January 3, 2007

Wellesley Public Schools
School Committee Meeting - Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Wellesley High School Library

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

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

DISCUSSION ITEMS
Budget Sub Committee Reports: High School In behalf of the sub committee (Young/Jablonski) Mr. Young summarized its budget review. The high school expects an increase of 17 students. The demand for some electives exceeds supply in English and some areas, but there are no plans to increase classes to cover for that. The 7% increase in the expense budget includes $30,000 allocated for the NEASC accreditation process. The sub committee found little to question. Its discussion covered enrollment increases and a thorough vetting, but ultimate conclusion against, recommending the hiring of a third assistant principal. The sub committee discussed at length the athletics program and fees for athletics and also discussed grants. In the ensuing discussion the committee considered limitations of the budget upon staffing and supervision of an increasingly complex high school student profile, and in classes offered for the core curriculum and electives, fully subscribed lab classes, reductions in athletics opportunities and co-curricular involvements for students, etc. Ms. Mirkin described a recent grant proposal through which the high school hopes to be able to develop a program of instruction in Chinese in conjunction with local colleges, for implementation within the next couple of years.
K-12 In behalf of the sub committee (Allen/Littlefield), Ms. Littlefield summarized its budget review. There is no change proposed in central office staffing and maintenance. Acquisition of two new vans will result in an economy in special education transportation costs. Although the sub committee discussed at length the staffing configuration in central office, no proposals for change are recommended. The committee as a whole also debated the issue of central office staffing, but concluded to make no requests in this budget process. The sub committee parried inconclusively various means of developing funds to remediate the Sprague ball fields and looked into nursing staffing at the middle school, given anticipated shifts in the population there next year. ELL Student Services Director Dorsey Yearley summarized the proposed model and cost implications whereby ELL instruction would be made available to elementary students in two magnet schools. This state-mandated program would serve approximately 55 students, and families would choose whether or not to participate. A secondary level program completes the model, but is not under consideration for implementation in FY08. The committee also briefly discussed professional development and turnover.

ACTION ITEMS
FY08 Budget The committee reviewed the superintendent’s original recommended 5.98% budget and agreed by consensus to adjust that budget by eliminating $15,000 in K-12 turnover; delaying implementation of the secondary level ELL ($56.622); and eliminating elementary ELL transportation ($37,000). The committee then debated presenting this adjusted budget request given that its percentage increase slightly exceeds the Advisory committee’s recommended 5.5% increase guideline and concluded to adjust the budget to 5.5% by eliminating a 0.1FTE middle school English position; a 0.5FTE middle school technology assistant position; a 0.5FTE high school teaching assistant; and funding for library books and professional development.

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

VOTED: To approve a budget request for FY08 in the amount of $49,619,071, in alignment with the Advisory Committee’s recommended budget guideline of 5.5%.
The motion CARRIED unanimously (5- 0)

Warrant Article Placeholders
The committee addressed again the matter of warrant article placeholder motions for Annual Town Meeting 2007. Given new information from the Board of Selectmen that if it recommends a debt exemption question the purpose of such a question may be framed to include funding for capital needs, the committee agreed to amend its action on January 2, 2007.

1. Debt Exemption - Capital

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

VOTED: To rescind the committee’s prior action, as approved on January 2, 2007: “To place an article on the Annual Town Meeting 2007 Warrant for debt exclusion to cover the five elementary school stabilization projects as outlined in the master study led by SMMA architects.”
The motion CARRIED unanimously (5- 0)

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

VOTED: To place an article on the Annual Town Meeting 2007 Warrant to request debt exemption funding for school capital, projects to be defined.
The motion CARRIED unanimously (5- 0)

ADJOURNMENT
The public session was adjourned at 10:00 pm.

Executive Secretary