February 6, 2007

Wellesley Public Schools
School Committee Meeting - Tuesday, February 6, 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 Ryan Speers.

PUBLIC HEARING - SPRAGUE FIELDS REMEDIATION
Ms. Allen recused herself from participation as a school committee member in this public hearing. Ms. Littlefield reviewed the formal process established in 2002 to address playing field issues, which has led to a recommendation for consideration by Town Meeting from the Playing Fields Task Force to install synthetic turf at Sprague. Recreation Board Chairman Carl Fleisher, supported by members of the Playing Fields Task Force, described in detail the proposal to install synthetic turf on two playing fields at Sprague. Mr. Young opened the floor to the public for comment.

TOM BROWN, 77 Oak Street: The proposed synthetic turf will curtail current uses of the field by elementary and middle school children. He is concerned about the “heat effect” of a non-natural surface. He suggested delaying the decision making process, requesting opportunity for citizens to respond to the proposal, vote at town meeting, and consider the proposal as a separate question under Proposition 2-1/2. He criticized the make up of the task force for not including a member of the immediate community or a parent of any student. Wayland and Newton South High School have rejected similar proposed installations.

BOB FINNEGAN, 71 Oak Street: Mr. Finnegan questioned the projected costs of the proposal. He is concerned about the programs that rely on use of the Sprague fields; the involvement/use of the fields by young children; the “open ended” situation of the current proposal; the possible influx of users from outside the community; the possibility that the field may become a white elephant; capital expansion.

JUDY LUCARELLI, 2 Kipling Road: Ms. Lucarelli is referee scheduler for the Wellesley United Soccer Club. She described complications and scheduling difficulties for use of the fields, which are “uneven” in dry weather and closed during periods of wet, muddy weather. She favors installation of synthetic turf.

CONNOR MURPHY, KATIE PRATT, WHS Lacrosse Team Captains: The students favor installation of synthetic turf. During stretches of rainy, wet weather as occurred last spring, the schedule for make up games becomes unreasonable. During the early portion of the spring season, practices cannot occur on the fields, forcing the team to rent fields at Babson College as early as 5:30 am, which imposes unreasonably on other time management issues for adolescent high school students. Other issues of concern to them include injuries and loss of home field advantage.

NANCY PERLMUTTER, 6 Hilltop Road: Ms. Perlmutter wonders if Sprague is the best location for installation of synthetic turf. She questioned the maintenance costs quoted in this evening’s presentation as well as information from town hall projecting funding for synthetic fields through the Department of Public Works budget at Hunnewell Field. Given the Sprague is the newest school, with significant handicap access, she inquired if wheelchairs would be allowed on the synthetic field.

EVE (Last Name?) : Referencing a blog, this citizen said there will be questions that arise with the installation of synthetic turf. “You will be sold bill of goods,” she said. “You need to hear the other side of the story. No one speaks for the environment.” Rubber crumb includes heavy metals, which leach as the crumb deteriorates. She cited possible problems with sewer overflow and the heat island effect.

RAMON TABTIANG, 53 Oak Street: Have the user groups signed a binding contract to contribute to this project, or have they just made pledges? Have lower cost budget alternatives been considered? Has there been long term thinking and evaluation of the green space?

DENISE BROWN, 77 Oak Street: As an abutter living on Oak Street, she wishes to continue to see the open fields and natural turf that is there now. She is not anxious to have an 8-foot fence behind her house. If two sides of the fencing are 4-feet high, a lacrosse ball can go beyond the field. Children in wheelchairs will not be able to go on the field. When will the field become a private center to charge participating towns? Far too much information has been revealed only this evening. One cannot decide something like this at the eleventh hour. This proposal should be tabled. If user groups will be asked to contribute towards the maintenance of the synthetic turf, why can not user groups be asked to contribute to maintenance of natural fields?

PETER MULLIN, 15 Amherst Road: A lacrosse coach, he has seen teams practice in March on icy and wet parking lots or rent space because it was not possible to play on the Sprague fields until mid April. The natural field has to rest for a couple of years. Looking at the Sprague fields as an athletic complex and not an open space requires having the safest place for kids to play sports for 3/4 of the year. He urged thinking of this as a playing fields issue, not an open space issue.

GALE ENGINEERING Representative: A consultant to the Town responded to some of the questions raised by the public during the hearing about the maintenance costs, temperature questions, ADA compliance, fencing height, and environmental sensitivity. There are several hundred synthetic turf fields in use in New England today.

MIKE PAKSTIS, Wellesley DPW: Mr. Pakstis elaborated on the projected maintenance costs.

