June 20, 2006

Wellesley Public Schools
School Committee Meeting - Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Wellesley High School Library

The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 7:30 pm. Ms. Jablonski, Ms. Allen, Ms. Littlefield, Ms. Newman, and Mr. Young were present. Also present were Dr. King and Ms.Wong.

PERSONNEL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Appointments effective 2006-07 school year
Professional Teacher Status Appointments
Third Year Reappointments
Second Year Reappointments
Appointments (effective August 24, 2006, unless otherwise noted)
Jamie Chisum, High School Assistant Principal for Administration, Unit B II-209, Step 2, effective July 1, 2006
Amanda Christy, 1.0FTE English Teacher, Step M-9
Devon Ellis, 1.0FTE German and French Teacher, Step M-1
Emily J. Gordon, 0.6FTE High School Social Studies Teacher, Step M-1
Molly Jacobson, 1.0FTE Social Studies Teacher, Step M-4
Patti Kakas, 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher, Step B-3
Rachel Keegan, 0.5FTE High School Library Media Specialist, Step M+30-5
Diane Pape Lane, K-12 Director of Libraries, Unit B I-204, Step 1, effective July 1, 2006
Deborah Cundey Owen, 1.0FTE High School Librarian, Step M+30-3
Meredith Salloway, 1.0FTE Speech/Language Pathologist, Step M+30-5
Rachel Sciaba, 0.5FTE English Teacher, Step M-2
Meghan Sjostedt, 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher, Step M-3
Lauren Schneider, 1.0FTE Fitness and Health Teacher, Step B-1
Elizabeth Steele, 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher, Step M-2
Increase in Teaching Time
Laurie Haig, High School Mathematics Teacher, increase from 0.6FTE to 1.0FTE, effective August 28, 2006
Mara Robinson, Physical Therapist, increase from 0.3FTE to 0.4FTE, effective August 28, 2006
Julie Verret, Elementary Music Specialist, increase from 0.2FTE to 1.0FTE, effective August 28, 2006
Reduction in Teaching Time
Kara Gelormini, 0.5FTE reduction from 1.0FTE to 0.5FTE English/Reading Teacher, effective August 28, 2006
Resignations
Amy Clouter, Elementary Teacher, effective June 30, 2006
Matthew LaCava, School Psychologist, effective June 30, 2006
Leave of Absence
Kristen Birnbaum, Elementary Teacher, 1.0FTE leave of absence for the 2006-07 school year
Lisa Cannon, Elementary Teacher, 1.0FTE leave of absence for the 2006-07 school year
Melissa Gladtke-Coultas, Elementary Teacher, 1.0FTE leave of absence for the 2006-07 school year
Christy Kerr, High School English Teacher, 0.4FTE leave of absence for the 2006-07 school year
Christy Kerr, High School English Teacher, 0.6FTE leave of absence October 30, 2006 - January 5, 2007
Renee Lilley, Elementary Teacher, 0.5FTE leave of absence for the 2006-07 school year
Karen Lindquist, Elementary Teacher, 0.5FTE leave of absence for the 2006-07 school year
Lisa Mortarelli, Elementary Teacher, 0.5FTE leave of absence for the 2006-07 school year
Molly Zuckerberg, Elementary Teacher, 1.0FTE leave of absence for the 2006-07 school year

CONSENT AGENDA
A Consent Agenda MOTION was made by Ms. Littlefield, seconded by Ms. Newman:
Minutes: To approve
Minutes of Regular School Committee Meeting dated June 6, 2006
Acceptance of Gifts: To accept
Projection Systems (2) for installation at Hunnewell School, from Hunnewell PTO
Contribution ($19,000) for PAWS playground, from PAWS (Preschool at Wellesley Schools) PTO
Contribution ($31,000) for PAWS playground, from Anonymous
Contribution ($250) for All Night Party expenses, from Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office
Contribution ($1,000) for monthly Treo fee for high school administrators, April - July 2006, from WHS PTSO
Contribution ($471.05) in payment of invoices for use of Treo by high school administrators, from WHS PTSO
Contribution ($1079.97) to purchase Treo mobile telephones for use by high school administrators, from WHS PTSO
Contribution ($1300) for Archives Project at Wellesley High School, from WHS PTSO
Salary Schedules: To approve
Salary schedules for FY07 as recommended
Salary Lane Change: To announce
Andra Jacobs - Master’s Plus 30, effective 2006-07 school year
Michele Karol - Master’s Plus 30, effective 2006-07 school year

Regarding proposed salary schedules for FY07, Dr. King reported that the schedule, which covers individuals who handle day-to-day operations of the schools (non teachers), recommends a wage increase of 3.25%, which is consistent with the wage increase in the WTA negotiated contract for FY07. The schedule also covers principals and administrators, for whom varying increases are recommended. In response to Ms. Allen’s request to remove the salary schedule from the consent agenda for purposes of decision-making the chairman affirmed the committee's longstanding practice of approving salary schedules within the consent agenda. The committee then agreed by consensus to establish a goal in the upcoming year to conduct a salary survey regarding Wellesley and comparable communities. Highlights of the ensuing discussion included:
• Proposed increases ranging from 4% to 4.5% for principals and administrators acknowledges these individuals’ considerable experience and longevity of excellent service in their positions in the face of work arena stresses which include space constrictions and increased enrollment.
• Most of the day-to-day employees whose salaries are covered through the schedule under consideration are covered through collective bargaining.
• The committee’s decisions have the potential to cause either a direct or an indirect ripple effect throughout the town and should be based upon consideration of statistics, data, and robust discussion of their possible ramifications.
• The committee should consider average wage increases over the recent past several years and present a real rationale for increases and/or decreases, mindful of the guidelines that apply throughout the town. In an override year, the committee should be mindful about possible loss of voter support due to its decision making.

