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[The following minutes fetched from the district site on 2009-12-02 --webmaster]

WESTBOROUGH SCHOOL COMMITTEE

WESTBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS

MINUTES

Wednesday October 21, 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, Mr. Stephen Doret and Mr. Craig Harris. Administrators present were Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Anne Towle; Assistant Superintendent, Marianne O’Connor; Director of Finance and Administration, Daniel Hendricks; Principal, John Smith; Director of Fine Arts, David Jost.

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

MINUTES

Upon a motion by Mr. Tretter seconded by Mr. Harris, the Committee voted 5-0 to approve the minutes of October 7, 2009.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT AND HIGHLIGHTS

Dr. Towle introduced and congratulated Cameron Piper for achieving the Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout Award. As his project, he gave 110 hours to restore the green house at the Gibbons School.

The Superintendent also recognized and presented Certificates of Achievement to National Merit Scholarship Commended students. Those present to receive the certificates were Madeline Fryer, Veronica Hilton, George Lee, Samuel Silverman, Emily Van Dam and Rahul Vetekat. Also receiving a certificate were Kevin Gao, Tony Lin, Andrew Lu, Kelly Reilly, Jacob Reske, Narayanan Sadagopan, Ruisi Shang, and Daniel Sullivan.

Dr. Towle announced Diane Libbey, High School Librarian, was honored by the Massachusetts School Library Association with the Central Area Directors’ Award for her work in the field of school librarian.

Staff members, David Jost, Susan Saari, Sky Headland, John Hayes-Nikas, Pam Rourke-Dupuis, Joe Stillitano, Matt Lefebvre, and Brian Schlegel were thanked for their time and commitment as representatives of the school district at the town’s October 2 Arts in Common event.

Holy Cross College recently honored Anthony Liu for a perfect score of 36 on the ACT. Less than 1% of the 1,480,469 students who took the exam achieved this level of performance.

Superintendent Towle highlighted the achievement of the Westborough High School Math team in the Worcester County Math League. The team broke a twenty-six year record for a varsity team by scoring 103 points. Team members are Anthony Liu, Xiao-yu Wang, Bianca Homberg, Keith Saver and Ningrui Li.

The Mill Pond School will sponsor a United Nations Summit at the end of the year involving 100 sixth graders. The event was highlighted by the Character Education Partnership in its newsletter. Students play the role of historic or contemporary “persons of character”.

Hastings School students, Shirley Wang and Ella Sharon, are finalists in the ADL’S A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE Institute’s 25^th Anniversary 2010 Calendar Art Award from out of over 1000 submissions.

Mrs. O’Connor announced receipt of emails from college students who praised the preparation they received at Westborough High School. A Tufts University and Johns Hopkins University student praised the physics department and Mike Fontaine for the preparation that is serving them so well in college.

The Trivia Bee, sponsored by the Westborough Education Foundation, will be held November 9 at the Doubletree Hotel. The school department has fourteen teams entered.

Mrs. O’Connor acknowledged the time and effort Maria Homberg has spent on bringing the Math team together.

School Committee Meeting 2.

October 21, 2009

Mr. Hendricks reported attending a workshop featuring Noel Berger, Director of the Budget and Policy Center. The event was also attended by Lt. Gov. Tim Murray, who spoke on the state’s fiscal realities. Mr. Murray stated the state is projected to have a $600 million dollar deficit, which will impact reductions in this year’s budget.

COMMITTEE REQUESTS AND REPORTS

Afeefa reported Coach Colleen Debish was honored for her 300 field hockey wins. The Math Team placed 7^th out of 85 teams at the WPI math competition. Seniors are being fitted for caps and gowns this week and the Multi Cultural Council is hosting a banquet.

Mrs. Levine-Kanji congratulated the participants in the Fales Family Fun Day last Saturday. It was a great success and the enrichment programs will benefit.

Mr. Doret quoted from an article in boston.com that states are using money from the economic stimulus to plug budget holes instead of boosting aid to schools. “The inspector general singled out Connecticut, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania for cutting state spending on education and replacing it with stimulus dollars.”

Mr. Harris reported the unemployment numbers have risen again. Westborough has 699 unemployed residents, or 6.9% of the town population. WASA will be holding a food drive on Halloween to help replenish the Food Pantry.

