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[The following minutes, posted 1/28/10 on the district site, were copied on 28-Jan-2010.  Minor differences in formatting do occur, please access the district site if you desire an official, formal copy --webmaster]

WESTBOROUGH SCHOOL COMMITTEE

WESTBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS

MINUTES

Wednesday                                                                                                                                          January 6, 2010

 

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, Mr. Craig Harris, Mr. Stephen Doret and Mrs. Ilyse Levine-Kanji. Administrators present were Superintendent, Dr. Anne Towle, Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. Marianne O’Connor; Director of Finance and Administration, Mr. Daniel Hendricks; Student Representative, Afeefa Bhatti; Director of Technology, Kathy Martin, Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Maureen Ferguson; Principal, Pattie Berkey.

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 5-0 in favor of approving the minutes of December 10, 2009.

 

Upon a motion by Mr. Tretter, seconded by Mrs. Levine-Kanji, the Committee voted 5-0 in favor of approving the minutes of December 16, 2009.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS

Superintendent Towle announced Linda Kimball, Gibbons School Librarian, will serve on the Executive Board of the Massachusetts School Library Association as Central Area co-director.

The Westborough school district, as well as Uxbridge, Ashland, Maynard, Hudson, Berlin-Boylston, and Northborough-Southborough, received $74,000 to work with vendors to support the Massachusetts Student Information System implementation. The information will be uploaded to the Department of Education.  Congratulations to Kathy Martin for securing the funding.

Bianca Homberg has been selected as the 2010 recipient of the National NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing. She will receive a $500 cash award, and a laptop computer at an awards ceremony in Charlotte, North Carolina. The award recognizes outstanding aptitude and interest in information technology and computing.

Dr. Towle congratulated the Telegram Fall 2009 All Star Athletes.  Player of the Year Awards were given to Byron Jones and Kasey Kraus.  All Star Team honorees were Jeff Bush, Bethi Ledoux, Karly Murphy, Alex Cincotta and Sarah Barnes.  Honorable Mention honorees were Rondel Clark, David Harpin, Becky Mongeau and Maddie Fryer.

Mrs. O’Connor called attention to an environmental science project at the High School where students are testing water and biological indicators.  The project culminates January 7.

The ELL Coordinator will attend the next meeting to give a report on the outstanding measurable objectives of the program.  Also, the district has received a letter from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education stating it is one of fourteen districts with one or more Title 1 schools where limited English proficiency students are making significant gains.

Mrs. O’Connor reported she and Mr. Hendricks attended a meeting arranged by the Commissioner of Education to answer questions regarding the federal “Race to the Top” program.  This is a federal $4.35 billion dollar competitive grant program that can be applied for by the states.  Massachusetts must apply for funding by January 19, 2010.  Results will be known in April.

The funding requires districts and teacher unions sign off on a Memorandum Of Understanding that states they are behind the state’s reform efforts and want to be considered for funding.  The district must file the paperwork by January 13 and can decide at any time not to participate.  Massachusetts will be applying for

School Committee Meeting                                                                                                                                           2.

January 6, 2010

$250 million dollars, half of which will be allocated through the Title 1 funding formula and the other half will be available through the competitive grant process.  Funds must be used for new initiatives, not to save jobs.

There are seven initiative areas.  Only four apply to the Westborough district, with the other three for underperforming districts only:

1. P-12 teaching and learning system – curriculum, assessments, software systems
2. College and career readiness – enhancing standards
3. Enhancing statewide teacher and leader pipeline – supporting recruitment and development
4. (Creating the most discussion) “Transform district and state human capital approaches, rooted in teacher and leader effectiveness, by aligning policies and best in-class practices for educator preparation, evaluation, licensure, compensation, career progression, and equitable distribution.”

The President of the MTA, Chair of MASC and the Executive Director of MASS are supporting signing the Memorandum of Understanding.  It is non-binding.

MOTION

Mr. Doret made a motion to support and to authorize the Chair to sign if the proposal is in the best interest of the district.  Mr. Tretter seconded the motion and the Committee voted unanimously 5-0 in favor of the motion.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Afeefa reported the students are back to school and preparing for the upcoming mid year exams.  The District Music Festival will be held January 15 and 16. The Debating Club will enter its second competition January 16 at Newton South High School.  The hockey team is playing Gardner tonight.

Mr. Tretter noted he attended an AP Chemistry class in December and was much impressed by the work going on in the laboratory. Students return after school to complete their lab work.  Mr. Tretter also attended a Joint Labor/Management meeting January 5.

