December 19, 2006

Wellesley Public Schools
School Committee Meeting - Tuesday, December 19, 2006
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 John McDermott.

PERSONNEL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Appointment - Correction
Shari Johnson, 0.2FTE School Nurse, Step M-5, effective December 8, 2006

Appendix A Appointments
2006-07 Special Education Team Leaders
Meredith Salloway - Bates
Beth Pullman - Fiske
Lauren Pedroli - Hardy
Phyllis Fermon - Hunnewell
Troy Carr - Schofield
Elana Wolkoff - Sprague
Farrah Taulbee -Upham

Daniel Panciocco, Coach, Middle School Boys Hockey, Group IIC, Step 5
Greg Rice, Coach, Middle School Boys Basketball, Group IIC, Step 4

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
As renovations work continues at the middle school, students are learning a new route for passage through the building due to closure of the center staircase. The PTO has funded the installation of new carpet in the Hardy library.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE’S REPORT
The playing fields task force will seek funding from Annual Town Meeting for remediation of the Sprague fields. The credentials review sub committee for the superintendent search met with consultant Jackie Roy recently, and will convene again on January 20 to review materials formally submitted by candidates seeking consideration to become superintendent in Wellesley. The committee reviewed the budget hearing and sub committee review process which will occur in early 2007. Student Congress representative John McDermott reported that they are revisiting the “three tests per day” rule, and the students are progressing in resolving issues that developed this year around places to gather during free periods, which stem from new rules in the library. One new location is the Mac Lab during fifth period, with the same staffing as is assigned on the mezzanine. The larger issue is a culture change issue concerning students’ options when assigned to a study hall.

CITIZEN SPEAK
Patricia Wiggins, Precinct F: Parent of a student who travels by van to a school in a community neighboring to Wellesley, Ms. Wiggins described her son’s transportation experiences, which she considers unsatisfactory.

ACTION ITEM
Program of Studies There being no additional questions following its discussion at the previous meeting about proposed changes to programs of studies for the middle school and high school,

Upon motion made by Ms. Littlefield, seconded by Ms. Jablonski, it was unanimously
VOTED: To approve the middle school program of studies for 2007-08 as presented.
The motion CARRIED unanimously (5- 0)

Upon motion made by Ms. Littlefield, seconded by Ms. Jablonski, it was unanimously
VOTED: To approve the high school program of studies for 2007-08 as presented.
The motion CARRIED unanimously (5- 0)

Warrant Article Placeholders School committee listed several potential issues for which it might wish to submit placeholder motions on the 2007 Annual Town Meeting warrant by the deadline of January 5: remediation of Sprague playing fields, contingency for the middle school project, high school project, and a capital expenditure debt exemption. Agreeing that many of the cited issues overlap with the town’s overall planning, which is still developing through the Selectmen, the school committee followed up with partial action and tabled consideration of the remainder until January.

1. Middle School Project
Upon motion made by Ms. Littlefield, seconded by Ms. Jablonski, it was unanimously

VOTED: To place an article on the Annual Town Meeting 2007 Warrant to replenish contingency funds for the middle school renovation project, wording to be determined by Town Counsel.
The motion CARRIED unanimously (5- 0)

2. Sprague Playing Fields Remediation
Debris migrating to the surface at the Sprague fields, which was formerly a dump site, requires attention, and the playing fields task force is considering two possible remediations -- installation of artificial turf or capping the field. There has been no determination about which agency would fund the project, though possibilities include the CPC, the town, or private sources (youth leagues, etc.)

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

VOTED: To place an article on the Annual Town Meeting 2007 Warrant to seek funds for remediation of the Sprague ball fields, wording to be determined by Town Counsel.
The motion CARRIED unanimously (5- 0)

3. High School Project
Mr. Young reported that the Selectmen intend to develop a placeholder article for the formation of a town-wide building committee for the high school project, in accordance with the new MSBA regulations, but the committee responded that since it is a school project, initiation of this article should rest with the school committee. School committee noted that at a Massachusetts municipal meeting in mid-January MSBA executive director Katherine Craven will present regarding the new regulations.

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

VOTED: To place an article on the Annual Town Meeting 2007 Warrant for the formation of a committee as defined in the MSBA regulations for a high school building project.
The motion CARRIED unanimously (5- 0)

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

VOTED: To place an article on the Annual Town Meeting 2007 Warrant to seek funds for schematic design for a high school project, wording to be determined by Town Counsel.
The motion CARRIED unanimously (5- 0)

School committee discussed the status of position papers about the high school project, which they are developing for website posting . It was also noted that the final report from the program review process is nearing completion. Mr. Young reported that the recent lengthy meeting with Permanent Building Committee allowed PBC to hear what school committee has heard about the site and program, etc. The architects were present as well, presenting their views on the wetlands issue. The PBC is poised to seek cost estimates.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Upon motion made by Ms. Littlefield, seconded by Ms. Allen, it ws 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 8:37 pm

Executive Secretary