Mr. Young closed the Public Hearing at 8:35 pm and called for discussion by the committee. Ms. Jablonski noted that there has been robust discussion of remediation of the Sprague fields during the past five years within many significant boards of the town. These are athletic fields, not park land. School committee has to maximize the appropriate access to the fields for youth sports leagues and school teams. Abutters who purchased land adjacent to publicly owned land are not guaranteed that the town will not change what is on that property. The fields require remediation and the people need to be alert to what is happening around them. This problem has been working its way through the system for five years. The plan has been approved by the Recreation Department, the NRC, and the DPW. It is the school department’s obligation to support the plan this evening. Ms. Littlefield noted that testing of the fields began five years ago neighborhood concern that the site was a former dump. The toxicity of the soil is not an issue. These fields cannot be used to their fullest potential. The Playing Fields Task Force is involved in the solution. These athletic fields have been given by the town to the schools for school and athletic purposes since the 1950’s. Our teams do not have good facilities. This is an opportunity to upgrade our fields, bringing them to a higher standard for the benefit of the town’s children including the high school teams and the Sprague students. Tonight’s public hearing sponsored by school committee is the second public hearing to take place on this issue. The proposal will come before the Design Review Board, and to Town Meeting. The Board of Health is agreeable about either proposed remediation. The Advisory Committee’s Public Hearing scheduled for February 7 regarding the warrant articles for the 2007 Annual Town Meeting is another opportunity for people to address this matter. Ms. Newman noted that school committee views matters of this nature differently from abutters, having concern for maximizing access for athletic purposes. With concern about process, Ms. Newman allowed that the Playing Fields Task Force is constituted differently from other boards in the town, but its activities have been fully reported at school committee meetings. Mr. Young reported for the record that the school committee’s public hearing this evening has allowed the public to raise issues, some of which may need more research and response, but that fact should not hold up the proposal from consideration at Annual Town Meeting. School committee considered whether to postpone its vote, given the looming publication deadline for the warrant article book for Annual Town Meeting. Carl Fleisher responded to some of the issues raised including financial commitments from the youth sports leagues to cover maintenance costs; projections that the fields might become a profit center augmented by installation of lights; policy process affecting the Playing Fields Task Force; tournaments; proposals to limit the use of the fields; fencing; scoreboard; irrigation.
Upon motion made by Ms. Littlefield, seconded by Ms. Jablonski, it was unanimously

VOTED: Under Article 22 on the Annual Town Meeting warrant, to request funds for installation of two synthetic fields at the Sprague ballfield site, pending approval by the Design Review Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The motion CARRIED unanimously (4 - 0).

A CONVERSATION WITH ANDREW KEOUGH
Dr. King introduced High School Principal designate Andrew Keough, who will begin his work in Wellesley upon the retirement of Rena Mirkin in July. Mr. Keough and the committee discussed his experiences as a candidate in Wellesley and some of his early impressions of the high school community as well as his plans for the transition in leadership.

HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT: SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
Gig Babson, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, described in detail the membership and purpose of the School Building Committee, an entity called for under the regulations of the new Massachusetts School Building Authority. The town is trying to position itself to obtain reimbursement funding for both the middle school project and the proposed high school project. Statements of interest for both projects have been filed. The thirteen members who will serve on the School Building Committee will include school and town officials and community representatives. The first meeting of this committee will be convened on February 15. The tasks ahead include seeking approval for SBA funding of the town’s school building projects; completing the work of the high school project program review committee; providing advice regarding the plan to request funds from Annual Town Meeting for the high school project; and monitoring the process leading to Town Meeting. The Selectmen intend to shepherd the work of this committee towards the public’s vote on a project that will be educationally sound and fiscally responsible. Mr. Young reported that he is preparing an article about this new committee jointly with Ms. Babson.

PERSONNEL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Appointments
John Brown, Director of Interscholastic Athletics, Unit B II-209, Step 5, effective July 1, 2007
Andrew W. Keough, Principal, Wellesley High School, effective July 1, 2007
Retirement
Ellen McBrien Courchene, Middle School Department Head of Guidance, effective June 30, 2007
Leave of Absence
Martha Cooney, Elementary Teacher, 1.0FTE leave of absence for the 2007-08 school year
Michele Karol, Middle School Social Studies Teacher, 0.2FTE leave of absence for the 2007-08 school year
Jenny (Wei Kwan) Leung, Elementary Teacher, 1.0FTE leave of absence April 23 - June 30, 2007
Renee Lilley, Elementary Teacher, 0.5FTE leave of absence for the 2007-08 school year
Diane Tutin, Elementary Teacher, 1.0FTE leave of absence for the 2007-08 school year

