August 30, 2005

Wellesley Public Schools
School Committee Meeting - Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Wellesley High School Library

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

PERSONNEL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Retirements
Ellen B. Fisher, Elementary Teacher, effective September 20, 2005
Charles (Mickey) Walsh, Fitness and Health Teacher, effective September 28, 2005
Eugene E. Vaccaro, Jr., Middle School Social Studies Teacher, effective Octoer 16, 2005

Resignations
Brett Berkman, 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher, effective June 30, 2005
Carrie Larson, 0.3FTE Occupational Therapist, effective June 30, 2005
Meghan Nolan, 1.0FTE Grade Six Teacher on leave of absence, effective June 30, 2005
Lesley Reilly, 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher on leave of absence, effective June 30, 2005

Leave of Absence
Jayne Byrne, Elementary Teacher, 1.0FTE leave for the period October 6 - December 23, 2005
Pam Chevalier, Elementary Teacher, 1.0FTE leave for the 2005-2006 school year
Regina Driver, High School English Teacher, 1.0FTE leave for the 2005-2006 school year
Mary Gaynor, 0.7FTE Speech Language Pathologist, 0.1FTE leave of absence for the 2005-06 school year
Melissa Gladtke-Coultas, Elementary Teacher, 1.0FTE leave of absence for the 2005-06 school year
Margaret Lynch, Literacy Specialist, 1.0FTE leave for the period September 26, 2005 - January 23, 2006
Dorothy Lucci, 0.5FTE School Psychologist, 0.5FTE leave for the 2005-06 school year
Sarah Lorden Maxwell, Special Educator, 1.0FTE leave, September 12, 2005 - January 3, 2006
Elizabeth Quinty, 0.5FTE Preschool Physical Therapist, 0.5FTE leave, August 31 - November 22, 2005
Amy Squillante, Art Specialist, 1.0FTE leave for the 2005-2006 school year
Eugene E. Vaccaro, Jr., Social Studies Teacher, 1.0FTE leave for the period August 31 - October 16, 2005

Appointments (effective August 25, 2005)
Kristen Bedford, 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher, Master’s, Step 2
Joyce Boyd, 0.5FTE High School Librarian, Master’s Plus 30, Step 13
Stephen Bresnahan, 1.0FTE English Teacher, Master’s Plus 30, Step 9
Christina G. Cooney, 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher, Master’s, Step 5
Clair Cornish, 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher, Master’s, Step 4
Chelsea Cyr, 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher, Master’s, Step 3
Susan H. Davis, 0.5FTE Speech/Language Pathologist, Master’s, Step 13
Andra Denny, 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher, Master’s, Step 6
Kate Blaser Dienel, 0.7FTE Occupational Therapist, Master’s Plus 30, Step 13
Taryn Drake, 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher, Bachelor’s, Step 2
Janet Eckler, 1.0FTE Special Educator, Master’s, Step 7
Molly Gilmartin, 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher, Master’s, Step 12
Araceli Gongora, 0.75FTE Physics Teacher, Doctorate, Step 13
Laurie Haig, 0.6FTE Mathematics Teacher, Bachelor’s, Step 5
Jess Hatch, 0.3FTE Business Teacher, Master’s, Step 7
Julie Hathaway, 1.0FTE Technology Curriculum Specialist and TV/Video Teacher, Master’s, Step 4
Kristen Ledenko, 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher, Master’s, Step 7
Astrid Mazariegos, 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher, Master’s, Step 9
Kate Menser, 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher, Master’s, Step 5
Miranda Miller, 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher, Master’s, Step 2
Ann Natalizia, 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher, Master’s, Step 9
Kristi Nichols, 1.0FTE Guidance Counselor, Master’s, Step 3
Katharine Odell, 1.0FTE Literacy Specialist, Master’s Plus 60, Step 13
Maria Olohan, 0.8FTE Choral Music Teacher, Bachelor’s, Step 4
Kelly Peterson, 1.0FTE Special Educator, Bachelor’s, Step 1
Laurie A. Plant, 1.0FTE Special Educator, Master’s, Step 4
Kimberly Prokop, 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher, Master’s, Step 5
Maria Ricciuti, 1.0FTE Mathematics Teacher, Master’s, Step 13
Andrea Robbat, 1.0FTE Social Studies Teacher, Master’s, Step 2
Colleen Roh, 1.0FTE English Teacher, Master’s Plus 30, Step 2
Lindsey Ruscak, 1.0FTE Grade Six Teacher, Master’s, Step 2
Magen Slesinger, 1.0FTE Music Specialist, Master’s, Step 9
Andrea Stavrakas, 1.0FTE Special Educator, Master’s, Step 13
Marcia Sullivan, 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher, Master’s, Step 2
Rebecca Vogt , 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher, Master’s, Step 9
Michael Wilmot, 1.0FTE Social Studies Teacher, Bachelor’s, Step 5
Louise Wolfe, 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher, Master’s, Step 3