Mrs. Henderson reminded the community the Special Town Meeting will be held Monday, October 26, at the high school. The school department does have an article on the warrant. The Transportation, Fee and Grant sub committees are meeting and will bring forward a report to the full School Committee. The Armstrong Fundraising Benefit will be held this weekend with funds benefiting the entire community. Mrs. Henderson also noted she attended the recent Hastings Parent Organization meeting.

MOTION

Mr. Tretter made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Levine-Kanji, to approve Policy IHBAA, Observations of Special Education Programs, as amended. The Committee voted 5-0 in favor.

MOTION

Mr. Tretter made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Levine-Kanji, to accept with sincere thanks the generous grant of $1800 from the Civic Club, for the purchase of laptops for guidance counselors to work with students. The Committee voted 5-0 in favor of the motion.

Mrs. Rebecca Pittorino of the Armstrong Parents Group requested permission to sponsor a fundraiser, Holiday Shoppe, consisting of many Westborough home businesses. Each vendor will pay $50 for a table.

MOTION

Upon the Superintendent’s recommendation, Mr. Tretter made a motion to approve the APG fundraiser. Mr. Doret seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor.

Richard Hager, High School Orchestra Director, requested permission to schedule a concert trip to Washington, D.C. April 23-27, 2010, with the String Orchestra. Performances will be held on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and the Marine Museum. The Honors String Quartet and String Chamber Ensemble will perform at the Old Post Office Pavilion. A mandatory meeting of parents and students will be scheduled. The trip is estimated to cost $650 by Suburban Tours.

MOTION

Mr. Doret made a motion to approve the request. Mr. Tretter seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor.

School Committee Meeting 3.

October 21, 2009

MASC RESOLUTIONS MASC/MASS Joint Conference November 18 Hyannis, MA

Resolution #1 School Funding

Mr. Doret made a motion to give the School Committee voting representative full authority to vote her conscience on the Resolution after hearing all opinions in Hyannis. Mrs. Levine-Kanji seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor.

Resolution #2 METCO

Mr. Harris made a motion to support the Resolution. Mr. Doret seconded the motion. The Committee voted 3-2 on the motion with Mr. Tretter and Mrs. Levine-Kanji voting in the negative.

Resolution #3 MEDICAID

Mr. Tretter made a motion to support the Resolution. Mr. Harris seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor.

Resolution #4 READINESS SCHOOLS

The Committee expressed disagreement with the language of this Resolution. Mr. Tretter made a motion not to support the Resolution. Mr. Doret seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor of the motion.

Resolution #5 CHARTER SCHOOLS

It was noted the school districts lose $12,000 for each student attending Charter Schools. Mr. Tretter made a motion to support the Resolution. Mr. Harris seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor.

Resolution #6 DISTRICT RESTRUCTURING

Mr. Harris made a motion to support the Resolution which has local control over regionalization. Mr. Tretter seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor.

Resolution #7 SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS

Mr. Tretter made a motion to support Resolution #7 which restores school committee approval over Improvement Plans. Mr. Doret seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor.

Resolution #8 REAUTHORIZATION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT

Mr. Tretter made a motion not to support the Resolution. Mrs. Henderson seconded the motion.

Mr. Doret made a motion to authorize Mrs. Henderson after debate to vote her conscience on the Resolution. Mr. Harris seconded the motion.

The Committee voted 3-2 on the first motion with Mr. Doret and Mrs. Levine-Kanji voting in the negative.

Resolution #9 CHARTER SCHOOL REIMBURSEMENT

Mr. Doret made a motion to loudly support the Resolution. Mr. Tretter seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor.

Resolution #10 RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF EDUCATOR EXCELLENCE

Mr. Tretter made a motion to support the Resolution. Mr. Doret seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor.

Resolution #11 INCLUSION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS ON STATE TASK FORCES, SPECIAL COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS

Mr. Tretter made a motion to support the Resolution. Mr. Harris seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor.

Westborough School Committee 4.

October 21, 2009

LEE PROPERTY

MOTION

Mr. Tretter made a motion to appoint Mr. Harris to the Lee Property Ad Hoc Committee with voting rights. Mr. Doret seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor.

DONATION

MOTION

Upon the Superintendent’s recommendation, Mr. Tretter made a motion to accept with gratitude a $4000 fitness station for the Gibbons School from Jim Meikle. Mr. Harris seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor.

