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[The following minutes fetched from the district site on 2009-10-16 --webmaster]

WESTBOROUGH SCHOOL COMMITTEE

WESTBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS

MINUTES

Wednesday September 23, 2009

The Westborough School Committee meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m by Chairman, Karen Henderson. Committee members present included Mr. Bruce Tretter, Mrs. Ilyse Levine-Kanji and Mr. Craig Harris. Administrators present included Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Anne Towle; Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. Marianne O’Connor; Director of Finance and Administration, Mr. Daniel Hendricks; Student Representative, Afeefa Bhatti.

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

MINUTES

Upon a motion by Mr. Tretter seconded by Mrs. Levine-Kanji, the Committee voted 4-0 to approve the minutes of September 9, 2009, as amended.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT AND HIGHLIGHTS

Dr. Towle reported on receipt of a Massachusetts Cultural Council Creative School Grant in the amount of $5,155. written by David Jost, and used to support guest artists in the schools.

The Superintendent announced the Fees Sub Committee met and has scheduled four additional meetings. Minutes of the meeting have been forwarded to the School Committee.

The 2010 National Merit Semi Finalists are Anthony Liu, Sukmin Moon, and Xiao-Yu Wang.

A Connect Ed survey has been sent out by the parent groups requesting information on the manner to inoculate especially the younger children. Should it be during school hours, after school or in the evening? The local Board of Health will be receiving the H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine in October and will dispense it at free clinics for children 5-18 years of age. The latest guideline on returning to school after an illness is 24 hours after the fever goes down.

Mrs. O’Connor referred to a press release identifying sixty students at WHS who have earned AP Scholar Awards. Gabrielle Ehrlich earned an average of 4 or higher on a 5 point scale on all AP exams taken, and grades of 4 or higher on 8 or more of these exams. Twenty-three students qualified for the Scholar with Distinction Award and sixteen qualified for Scholar with Honor.

There are 263 ELL students being served in the district, including 30 kindergarten students at the Hastings School and 23 at the Armstrong School. The greatest number is of the Indian population. Results of the MEPA testing of ELL and Title III students will be mailed September 24.

Joint Professional Development meetings are being held with the Assabet Valley Collaborative to reduce costs. Global Education will be the topic in October, December and March.

Mrs. O’Connor reported the Grant Writing Committee will be meeting next week.

Mr. Hendricks reported the Transportation Sub Committee met and will be meeting again September 30. Minutes will be forwarded to the School Committee. The Energy Committee met and is gathering pertinent information.

COMMITTEE REQUESTS AND REPORTS

Afeefa stated the High School sports teams are doing very well: Field Hockey has had 3 wins and the Football and Cheerleaders are doing great. At a Peer Mediation training assembly a mock conflict was staged including resolution. Clubs are starting up and Homecoming is October 3.

Mr. Tretter asked the parents to take part in the H1N1 survey. He reported he attended an excellent senior Wellness Class, which dealt with topics of transition after high school.

School Committee Meeting

2.

September 23, 2009

Mrs. Levine-Kanji wished to remind the community of the Special Town Meeting, October 19. She also reported

on a national grant of $10,000 from the Kennedy Center for Arts Education that David Jost is willing to help write. School Boards are invited to submit a grant for the support of high quality arts in education. A picture of the School Committee and letters from Board members must accompany the proposal. The picture has been scheduled for October 7, and Mr. Tretter and Mr. Doret will write the letters.

Mr. Harris inquired whether the Fee Sub Committee will be addressing the possibility of transportation fees in addition to the Transportation Sub Committee. He also asked that the community be kept informed the reason the fees are being considered is the projected $1.7 million dollar shortfall next year that could grow to $2.5 million. The Chapter 70 funds as well as Circuit Breaker funding is projected to have a 6% reduction across the state. The Superintendent’s Association also looked at the Federal stimulus funds which were used for the FY09 and FY10 budgets and will not be available next year. It appears there will be a 12.5% decrease in state funding next year. This computes to a $550,000 - $600,000 decrease and the town side may also see a decrease in state funding. At the October 21 meeting a better financial picture should emerge due to the new sales tax increase and alcohol taxes.

Glen Koocher of MASC will be in attendance at the October 7 meeting to give direction to the School Committee about the hiring of a new superintendent. The meeting will open with an executive session at 5:30 p.m. followed by open session.

Mrs. Henderson introduced and welcomed Brigitte Casemyr, Finance Committee liaison to the School Committee with Judy Lucas.

STATE OF SCHOOLS NEWSLETTER

The Superintendent reviewed the proposed sub titles for the State of Schools Newsletter. Committee members offered suggestions for changes and wished to especially emphasize the financial situation the school district is facing on the next budget. The community needs to be aware that the school system in place today cannot continue because of budget constraints. Mr. Tretter suggested minimal writing, incorporating graphs and much more pointed information toward the probability of cuts in technical support personnel and teachers. The state’s role needs to be emphasized. Discussion followed as to publishing two documents, one highlighting school and student accomplishments; a second document emphasizing the financial situation.

　

MCAS RESULTS FROM SPRING 2009

Mrs. O’Connor reviewed the MCAS 2009 results with the Committee and noted the district will not be able to sustain the results seen now because the resources will not be available with budget cuts. There is strong grade progress in grade eight. There is a small weakness in two sub groups at the Mill Pond School which is addressed. through Professional Development training. There is a plan in place to rectify and remediate. The MCAS are aligned to the state standards which means the district must have the needed curriculum in place. The longer we have students in Westborough, the better chance they have of being successful. Reading is especially important to math improvement.

The Committee will be meeting with the Finance Committee September 28 at 7:20 p.m. Mrs. Henderson reviewed the information to be presented at the meeting. She felt the federal and state’s reductions should be highlighted, last year’s reductions, the contingency amount of past years that could not be included this year.

The School Committee will meet with the Board of Selectmen October 13. A discussion of materials for that meeting was discussed.

Mrs. Henderson was in receipt of correspondence from Louis Cornacchioli, MTA representative, requesting recognition of twelve tutors who wished to be organized. Ten of the twelve signed cards authoring the WTA to act for them. The matter will be referred to counsel for advice.

　

　

School Committee Meeting 3.

September 23, 2009

MOTION

At 7:20 p.m. upon a motion by Mr. Tretter, seconded by Mr. Harris, the Committee voted 4-0 by roll call vote to enter Executive Session under Chapter 30A, Section 21 for the purpose of discussing ongoing litigation.

At 7:35 p.m. the Committee returned to Open Session and signed bills.

MOTION

Mr. Tretter made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Mrs. Levine-Kanji. The Committee voted 4-0 in favor of the motion.

Respectfully submitted

　

Ilyse Levine-Kanji

Secretary

These minutes are as recorded by the secretary to the school committee and do not become an official part of the record until so noted in a subsequent record.