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[The following minutes, posted 3/19/10 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                                                                                                                                                        March 10, 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; Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Ms. Maureen Ferguson; Principals, Dr. David Fredette, Mrs. Pattie Berkey, Mrs. Maryann Stannard and Mr. John Mendes

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 in favor of approving the minutes of February 24, 2010.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS

Dr. Towle welcomed Harish Ravi, his family, and advisor, Mrs. Cooper to the meeting, and congratulated Harish, an eighth grade student, who is the state winner of the InvestWrite contest.  He was awarded a trophy and $100, finishing in the top 10 in national competition.

The Mill Pond School has been selected as one of the 20 national finalists for the 2010 National Schools of Character awards program.  Congratulations to Mrs. Hatherley, the staff and the students on this achievement.

Byron Jones is the state champion of the MIAA All-Class Indoor Track.  He placed first in the 1000m race and last spring placed first in the mile for the outdoor track season.

The Superintendent extended congratulations to director, Joe Marrella, and the cast and crew of the wonderful production of “Once On This Island".

Condolences were extended to the families of former Superintendent, Dr. Edward Kelleher, Gibbons School secretary, Mrs. Maureen Rainey, and Mr. Victor Hamburger, husband of teacher, Cynthia Hamburger.

Mrs. O’Connor called attention to the Westborough Education Foundation’s request for applications for grants that are due March 16. Also, curriculum specialist, Sue Bardsley, has been meeting monthly with counterparts in Southborough, which has resulted in a continuum of instruction for Westborough students.  Five science teachers have once again been invited by Genzyme to participate in a week long science project at the Boston Science Museum.  Genzyme pays for substitutes and gives each teacher $400 towards a class field trip to the Museum.  The schedule for Summer School has been announced.  Mrs. O’Connor reported the Transportation committee met today.

Mr. Hendricks reported the pot holes at the high school are being addressed and the fields are being readied for spring athletic contests.  He also noted financial work with the town is moving forward.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mr. Tretter announced he attended Rick Hebert’s CAD and Robotics class at the high school, which were primarily self directed instruction.

Mrs. Levine-Kanji was pleased with the thank you notes she received from students for participating in the “Read Across America” program.  She also attended the third grade enrichment program at the Fales School today, “Weather or Not”.  Mrs. Levine-Kanji also attended an excellent course, Facing History and Ourselves, which may be expanded to the entire high school.

 

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March 10, 2010

Congratulations were extended to the cast, crew and director of the high school performance of “Once On This Island” by all members of the Committee for the outstanding production.

Mr. Doret thanked the Armstrong School members for the opportunity to read to students.  He requested Mr. Hendricks have the trash removed and investigate the dumping of trash on the road by the football field.

Mrs. Henderson acknowledged the “Read Across America” and the high school production and inquired whether consideration could be given to have a student write a thank you note to acknowledge donations in addition to the administration.  On March 16 a Legislative Liaison Meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m.  Questions will be asked about the Local Aid Resolution timing and numbers in order for the district to build a budget, as well as Chapter 70 funding.

REPORTS

[c1] Dr. Towle announced after two years of work by Mr. Tretter, Mrs. Henderson, Jack Foley and the assistance of MASC, the Policy Manual is now on the MASC site, accessible through the district website.

Mrs. Henderson announced the Budget Review Schedule.  In addition to the Finance Committee liaisons, Bill Parsons of the WTA will be offering his perspective.

March 10               Budget Overview, Enrollments, Armstrong, Fales and Hastings Schools

March 17               Review of Budget to date, Curriculum and Professional Development, Middle School

Transportation and Special Education

March 24               Review of Budget to Date, Fine Arts, High School, Athletics

April 7                    Review of Budget to Date, Mill Pond School, Technology, Facilities, Utilities

Revolving Fund, Administrative Recommendations, Public Hearing

April 14                  Budget Adoption by School Committee

The School Committee will then meet with the Finance Committee at a date to be announced.  Town Meeting is May 15.

SCHOOL BUDGET REPORTS

Mr. Hendricks noted the challenges in developing the budget in these economic times.  The budget development has involved directors, department heads, team leaders and the administration. There is a $1 million dollar budget deficit this year, and predicting a $2 million dollar deficit next year. As information becomes available, Mr. Hendricks will provide a bottom line, which is not possible at this time.  The state is mentioning a 5% reduction in aid.  The Middle School is indicating a reduction of 25 students; the high school an increase of 25.  Out of district placement has crept up a little.