YOUTH RISK SURVEY

Roger Anderson, who oversees the Health and Wellness Program at the High School, reviewed the results of the MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey administered in 2008 through a grant to Westborough High School and Middle School students.

Alcohol is the number one abused substance in the Metro West area and nationally. At the 12^th grade level, over half of the student population abuses alcohol, with 40% binge drinking. Districtwide 24% binge drink. Marijuana use has increased possibly due to reductions in penalties. One ounce equals 50-70 joints and has a $100 fine. It is a gateway drug that leads to others.

At the High School skills are being taught with the ninth grade curriculum focusing on decision making. The survey points out 23% of the participants have driven in a car with someone who has consumed alcohol, and 13% have driven in a car with a person under 21 years of age who has consumed alcohol.

Mr. Anderson reported Westborough will be participating in AlcoholEdu for High School which addresses underage drinking with an evidence based online program designed specifically for today’s youth. It is a ninety minute online program that will be seen by all ninth grade students. A grant will cover the cost. Alcohol abuse rises from 20% to 40% in the freshman year.

Mr. Doret requested Mr. Anderson keep the School Committee informed of program funding. He felt the program needs to continue.

Mr. Anderson noted freshmen college students are at risk so the 12^th grade curriculum strongly emphasizes refusal skills. The first six weeks of college see a dramatic increase in binge drinking and lack of sexual abstinence.

Mr. Anderson continued with the information that friends sometimes make choices that make a student feel uncomfortable. By frequent role playing, a student becomes more at ease in refusing bad behavior and making better decisions. If a student is asked what he/she would do in a situation often enough, the right decision is often easier to make when it matters. The survey found the majority of ninth grade students are at social risk.

Of concern at the Middle School is the amount of bullying that occurs, both in person and electronically. Mr. Anderson pointed out everyone has a camera in his/her pocket. One inappropriate picture circulated is very traceable and is a felony. The middle school student also shows an increase from 8% to 16% for alcohol abuse.

Principal Smith noted all incoming students are given a Student Handbook and must sign off that it has been read. Problems of stress and suicide are more prevalent the junior year when stress is at its highest. He also noted bullying is being talked about so that students are aware of what is bullying. This topic has shown an increase at the high school level.

Data has also shown that a student having “5 dinners at home” has less substance abuse problems.

Mrs. Levine-Kanji was pleased to see that the students felt they had someone to talk to either at home or at school.

Westborough School Committee 5

October 21, 2009

The Committee will review the Gibbons School Improvement Plan at the next meeting.

The School Committee discussed the timeline and needs for the superintendent search.

Needs:

Next 2 years financial management of the schools in the face of declining resources

Maintaining quality academic standards

Maintaining quality of services

Maintaining quality of facilities

Adjustments – class size is going to go up

Prioritize needs of the district for the best possible way to assure student achievement.

Ability to make difficult decisions

Communication and relationship skills

Educational leadership – goals, curriculum

Demonstrate understanding of education in terms of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Involvement in educational organizations

Understand compliance with state and federal regulations

A discussion of the role of the Search Committee took place. Mr. Doret stated it is the responsibility of the Committee to hire a superintendent under Education Reform, and therefore the school committee should be the search committee. Mr. Tretter disagreed and felt there should be a broader range of individuals on the committee. Either way, the School Committee would seek input from stakeholders.

MOTION

Mrs. Henderson made a motion that the School Committee be the Search Committee. Mr. Doret seconded the motion.

Mrs. Levine-Kanji felt there should be a public forum. Mr. Tretter felt all other committees have a broader membership. The stakeholders represent their constituents. Mr. Harris respectfully disagreed. Ed Reform took away other responsibilities of school committees, but left the hiring and firing of the superintendent and budget process. The responsibility lies with the school committee. Mr. Doret agreed that is the job of the school committee under Ed Reform. Input will be gathered from other sources, but the responsibility lies with the school committee. Mrs. Henderson felt the committee would receive input through survey and focus groups.

The Committee voted 3-2 in favor of the motion with Mr. Tretter and Mrs. Levine-Kanji voting in the negative.

Questions for the survey will be drawn up, a time limit set, and the results will be coded to go only to the School Committee.

The Committee signed bills.

MOTION

At 8:30 p.m. upon a motion by Mr. Tretter, seconded by Mrs. Levine-Kanji, the Committee voted 5-0 to adjourn.

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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.