Returning from/Adjustments in Leave of Absence effective 2007-08 school year:
Lisa Cannon, from 1.0FTE leave of absence to 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher
Katy Comstock, from 1.0FTE leave of absence to 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher
Julieanne Doyle, from 0.8FTE High School Special Educator to 1.0FTE High School Special Educator
Britta Hiester, from 0.6FTE to 1.0FTE High School Social Studies Teacher
Michele Karol, from 0.6FTE to 0.8FTE Middle School Social Studies Teacher
Christy Kerr, from 0.6FTE to 1.0FTE High School English Teacher
Stacy Lake, from 1.0FTE leave of absence to 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher
Barbara Manley, from 0.1FTE leave of absence to 1.0FTE Middle School Mathematics Teacher
Jennifer Milne, from 0.6FTE to 1.0FTE High School Mathematics Teacher
Molly Zuckerberg, 1.0FTE Elementary Teacher, effective 2007-08 school year

Appendix A Appointment
Kelly Tonole, High School Boys Diving Coach, 50% of stipend for Group IIB, Step 5

CONSENT AGENDA
Upon motion made by Ms. Jablonski, seconded by Ms. Littlefield, it was unanimously VOTED:
Minutes
To approve minutes of Regular School Committee Meeting dated January 23, 2007
Acceptance of Gifts
To accept
• Renovation of Teachers Lounges at Wellesley High School (estimated value $9,000) from WHS PTSO
• Refrigerator (value $100) for use in science labs, from Barbara Bloom, Weston, MA
• Equipment and furnishings (value $2,642.48) for modular classrooms, from Schofield PTO
Salary Lane Change
Robyn Holzman - Master’s Plus 60, effective January 24, 2007

RECOGNITIONS
Joyce Tolken, Director of Fitness and Health, recipient of the Joseph McKenney Award for Distinguished Service from the Massachusetts Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. This award is from her peers in the field in recognition of her exemplary service, leadership and contribution to the profession, to MAHPERD, and the youths of the state. WHS student athletes Ellen Kimball and Lily Cua, who were chosen to represent Wellesley High School at the Massachusetts Girls and Women in Sports Day in Boston, February 2, 2007.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
The high school track team performed well at a recent meet. Meeting his continued commitment to be in the schools, Dr. King has recently visited Schofield, the high school, and Hunnewell. He is modeling for art classes. The principal searches for Hunnewell and Sprague are underway. There have been 40 applicants for the two opportunities.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE’S REPORT
Although the building project underway at the middle school has been stressful, Ms. Littlefield commended the faculty and staff for not transferring stress to the students. Mr. Young reported that the committee is finalizing logistics for the superintendent search finalist days on February 13 and 14. Ms. Allen reported that WEF has changed its grants policy to allow for some grants to be either teacher specific or elementary school specific, to allow for more opportunity on creativity on less than a townwide basis. The Selectmen have held discussions with facilities director John Donahue, who has been working on large picture issues in these first few months in his townwide position.

CITIZEN SPEAK
Mr. Young stated that the committee followed a “very confidential” process in the superintendent search to review candidate applications, interview semi finalists, and identify finalists. The committee has the highest regard for middle school principal John D’Auria. If Mr. D’Auria chooses to pursue other opportunities in his personal and professional life outside of Wellesley, the committee wishes him well in that process.

AMY SMITH, Hunnewell Street: The news today that Mr. D’Auria is pursuing other opportunities, with a superintendent search underway in Wellesley and a new high school principal recently appointed, leaves many residents wondering why and how Wellesley might lose him. She wonders why he is a finalist candidate for superintendent in another community.

TERRY ARNEY, Appleby Road: Because of Mr. D’Auria’s leadership the middle school is an “amazing” place. Teachers work well with him. Why are there not three finalists for superintendent in Wellesley?

CAREY RAPPAPORT, Bradford Road: Consensus building is difficult, and Mr. D’Auria builds consensus well. He has the respect of students and other parents. It appears that the town has missed an opportunity to retain Mr. D’Auria’s leadership.

KAREN MARISCAL, Lowell Road: She is “thrilled” with how the middle school is handled in Wellesley. If Mr. D’Auria should leave, she hopes it will be possible to find someone with that similar vision. Leadership comes from the top.

ACTION ITEM
FY08 Capital Budget: As discussions have progressed during the past month involving town officials, SMMA, and the Permanent Building Committee to develop a debt exclusion question for consideration by Town Meeting, the school department’s previously approved FY08 capital budget has been reworked, but there have been no overall additions or deletions to the itemization of school department capital needs that was approved in November 2006. If there is to be a debt exclusion to cover some capital items the schools will have to adjust expectations around the time frame in which certain capital needs will be addressed over the next three years. The five-year capital outlook will be impacted. Ms. Wong requested that school committee reconsider its FY08 capital request to accommodate these new developments.

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

VOTED: To revise the FY08 cash capital request from the school department, and
to approve a request in the amount of $982,811.

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 pm

Executive Secretary