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[The following minutes, posted 3/15/10 on the district site, were copied on 23-Mar-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                                                                                                                                                    February 24, 2010

 

The Westborough School Committee meeting was called to order at 6:10 p.m by Chairman, Karen Henderson.  Committee members present included Mr. Craig Harris, Mr. Stephen Doret, Mr. Bruce Tretter and Mrs. Ilyse Levine-Kanji. Administrators present were Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. Marianne O’Connor and Director of Finance and Administration, Mr. Daniel Hendricks.  Student Representative, Afeefa Bhatti was also present.

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

MINUTES

Mr. Bruce Tretter made a motion which was seconded by Mr. Harris to approve the minutes of January 20, 2010, as amended. The committee voted 5-0 in favor of the motion.

Mr. Tretter made a motion, seconded by Mr. Harris to approve the minutes of January 27, 2010. The Committee voted 5-0 in favor of the motion.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS

Mrs. O’Connor expressed her pleasure that the WHS Honors String Quartet would be performing for the Committee later in the meeting. The members of the quartet will be featured at the upcoming Massachusetts Music Educators All State Conference. They were selected by a blind panel after submitting a CD recording of their music. Mrs. O’Connor said that 98 students were recognized at the National Honor Society induction on Monday evening. She congratulated the boys Basketball team for playing well against Algonquin, although they did not come away with a win. Mrs. O’Connor also said that 9 Mill Pond students were invited to participate in a demonstration lesson under the direction of Ellin Keene, author of Mosaic of Thought. The students will demonstrate a highly effective comprehension strategy lesson to teachers attending the conference in Boston. Mrs. O’Connor stated that Kindergarten registrations are due to be returned February 26^th.  Of the 227 packets that were mailed, 125 applications have been returned so far. She said if a lottery is needed, it will be held on March 24^th at the Forbes Building.

Mr. Hendricks mentioned that the bad weather creates stress on the facilities. They’re working to keep on top of it. He also stated that the Town is looking into an electronic system that will allow managers to monitor their accounts with less paperwork. He reported that the budget is in process, and the energy report is “on the way”. Additionally, five vendors picked up bid information for the transportation contract. There was a pre-bid meeting on February 24^th, and the bid opening will be held on March 11^th.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Chairman Henderson welcomed the Honors String Quartet who performed for the Committee and received congratulations all around on the excellent job they did.

Afeefa said that 2^nd term report cards have been issued. She also mentioned that the Multicultural Council held a buffet on February 11^th with food from different countries available for $1. a plate. Afeefa noted that the rescheduled National Honor Society induction was held on Monday evening, and this year sophomores were included. She mentioned that students are in the process of making course selections now, and that the eighth grade info session at WHS is February 25^th. She also announced that the High School Musical “Once On This Island” will be performed from March 5-7. She echoed Mrs. O’Connor’s congratulations to the Basketball Team for a well played game against Algonquin, mentioned that the Swim Team will perform at States on Friday, and said the Spring sports signup is on Thursday. She also mentioned the faculty-student volleyball match which she believed the students won.

Mr. Tretter congratulated the Middle School Hockey team for winning the championship. He stated that there were a lot of eighth graders which bodes well for next year’s high school team.

 

School Committee Meeting                                                                                                                                                           2.

January 20, 2010

 

Mrs. Levine-Kanji referred to information from MASC which stated that two thirds of the districts in Massachusetts had signed on to the “Race to the Top” initiative. Westborough was included in that figure. She also noted that the State’s budget included a committee on funding for Chapter 70.

Mr. Harris stated that he and Mr. Hendricks had met with the custodians for their initial negotiations session. He had also attended the Armstrong School Council meeting. He felt the meetings with the various school groups were very worthwhile.

Mrs. Henderson concurred with Mr. Harris on the positive value of having administrators and School Committee members attend a total of 17 school council, parent group, and staff meetings to spread information about the budget. She went on to say that budget meetings will commence at the next School Committee meeting on March 10^th. She mentioned that she had attended a wonderful performance of “Snow White” sponsored by SEPAC. She also encouraged people to attend the Boy Scouts pancake breakfast to be held in March.  She congratulated the students at Armstrong for their Olympic Opening Ceremony which was televised on Channel 7.

ACTION ITEMS

SCHOOL CALENDAR 2010

The Committee was in receipt of the final version of the School Calendar for 2010-2011.  Mrs. O’Connor noted that Good Friday was not listed on the calendar because it falls during the April vacation week in 2011. She indicated that the calendar, once approved, would be posted on the website.

MOTION

Mr. Tretter made a motion, seconded by Mr. Harris to approve the 2010-2011 School Year Calendar. The Committee voted 5-0 in favor of the motion.

WESTBOROUGH CIVIC CLUB DONATION OF DEFIBRILLATORS

Mrs. O’Connor introduced Mr. Mark Brady, who was representing the Westborough Civic Club. Mr. Brady announced that the Civic Club was pleased to be able to donate 2 defibrillators to the High School. He stated that the Club has been in service since 1978 and has made over $30,000 in donations in Westborough. The Civic Club’s primary fundraiser is its annual Christmas Tree sale. He said that defibrillators save lives, citing a couple of recent examples. The Club felt the high school was an appropriate location as it is public access friendly. The donation is valued at $3,282. 

MOTION

Mr. Tretter made a motion to accept with gratitude the donation from the Civic Club for the purchase of defibrillators for the high school. Mr. Harris seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor.

DONATION OF SCOREBOARDS

Mrs. O’Connor recommended that the Committee vote to accept a donation of two scoreboards valued at approximately $10,000. Most of the money will be contributed by WASA, however a contribution of $1,500. will be made by WASA and the Rotary Club has also offered a contribution as well. The new baseball scoreboard will include a wireless remote and will be installed in the Spring. There will also be a new portable Softball scoreboard.

MOTION

Mr. Harris made a motion to accept the donation with gratitude. Mr. Tretter seconded the motion, and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor.

WALMART DONATION TO KID’S FUND

Mrs. O’Connor recommended that the Committee vote to accept a $500. donation made by Wal-Mart to the Hastings School Kids Fund. This fund is used to assist students in need.

School Committee Meeting                                                                                                                                                          3.

January 20, 2010

MOTION

Mr. Doret made a motion to accept the donation with thanks, and it was seconded by Mr. Tretter. The Committee voted 5-0 in favor of the motion.

NEW SCHOLARSHIP

Mrs. O’Connor stated that the Armstrong Parent Group was looking for approval to hold a fundraising event on April 24^th at Roller Kingdom to raise money for a new scholarship. The scholarship will be in honor of Caroline, daughter of Armstrong teacher Lisa Doiron. The $300. fee for use of the facility will be covered by the Parent Group. The scholarship will be used to pay full day tuition for an incoming kindergarten family in need.

MOTION

Mrs. Henderson made a motion to approve the new scholarship. Mr. Tretter seconded the motion, and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor.

ETHICS TRAINING

Mrs. O’Connor referenced a packet of information given to Committee members pertaining to online ethics training that all staff members are required to complete. School Committee members are being asked to do the training as well. Certificates of completion are due to the Town Clerk by April 2^nd, and the training must be completed every two years.

MOTION

At 6:45pm Mr. Tretter made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Levine-Kanji to enter into Executive Session under Chapter 30, Section 21, for the purpose of discussing negotiations.  The Committee voted 5-0 in favor of the motion by roll call vote.  There was a short recess until the room cleared.

The Committee returned to Open Session at 8:17 p.m.  Upon a motion by Mr. Tretter and a second by Mr. Harris, the Committee voted 5-0 to adjourn at 8:18 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.