November 14, 2006

Wellesley Public Schools
School Committee Meeting - Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Wellesley High School Library

The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 7:32 pm. Mr. Young , Ms. Allen, Ms. Jablonski, and Ms. Littlefield were present. Also present were Dr. King and Ms.Wong. Representing the Student Congress was Ryan Speers. Ms. Newman was absent.

PERSONNEL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Appointment
Dianne L. Escalante, 0.64FTE Elementary Mathematics Intervention Specialist, Step M+60-1, effective October 4, 2006

Leave of Absence
Andrea Dewhirst, Elementary Special Educator, 1.0FTE leave of absence January 16-April 13, 2007

Appendix A Appointments
Alison Apfel, Advisor, Middle School Robotics
Michael Reidy, Assessment Facilitator, High School NEASC Accreditation Process
Cynthia Russell, Advisor, Double Dutch Spinners
Cynthia Russell, Advisor, Jewels
Deb Ward, Coach, Step Squad

Appendix A Coaching Appointments Fall Season
Craig Brown, Coach, Middle School Boys Soccer, Group II-C, Step 5
Robin Kanter, Coach, Middle School Cross Country, Group III-C, Step 3

Appendix A Coaching Appointments Winter Season
HIGH SCHOOL
Equipment and Team Room Manager Chuck Bognanni
Dance
Head Coach Marissa Farrell Group VIA, Step 5
Wrestling
Head Coach Matt Wassell Group IIA, Step 5
Assistant Coach Vacant
Boys Basketball
Head Coach Luke Day Group IIA, Step 5
Assistant Coach Adam Cluff Group IIB, Step 5
Assistant Coach Glen Magpiong Group IIB, Step 3
Part Time Assistant Coach Tim Kiley $40/diem to maximum $1,000
Girls Basketball
Head Coach Kristin Cieri Group IIA, Step 5
Assistant Coach Blair Anstey Group IIB, Step 5
Assistant Coach Kristen Maloney Group IIB, Step 5
Part Time Assistant Coch Chris Molonea $40/diem to maximum $1,000
Boys Ice Hockey
Head Coach Paul Donato Group IIA, Step 5
Assistant Coach Todd Kaplan Group IIB, Step 3
Girls Ice Hockey
Head Coach George Campbell Group IIA, Step 5
Assistant Coach Tom Hammond Group IIB, Step 5

Boys Swimming
Head Coach Sandy Smith Group IIA, Step 5
Assistant Coach Jen Dutton Group IIB, Step 5
Indoor Track
Head Coach - Girls James Ash Group IIA, Step 5
Head Coach - Boys Bob Bergeron Group IIA, Step 3
Assistant Coach Dan Rubin Group IIB, Step 5
Assistant Coach Mark Mayall Group IIB, Step 5
Assistant Coach Lou Pearlman Group IIB, Step 5
Skiing
Head Coach Scott Mighill Group IIIA, Step 5
Assistant Coach Michael Lewis Group IIIB, Step 3

MIDDLE SCHOOL
Equipment Manager Kirk Fredericks
Girls Basketball
Coach Jen Lawlor Group IIC, Step 4
Coach Marianna Chiodo Group IIC, Step 5
Boys Basketball
Coach Brian Meringer Group IIC, Step 5
Coach Greg Rice Group IIC, Step 4
Boys Ice Hockey
Coach Ryan Monihan Group IIC, Step 4
Girls Ice Hockey
Coach Chris Forde Group IIC, Step 3

Wellesley Public School Web Page
Elementary Web Page Designer: Jacklyn Hoglund and Nicole Putnam
Middle School Web Page Designer: Sondra Hamilton
High School Web Page Designer: Andrea Holbrook
District Web Page Designer: Dick Heller

Departmental Assistants
Performing Arts (shared stipend): Henry Platt, Sarah Gardner, I-Ting Chang

