November 27, 2007

Wellesley Public Schools
School Committee Meeting - Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Wellesley High School Library

The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 7:30 pm. Mr. Young, Ms. Allen, Ms. Littlefield, and Ms. Newman were present. Also present were Ms. Wong and Ms. Gregory. Representing the Student Congress was Kelsey Woerner. Mr. Guiffre was absent.

PERSONNEL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Appointment
Heather Scialdone, 1.0FTE Guidance Counselor (long term substitute), Step M-1 per diem, effective December 17, 2007 - April 18, 2008
Leave of Absence
Susan Connolly, High School Spanish Teacher, leave of absence March 10 - June 30, 2008
Paul Guzzi, Elementary Fitness & Health Teacher, leave of absence November 1 , 2007 - February 7, 2008
Hillary Sturman, Middle School Art Specialist, leave of absence February 11 - June 30, 2008
Appendix A Appointments
Michael Kelley, Coach, Middle School Cross Country (Fall Season), Group IIIC, Step 3
Anne White, Bus Supervision (morning), Middle School
Appendix A Coaching Appointments -- Winter Season
High School
Faculty Manager Patrick Gallagher Group IVA, Step 5
Team Room Manager Patrick Gallagher Group IVA, Step 1
Dance
Head Coach Marissa Farrell Group VIA, Step 5
Wrestling
Head Coach Mike Parziale 50% combined Group IIA, Step 5 and Group IIB, Step 5
Assistant Coach Craig Brown 50% combined Group IIA, Step 5 and Group IIB, Step 5
Boys Basketball
Head Coach Luke Day Group IIA, Step 5
Assistant Coaches Adam Cluff Group IIB, Step 5
Glen Magpiong Group IIB, Step 4
Part Time Assistant Coach David Lyth $40/diem; to $1,000 maximum
Girls Basketball
Head Coach Kristin Cieri Group IIA, Step 5
Assistant Coaches Chris Molonea Group IIB, Step 5
Chatham Flynn Group IIB, Step 3
Part Time Assistant Coach Laura Diliberto $40/diem to $1,000 maximum
Boys Ice Hockey
Head Coach Paul Donato Group IIA, Step 5
Assistant Coach Danny Panciocco Group IIB, Step 5
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 John Griffith Group IIA, Step 5
Head Coach -- Boys Bob Bergeron Group IIA, Step 4
Assistant Coaches Jamie Chisum Group IIB, Step 5
Lisa McDonald Group IIB, Step 3
Lou Pearlman Group IIB, Step 5
Skiing
Nordic Head Coach John Fantini Group IIIA, Step 3
Alpine Head Coach Cory Tusier Group IIIA, Step 5
Middle School
Equipment Manager Kirk Fredericks Fixed Stipend
Girls Basketball Jen Lawlor Group IIC, Step 5
Marianna Chiodo Group IIC, Step 5
Boys Basketball Tim Kiley Group IIC, Step 2
Drew Kelton Group IIC, Step 5
Boys Ice Hockey Ken Bateman Group IIC, Step 5
Girls Ice Hockey Chris Forde Group IIC, Step 4

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 9 and October 30, 2007, and executive session minutes dated October 23 and October 30, 2007
Gifts
To accept
License for Soliloquy ($1,000) at Hunnewell School, from Hunnewell PTO
Lock Set ($175) for Schofield School/Shopper’s Corner basement door, from Schofield PTO

RECOGNITIONS
Athletic Teams, for successful fall seasons, notably Girls Swimming and Cross Country. • Christine Molonea, recipient of the Hugenot Coach of the Year award for leadership and good sportsmanship. Performing Arts. 50 students auditioned. 18 qualified for states; and 32 qualified for district. All who were involved in Fiddler on the Roof, especially • Kevin McDonald, vocal director • Steven Scott, orchestra director • Stephen Wrobleski, director • Janet Yukna, choreographer • Chad Weirick, accompanist• Kelsey Woerner, WHS ‘08, the Fiddler. Town officials, including • Katherine Babson, Chairman of the School Building Committee • Hans Larsen, Executive Director , and• Albert Robinson, Town Counsel, who collaborated in successful negotiatons for the purchase of three properties adjacent to Wellesley High School

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT Recently Ms. Wong served as a judge at the WEF Bee and spoke at the dedication of the Ellen Cunniff memorial labyrinth at Sprague School. Professional Day activities were building based this year. The high school focused on recognizing signs of depression in adolescents; crisis team protocol; dealing with the aftermath of trauma. Other schools focused on team building; resilience; behavior issues. Three Japanese educators visited Wellesley schools this week, where they learned about the use of technology in Wellesley classrooms.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT High school students have expressed their concerns about their need for ample parking during and after a building project. Progress continues on the middle school punch list. Sprague Fields Task Force continues to meet. The School Building Committee has chosen four options for continued development towards a high school project. The MSBA is expected to announce on November 28 projects selected in the first round of funding. School Committee will revisit asbestos abatement issues with the Permanent Building Committee. The Performing Arts schedule of mid-year programs has begun. The PBC will soon interview project manager candidates for debt exclusion funded maintenance at elementary schools. The mental health steering committee is continuing its planning. The high school project parking working group has begun its fact finding for temporary solutions during construction. Wellesley Education Foundation and the Wellesley Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a gala on December 8, with some of the proceeds earmarked for the schools. A recent METCO forum held in Westwood, prompted in part by the recent US Supreme Court decision that schools may not diversify their student bodies on the basis of race alone, was well attended by representatives of west suburban school districts and state legislators.

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

DISCUSSION ITEMS
Special Education Tuition and Transportation Update: K-12 Interim Director of Student Services Ellen Honeyman updated the committee about special education in the district this year.

2008-09 Academic Year Calendar The committee discussed a draft of the 2008-09 academic year calendar. It was agreed to solicit feedback from the community before the committee takes a final vote of approval, scheduled for December 11.

ACTION ITEM
FY09 Capital Budget The committee reviewed details of its proposed capital budget in preparation for the presentation to Advisory on November 28. The committee discussed amending the capital budget to provide for an elementary feasibility study.

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

VOTED: To add $30,000 to the FY09 cash capital budget for an elementary master plan
to update the elementary master plan (2005) developed by SMMA.

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

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

The public session adjourned at 9:25 pm.

Executive Secretary