January 23, 2007

Wellesley Public Schools
School Committee Meeting - Tuesday, January 23, 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 was Kelsey Woerner.

PERSONNEL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Retirement
Meg Hamilton, High School English Teacher, effective June 30, 2007
Julie Rogers, Elementary Teacher, effective June 30, 2007
Resignations
Pamela Chevalier, Elementary Teacher on leave of absence, effective June 30, 2007
Cheryl Condon, Elementary Special Educator on leave of absence, effective June 30, 2007
Melissa Gladtke-Coultas, Elementary Teacher on leave of absence, effective June 30, 2007
Renee Silva, 0.5FTE Elementary Teacher on leave of absence, effective June 30, 2007
Leave of Absence
Karen Lindquist, Elementary Teacher, 0.5FTE leave of absence for the 2007-08 school year
Lisa Mortarelli, Elementary Teacher, 0.5FTE leave of absence for the 2007-08 school year
Kari Sciera, Middle School Health & Fitness Teacher, 0.1FTE leave of absence for the 2007-08 school year
Rhonda Silverman, 0.6FTE Speech/Language Pathologist, 0.6FTE leave of absence, 2007-08 school year
Appendix A Resignation
Melissa Gladtke-Coultas, Grade 4 Mathematics Resource Teacher (shared position), effective 01/12/2007
Appendix A Appointment
Kate Barry, Grade 4 Mathematics Resource Teacher (full position, formerly shared), effective 01/12/2007

CONSENT AGENDA
Upon motion made by Ms. Jablonski, seconded by Ms. Littlefield, it was unanimously VOTED:
Minutes
To approve minutes of Regular School Committee Meetings dated December 12 and December 19, 2006; and January 2 and January 3, 2007
Acceptance of Gifts
To accept
• Contribution ($200) to enhance the preschool curriculum, from Sherin and Roni Elwy
• Contribution ($500) to enrich the preschool curriculum and enhance the site, from Elizabeth and Jonathan Fortescue
• Water Cooler (value $350) for use of preschool staff, from PAWS PTO
• Microwave oven (value $150) for use of preschool staff, from Casey and Judith Sewell
• Spring bulbs (value $100) for planting on preschool site, from June Ouellette
• Butterfly bushes and bird feeders (value $150) for preschool site, from Gretchen Bravacos
• Drop lights (3) (value $160) for use in high school auto shop, from Bradley Boyd
• Scoring table (value $3,000) for use of high school athletics program, from Bank of America, Boston
Salary Lane Change
Jonathan Rabinowitz - Master’s Plus 30, effective January 2, 2007

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT Dr. King reflected on the tragic death of a student at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School last week. He read the text of a response written jointly by high school administrators, which was read to all students in English classes, and which was also sent by email to parents. A similar approach was adopted at the middle school. Dr. King noted that the system strives to keep a personalized atmosphere in the schools, which becomes increasingly challenging as the school enrollments grow. Reporting on the principal searches, Dr. King has met with parents and faculty at Sprague and at Hunnewell. The closing date for applications is February 2. Dr. King described the circumstances that led to an accelerated timetable for culminating the high school principal search. A finalist candidate, Andrew Keough, spent a full day at the high school today. Dr. King will keep the community informed as there are developments. Student Congress Representative Kelsey Woerner reported that the details of Seminar Day on March 14 are coming together. Students are happier about the improved situation in the library. The students intend to become more active participants in supporting the developing high school project.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT The well attended annual World of Wellesley Martin Luther King breakfast on January 15 offered an opportunity for those gathered to hear Jean McGuire, executive director of METCO, Inc. Issues with the boiler at the middle school have been resolved. Mr. Young thanked the many people who assisted in the preparation of the school committee’s budget presentation to Advisory on January 17. A concerted collaborative effort is underway throughout the town to address the high school project. The superintendent search is rapidly intensifying. A credentials review committee assisted the school committee in identifying six semi finalist candidates, who will participate in first round interviews with the school committee on January 26 and 27. Ms. Jablonski thanked the credentials review volunteers: Larry Shind, Naomi Stonfeld, Paul Criswell, Elaine Harold, Carroll Blake, and Laura Hockett. As the process proceeds to the finalist round, representatives of school administration, parents, students, other town boards, and the community will have opportunity to participate in open forums with the candidates.

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

ACTION ITEM
Sprague Fields Remediation Ms. Littlefield briefly summarized a history of the use of Sprague fields and results of soil testing there since 2002. Though the testing confirmed that there is no reason for concern about toxicity of the soil, materials (glass, etc.) are rising to the surface on these grounds, which formerly were a municipal dump. A playing fields task force, which includes representatives from many town agencies, has studied the problem and plans to request approval at Annual Town Meeting for funding to cap the site with artificial turf. Two playing fields will be developed using the artificial surface. It is anticipated that funding for the $1.85 million project may come from a number of sources, including the Community Preservation Fund, debt exclusion monies, and youth league user fees. School committee discussed proposed particulars of the project as envisioned by the playing fields task force. With a straw vote (4 yes; 1 abstain) of support for the task force recommendation the committee deferred adopting a formal position pending the opportunity for a public hearing on the matter at the next school committee meeting, Tuesday, February 6.

DISCUSSION ITEM
High School Project The committee discussed the status of the high school project and the possible impact to continued development of the project absent a request for schematic design funds at Annual Town Meeting. It was agreed by consensus to continue working in close collaboration with the Permanent Building Committee while aligning as closely as possible with the evolving MSBA requirements and processes in hopes that MSBA will soon initiate the process for receiving reimbursement applications from communities that submitted statements of interest in July 2006. The moratorium on reimbursement funding is expected to be lifted as of July 2007.

CITIZEN SPEAK
Nancy Perlmutter, 6 Hilltop Road: Ms. Perlmutter thanked the committee for its decision this evening to make provision for a public hearing on the recommendation developed through the playing fields task force for remediation of the Sprague playing fields.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Upon motion made by Ms. Newman, seconded by Ms. Littlefield, it was unanimously VOTED:
To go into Executive Session for purposes of collective bargaining, with no intention to return to public session.
Ms. Allen, aye; Ms. Jablonski, aye; Ms. Littlefield, aye; Ms. Newman, aye; Mr. Young, aye.
The public session was adjourned at 9:15 pm

Executive Secretary