May 8, 2007
Wellesley Public Schools
School Committee Meeting - Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Wellesley High School Library
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 7:30 pm. Mr. Young, Ms. Allen, Mr. Guiffre, Ms. Littlefield, and Ms. Newman were present. Also present were Dr. King and Ms. Wong. Representing the Student Congress were John McDermott, Ryan Speers, and Kelsey Woerner.
Retirements
Ellen Cunniff, Principal of Sprague School, effective June 30, 2007
Anne E. Greene, Grade 6 Teacher, effective October 6, 2007
Mary Lynn, High School Social Studies Teacher, effective June 30, 2007
Matthew King, Superintendent of Schools, effective June 30, 2007
Rena Mirkin, High School Principal, effective June 30, 2007
Resignations
William Atherton, Middle School Department Head of Science & Technology, effective April 22, 2007
John D’Auria, Middle School Principal, effective July 16, 2007
Daniel Dewees, Middle School Guidance Counselor, effective June 30, 2007
Rachel Keegan, High School Library/Media Specialist, effective June 30, 2007
Connie McGrath, Elementary Special Educator, effective June 30, 2007
Deborah C. Owen, High School Library/Media Specialist, effective June 30, 2007
Colleen Roh, High School English Teacher, effective June 30, 2007
Virginia Shapiro, Middle School Special Educator, effective June 30, 2007
Appointments (effective July 1, 2007, unless otherwise noted)
Adam Blumer, Acting Principal, Middle School, Secondary Principal Salary Scale, Step 1
Toni Duval, K-12 Director of Fitness and Health, Unit B I-204, Step 6
Brian P. Finn, 0.75FTE High School Physics Teacher, Step M+30-9, effective August 27, 2007
Nancy Kuziemski, Middle School Department Head of Guidance, Unit B II-209, Step 4
Michael Reidy, Interim Middle School Social Studies Department Head, Unit B I-186, Step 8
Increase in Teaching Time
Rachel Sciaba, 0.5FTE Grade Six Teacher, 0.5FTE increase to 1.0FTE Grade Six Teacher, effective August 29, 2007
Leave of Absence
Jamee Beaudry, Elementary Teacher, 1.0FTE leave for the 2007-08 school year
Elisa Buchsbaum, Preschool Special Educator, 1.0FTE leave September 19, 2007 - February 15, 2008.
Diane K. King, Elementary Teacher, 1.0FTE leave April 23 - June 30, 2007
Barbara Manley, Middle School Mathematics Teacher, 0.5FTE leave for the 2007-08 school year
Brian Meringer, Middle School Social Studies Teacher, 1.0FTE leave for the 2007-08 school year
Nicole Putnam, Technology Curriculum Specialist, 1.0FTE leave August 29, 2007 - January 1, 2008
Kara Sullivan, Middle School Drama Teacher, 1.0FTE leave extended through April 27, 2007
Mariessa Theodorou, 0.5FTE Preschool Coordinator/0.5FTE Preschool Special Educator, 1.0FTE leave August 29-December 21, 2007
Mariessa Theodorou, 0.5FTE Preschool Special Educator, 0.5FTE leave January 2 - June 30, 2008
Erica Vina, High School FACS Teacher, 0.1FTE leave for the 2007-08 school year
Molly Zuckerberg, Elementary Teacher, 1.0FTE leave for the 2007-08 school year
Returning from/Adjustments in Leave of Absence effective 2007-08 school year:
Greg Bodkins, from 1.0FTE leave of absence to 1.0FTE Middle School Science Teacher
Appendix A Appointments (Spring Season 2007)
Ken Bateman, Assistant Coach, High School Softball, Group IIB, Step 5
Michael Connelly, Part Time Assistant Coach, High School Outdoor Track, Per Diem $40, $1,000 maximum
Jonathan Rabinowitz, Assistant Coach, High School Boys Lacrosse, Group IIB, Step 5
Lisa McDonald, Assistant Coach, Outdoor Track, Group IIB, Step 2
Leanne Drummond, Co-Coach, Middle School Softball, Group IIC, Step 5 (50% -- share with Amie Ciluffo)
Amie Ciluffo, Co-Coach, Middle School Softball, Group IIC, Step 5 (50% -- share with Leanne Drummond)
Jim Everhart, Coach, Middle School Baseball, Group IIC, Step 2
Correction: Doug Johnson, Coach, High School Sailing, Group III-A, Step 5 (listed as Step 4 on 3/13 agenda)
CONSENT AGENDA
Upon motion made by Ms. Littlefield, seconded by Ms. Allen, it was unanimously VOTED:
Minutes
To approve minutes of Regular School Committee Meetings dated March 13, March 20, and April 9, 2007
Acceptance of Gifts
To accept
• Leg curl machine (value $2,125.75) for high school fitness center, from WHS PSO
• Contribution ($100) for fitness and health equipment at Hardy School, from Jean Piazza, Wellesley
• Contribution ($15,321) for fitness center equipment, Wellesley Middle School, from WMS PTO
• Contribution ($250) to purchase and install sign, “D’Auria Drive” on the alley south of the middle school building.