The Consent Agenda CARRIED (4 - 1)
Ms. Allen voted No.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
The high school lacrosse team won the State Championship.Fortunately for all, hot weather was not an issue in the concluding days of this school year. There is much hiring underway for the upcoming school year, even as the system is bidding farewell to a significant number of retiring faculty.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE’S REPORT
The playing fields task force met on June 9 regarding the Schofield modulars, since there may be some impact on one of the ball fields. The task force is also considering installing artificial turf at Sprague. There was a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new preschool facility on June 6. School committee thanked KC Kato for her service as moderator, Central Council of PTO’s. The MSBA sponsored a hearing regarding new state building regulations. School committee thanked State Representative Alice Peisch for her help; also Bella Wong, who developed a response to the proposed regulations in behalf of the Town of Wellesley. School committee was represented at the annual meeting of the MASC earlier this week, where there was discussion of the impact of MCAS on school systems. Brielle Chabot (WHS ‘06), won the New England track and field championship race in the 2-mile event. The district will develop a statement of interest to inform the school building assistance bureau of the town’s expectation that the high school project will qualify for reimbursement. The statement will require formal approval from the school committee and signatures from the board of selectmen. At a kick-off meeting June 14 the community was invited to express its hopes and concerns about the project. An independent program vision committee will be appointed, with assistance from the town moderator and board of selectmen chair. Its purpose will be to observe, coach, and question the process. A workshop involving high school faculty, parents and students took place today (the first of four days planned during the summer) regarding program visioning for the high school project. Consultant Frank Locker, of DeJong Inc. , was introduced to the committee and spoke about his role in furthering the planning process for the high school project.

CITIZEN SPEAK
There were no citizens present who wished to speak.

ACTION ITEM
Budget Transfers Ms. Jablonski noted that, unlike other town departments, the school department has authority to move funds among its various areas. The action recommended this evening will balance accounts with the school budget as FY06 comes to a close. Ms. Jablonski further reported that school committee followed up on its promise made to Annual Town Meeting in March to request additional circuit breaker funds for special education expenses. The state has designated additional circuit breaker funding to Wellesley in the amount of $272,000, which funds have been returned to the town.

Upon motion made by Ms. Littlefield, seconded by Ms. Allen, it was unanimously

VOTED: To transfer funds as follows:

TRANSFER FUNDS FROM AMOUNT
Instructional Personal Service $70,000
Instructional Expenses $50,000
Administration Personal Service $12,000
Administration Expenses $18,000

TRANSFER FUNDS TO
Operations Personal Service $135,000
Operatons Expense $15,000

The motion CARRIED (5 - 0)

Administrative Evaluation Ms. Jablonski read into the record comments from a formal evaluation of Dr. King’s performance as superintendent of schools in 2005-06. Based upon the review and evaluation of his performance, she proposed a recommended FY07 salary of $185,360, which is an increase of 6%. Additionally, she proposed an annuity payment in Dr. King’s behalf in the amount of $16,942, for a total percentage increase (salary and annuity) of 10%.

A MOTION was made by Ms. Littlefield, seconded by Ms. Newman:
To increase the superintendent’s salary in Fiscal Year 2007 by 6%, to an annual rate of $185,360, and to approve payment of an annuity for Dr. King in FY07 in the amount of $16,942.

The committee’s discussion included a review of prior year increases, which have been in the range of 3.5%, but included one recent year when Dr. King volunteered to accept a 0% increaase.

The motion CARRIED (4 - 1)
Ms. Allen voted No.

School Committee Reorganization
The committee tabled consideration of this matter until its next meeting.

CITIZEN SPEAK
There were no citizens present who wished to speak.

ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Jablonski thanked all who have helped her throughout her tenure as chairman of the committee, most especially her husband, Ted, and her children, Tim, Kari, and Matthew.

The public session was adjourned at 8:39 pm

ACTION ITEM
High School Program Advisory Committee
The chairman reconvened the meeting at 8:42 pm

A motion was made by Mr. Young, seconded by Ms. Allen:

To ask the Town Moderator to appoint a program advisory committee numbering 5 - 7 persons to assist and advise the committee until Annual Town Meeting regarding presentation of the programming results of the high school project.

School committee discussed the proposal, the committee’s charge, and possible candidates with Town Moderator Heather Sawitsky.

The motion CARRIED (5 - 0)

The public session was adjourned at 9:05 pm

Executive Secretary