Increase in Teaching Time (effective 2005-2006 school year)
Julie Crowley, Preschool Occupational Therapist, from 0.2FTE to 0.3FTE
Kathleen Derian, Middle School Science Teacher, from 0.5 to 1.0FTE
Laura English, ELL Teacher, from 0.6 to 1.0FTE
Matthew LaCava, School Psychologist, from 0.6 to 0.8FTE
Kristen Mawhinney, Preschool Occupational Therapist, from 0.7FTE to 1.0FTE
Elana Wolkoff, School Psychologist, from 0.7 to 0.8FTE

Appendix A Appointments
Grade Level Leaders
• Dianne McCarthy - Kindergarten
• Dara Gaul - Grade One
• Nina Schwartz - Grade Two
• Neysa Deegler - Grade Three
• Heather Haskell - Grade Five
Social Studies Resource Teachers
• Dina Maggipinto - Mexico (Kindergarten)
• Rita Cutroni - Ghana (Grade One)
• Amy Clouter - New England Long Ago (Grade Two)
• Lisa Mortarelli - Japan (Grade Two)
• Jayne Byrne - Boston (Grade Three)
• Sue Farkas - Russia (Grade Three)
• Deb Toal - People and Geography of the US (Grade Four)
• Erica Ilyin - China (Grade Five)
• Bevin Hale - Egypt (Grade Five)
Departmental Assistant
• Karen Goulet, Literacy

High School Coaching Appointments/Re-Appointments, Fall Season
Faculty Manager Don LaBorne Group IVA, Step 5
Football Physician Paul P. Weitzel, MD
Football
Head Coach Bill Tracey Group IA, Step 5 Assistant Coaches John Griffith Group IC, Step 5
Matt Wassell Group IC, Step 5 James Ash Group IC, Step 5 Dan Rubin Group IC, Step 5
Larry Corda Group IC, Step 5
Sailing Coach Doug Johnson Per Diem $40 to Maximum $1,000
Cross Country
Head Coach Ralph Bowman Group IIIA, Step 5 Assistant Coach Lou Pearlman Group IIIB, Step 5
Golf Coach Jon Hamilton Group IVA, Step 5
Girls Swimming Head Coach Beth Belanger Group IIA, Step 5 Assistant Coach Kelly Tonole Group IIB, Step 5 (1/2)
Boys Soccer
Head Coach Mike Sabin Group IIA, Step 5 Assistant Coach Brian Meringer Group IIB, Step 5
Part Time Assistant Coaches Kyle Philson Per Diem $40 to Maximum $500 Tiv Hok Per Diem $40 to Maximum $500
Girls Soccer
Head Coach Nancy Foot Group IIA, Step 5 Assistant Coaches Kristen Maloney Group IIB, Step 5 Andy Crowe Group IIB, Step 4
Field Hockey Head Coach Chris Molonea Group IIA, Step 5 Assistant Coaches Marianna Chiodo Group IIB, Step 5 Mindy Kessler Group IIB, Step 5
Girls Volleyball Head Coach Wayne Lem Group IIIA, Step 5 Assistant Coach Chris Gelinas Group IIIB, Step 5 Part Time Assistant Coach Joe Camozzi Per Diem $40 to Maximum $1,000

