March 14, 2006
Wellesley Public Schools
School Committee Meeting - Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Wellesley High School Library
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 7:35 pm. Ms. Jablonski, Ms. Allen, Ms. Littlefield, Ms. Newman, and Mr. Young were present. Also present were Dr. King and Ms. Wong. Representing the Student Advisory Committee was Ryan Speers.
Ms. Jablonski welcomed newly elected school committee members Marlene Allen and Michael Young to their first meeting.
PERSONNEL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Appointment
Lynn Moore-Benson, Director of Libraries and Educational Technology, effective July 1, 2006.
Retirement
Arlene Bernstein, Elementary Library Media Specialist, effective June 30, 2006
Stephen Rumsey, High School Department Head of Science and Technology, effective June 30, 2006
Gail Vaccaro, Middle School English Teacher, effective June 30, 2006
Resignation
Alice Johnson, High School Library/Media Specialist, effective June 30, 2006
Leave of Absence
Cheryl Condon, Elementary Special Educator, 0.5FTE leave for the 2006-07 school year
Marci Karp, Elementary Speech/Language Pathologist, 1.0FTE leave for the 2006-07 school year
Rhonda Silverman, 0.6FTE Elementary Speech/Language Pathologist, 0.6FTE leave, 2006-07 school year
Appendix A Appointments
Spring 2006 Coaching Appointments
HIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Head Coach Frank Scafati Group IIA, Step 5
Assistant Coaches John Griffith Group IIB, Step 5
Drew Kelton Group IIB, Step 5
Part Time Assistant Coach Patrick Gallagher $40 per diem to maximum $1,000
Softball
Head Coach Jeff LaCure Group IIA, Step 5
Assistant Coach Kristen Maloney Group IIB, Step 5
Part Time Assistant Coach Don Kelley $40 per diem to maximum $1,000
Outdoor Track
Head Coach Jamie Chisum Group IIA, Step 5
Assistant Coaches Lou Pearlman Group IIB, Step 5
George Campbell Group IIB, Step 5
James Ash Group IIB, Step 5
Part Time Assistant Coach Dan Rubin $40 per diem to maximum $1,000
Boys Tennis
Head Coach Mike Sabin Group IIIA, Step 5
Girls Tennis
Head Coach Alan Brazier Group IIIA, Step 5
Sailing
Head Coach Doug Johnson Group IIIA, Step 4
Girls Lacrosse
Head Coach Chris Molonea Group IIA, Step 5
Assistant Coaches Blair Anstey Group IIB, Step 5
Caroline Nesbit Group IIB, Step 5
Part Time Assistant Coach Kristin Cieri $40 per diem to maximum $1,000
Boys Lacrosse
Head Coach Chris Gelinas Group IIA, Step 5
Assistant Coach Mike Reidy Group IIB, Step 5
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Softball David Nichols Group IIC, Step 5
Track Anne White Group IIC, Step 5
Charles Walsh Group IIC, Step 5
CONSENT AGENDA
Upon motion made by Ms. Newman, seconded by Ms. Littlefield, it was unanimously VOTED:
Minutes
To approve minutes of Regular School Committee Meetings dated February 14 and February 28, 2006
Acceptance of Gifts
Convection Toaster Oven (estimated value $100) for use at Upham School, from Cori Mullany
Used book cart (estimated value $300) for use in PAWS library, from Wellesley Free Library
Contribution ($100) for use in Preschool 4, from James and Betty Lo, Wellesley, MA
RECOGNITIONS
High School Performing Arts Ensembles. The Jazz Band, directed by Steven Scott, selected for the second consecutive year by competitive audition to participate in the prestigious Ellington Competition in New York City. Only one other Massachusetts school has been invited to participate in this event more than one time. Rice Street Singers, directed by Kevin McDonald, placed first in a recent New England competition. Drama students have advanced to the semi finals in the state drama competition with an original student written, directed, and produced one act play. High School Athletics. The girls ice hockey team has won the state championship.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
High School Assistant Principal Matthew Keegan has accepted the appointment as principal of Norwell High School. A special presentation by parents for parents addressing kindergarten readiness issues will take place on March 30, at Sprague School. The school building assistance bureau has delivered its report concerning the status of Wellesley school facilities. The district will make a formal response to the assessments contained within the report. The Fitness and Health Department is collaborating with the Council on Aging to make the facilities of the high school fitness center available to residents of the community.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE’S REPORT