Salary Lane Change
Kate Barry, Master’s Plus 30, effective April 3, 2007
Toni Duval - Master’s Plus 60, effective March 13, 2007
Jennifer Desaultels - Master’s Plus 30, effective 2007-08 school year
Laurie Haig, - Master’s, effective 2007-08 school year
Luz Quinteros-Barrientos, Master’s Plus 30, effective 2007-08 school year
Nancy Smith - Master’s Plus 30, effective 2007-08 school year
RECOGNITIONS
Andy Levin, former high school athletic director, recently inducted into the Masssachusetts Football Coaches Hall of Fame. Mari Oye (WHS ‘07), named a Presidential Scholar. Performing Arts Achievements, including a state championship for Drama and medal recognitions for the Orchestra, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and Concert Choir. Umang Jain (WHS ‘09), first prize winner in the Massachusetts Science Fair for an independent project studying memory paths. School Committee Chairman Mike Young, for his fine presentations at Town Meeting.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
In preparation to step down, Dr. King reported that much of his time in the remaining weeks of the school year will be spent assisting in the transition for the new superintendent, Bella Wong and in his regular rotation of visits to schools. A moving retirement tribute honoring Ellen Cunniff occurred on May 4.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE’S REPORT
The Student Congress report covered transition work underway with incoming high school principal Andrew Keough; elections; and proposed 2007-08 handbook review. School Committee members reported on construction progress at the middle school; spring step up concerts; central council agenda concerns; green design, the NHS induction ceremony; high school project position papers; proposed facilitated discussions between the committee and the community; naming rights; open items remaining after the conclusion of Annual Town Meeting; upcoming debriefing conversations with Advisory; planning and process, including the necessary public hearing, for a night high school football game on September 14.
CITIZEN SPEAK
There were no citizens present who wished to speak.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
High School Project
Following the recent approval by Town Meeting to appropriate funding to further the high school project, School Building Committee chairman Gig Babson presented a draft instrument for evaluating the fit of five options for the high school in relation to the educational program. As meetings with various interest groups and stakeholders take place, the information collected through the finalized fit test instrument will contribute to inform the planning for the next step of the developing project. Regarding naming rights, the committee noted the following: many areas of the high school are already identified in honor of individuals; the MSBA will recognize and grant credit for fundraising; the committee should ask town counsel for an opinion with respect to how to proceed; advisory committees could assist this process.
Technology Update
Lynn Moore-Benson, Director of Technology, described the most recent applications of technology in the classroom supporting teaching and learning. System wide, from elementary classrooms through the high school, new technologies are enhancing and enriching all spectrums of the curriculum. She further reported that work is proceeding to upgrade the system infrastructure; by late May the remaining two elementary schools, Bates and Upham, will be connected to the Town of Wellesley fiber optic network; and strong, effective spam filtering has recently been installed.
ACTION ITEMS
Assistant Superintendent
Ms. Wong introduced Carol Gregory, who is the recommended candidate to become assistant superintendent. Ms. Gregory spoke briefly with the committee about her prior experience in education.
Upon motion made by Ms. Littlefield, seconded by Ms. Allen, it was unanimously
VOTED: To appoint Carol Gregory as assistant superintendent of schools, effective in fiscal year 2008, as recommended.
Policy: Outside Activities at Polling Sites
School committee concurred with a recent suggestion to develop a policy prohibiting events that exacerbate traffic and parking issues at polling sites on elections.
Upon motion made by Ms. Littlefield, seconded by Ms. Allen, it was unanimously
VOTED: That the Wellesley Public Schools adopt a policy regarding the scheduling of events on elections days at schools that serve as polling places. Schools should not schedule, during polling hours (7 am - 8 pm) , any event that is a fund raiser or any event/meeting which would increase parking demands or increase traffic as follows:
Annually - first Tuesday of March
In even years - third Tuesday of September; first Tuesday of November
and the Superintendent or his/her designee should verify such dates with
the Town Clerk annually.
CITIZEN SPEAK
There were no citizens present who wished to speak.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 pm
Executive Secretary
|
