November 29, 2005

Wellesley Public Schools
School Committee Meeting - Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Wellesley High School Library

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

PERSONNEL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Appointment
David B. Nalchajian, Assistant Business Manager, effective November 14, 2005
Appendix A Resignation
John Griffith, Assistant Coach, High School Wrestling, effective November 8, 2005
Appendix A Appointments
Christy Kerr, Advisor, High School Newspaper, “The Bradford”

High School Coaching Appointments/Re-Appointments, Winter Season
Dance Marissa Farrell Group IVA, Step 5
Wrestling
Head Coach Matt Wassell Group IIA, Step 5
Boys Basketball
Head Coach Luke Day Group IIA, Step 5
Assistant Coaches Adam Cluff Group IIB, Step 5
Justin Merenda Group IIB, Step 3
Part Time Assistant Coach Glen Magpiong $40 per diem; $1,000 maximum
Girls Basketball
Head Coach Kristin Cieri Group IIA, Step 5
Assistant Coaches Blair Anstey Group IIB, Step 5
Kristen Maloney Group IIB, Step 5
Part Time Assistant Coach Chris Molonea $40 per diem; $1,000 maximum
Boys Ice Hockey
Head Coach Chris Googins Group IIA, Step 5
Assistant Coach Todd Kaplan Group IIB, Step 2
Girls Ice Hockey
Head Coach George Campbell Group IIA, Step 5
Assistant Coach Tom Hammond Group IIB, Step 5
Girls Gymnastics
Head Coach Shelly Clark Group IIA, Step 5
Boys Swimming
Co-Head Coach Jen Dutton 50% of combined Group IIA, Step 5 and Group IIB, Step 5
Co-Head Coach Sandy Smith 50% of combined Group IIA, Step 5 and Group IIB, Step 5
Indoor Track
Head Coach Jamie Chisum Group IIA, Step 5
Assistant Coaches Dan Rubin Group IIB, Step 5
Mark Mayall Group IIB, Step 5
Part Time Assistant Coach Lou Pearlman $40 per diem; $1,000 maximum
Ski Team
Head Coach Scott Mighill Group IIIA, Step 5
Assistant Coach Michael Lewis Group IIIB, Step 2

Middle School Coaching Appointments
Girls Basketball Jen Lawlor Group IIC, Step 5
Marianna Chiodo Group IIC, Step 5

Boys Basketball Brian Meringer Group IIC, Step 5
Jonathan Rabinowitz Group IIC, Step 5

Boys Ice Hockey Ryan Monihan Group IIC, Step 4
Girls Ice Hockey John Brown Group IIC, 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 November 8, 2005
Acceptance of Gifts
Contribution ($2,000) for purchase of library books at Upham School, from Upham PTO
Contribution ($1,000) for Classroom Encounters with Scientists Film Project, from WHS PTSO
Salary Lane Change
Master’s Plus 30 - Delores (Lori) Janiuk, effective November 14, 2005

RECOGNITIONS
Wellesley Education Foundation, which announced fall grant awards totaling $32,241 to sixteen educators for projects that represent system-wide initiatives and pilot programs to enhance and enrich the Wellesley Public School curriculum. Dr. King further acknowledged Wellesley Education Foundation’s generosity in purchasing projection systems at an expense that exceeded $3,000 to replace those that were stolen recently from Wellesley High School.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
With reference to a recently published article in “The New York Times,” Dr. King spoke of the potential for lasting impact upon a young person’s life and career through participation in exchange programs. The current ambassador to the United States from Turkey first came to the United States as an exchange student through the AFS program at Wellesley High School. Dr. King reported that he accompanied Executive Director Hans Larsen and two members of the Board of Selectmen on visits to Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School and Weston High School. These visits augmented their orientation and provided context for the discussion underway in Wellesley about a proposed high school project. The schedule of community forums about the high school will conclude on November 30. The agenda for Professional Day, November 29, did not provide for an all-system focus this year, but offered opportunity for school based emphases. FY07 budget development is continuing, with expected delivery to the school committee on December 13. The elementary facilities study will be released December 6, and the architects will present their findings to school committee on December 13. Planning is underway to share the contents of this report with the Facilities Advisory Committee and with the public through web site posting.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE’S REPORT
Winter concert season is underway. The middle school project is going well, but unanticipated expenses have depleted the contingency fund. The Permanent Building Committee is considering requesting additional contingency funding for the project from Town Meeting. Some of the unanticipated expenses funded through the contingency account have included installation of a temporary fire alarm system, new science casework, replacement of damaged gym floor, seismic clips. The high school forum on November 17 was well attended, and the final forum in the series will occur November 30. In the wake of these forums, school personnel will consider next steps for moving forward the public discussion of the project before it comes to a vote in January. The elementary schools facilities Master Study report from SMMA will be released on December 6 in advance of the architects’ presentation to school committee on December 13. New initiatives at TEC include the establishment of more job alike groups. The Massachusetts School Building Authority has officially notified the district that the 57% reimbursement of the Sprague project has been approved. Payments will be distributed over the next several years.

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

DISCUSSION ITEMS
Mathematics Curriculum Review -- Final Report Director of Judy Boroschek, joined by Mathematics Department Heads Elisa Morris, Nancy Cali, and Elementary Math Coordinator Jen MacPherson, presented the culminating report of the comprehensive review of K-12 mathematics curriculum. The elementary curriculum will continue to be the “Investigations” program. The curriculum review process has identified ways to make this program consistent among all teachers, and professional development will aid teachers in achieving a deeper understanding of math and instructional strategies for math learning. The middle school staff has selected a new program, the “Connected Math Project,” which will be phased in over the next several years. The high school recommendations relate to guidelines for the teachers who are writing the high school program. The goals for the high school curriculum call for consistency among teachers who are teaching the same course; a smooth flow from one course to the next; and an emphasais of depth over breadth. The curriculum review also includes recommendations for improving math instruction for struggling learners at the middle school and high school, and recommendations to institutionalize ongoing communication among the three levels about the topics.

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

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm.

Executive Secretary