Mr. Mendes reported the Armstrong School has 423 students; ELL 19%; SPED 13%; 59 full time staff; 14 shared staff members.  He requested an additional grade 3 teacher as a result of the number of students now in grade 2.  Mr. Mendes also requested an increase of the current .66 FTE Learning Center teacher to 1 FTE Language Learning Center teacher for 2010-11 to service a districtwide program for grades K-3.  Mrs. Henderson and Mr. Harris agreed the numbers in grade 2 would indicate grade 3 will need additional staff.

Maryann Stannard stated the Fales School currently projects 209 students in grades 1-3 plus the kindergarten enrollment figures which are not available at this time. The average class size will be 18.2.   Currently there are 52 students receiving reading support and 9 receiving ELL support.  Forty students receive speech and language help.  The Learning Center is predicted to have 7 and 17 in the classes versus 17 and 17 this year.

A kindergarten lottery will be held March 24 if needed.

Mrs. Berkey thanked the Masonic Angels for all the help they have given to the Hastings School, and in particular Ken Young.  She noted the reduction in the guidance department has had a great impact on the school. Two guidance counselors cover three elementary schools.  Current K-3 enrollment is 370 students; predicted for next year, 355.  Ninety one are receiving reading support and 89 ELL services.  Next year 55 plus K will receive reading

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support; 94 plus K will receive ELL support. Mrs. Berkey requested a .5 teacher, and 2 paras, one medically trained for an incoming student.

Mrs. Berkey announced a Cultural Fair will be held at the Hastings School March 11 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Mr. Harris requested Mrs. Berkey prioritize the needs. Mr. Tretter noted the district cannot afford increases and suggested class size be the number one priority.  Mr. Doret added the Committee will do its best for the students.

In response to a question from Mr. Doret, Mrs. Berkey responded 24% of the students are in the ELL program; There are 18 different languages spoken by students.

Mrs. Henderson wishes to be assured that all three elementary students are receiving exactly the same education and will be equal when they arrive in the fourth grade at the Mill Pond School.  The administration needs to make that happen.

GIBBONS SCHOOL RENOVATIONS

Mr. Hendricks gave the Committee a copy of an Initial Compliance Certificate from the Massachusetts School Building Authority regarding the renovations at the Gibbons Middle School.  The Skanska Company of Boston has completed a preliminary cost estimate at no charge. They estimate the project to be between $5.5 to $6 million dollars of which the MSBA may pay up to 50% of the approved costs.  Included in that estimate is $175,000 for a project manager.  Mr. Hendricks suggested that amount be requested in an article for the FY2011 budget.  Under the Commonwealth of Massachusetts rules and regulations, it is a school building project.

Mr. Doret suggested amending the article to include a school building committee and to ask MSBA if that is appropriate before bringing the article forward.  More work needs to be done on how it is structured and brought to the town.

The Superintendent noted that before the community questions the spending, it should be made clear that Gibbons needs work.  It is an aging facility.  It needs a roof and windows.  The town needs to be pro active with the MSBA to receive the partial funding available.  The project will take at least two years to go through the required steps.

ENERGY REPORT

Mr. Hendricks reported the Energy Committee met five times and collected data on current energy consumption.  He reviewed the statistical information on electrical and gas costs and the square footage of roofs for possible installation of solar collectors.  National Grid paid 70% of the costs of installing new lighting and new ballasts throughout the district.  National Grid also paid 100% of the retro commissioning projects.  The district joined Constellation Energy’s load reduction program last year.  The district receives approximately $20,000 annually from Constellation for its participation in this program.

Recommendations:  budget funds to purchase weather monitoring equipment at various school sites;  survey O’Neil Drive to establish specific boundary at the High School for future consideration regarding windmills to generate electricity; interface with the Westborough Green Committee; actively seek grant funding; work with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative; continue working with the current suppliers regarding local incentive programs.  To receive state funds, the district has to spend $6,000 to $10,000 to collect a weather data base.

MOTION

At 8:00 p.m. 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 voted 5-0 in favor of the motion by roll call vote.

 

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March 10, 2010

 

The Committee returned to Open Session at 9:25 p.m., signed bills.  Upon a motion by Mr. Tretter and a second by Mr. Doret, the Committee voted 5-0 to adjourn at 9:26 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.