms. Blanchard requested that Building Committee as part of their site selection consider future expansion. Ms. Blanchard made the following motion: Move that the site selection by the High School Building
Committee include the impact on the school’s or town’s ability to add additional facilities, including but not limited to:
- Additional classroom space should enrollment grow more than 1300
- Room for a preschool program – currently located at Bennett-Hemenway School
- The addition of a town pool and exercise facility
Ms. Adelman Foster seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Ms. Zernicke questioned when the School Committee would be visiting a model school. Dr. Sanchioni indicated that details will be worked out once we are approved for the model school program.
Mr. Coburn also requested that a tour of the current high school be scheduled for those members who are interested.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval of the School Committee minutes of May 18, 2009. Mr. Margil seconded. They were approved by a vote of 6 members. Mr. Murphy abstained as he was absent for this meeting.
Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval of the School Committee Executive Session minutes of May 18, 2009. Ms. Mistrot seconded. They were approved by a vote of 6 members. Mr. Murphy abstained as he was absent for this meeting.
TO APPROVE THE LEASE FOR THE NATICK EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM
Mr. Hurley requested the School Committee’s approval to increase the rent for the Natick Extended Program for the 2009-2010 school year to $5600. NED is a private, non-profit after school program serving Natick children in grades K-4 and has been located in the Ben-Hem school since 1984. This rent has not been increased since 2003. Mr. Margil moved for approval to increase the rental rate for the NED program to $5,600 for the 2009-2010 school year. Ms. Mistrot seconded. It was unanimously approved.
HOMEWORK POLICY
As requested at the last meeting, Dr. Karen LeDuc provided the School Committee with the Homework guidelines which are published in each school handbook and staff manual.
Dr. LeDuc provided the School Committee with handouts of information requested pertaining to the number of students on IEP’s in the various math levels for grades 7 and 8 as well as the Senior English 41 Course Overview.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Chairman Coburn discussed the need to appoint a School Committee liaison to the Revenue Enhancement Taskforce. Ms. Blanchard questioned whether this liaison could be someone that the School Committee may designate other than a member given the many things the School Committee is currently involved in. Ms. Adelman Foster indicated that she would like to represent the School Committee as the liaison and if it becomes a burden, the Committee can discuss a designee at that time. Mr. Murphy moved for approval to appoint Ms. Adelman Foster as the School Committee’s liaison to the Revenue Enhancement Task Force. Ms. Mistrot seconded. It was unanimously approved.
At 11:05 p.m., Ms. Adelman Foster moved to adjourn. Ms. Mistrot seconded. It was unanimously approved.
Peter Sanchioni, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
Attest:_____________________________ Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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