April 29, 2008
Wellesley Public Schools
School Committee Meeting- Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Wellesley High School Library
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 7:30pm. 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
Clare Fusaro, Middle School Social Studies Teacher, effective June 30, 2008
Resignations
Ruth Lee, Middle School Special Educator, effective June 30, 2008
Pamela Yosca, 0.5FTE Elementary Library Media Specialist, effective June 30, 2008
Reduction in Teaching Time
Ellen Mandel, Library Media Specialist, from 1.0 to 0.8FTE, effective 2008-09 school year
Barbara Manley, Middle School Math Teacher, from 1.0 to 0.5FTE, effective 2008-09 school year
Appendix A Appointments
High School Coaching Appointments – Spring 2008
Sailing:
Steven Wrobleski, Coach, Group IIIA, Step 5
Ashley Bourne, Part Time Assistant Coach, Per diem $40 to Maximum $1,000
Lacrosse:
Michael Gaudet, Co-Assistant Coach (Boys JV), 50% Group IIB, Step 1
Alexander Zayac, Co-Assistant Coach (Boys JV) 50% Group IIB, Step 1
CONSENT AGENDA
Upon motion made by Ms. Littlefield, seconded by Ms. Allen, it was unanimously VOTED to accept:
Minutes
Regular School Committee Meetings dated March 25, March 31, and April 14, 2008
Gifts
Grant ($250) – Graduation Safety – from Norfolk District Attorney
Contributions ($829) towards costs of performance, sets, costumes, make-up and future middle School performances, from various donors from the audience attending “High School Musical” at WMS February 2008
Wet/Dry HEPA filter sealed shop vac (value $655) for use in high school ceramics room, from Anonymous
Contribution ($2,142) to purchase 42 Tubanos for the elementary music program, from Wellesley PoPS
Salary Lane Change
Penny Copplestone – Master’s Plus 30, effective March 28, 2008
Rachel Stewart – Master’s Plus 30, effective April 8, 2008
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Ms. Wong stated it is a busy time for staff evaluations and hiring. In particular, the search for principals for Hardy and Bates is progressing—there are 2 finalists for the Hardy vacancy and one finalist for the Bates position.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
Ms. Newman attended the Suburban Coalition Legislative Breakfast at the State House to show support for additional local aid and circuit breaker funding. Mr. Guiffre reported that following Town Meeting approval of proposed collaboration between Schofield School and Temple BethElohim for certain shared parking, a contract was signed documenting the agreed practices. The Sprague Field remediationproject has gone out to public bid, following Town Meeting approval, and bids will be opened in early May. The project will begin after school has ended. Ms. Allen reported the high school project parking working group expects to hold a public hearing in June before school ends. The town-wide mental health group continues to meet monthly. Replacement of the Fiske, Hardy, and Schofield roofs (part of the 3 year Capital project) will occur this summer. Ms. Littlefield said several trees have been removed at the middle school due to new electric service and window repair. School representatives have met with the DPW, and other town officials as well as the middle school PTO to consider a landscape plan. Ms. Littlefield met with project manager Roger Gurney, architects, and others to consider a pool fit test for both high school project options. The proposed pool would be comparable to, but smaller than, the Concord facility. Ms. Woerner reported Student Congress elections are upcoming. The food service survey received about 300 responses and is being reviewed. Student Michael Kehoe continues to follow the building project at SBC meetings. Parking availability at Shaws has recently been limited to 30 spots due to some undesirable parking practices. Students have recently been allowed to sign out to the mezzanine for study halls.
CITIZEN SPEAK
There were no citizens present who wished to speak.
ACTION ITEMS
Proposed New Policy Anne Prinn, Department Head of Nursing, and Ellen Honeyman, Director of Student Services answered questions on the “Children with Comfort Care/Do Not Resuscitate Orders in the School Setting” policy. The State requires that school districts establish such a policy. There are currently 5 such DNR orders for students in the State.
Upon motion made by Ms. Littlefield, seconded by Ms. Allen, it was unanimously
VOTED: To approve the “Children with Comfort Care/Do Not Resuscitate Orders in the School Setting” policy with the 4/08 revisions and incorporate it as Wellesley Public School policy.
Motion CARRIED (5 – 0)
Diane Cileno, Director of Libraries, presented the proposed Library Material Selection Policy.She stated there are two main reasons to have this policy: 1) to provide guidelines to librarians for purchase and 2) to have a consistent way to respond if there is a book selection challenge.
Upon motion made by Ms. Littlefield, seconded by Ms. Allen, it was unanimously
VOTED: To approve the “Library Material Selection” policy as presented.
Motion CARRIED (5 – 0)
DISCUSSION ITEMS
High School Project Ms. Littlefield stated several decision point meetings are scheduled to review the two high school project building options. These meetings are intended for the community to give feedback to School Building Committee, who will then work with Massachusetts School Building Authority to reach a final decision. The meetings are
Wednesday, April 30th at 7:30pm in Middle School Auditorium
Sunday, May 4th at 3pm at the Police Station
Tuesday, May 6th at 7:30pm at Wellesley Middle School Auditorium
Monday, May 12th at 1pm at the Town Library
Ms. Wong added there continues to be additional scrutiny around the educational program regarding allocated square footage. With the 185 sq. ft. per student MSBA allowance and program built for 1600 students, the current proposed education program exceeds MSBA guidelines by 10%. Working with the project manager, an exercise will be completed before School Committee’s next meeting to show the effects of cuts that could bring the proposal within MSBA guidelines.
Facilities Update
Ms. Gregory stated the process of hiring a Town Facilities Director is continuing and the posting will close on May 1. Interviewing should begin shortly. Bids were opened last week for the work on the 4 additional classrooms at the high school. The middle school punch list continues its close out process, with some progress over the past vacation week. In addition to the roof work scheduled at three elementary schools, work this summer will include installation of exterior lights at Hunnewell and Hardy. Significant design work will begin for Fiske and other pieces of the three-year capital package.
CITIZEN SPEAK
There were no citizens present who wished to speak.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Upon motion made by Ms. Littlefield, seconded by Ms. Allen, it was unanimously
VOTED: To go into Executive Session for purposes of collective bargaining with intent to return to public session solely for the purpose of adjournment.
Ms Allen, aye; Mr. Guiffre, aye; Ms. Littlefield, aye; Ms. Newman, aye; Mr. Young, aye.
The public session adjourned at 8:50 pm.
Executive Secretary
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