October 30, 2007

Wellesley Public Schools
School Committee Meeting - Tuesday, October 30, 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 Ms. Wong and Ms. Gregory. Representing the Student Congress was Kelsey Woerner.

PERSONNEL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Leave of Absence
Alison McCormick, High School English Teacher, for the period February 1 - April 14, 2007
Amy Jankins, Elementary Teacher, for the period January 21 - April 25, 2007
Stipended Appointments
Julie Spilka, TV/Video Departmental Assistant
Jackie Hoglund, Elementary Web Design
Nicole Putnam, Elementary Web Design
Andrea Holbrook, High School Web Design
Dick Heller, District Web Design

CONSENT AGENDA
Upon motion made by Ms. Littlefield, seconded by Ms. Allen, it was unanimously VOTED:
Minutes
To accept minutes of regular school committee meetings dated October 17 and October 23, 2007
Salary Lane Change
Master’s - Theresa Green, effective October 26, 2007

RECOGNITIONS
• Will Stoeckle and • Kelsey Woerner, recipients of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Certificate of Academic Excellence, awarded annually in the fall. • Ronna Frick • Jen MacPherson • Susan Smith • Nancy Cali • Toni Duval • Stacey Piwinski • Deb Levine • Laura Palin • Marty Wagner • Lynn Moore-Benson, presenters to the Wellesley Education Foundation Campaign for Enduring Excellence reception.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
The School Building Committee has requested electronic distribution of its newsletter to all families with children enrolled in the public schools.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
At a recent public forum the School Building Committee presented a cost evaluation of the high school project. Construction of a new high school will range from $136 - $148 Million. A renovation project will range $140 to $152 Million. Four options are currently being considered, all of which take advantage of additional land on Seaver Street from the “Selectmen’s Parcel” and three residences negotiated for purchase by the Town. The options range from renovation/addition over five years in four phases, to totally new construction on the site, and phased construction. The SBC forum also addressed parking /traffic flow concerns during and after construction and renewed interest in a swimming pool within the overall project. MSBA representatives will visit the high school in late November. There was discussion of varied models for building administration -- autonomous house structure v. administrative house structure. The high school student congress is now also represented at SBC meetings. Food Services has begun a dialogue with students about the cafeteria, with plans to survey students soon. The Fiske PTO has requested consideration to apply debt exclusion capital funding to wire the ceilings when other planned ceiling maintenance work occurs at the school.

CITIZEN SPEAK
LAURA HOCKETT, Committee 21: As the FY09 budget is developed, school committee should consider at a minimum a level service budget to provide for the educational program at class size guidelines without pre-emptive cuts. The impact of decisions made during development of the FY08 budget to defer expenditures is being felt in classes this year which are over guideline in the middle school and at Sprague. Requesting “transparency and clarity” early in the process, Ms. Hockett requested that the public be made aware at a specific level of the need to prioritize and cut expenses so that town residents can provide feedback about what they value.

AMY BERG, Sprague PTO: The Sprague enrollment this year exceeded projections by 14-15 students. Several sections at Sprague exceed class size guidelines. The Sprague PTO asks the committee to consider adding funding within the budget for another faculty member at Sprague.

ALISSA KEENE, Middle School PTO: Development of the FY09 budget must consider the educational needs of all the schools to support the goals, class size guidelines, and program. The current budget did not provide for an additional grade six teacher; all but one sixth grade class this year exceed the guideline. Planning for increased enrollment needs to be done each year. The town needs to see what the cost is to support the educational program for all students.

ELLEN GIBBS, High School: It is important to maintain the current educational program. Do not place at risk the education of students through an inadequate budget for teaching positions. The student-teacher ratio and the quality and effectiveness of teaching has made conditions manageable in the high school. The budget should present the full scope of the realistic and anticipated needs of students and teachers.

ACTION ITEMS
FY09 Capital Budget: Ms. Allen and Ms. Newman reported regarding the full review of the FY09 capital budget request with advisory.
Upon motion made by Ms. Allen, seconded by Ms. Newman, it was unanimously
VOTED: To approve the FY09 capital budget request in the amount of $1,311,569,
as presented.
CARRIED (5 - 0).

FY09 Budget Guidelines: The committee discussed amending the FY09 budget guidelines that were approved in September to include reference to a financial target, given recent information from Advisory for a recommended percentage increase guideline. The committee discussed developing a budget within the guideline; at “level service;” to support consistent program and operations; or to support program additions. The committee agreed to request three distinctions in the superintendent’s proposed FY09 budget as follows:

consistent program -- Sustain
within the limit of the Advisory guideline-- Cut
proposals for moving forward-- Advance

The committee acknowledged that “level service” has in the recent past been interpreted as classroom program for students without consideration of administration. In recent years the budget has been supplemented by Wellesley Education Foundation for professional development and library books.

Upon motion made by Mr. Guiffre, seconded by Ms. Littlefield, it was unanimously
VOTED: To amend the FY09 budget guidelines to include the following:
•Develop a budget that (1) advances the program; (2) cuts program in order to meet the guideline from Advisory; and (3) maintains a consistent program.
CARRIED (5 - 0).

Sprague Fields Task Force: Mr. Guiffre reported. The task force has identified a provider -- ENSR --to consult with the town on environmental/health risk evaluation of field remediation options. He requested the committee’s approval to enter into a contract with ENSR. A proposed contract has been distributed for review by all members of the task force. Mr. Guiffre will also seek the advice of town counsel regarding the proposed contract.

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

VOTED: To approve the expenditure of funds from the school department FY08 budget not to exceed $10,000 for a consultant contract with ENSR to provide health and environmental risk evaluation of possible remediations to the Sprague Field, subject to approval of Town Counsel.
CARRIED (5 - 0).

DISCUSSION ITEMS
Naming Rights School Building Committee Chairman Katherine Babson reported. The SBC anticipates that portions of the high school project will be funded privately. Currently each board with jurisdiction over a particular building has the right to develop its own policy for the naming of rooms, etc. Given the absence of a discernible policy, Town Counsel has recommended that the Board of Selectmen designate a committee to determine a town-wide policy governing the right to name municipal sites. The school committee will soon be asked to designate a representative to this new committee.

High School Parking As the School Building Committee proceeds in developing the high school project, Ms. Babson asked the school committee to designate a group to address two issues regarding parking. (1) Parking options at the high school during the construction period. (2) Number of parking spaces, including requirements/options for faculty/students, and for community use when the project is completed. She suggested that the committee include representation from parents, school administration, school committee, the neighborhood, and the School Building Committee.

MCAS Results Director of Curriculum Becky McFall reported on the results of the most recent administration of MCAS.

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

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Upon motion made by Ms. Littlefield, seconded by Mr. Guiffre, 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; Mr. Littlefield, aye; Ms. Newman, aye; Mr. Young, aye.

The public session adjourned at 9:45 pm.

Executive Secretary