January 3, 2006

Wellesley Public Schools
School Committee Meeting - Tuesday, January 3, 2006
Wellesley High School Library

The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 7:32 pm. Ms. Jablonski, Ms. Littlefield, Mr. Murphy, Ms. Newman, and Ms. Sereiko were present. Also present were Dr. King and Ms. Wong.

PERSONNEL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Resignation
Sonja Aschmann, Classical & Modern Languages Teacher on leave of absence, effective June 30, 2006
Leave of Absence
Michele Karol, Middle School Social Studies Teacher, 1.0FTE leave of absence April 24 - June 30, 2006
Renee Lilley, Elementary Teacher, 1.0FTE leave of absence January 30 - June 30, 2006
Appointments
Karen Paradise-D’Ortenzio, 1.0FTE Special Educator, Master’s Plus 30, Step 10, effective January 3, 2006
Amanda Houston, 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher, Master’s, Step 2, effective January 3, 2006
Patti Kakas, 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher, Bachelor’s, Step 2, effective January 3, 2006
Appendix A Corrections/Changes
High School Winter Coaching Appointments
Gymnastics (Coach Shelly Clark, Group IIA, Step 5) -- team/activity canceled
Indoor Track - Change in Status Lou Pearlman appointed Assistant Coach, Group IIB, Step 5

CONSENT AGENDA
Upon motion made by Ms. Sereiko, seconded by Ms. Littlefield, it was unanimously VOTED:
Minutes
To approve minutes of Regular School Committee Meeting dated December 13, 2005
Acceptance of Gifts
Contribution ($3,600) replacement mounted projection systems stolen from Wellesley High School, from Wellesley Education Foundation
Contribution ($100) for unrestricted use, from Lueders Environmental, Inc., Needham

PUBLIC HEARING - FY07 Budget
Jeanie Goddard Retired English Teacher: Mrs. Goddard supports the restoration of writing labs at the high school and of the course, Humanities. The writing labs “revolutionized writing instruction.” Humanities was a curriculum innovation at Wellesley High School.

Alissa Keene, Precinct A: In behalf of the Committee for the 21st Century and speaking for many parents present at the meeting, Ms. Keene expressed support for the operating budget proposed by the superintendent, including the “supplementary” items, which are necessary to maintain current educational standards in Wellesley. The cuts of the past year are eroding children’s education. Requesting that the school committee not make any cuts to the recommended budget, she said that decisions of a critical nature like this should be made by the voters of the Town.

Tom Stagliano, Precinct D: Everyone in Town supports quality education, but people receive mixed signals. The problems faced last year involving elementary Spanish teachers could be resolved by hiring bilingual teachers. People resisted expenditures last year to improve the middle school and high school libraries, given the recent construction of a new Wellesley Free Library. Where is the endowment from alumni, he inquired, if the education they have received is so good? Principals could cover classrooms in multiple schools as is the case in a neighboring town, Newton. The Town needs to deal with special education issues through “compromise,” “arbitration,” and “litigation.” The Town needs to know that the School Committee is thinking about fiscal responsibility.

Ms. Sereiko referenced the significant numbers of citizens who have urged School Committee to support the superintendent’s budget as it was recommended. She noted that the School Committee’s role is to work with the superintendent and administration to develop a budget that supports the education program and academic goals established for the community, and which meets the budget guidelines established by the School Committee each year in the fall. The School Committee must develop a budget that has the best opportunity possible to gather townwide support, which is the next step in the process.

DISCUSSION ITEM
FY07 Budget - Elementary Ms. Newman reported in behalf of the elementary budget sub committee. Enrollment will increase again next year. It is expected that an increase in the number of sections, from 110 to 114, will provide for all classes to be within guideline. This will require an additional 4.7FTE in staffing. The expense budget is increased, due largely to higher utilities costs. A reduction of eight teaching assistant positions is due to the progression of students into the middle school and anticipated conformity with class size guidelines. The committee discussed the continuing pressing need for classroom space to accommodate the growing enrollment; the redistribution of classroom instructional time, given the loss of the elementary Spanish program; the impacts on school community and scheduling flexibility when specialists have split assignments; depletion of supplies (paper towels, incidentals) in school buildings that provide space for activities of outside organizations; unique functions of a school library in contrast with a community library; support of core school services from external organizations; proposed new staffing for telephone/computer technician.

Ms. Jablonski suggested that the School Committee briefly discuss external funding resources at its next meeting.

FY07 Budget - K-12 Ms. Jablonski reported in behalf of the sub committee. Issues that drive the K-12 budget are special education; central administration; buildings & grounds; curriculum; professional and instructional development. Except for central administration, the other categories have not changed from year to year. The sub committee discussed in depth the special education/tuition and transportation increases. The percentage of students receiving special services remains stable. Most students receive services within the district; sixty-six students are out of district. The greatest need for out of district placement is at the high school, where more students are in the high-moderate to severe spectrum. Students who opt to attend vocational schools are not considered special education students. Through its membership in TEC (The Education Cooperative), a thirteen-town collaborative, Wellesley realizes efficiencies in purchasing, accesses professional development opportunities, expanded after hours enrichment offerings to students, and collaborative special education programs for students in schools close to their homes. Curriculum and professional development expenses across the system this year have been focused on the math curriculum in elementary schools. No changes are proposed to the buildings and grounds budget for custodians except through the restoration budget. Funds for library purchasing are included only in the restoration budget. No changes are proposed to central administration staffing.

CITIZEN SPEAK
Elaine Gillim, Precinct F: After first requesting a show of hands from those present to indicate support for the budget as recommended by the superintendent, (31 hands were raised), Ms. Gillim wondered aloud about the school committee’s level of support for the budget. With reference to special education, she suggested that at some point as the sped budget goes up, the regular education budget goes down, which does not seem right, but she posited that taking funds from one “pot” in order to fill the other will be necessary to develop an affordable budget. With reference to the brief discussion of support from external sources, Ms. Gillim stated her belief that parents should be able to restore line items that have been reduced and/or eliminated and support schools in a monetary fashion.

Julia Miwa, Precinct C: Ms. Miwa asked the School Committee to support the budget that has been presented. It is nonsense to beg for level services to accommodate increasing numbers of children. We are put on the defensive by Proposition 2-1/2, which is an arbitrary number. The School Committee needs to deliver a message to the Town that we have to pay for what is valuable to us and that the budget calls for the funds that are needed to educate the children of this community. It would be a lie to say it could be done for less money. Though she does not object to providing supplies (tissues, etc.), that kind of support was not required of her family when she was a child, and she did not pay fees. Parents are already paying a large share of the cost, and people are getting an incredible bargain in the schools, especially those without children in the system.

Inna Moore, Precinct F: Although it may be that peak enrollment will be reached in a couple of years, according to enrollment projections, if you do not staff to the peak now, opportunities are lost. This group of children needs to be supported on a per capita basis.,

ADJOURNMENT
The public session was adjourned at 9:17 pm.

Executive Secretary