CONSENT AGENDA
Upon motion made by Ms. Littlefield, seconded by Ms. Jablonski, it was unanimously VOTED:
Minutes
To approve minutes of Regular School Committee meetings dated October 17 and 24, 2006
Acceptance of Gifts
Mineral and Fossil Collection (The Brewster Collection, estimated value $1,000) for use in high school earth science/biology departments from Louise Brockett, New York, NY
Photography supplies (estimated value $2,500) for use in high school photography program, from Cheryl Clegg, Waltham, MA
Salary Lane Change
Meg Davis - Master’s Plus 60, effective October 24, 2006

RECOGNITIONS
Everyone involved in the “magical” production of the fall high school musical, Les Miserables. 120 students were involved in every aspect of the production. Special thanks to Director Stephen Wrobleski, Orchestra Director Steve Scott, Choral Director Kevin McDonald, and Choreographer Janet Yukna.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Following up on his Les Mis recognition, Dr. King summarized his post-performance conversation with the four principal faculty advisors to the fall musical production about ways in which the current high school auditorium facility might restrict their endeavors to mount a musical stage production. He reported that all scenery is constructed on weekends because there is no place to construct sets during the week. The current facility places major limitations on set design possibilities. The rehearsal schedule interferes with the instructional program for those classes that ordinarily meet in the auditorium/stage. He noted the significant growth and percentage of overall student participation in the performing arts program today in comparison with data from 35 years ago when the high school population was roughly parallel to the current population. The current Wellesley drama program is comparable with programs of other schools, not “cutting edge.” The 120 students who participated in Les Mis represent 10% of the entire school population, and he noted that 50 students were turned away from the opportunity to participate due to space constraints. Dr. King reported that a benchmarking study has been completed recently by the Palo Alto Unified School District Partners in Education, involving comparative data from Wellesley and several other school systems in the US. The study revealed insights into the Wellesley administrative approach that leverages teachers to provide curriculum support in schools while modeling lean staffing in the central office.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE’S REPORT
Several members have heard informal enthusiastic and favorable feedback from the community about the high school fall musical. Lights burning constantly in the construction zone at the middle school are hard wired for safety reasons. Installation of the new elevator will provide access to all five levels of the south wing. At the season-ending banquet of the high school field hockey team two spontaneous standing ovations occurred honoring retiring principal Rena Mirkin. School committee enjoyed fine success at the annual WEF Bee on November 2, won again by the defending team of students from Wellesley High School. The transition is underway for the town-wide facilities manager, who began work recently. The superintendent search consultant has spoken with stakeholder groups and individuals to learn what the community seeks in a new superintendent. A brochure to describe the opportunity is under development, and the position has been advertised in the local press and in education journals. A credentials review committee will work with the school committee to screen applications, due by January 12, 2007. Student Congress discussed MCAS, the school improvement plan, and space constraints on the production of Les Mis.

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

DISCUSSION ITEMS
Administrative Salaries Acknowledging that the committee is currently engrossed in other important business, Ms. Allen restated her commitment and desire that the committee will review this topic fully before Town Meeting. The committee concurred with Mr. Young’s summary of the task ahead, to include examination of historical practice, examination of practice in other communities and of good HR practice, conversations with former members of school committee, and ultimately a recommendation based upon full discussion among the current committee.

MCAS Director of Curriculum and Instruction Becky McFall noted consistently stable results for Wellesley students who took MCAS tests last spring. Science test results reflect a non-alignment of the Wellesley curriculum with state frameworks. Principals examine test results carefully, and there is extra support for students who must retake the test.

High School Project In discussing the type of project it will bring for consideration by Town Meeting the committee agreed that it should provide adequate classrooms and teacher accommodation in a safe, secure, healthy environment and agreed that the project should incorporate a new gym and auditorium. As planning continues, school committee will develop position papers to answer frequently asked questions. Project cost estimates are still forthcoming.

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

The committee briefly discussed a member’s suggestion that the timing is appropriate for a re-examination of the structure of the central administrative offices, but reached no conclusion about the appropriate framework for such a study (within discussion of operating budget, within context of study of administrative compensation, etc.).

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

VOTED: To go into Executive Session for purposes of collective bargaining, with
no intent to return to public session.

Ms. Allen, Aye; Ms. Jablonski, Aye; Ms. Littlefield, Aye; Mr. Young, Aye.

The public session was adjourned at 9:25 pm

Executive Secretary