Mrs. Levine-Kanji stated the Transportation Sub Committee will give a report at the January 20 School Committee meeting. The School Committee will be attending a Board of Selectmen meeting January 12 at 7:00 p.m. Town Manager, Jim Malloy will be presenting a town financial status overview.  Mrs. Levine-Kanji encouraged parents to become active members of the school parent organizations.

Mr. Doret attended an Energy Sub Committee meeting which resulted in some applications for state grants to be reviewed.  Information for the entire Committee will be forthcoming.

Mr. Hendricks stated the Energy Budget is looking good and a full financial report will be made at the next meeting.

ACTION ITEMS

SUPERINTENDENT APPOINTMENT

Mrs. Henderson reviewed the process that has been used in the hiring of an in-house candidate for the position of superintendent.  Dr. Towle has informed the Committee she will be retiring at the end of the year. Assistant Superintendent, Marianne O’Connor, submitted an application for consideration for the position.  After interviewing the candidate and holding public hearings, the School Committee is ready to vote.

MOTION

Mr. Tretter made a motion to hire Marianne O’Connor as the next Superintendent of the Westborough School District.  Mr. Doret seconded the motion.

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January 6, 2010

All Committee members gave their reasons for supporting the candidacy.  Mr. Tretter spoke of Mrs. O’Connor’s hard work, experiences in Westborough and the need for smooth sailing in the days ahead.  Mrs. Levine-Kanji is impressed with Mrs. O’Connor’s articulation, hard work in supporting all students in Westborough from the most gifted to those struggling.  She added that Mrs. O’Connor works tirelessly to see that all students receive a top notch education. There is a passion about what she is doing and she has strong core beliefs.

Mr. Doret stated he is pleased to fill the position with someone who has been known for a long time.  Every assignment Mrs. O’Connor has been given, including the school building committee, she has met. There is no better candidate to be found to carry on. Mrs. O’Connor is very well respected by her peers, and Mr. Doret is pleased to have the opportunity to vote for her as the next school superintendent.

Mr. Harris asked Dr. Towle five years ago to mentor Mrs. O’Connor toward the possibility of becoming a superintendent.  He thanked Dr. Towle for the fine job she has done in preparation for this day.  Mr. Harris is proud to tap someone from the district to be the superintendent in June.  He noted the appointment also opens up many opportunities for other people in the system.  This is a very deserving appointment, and it is shared by friends, colleagues and the Westborough community as a whole.

Mrs. Henderson added Mrs. O’Connor has been in the district 19 years.  She is intelligent, respectful about students, oozes a passion that is infectious.  Time and time again, records show how Mrs. O’Connor has stepped up to the challenge.  She knows the town, she knows the schools, and she knows the people.

The Committee voted unanimously 5-0 in favor of the motion to appoint Mrs. O’Connor as the next Superintendent of the Westborough school district.

Mrs. O’Connor responded that she is very honored to have the confidence of the community.  She thanked Dr. Towle for being a wonderful mentor and friend, recognized former superintendent Dr. Doherty and Pat Foley for their assistance in her development.  She assured everyone she will continue to build on the success of the district.  She is proud of the community that supports our education.  She could not find a better place to live or to work.  Mrs. O’Connor hopes to continue to have an open dialogue with the faculty and to continue the honorable work that we do.

MOTION

Mr. Tretter made a motion to authorize the Chair to negotiate a contract with Mrs. O’Connor.  Mr. Doret seconded the motion and the Committee voted unanimously 5-0 in favor of the motion.

MABEL’S LABELS

Mr. Tretter made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent to approve the fundraising project, Mabel’s Labels for the Hastings School. Mrs. Levine-Kanji seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor of the motion.

Dr. Towle announced a schedule has been developed for School Committee members and administrators to meet with staff, parent organizations, school councils and the community to communicate how the district can continue the standards that are in place in Westborough in this financially difficult and challenging year ahead.

TITLE 1 ACHIEVEMENT

Westborough is one of fourteen districts in Massachusetts with a Title 1 school, where Limited English Proficiency students are making significant progress.  Based on the results of students in the school, Westborough is eligible to apply for Title 1 Academic Achievement grant funds covering the period March 2010 to August 2011.  As a model district, Westborough’s best practices will be evaluated.  The grant is for $25,000, which can be used for professional development, instructional materials and teacher collaboration.  $5,000 will be provided to cover the costs of the review.

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January 6, 2010

MOTION

At 6:55 Mr. Tretter made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Levine-Kanji to enter Executive Session under Chapter 30, Section 21, for the purpose of discussing negotiations.

The Committee returned to Open Session at 10:05 p.m., signed bills.  Upon a motion by Mr. Tretter and a second by Mr. Doret, the Committee voted 5-0 to adjourn at 10:07 p.m.

 

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.