Following up on his participation in a one-day orientation program for newly elected members of school committee, Mr. Young inquired about the process in Wellesley for handling the warrant for payroll as it relates to compliance with state regulations. The committee agreed to discuss this matter with town counsel after town meeting. Ms. Littlefield reported that as repairs continue in the middle school gym, bleachers have now been installed, and she acknowledged Dr. King’s work as a volunteer assistant coach with high school track team. Ms. Newman reported that the majority of TEC communities are facing overrides for budget reasons similar to what exists in Wellesley. She will attend the Suburban Coalition-sponsored legislative breakfast at the State House April 10. The Permanent Building Committee has begun to address preliminary matters attendant to the modulars project for Fiske and Schofield. Ms. Jablonski noted that school committee, in collaboration with other town boards is still working to resolve final numbers for the town’s FY07 operating budget. In conjunction with the committee’s intent to request FY07 funding from town meeting for modulars, due to anticipated timing issues and assuming town meeting approval, school committee will ask advisory to borrow funds from the FY06 reserve fund for preliminary engineering services to be coordinated by the Permanent Building Committee so that the project can move forward. A separate contract for manufacture will be negotiated upon approval by town meeting of FY07 funds for the purpose. In light of the override, the committee will consider negotiating a contract that includes a “cancellation with penalty” clause. Student Congress Representative Ryan Speers reported that Seminar Day was a success. Students are learning first hand about the implications of Proposition 2-1/2 in that the course selection process for next year, which is now complete, may be affected adversely if the override fails.
CITIZEN SPEAK
There were no citizens present who wished to speak.
PUBLIC HEARING: SCHOOL CHOICE
In accordance with state law, Ms. Jablonski opened the annual public hearing on School Choice. Dr. King explained what School Choice is and how the process works. There were no citizens present who wished to speak.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
FY07 Budget - Gap List Dr. King presented a list of FY07 budget line items covering services offered at all levels of the system and totaling $2.769 million that will be funded only if town voters approve an override of the 2-1/2 % levy increase permitted under the law. The items contained within the list represent programs and services of the schools that will be lost unless the additional $2.769 million is approved. The list includes increased fees for parking and athletics as well as program and personnel reductions. Dr. King noted that the proposed staffing reductions of this recommendation are complex. The committee tabled action on the recommendation until its next meeting.
Debt Exclusion Proposal Ms. Wong discussed with the committee the details of a debt exclusion schedule proposed by the Board of Selectmen for consideration by town meeting, which will address infrastructure needs for the schools and other town departments through FY2011. By consensus the committee supported the proposal as presented.
High School Project Led by newly assigned project liaison Michael Young, the committee reviewed next steps and a tentative timeline for advancing the development of a high school project in light of the completed report by the facilities advisory committee.
FY06 Budget Quarterly Report The committee discussed factors which have contributed to a 2nd quarter deficit in the current budget year. The district has applied to the state for emergency circuit breaker funding assistance of up to $100,000 in order to partially offset the expense of several unanticipated special education placements.
ACTION ITEMS
Modular Classrooms Engineering Study
Upon motion made by Ms. Jablonski, seconded by Ms. Allen, it was unanimously
VOTED: To request that Advisory transfer $48,000 from the Reserve Fund to the Permanent
Building Committee for engineering fees for modular classroom installation at the
Fiske and Schofield Schools.
The motion CARRIED (5-0)
School Choice
Upon motion made by Ms. Jablonski, seconded by Ms. Littlefield, it was unanimously
VOTED: That the Wellesley Public Schools not participate in the School Choice Program
in the 2006-2007 school year.
The motion CARRIED (5-0)
CITIZEN SPEAK
There were no citizens present who wished to speak.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Upon motion made by Ms. Littlefield, seconded by Ms. Newman, it was unanimously
VOTED: To go into Executive Session for purposes of collective bargaining, with no
intention to return to public session.
The public session was adjourned at 9:33 pm.
Executive Secretary
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