June 5, 2007
Wellesley Public Schools
School Committee Meeting - Tuesday, June 5, 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 Advisory Committee was Kelsey Woerner.
RECOGNITIONS of RETIRING FACULTY
Dr. King and School Committee acknowledged faculty members who are retiring at the close of this school year, many of whom were present to receive copies of tributes prepared by their principals or department heads.
• Sherry Birkholz • Bonnie Cole • Ellen McBrien Courchene • Anne Greene • Meg Hamilton
• Rob Kahane • Mary Lynn • Beth McGinty • Rena Mirkin • Julie Rogers • Joyce Tolken
In acknowledgment of Dr. King’s retirement, Ms. Wong presented a specially written tribute to him.
CONVERSATION with SPRAGUE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Ms. Wong introduced Donna Dankner, who has been appointed principal of Sprague School July 1, 2007. Ms. Dankner spoke briefly with the committee about her prior experience in education and her anticipation of new endeavors in Wellesley.
PERSONNEL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Retirement
Rob Kahane, Elementary Teacher, effective June 30, 2007
Resignations
Jeffrey Howard, 0.2FTE Orchestra Director, effective June 30, 2007
Frank Jones, 1.0FTE Middle School Special Educator, effective June 30, 2007
Dot Lucci, 0.5FTE Speech and Language Pathologist on leave of absence, effective June 30, 2007
Rachel Sciaba, 0.5FTE Middle School English Teacher, effective June 30, 2007
Appointments (effective August 27, 2007)
Crystal Bartels, 1.0FTE High School Social Studies Teacher, Step M-7
Kathleen Brophy, 1.0FTE High School Fitness & Health Teacher, Step M-13
Joe Camozzi, 1.0FTE Middle School Special Educator, Step B-3
Donna Dankner, Principal, Sprague School, Elementary Principals Salary Scale Step 3
Deeth Ellis, 1.0FTE High School Librarian, Step M-2
Christopher Holownia, 0.6FTE High School German and Spanish Teacher, Step B-1
Rebecca Kurzweil, 1.0FTE Middle School Social Studies Teacher, Step B-3
Jody Steinhilber, 1.0FTE Middle School Special Educator, Step M-9
Reduction in Teaching Time
Leah MacDonald, High School Mathematics Teacher, from 1.0FTE to 0.8FTE, effective 2007-08 school year
Leave of Absence
Patricia Callahan, Elementary Teacher, 1.0FTE leave of absence for the 2007-08 school year
Shannon O’Neill, High School Spanish Teacher, 1.0FTE leave of absence for the 2007-08 school year
Stipended Positions
Kathryn Dexter, Instrumental Extension Staff Coordinator, 2007-08
CONSENT AGENDA
Upon motion made by Ms. Littlefield, seconded by Ms. Allen, it was unanimously VOTED:
Acceptance of Gifts
To accept
• Contribution ($1,400) to purchase Alto Clarinet for High School Performing Arts, from WHS PTSO
Salary Lane Changes
Master’s
• Lindsay Groff, effective May 18, 2007
Master’s Plus 30
• Ken Johnson, effective 2007-08 school year
Master’s Plus 60
• Donna Arcudi, effective May 17, 2007
• Lynn Kaminski, effective May 31, 2007
Salary Schedules
The committee reviewed its process followed for considering proposed compensation in FY08 for administrative staff and elementary principals. Salaries for the superintendent and secondary principals were negotiated at point of hire this year.
Upon motion made by Ms. Allen, seconded by Ms. Littlefield, it was unanimously VOTED:
To approve salary schedules for FY08 as recommended.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Dr. King acknowledged a number of inquiries from parents about elementary class sizes. When final decisions about class configurations occur in July, consideration will be given to identified areas of concern.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE’S REPORT
Student Congress goals next year will address visibility and public knowledge of the different school governing bodies and communication between constituencies and within the school as a whole. The School Committee report covered continuing outreach regarding the developing high school project; plans for the listening forum on June 11 regarding remediation of Sprague fields; the Schofield Road Race; finish work on modulars at Fiske and Schofield; end-of-year celebrations, including Wellesley Education Foundation, whose generosity to the schools, and the high school English department in particular, was recognized.
CITIZEN SPEAK
There were no citizens present who wished to speak.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Middle School Project Update: Ms. Littlefield reported. The project is 90% completed. There is some concern about the small gym; asbestos abatement is underway; site work is progressing. The projected finish date is August 24. Since the building is occupied, there will be 90 moves required as construction is completed. Wiring for the business office will be completed in a timely fashion. There have been only two days that the project has interrupted the normal school schedule. Though the stress of this project in an occupied school building has had an impact upon teachers, their professionalism has assured minimal impact upon the students. The Permanent Building Committee, an all volunteer body, has shepherded this complicated, lengthy project through its many phases consistently with excellence. Dr. King urged caution for consideration of a phased project at the high school, based in part upon lessons learned from this middle school experience. There will be no swing space at the high school, and parking issues will be significant if construction occurs in an occupied building.
System Goals Report, 2006-07: Dr. King presented a full, final report on the system goals which guided the work of the schools this year.
Strategic Planning Mr. Guiffre shared summary insights about school committee’s work, based upon his recent campaign for election to school committee. Suggestions included conducting regular parent surveys; uses and promotion of the school department website; focus on public relations, perhaps with a sub committee or consultant; capacity/size of school committee; creation of advisory committees to the school committee. The committee agreed to meet for purposes of strategic planning, but did not establish a date/time to do so.
ACTION ITEMS
Transfer of Funds: Ms. Berdell explained the transfers necessary in line item accounts to balance the overall budget in order to close the fiscal year.
Upon motion made by Ms. Allen, seconded by Ms. Littlefield, it was unanimously
VOTED: To approve budget transfers as recommended
TRANSFER FUNDS FROM: AMOUNT
Instructional Personal Service 26,000
Instructional Expenses 100,000
Administration Personal Service 5,500
Administration Expenses 15,000
Operations Personal Service 25,000
Operations Expenses 60,000
Special Tuition/Transportation Personal Services 165,000
TRANSFER FUNDS TO:
Special Tuition/Transportation Expense 396,500
Motion CARRIED (5 - 0)
Committee Reorganization: Dr. King called for nominations to the chairmanship of the school committee.
Upon motion made by Ms. Littlefield, seconded by Ms. Newman, it was unanimously
VOTED: To elect Michael Young as Chairman of the School Committee.
Upon motion made by Mr. Young, seconded by Ms. Littlefield, it was unanimously
VOTED: To elect Marlene Allen as Vice Chairman of the School Committee
Upon motion made by Mr. Young, seconded by Ms. Littlefield, it was unanimously
VOTED: To elect Christopher D.T. Guiffre as Secretary of the School Committee.
CITIZEN SPEAK
There were no citizens present who wished to speak.
ADJOURNMENT
The public session was adjourned at 9:55 pm
Executive Secretary
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