Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES
June 15, 2009
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, 3rd Floor, Town Hall. Chairman Coburn called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
Members Present: Karen Adelman Foster, Anne Blanchard, Dirk Coburn, David Margil, Amy Mistrot, David Murphy, Anne Zernicke
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
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairman Coburn asked if anyone wished to come forward for Public Speak. No one came forward.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Adelman Foster requested that the minutes of June 1, 2009 be amended as follows:
In the section titled: APPROVAL OF NON-REP SALARY SCHEDULE
Add the words and cooperation to the following sentence:
Committee members thanked the employees for their continued hard work and cooperation during this difficult economic time.
Ms. Mistrot moved for approval that the minutes of June 1, 2009 be approved with the amendment outlined above. Mr. Margil seconded. They were unanimously approved.
Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval of the Executive Session minutes of June 1, 2009. Ms. Zernicke seconded. They were unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF CHAPERONE INFORMATION FORM
Dr. Sanchioni requested the School Committee’s approval of the Chaperone Information Form which was presented to the School Committee at its meeting of June 8, 2009. Dr. Sanchioni indicated that when a trip is planned, a standard procedure meeting will be held where guidelines and responsibilities of the chaperones will be covered. In addition, chaperones will be made aware of school rules and disciplinary consequences outlined in student handbooks. Ms. Adelman Foster moved for approval to endorse the principles of the Chaperone Information Form and requested that the Administration review other relevant policies so they are consistent with this form. Mr. Margil seconded. It was unanimously approved.
ACCEPTANCE OF “TASTE FOR TECHNOLOGY” DONATIONS
Ms. Mistrot recused herself from this agenda item as she was instrumental in putting forth the “Taste for Technology” program. Mr. Dennis Roche announced the amount of money raised this year from the “Taste for Technology” was $35,500. He acknowledged Cognex & Mathworks for their generous donations as well as the entire community. He provided an outline of how the funds raised will be spent. Mr. Roche acknowledged Ms. Amy Mistrot and Ms. Chris McLarnon who were instrumental in getting this program off the ground and thanked the Natick Education Foundation who provided fiscal management and were also full partners. Ms. McLarnon presented Mr. Roche with a check in the amount of $35,525 to be used for technology purchases. Members of the School Committee thanked
the local businesses and the community for their generosity in participating in this event. Ms. Blanchard moved for approval to accept this donation. Ms. Zernicke seconded. It was approved by an affirmative vote of 6. Ms. Mistrot abstained.
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATION FROM NATICK EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Ms. Rosemary Driscoll, newly appointed President of the Natick Education Foundation along with past Co-Presidents, Tina Furdon and Sherry Sandoval were present to discuss the award grants that the Natick Education Foundation gives out each year. They presented a check in the amount of $29,126.00 to the School Committee which will fund this year’s focus grant – Life Skills in the 21st Century as well as several rolling grants. Members of the School Committee thanked the foundation for their generosity. Ms. Mistrot moved for approval to accept this donation. Ms. Blanchard seconded. It was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF DONATIONS
Mr. William Hurley requested that the School Committee accept the following donations and any future donations to the Wilson Middle School Community Garden Project:
Source/Donation Amount/Value Purpose/Donation
Ms. Maria Waller $100.00 Student Activity
Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Ward $100.00 Pots and Gardening Tools
Mr. & Mrs. Linwood Bradford $150.00 Gift Card and Wheelbarrow
Mr. Doug Cook, Cook Company, Inc. $175.00 Mulch and Loam
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Carney $100.00 Student Activity
He requested that the School Committee accept the following donation and any future donations to the Kennedy Organic Garden:
Source/Donation Amount/Value Purpose/Donation
Anonymous $300.00 Principal Discretionary
Mr. Margil moved for approval of the above donations. Ms. Mistrot seconded. They were unanimously approved.
MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH PLACEMENT
Chairman Coburn provided an outline on how the discussion would take place regarding the middle school math program. The Middle School principals will provide a presentation, followed by committee discussion, then public discussion.
Ms. Rosemary Vickery and Ms. Anna Nolin along with other staff members provided an overview of grade 7 and grade 8 math courses and rationale for changing the levels as follows:
Grade 7
Past |
Present |
Algebra Honors |
Algebra Honors |
Connected Math 7.0 |
Connected Math Accelerated |
Math 7.1 |
Connected Math |
Math 7.2 |
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Grade 8
Past |
Present |
Geometry Honors |
Geometry Honors |
Algebra 8.0 |
Algebra Honors |
Algebra 8.1 |
Integrated Algebra and Geometry |
Connected Math/Intro to Alg and Geo 8.2 |
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Chairman Coburn discussed concerns raised from parents in the community about a vote the School Committee had taken in 2003 to put in place 3 levels of math for grades 7 & 8.
Several people expressed their disagreement with the way this change was made since it was a policy established by the School Committee back in 2003 and any changes should be discussed in public with public input and approved by the current School Committee. A lengthy discussion continued and members of the School Committee and public asked questions. Ms. Zernicke questioned whether the change the administration is recommending could be viewed as a pilot program. After considerable debate, Mr. Margil moved approval that we temporarily suspend the policy enacted in 2003 and allow this plan to go forward as presented with the understanding it’s for one year only and will be reviewed at the end of 2009-2010 school year and adjusted as necessary. Mr. Murphy seconded.
Ms. Zernicke offered a friendly amendment to add the language “parental requests will be honored.” Mr. Margil accepted the friendly amendment.
Chairman Coburn called for a vote on the motion as follows:
Move approval that we temporarily suspend the policy enacted in 2003 and allow this plan to go forward as presented with the understanding it’s for one year only and will be reviewed at the end of the 2009-2010 school year and adjusted as necessary and parental requests will be honored. Mr. Murphy seconded. It was approved by an affirmative vote of 5 members. Ms. Adelman Foster and Ms. Blanchard opposed. Ms. Adelman Foster, given the profound change, believes this should be held off for a year for further study. Ms. Blanchard also expressed the need for more time to process the recommended change.
HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECT UPDATE
Mr. Hurley reported that Natick has been invited to participate in the model school program for the Natick High School project. Letters from the Massachusetts School Building Authority will be sent to the various architects shortly. The High School Building Committee will be meeting tomorrow evening, June 16.
At 11:20 p.m., Ms. Mistrot 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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