Minutes

March 11, 2008

Wellesley Public Schools
School Committee Meeting – Tuesday, March 11, 2008
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 Ms. Wong and Ms. Gregory. Representing the Student Congress was Kelsey Woerner.

  • PERSONNEL ANNOUNCEMENTS
    Retirement
    Lynne Buchhalter, Middle School Mathematics Teacher, effective June 30, 2008
    Resignation
    Diane Tutin    , Elementary Teacher on leave of absence, effective June 30, 2008
    Nicole Wicht, High School German Teacher, effective June 30, 2008
    Leave of Absence
    Amie Ciluffo    , High School Art Teacher, 1.0FTE leave for the 2008-09 school year
    Reduction in Teaching Time
    Michele Karol    , Middle School Social Studies Teacher, from 1.0 to 0.6FTE, effective 2008-09 school year
    Heather Scialdone    , Guidance Counselor (long term substitute), from 1.0 to 0.5FTE, effective 04/28/2008
    Appendix A Appointments
    Spring Coaching Appointments – High School
    Equipment /Faculty Manager: Patrick Gallagher   Comb. Group IVA, Step 5 & Step 1           
    Baseball:     Head Coach   Rob Kane  Group IIA, Step 5                       
    Assistant Coaches:  Jim Everhart  Group IIB, Step 3    Drew Kelton  Group IIB, Step 5             
    Part Time Assistant Coach:   Patrick Gallagher            $40/day w/$1,000 max.           
    Softball:      Head Coach Kathy Brophy  Group IIA, Step 5                       
    Assistant Coaches   Ken Bateman    Group IIB, Step 5                                                           David Nichols Group IIB, Step 5    Part Time Assistant Coach  
    Nneka Cardoza            $40/day w/$1,000 max.                                   
    Outdoor Track:  Head Coach, Girls John Griffith Group IIA, Step 5                       
    Head Coach, Boys  Bob Bergeron   Group IIA, Step 3                       
    Assistant Coaches:  Lou Pearlman Group IIB, Step 5  Lisa McDonald Group IIB, Step  3 Jesse Davis Group IIB, Step 4 
    Part Time Assistant Coach:  Mike Connelly  $40/day $1,000 max.           
    Boys Tennis:  Head Coach Mike Sabin Group IIIA, Step 5           
    Girls Tennis:   Head Coach  Alan Brazier  Group IIIA, Step 5                       
    Assistant Coach (Boys & Girls Teams) Adam Cluff Group IIIB, Step 5           
    Sailing  Head Coach  Vacant Position  Part Time Assistant Coach  Vacant Position            Girls Lacrosse:  Head Coach Chris Molonea  Group IIA, Step 5  
    Assistant Coaches  Stephanie Bresnahan Group IIB, Step 4                                                Caroline Bell Group IIB, Step 5                       
    Part Time Assistant Coach Kristin Cieri $40/day w/$1,000 max.
    Boys Lacrosse:  Head Coach  Rocky Batty Group IIA, Step 5                       
    Assistant Coaches: VACANT POSITION - JV VACANT POSITON - Freshmen                        Part Time Assistant Coach Angelo Macchiano            $40/day w/$1,000 max.
    Spring Coaching Appointments – Middle School               
    Equipment Manager:  Kirk Fredericks            Stipend:  $1,933           
    Baseball Coach  David Lyth            Group IIC, Step 1           
    Softball –Coach  Jackie Katz            Group IIC, Step 2           
    Track – Coaches  Anne White Group IIC, Step 5 Charles Walsh Group IIC, Step 5            Tennis    VACANT POSITION
    CONSENT AGENDA
    Upon motion made by Ms. Allen, seconded by Ms. Littlefield, it was unanimously
    VOTED to accept:
    Gifts               
    Contribution ($3,000): ice time for JV and WMS hockey teams, from Friends of Wellesley Boys Ice Hockey           
    Contribution ($4,000): ice time for JV and WMS hockey teams, from Friends of Wellesley Girls Ice Hockey           
    Computer microphones/ mice; digital camcorder/ accessories ($1,302) from Upham Grade 5 class of 2006-07           
    Contribution ($3,291) for WHS Art Department, (projector, screen, sound system, DVD/VCR) from WHS PTSO           
    Contribution ($795) to purchase football jerseys, gift to graduating seniors, from Wellesley Gridiron Club           
    Contribution ($113.90) to purchase 2 sound conditioners for Bridges Program, from WHS PTSO
    Contributions ($2,452) for Thompson Island scholarship assistance, from various donors

    RECOGNITIONS     Hanna Muir, WHS ‘09, currently ranked 7th nationally, who will compete in the high jump at  indoor track nationals in New York City on March 15.

    SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT     Responding toCentral Council’s concern about the student safety at school polling places on election days, school committee agreed to write a formal letter regarding this issue to the Selectmen. Under the leadership of High School science teacher Theresa Green, students have designed a green school. Wayne Lawson has been selected project manager for the elementary school infrastructure work that will occur this summer, funded by the debt exclusion approved by the town in 2007. Kelsey Woerner reported that everything is in readiness for Seminar Day, March 12.

    PUBLIC HEARING – SCHOOL CHOICE    There were no citizens present who wished to speak.

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

    DISCUSSION ITEM
    Master Plan     Ms. Wong reported. A master plan looks ahead ten years in addressing enrollment adjustments and programmatic space needs. Elementary enrollment is expected to peak in 2008-09. SMMA produced an elementary study, which included short term and long term recommendations. Short term capital issues, mainly infrastructure items at five elementary schools, will be addressed through the three-year debt exclusion approved by voters in 2007. Decisions about long term master plan issues involving the elementary schools have been deferred by school committee pending further information on enrollment trends. The town must have a full master plan and maintenance plan as part of its obligation in working with MSBA on the developing high school project.  The most recent master plan, which was developed in 1995, came to fruition through the conclusion of the Sprague and Bates projects, renovations at the middle school, and acknowledgment to address the high school. The committee discussed what the new master plan will include – e.g. plan goals, enrollment data, interim reviews of its content, costs, central office location, alternate use of schools should enrollment decline, etc. 

    ACTION ITEMS
    FY09 Budget     The committee reviewed recommendations from the superintendent totaling $1.2 million reductions to the FY09 budget. Other matters covered in the discussion were general budget development practice; fees for busing, for athletics, and for parking at the high school; the athletic program; planning for and fluctuations in the personal services budget. The committee concluded to support the recommendations as presented originally by the superintendent, February 26.

    Upon motion made by Ms. Littlefield, seconded by Ms. Allen, it was unanimously
    VOTED:            To reduce the FY09 operating budget as approved by school committee January 7, 2008, by $1.2 million as recommended.

    School Choice     The committee discussed the process in place for school choice.

    Upon motion made by Ms. Allen, seconded by Ms. Littlefield, it was unanimously
    VOTED:            That the Town of Wellesley not participate in School Choice in the school year 2008-09.

    Naming Rights     Mr. Guiffre briefed the committee regarding naming rights policy development. A special advisory committee has been convened by the Selectmen to consider whether there should be a naming rights policy in the town bylaws for purposes of consistency among town departments. It is expected that the committee will make a recommendation to Town Meeting for a bylaw amendment. Also, all town committees will develop naming rights policies, with the given understanding that since all assets within a committee’s jurisdiction are assets of the Town, and not of a particular committee, major assets of the town should be named only by Town Meeting. The committee discussed a draft naming rights policy covering assets of the committee such as rooms, furniture, areas, parts of fields, roadways, parking lots, etc. The committee further acknowledged that it will be necessary to review the current gift acceptance policy after a naming rights policy has been approved.The committee agreed to solicit feedback from the community regarding the draft naming rights policy, and to post a public hearing regarding the draft policy at its next meeting.

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

    EXECUTIVE SESSION

    Upon motion made by Ms. Newman, seconded by Ms. Littlefield, it was unanimously                             
    VOTED:              To go into Executive Session for purposes of collective bargaining and personnel matters, with intent to return to public session solely for the purpose of adjournment.Ms. Allen, aye; Mr. Guiffre, aye; Mr. Littlefield, aye; Ms. Newman, aye; Mr. Young, aye.

    The public session adjourned at 9:15 pm.

  • Executive Secretary