Town of Natick - School Committee Minutes

Natick Public Schools

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, March 5, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Wilson Middle School. Chairman Haugland called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

Members Present: Karen Adelman Foster, Dirk Coburn, Henry Haugland, Stephen Meyler, David Murphy,

Rick Wynn, Ted Wynne

James Connolly Superintendent

Karen LeDuc Assistant Superintendent

Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary

Matt Lanchantin Student Representative

Maureen Cushing Student Representative

Staff, Parents, Press

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Rick Wynn moved for approval of the minutes of January 29, 2007. Ms. Karen Adelman Foster seconded. They were approved by a majority vote. Mr. Meyler abstained as he was absent from this meeting.

Mr. Rick Wynn moved for approval of the minutes of February 5, 2007. Ms. Karen Adelman Foster seconded. They were unanimously approved.

Ms. Linda Olsen came forward and expressed concern that she was unable to find detailed information on Natick’s learning standards/curriculum units on the website. Dr. LeDuc will follow up with her.

Mr. Connolly announced the appointment of Ms. Anna Nolin as the new principal for Wilson Middle School upon the retirement of Ms. Ruth Evans.

PUBLIC HEARING ON THE FY08 BUDGET

Mr. Connolly presented the FY08 budget in the amount of $40,700,029, an increase of $3,287,495 (8.8%). He outlined what the proposed reductions would be if the gap between this budget and the Town Administrator’s budget were not closed and the fact that this may result in the need for an override vote. A public hearing was held. Several members of the audience came forward with questions and comments pertaining to the budget.

Following is a summary of comments/concerns:

· Governor’s budget and state aid for Natick – not sufficient

· Flaw in charter school tuition formula for Charter Schools

· Need for override – urge School Committee to seek override from town – have been lucky that this hasn’t had to happen sooner

· Shame if we had to cut full day kindergarten – going backwards

· Guidance support at high school needed

· Community needs to know more about the critical needs not included in the budget

· Override needs to be framed more palatable – not as an ultimatum

· Average cost increase in taxes of $150 per year (based on $500,000 assessment) for override has to be communicated to community

· Literacy Specialist component very critical

· Other town departments seeking operational overrides in subsequent years?

· Allow citizens to speak at joint meeting between Selectmen, School Committee and Finance Committee – look into using the money in stabilization fund, reserves and tax levy

· Other towns that have passed overrides – town vs. schools?

· Lack of capital funds for School Facilities is an issue

· Will there be a tiered override approach?

· Any consideration to pay elective for parents wanting full day kindergarten if cut is made

· Concerns of overrides in subsequent years, i.e. new high school

Mr. Murphy moved that the Natick School Department’s FY2008 budget in the amount of $40,238,029 be approved by the School Committee consistent with the superintendent’s recommendation for a level services budget and that the following list of priorities be approved by the School Committee separate from the FY2008 budget for funding as soon as resources are available:

Transportation fee offset to prevent increase $50,000

Additional .4 FTE teachers for 8^th grade math $20,000

½ time guidance at Wilson $32,000

High School Guidance $50,000

Ben Hem vice principal to full time $32,000

Additional Math tutors $83,000

Additional ½ team at Wilson (2 FTE) $100,000

Additional Engineering/Technology position – HS $50,000

The School Committee held a discussion and shared their concerns and comments. Members stressed that they are not in favor of an override either and don’t recommend any of these reductions, however, they need to work together with the town to get the resources which are needed for the schools.

The School Committee will be meeting with the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee on Monday, March 12, 2007 to discuss the FY08 budget needs and the need for an override.

Voting on Mr. Murphy’s motion was deferred.

NATICK REDMEN MASCOT HEARING

Chairman Haugland requested that the motions that are on the table for tonight’s hearing on the Natick Redmen Mascot be read by the maker of the motions, Mr. Ted Wynne and Ms. Karen Adelman Foster. They are as follows:

Mr. Wynne’s amended motion from February 28, 2007 meeting

MOVED: That effective at the start of the 2008/2009 academic year the Natick Public Schools shall cease the use of the team name “Redmen” or any other name, symbol or mascot that is based on or makes reference to race or ethnicity.