Middle School Fall Coaching Appointments/Re-Appointments
Cross Country Anne White Group IIIC, Step 5
Boys Soccer Jonathan Rabinowitz Group IIC, Step 5
Girls Soccer Robyn Holzman Group IIC, Step 5 Jennifer Lawlor Group IIC, Step 4
Field Hockey Megan Patterson Group IIC, Step 5
Football Drew Kelton Group ID, Step 5 George Campbell Group ID, Step 5

CONSENT AGENDA

Upon motion made by Ms. Sereiko, seconded by Ms. Littlefield, it was unanimously VOTED:
Memorandum of Agreement
Contract between the School Committee and Wellesley Custodians covering the period July 1, 2005 - June 30, 2007
Minutes
Minutes of Regular School Committee Meetings dated May 24, June 7, and June 21, 2005
Acceptance of Gifts
Contribution ($230) for Senior Cup Awards (two) for graduating seniors, from WHS PTSO
Contribution ($93.75) for Stress Meeting Lunch/Coffee March 2, 2005, from WHS PTSO
Contribution ($500) unrestricted gift for the new Preschool, from Ann Melvin /Daniel Sullivan
Salary Lane Change (effective 2005-2006 school year)
Master’s - • Blair Anstey • Stephen Plasko
Master’s Plus 30 - • Rachel McGregor • Janet Yukna
Master’s Plus 60 - • Lynne Buchhalter

RECOGNITIONS

• Bob Hurley, Head Custodian at Wellesley High School, and his staff, for accomplishing significant repairs and refurbishment of the high school facility during the summer in addition to readying the building for the upcoming school year. • John Moran, Head Custodian at Wellesley Middle School, for outstanding effort throughout the summer in the midst of renovations to ready the school for the upcoming year. • Ruth Quinn Berdell, Business Manager, and • Paul Browne, Assistant Business Manager, for tireless intervention and assistance throughout the summer to remediate middle school construction project-related moves, technology issues, and logistics. • Beth McGinty, Preschool Teacher, recipient of the 2005 Out-of-the-Box award. • Cheryl Allison, • Sherry Birkholz, and • Lynne Novogroski, upon the completion of 35 years (June 2005) teaching in the Wellesley Public Schools. Retirees • David Collins, • Jon Hamilton, • Barbara Mastro, and • Maureen Murphy, also achieved completion of 35 years teaching in the Wellesley Public Schools in June 2005. • Matt Smith (WHS ‘06) • Will Beaman (WHS ‘07) • Devon Colella (WHS ‘07) and Vancil Cooper (WHS ‘07), students of Steve Scott and members of a jazz combo who performed for all faculty on Opening Day.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

Following upon the summer-long renovations, the middle school received clearance to open on schedule August 31. The district employed 46 new teachers for the 2005-06 school year. On the first day of orientation for new teachers, the Kiwanis Club hosted a luncheon for them at Hunnewell School. This was a change of venue, since their usual venue, the Wellesley Inn, is closed. Referencing his Opening Day remarks, Dr. King observed that he expects the upcoming school year will be singularly and uniquely challening. In the wake of several years of budget reductions, Dr. King committed to addressing some of the losses through the development of the FY07 budget. The system is dealing with significant building issues, including ongoing renovations at the middle school, development of the new preschool site on Hastings Street, the feasibility study of elementary school buildings and needs (excluding Sprague and Bates), and the project development at Wellesley High School. Dr. King commended the Preschool staff, which moved in early July to a temporary site until the permanent location is finished. He thanked the DPW and the PBC for collaborating and assisting in this transition for the Preschool. The issue of “boundaries” includes the possible need to re-establish elementary district lines, and addresses issues involving the communications relationship between parents, administrators, and schools.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT

Ms. Jablonski met throughout the summer with various community representatives and town leaders, in the continuing effort to strengthen communications among town entities. Strategic planning town wide is continuing under the leadership of Selectmen Chair Harriet Warshaw, to assure that the FY07 budget development process is as thoughtful and appropriate as possible. She commended the Preschool faculty and support staff for working hard under less than ideal circumstances to make accommodations for students and learning. She also commended the school administration for creating a culture in the Wellesley Public Schools, evidenced by palpable excitement and anticipation of a new school year among faculty on Opening Day. Referencing a guest column written by Richard Plouffe and published recently in “The Townsman” about the high school community wide reading of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, Ms. Jablonski took issue with one suggestion within the column that there is retribution against students whose parents speak out against any given matter. She encouraged the community to understand that if there should ever be a perception of retribution, the school committee wants to know about it. Noting that their work throughout the summer included a round-the-clock fire watch, Ms. Littlefield thanked Middle School head custodian John Moran and his entire crew for readying the school in time for the return of students on August 31. She also acknowledged the work of the Permanent Building Committee on the middle school project. Ms. Newman reported that the feasibility study to address enrollment and program needs at the town’s elementary schools has been under development throughout the summer. A final report is expected in late September/early October. Ms. Sereiko thanked Dr. King for inviting the high school jazz musicians to perform for their teachers. Parents have shared favorable comments about the readiness of the middle school for the return of students in the face of the vast, complex renovations underway there, progressing on a very tight schedule.

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

DISCUSSION ITEMS
High School Project Update Ms.Wong acknowledged the work completed during the summer by custodians to paint, replace windows, and reconfigure space. The architect’s feasibility study of high school project options has been submitted in draft to the Permanent Building Committee. Following a period for comment, the report will be presented to School Committee on September 27. Next steps will include developing a timeline for moving a high school project forward.
Middle School Project Update All schools, including the middle school, are ready for opening as scheduled on August 31. Ms. Wong described the complexity of the work that was accomplished at the middle school throughout the summer. Unanticipated developments affecting the fire alarm system and one of the gyms further complicated the coordination of the scheduled work of the first phase to address issues in the kitchen, the central courtyard, the performing arts area, the production center, and the boilers. Asbestos abatement is ahead of schedule. She commended the custodial staff, the Permanent Building Committee, and the project manager.

ACTION ITEM
System Goals, 2005-2006
The committee discussed a draft of goals for the 2005-06 school year, which was developed at the planning retreat in July. Referencing a discussion among School Committee earlier in the year and at the planning retreat, Ms. Littlefield proposed as another new initiative to the draft a distinct goal addressing issues of kindergarten readiness. In further discussion the committee debated whether the establishment of an enrollment cut off date as policy served the purpose of Ms. Littlefield’s proposal sufficiently and considered other possible ways to address the matter, including a presentation by school administrators before agreeing on the wording of a new stand alone goal, “Provide public information about entrance into Kindergarten.” In conjunction with the ongoing work at a number of levels to address buildings concerns, the committee noted that a new future action item will be the consideration of capital budget development guidelines and discussed arranging tours of the elementary schools for interested parties. The wording of the goal describing the high school project was amended to incorporate “program and facility” requirements in addition to accommodation of enrollment increases.

VOTE: System Goals:

A motion was made by Ms. Sereiko, seconded by Mr. Murphy:

To approve the System Goals for 2005-2006 school year, as amended.

The motion CARRIED (5- 0)

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

ANNOUNCEMENT -- Meeting with Advisory
Advisory Committee has invited the School Committee to meet jointly with them and the Permanent Building Committee regarding building projects on Wednesday, September 28, at 7:30 pm.

ADJOURNMENT
The public session was adjourned at 9:05 pm

 
Executive Secretary