MOVED: That on or before March 19, 2007 the School Committee establish a Taskforce to recommend a new team name, mascot and symbol for use by the Natick Public Schools effective at the start of the 2008/2009 academic year, and that such Taskforce make its recommendation to the School Committee no later than the first scheduled School Committee meeting in January 2008. Such Taskforce shall be composed of:

· Two descendents each of the Natick Praying Indians and~the Nipmuc Nation

· The Natick High principal or designee

· The Natick High athletic director or designee

· A representative of the Booster Club(s)

· Four Natick High students chosen in a manner determined by the principal

· Two Natick High alumni to be chosen by the superintendent

Ms. Karen Adelman Foster’s Motion

In accordance with Natick Public School Committee Policy Section B, Number 6 B-2, Ms. Karen Adelman Foster moved that the School Committee refer the matter of team and school identity at Natick High School to an independent community study group in the form of a task force.

In accordance with Policy Section B, Number 6, B-2a, this task force will serve to advise the committee for the special purpose of determining ways the Committee may ensure that Natick and the Natick Public Schools are appropriately honoring the community’s history and its relation to the Indians who founded the town and their descendents.

In accordance with Policy Section B, Number 6, B-2b, the task force will be broadly representative, and take into consideration the specific tasks assigned to the task force. Specifically, the membership will comprise:

· Two descendents each of the Natick Praying Indians,~the Nipmuc Nation, and any other tribe with a historical tie to Natick or the immediate area

· The Natick High principal or designee

· The Natick High athletic director or designee

· A representative of the Booster Club(s)

· Four Natick High students chosen in a manner determined by the principal

· Two Natick High alumni to be chosen by the superintendent

· Two name-change advocates and two name-retaining advocates to be chosen by the Natick High principal or designee

These appointments, in accordance with Policy Section B, Number 6, B-2c, will be made by the School Committee, and in the case of staff members, made by the School Committee upon recommendation of the Superintendent. Every effort will be made to appoint the task force in advance of the public comment on the issue scheduled for February 26^th, and appointed members of the task force will be invited to that meeting to hear the public comment.

Tenure of task force members will be up to one year, in accordance with Policy Section B, Number 6, B-2d, but with the option of reappointment.

The task force’s mission and charge will be as follows:

To determine whether and how the Natick Redmen name and related imagery does or does not need to be changed in order to ensure that Natick and the Natick Public Schools are appropriately honoring the community’s history and its relation to the Indians who founded the town and their descendents.

To conduct a thorough, good-faith, fact- and research-based examination of the issues of the Natick Redmen name and related school imagery, including the opinions of all stakeholders in a manner to be determined by the task force.~In May 2008, on the basis of that examination, to bring to the Natick School Committee a set of recommendations for any action that might be necessary to ensure that Natick and the Natick Public Schools are appropriately honoring the community’s history and its relation to the Indians who founded the town and their descendents.

The task force’s timeline will be to meet throughout the year as needed in accordance with the Open Meeting Laws, and by May 2008, on the basis of those meetings, to bring to the School Committee a set of recommendations for any action that might be necessary. As noted, reappointment of the task force may be necessary.

The task force’s relationship to the School Committee will be that of an independent advisory committee, free to organize itself as it sees fit, free to meet when it sees fit. It will have an independent relationship with the media with the exception that no member of the task force may rightly claim to speak on behalf of the School Committee.

In accordance with Policy Section B, Number 6, B-2g, the School Committee will possess certain legal powers that cannot be delegated or surrendered to others. Therefore, all recommendations of the task force will be submitted to the School Committee. In accordance with Policy Section B, Number 6, B-2h, the Committee will have the sole power to dissolve the task force and reserves the right to exercise this power at any time during the life of the task force.

Chairman Haugland announced that he will call on members of the audience who wish to speak. Several members in the audience voiced their concerns/opinions both pro and con. After those wishing to speak in the audience had spoken, School Committee members stated their opinions and position.

Mr. Coburn moved to append the following to the motion by Karen Adelman Foster:

The study group shall take seriously the facts that the current name is a slang racial term, that it is perceived as a potential slur by some reasonable people including~Indians and others~notwithstanding wide agreement that nobody intends offense, and that it does not treat boys' teams and girls' teams evenhandedly.

Ms. Adelman Foster seconded.

Chairman Haugland called for a vote on Mr. Wynne’s motion.

All in favor: Mr. Meyler, Mr. Haugland, Mr. Rick Wynn, Mr. Ted Wynne. All opposed: Ms. Adelman Foster, Mr. Coburn, Mr. Murphy. The motion carried by a vote of 4 to 3.

Ms. Karen Adelman’s motion became moot.

At 12:10 p.m., Mr. Dirk Coburn moved to adjourn. Mr. Ted Wynne seconded. It was unanimously approved.

Secretary to the School Committee

Attest:_____________________________ Sharon Reilly