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[The following minutes, posted 5/14/10 on the district site, were copied on 15-May-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                                                                                                                                                          April 28, 2010

The Westborough School Committee meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m by Chairman, Karen Henderson.  Committee members present included Mr. Craig Harris, Mr. Stephen Doret and Mrs. Ilyse Levine-Kanji. Mr. Bruce Tretter arrived shortly after the opening of the meeting. 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.

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

MINUTES

Upon a motion by Mrs. Levine-Kanji, a second by Mr. Harris, the Committee voted 4-0 in favor of approving the minutes of April 12, 2010.

Upon a motion by Mrs. Levine-Kanji, seconded by Mr. Harris, the Committee voted 4-0 in favor of approving the minutes of April 14, 2010.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS

Dr. Towle wished to thank everyone for the many expressions of sympathy on the recent death of her father in law.

High School chemistry teacher, Tari Shea extended an invitation to school committee members to view the chemistry club mural being painted during club meetings.  Local artist, Kevin Coffey, is mentoring the students.  Funds were received from making silly putty and a grant from the American Chemical Society.

From a group of 120 competing schools, the eighth grade math team ranked first regionally and sixth overall in the New England Mathematics Leagues national math contest.  The seventh grade team ranked first in the region and sixth in New England.  The students will be recognized at the next meeting as well as students from the Mill Pond School math team.

Mr. Tretter arrived at the meeting.

High School students, Anthony Liu and Sukmin Moon, are National Merit Scholarhip Finalists.  Erin Silva is a finalist in the National Achievement Scholarship Program for Academically Talented Black Students.

Mrs. O’Connor summarized her recent trip to China with 29 other administrators under a Freedom Foundation grant.  The Assistant Superintendent announced Rick Hebert has been named Central Massachusetts Cross Country Coach.  The High School Quest program is underway and five students are interning at the Mill Pond School.  Colleen Debish is the program advisor.  Several members of the Westborough faculty attended a Mid-Wach workshop that focused on research papers, curriculum and direction.

Mrs. O’Connor met with the staffs of grades 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.  Curriculum mapping has been completed.  The Fine Arts department announced the First Annual Pops Concert will be held April 29. There will be two performances, at 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.

Mr. Hendricks reported representatives from the Massachusetts Building Authority will be visiting all the district schools April 29 and May 3, to assess building needs of the future.  The survey of the property along O’Neil Drive has been completed and markers are being put in place.  There is some erosion under the stairway.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Afeefa reported the junior class attended a College Fair in Boston April 27and today a Multi Cultural Buffet was held at the High School.  The Pop Concert will be held April 29, Student Council elections will take place April 30, On May 1 SAT exams are scheduled, College acceptances are due, and Student Council Film Festival will be held.

School Committee Meeting                                                                                                                                                        2.

April 14, 2010

The Spring Carnival will be held May 2 and the Junior Prom is May 8.  Afeefa will be attending Mass College of Pharmacy next year.

Mr. Tretter announced Earth Day was a success.  Twenty seven sites were cleaned up by over 110 people.

Mrs. Levine-Kanji noted the Legislature has started debate on the Budget and has finalized the Anti Bullying Bill. The House, Senate, and Governor have to sign it.

Mr. Doret extended thanks to the high school staff for cleaning up the hillside property and upper driveway.

Mrs. Henderson noted the Spring Festival takes place this weekend.  There is a fishing derby Saturday and activities at the high school, including a dog show and 5k race.

REPORTS

Gail McBride and Pam Tabb, co presidents of the Friends of Facing History Foundation gave an overview of the foundation’s goals and objectives.  The “Facing History and Ourselves” course is a senior course taught by Gregory Gallagher, and is in its second year at the high school.  It was started thirty years ago in Brookline, MA. and is now taught internationally.   The Foundation provides teacher funding, course resources, and scholarships.

Several former and current students related the impact the course has had on their lives.  They strongly supported offering the course earlier in the high school years, stating it would make the high school experience much more pleasant for many students.  They all felt it has made an impact on their lives in terms of tolerance and respect.

TOWN MEETING WARRANT ARTICLES

Dr. Towle reviewed the agenda of the Finance Committee meeting April 29.  Town Budgets and Warrant Articles will be discussed.  The school department budget is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. and it’s Warrant Article at 7:35 p.m.   She reported that through the Superintendents Association, Dr. Towle has been informed the Chapter 70 funding will be reduced by a number not to exceed 4% and the Circuit Breaker funding may be increased 1.4%. This does not take into consideration the reductions made last year to the Circuit Breaker that were propped up by the Federal Stimulus funds. The Ways and Means Committee has recommended no new taxes and no elimination of tax exemptions.  The structural budget gap of the state is $3.2 billion dollars.  The Committee did not freeze salaries of private special education schools.  It appears Westborough’s Chapter 70 funding will be $4,183,588.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR TOWN MEETING

Mr. Hendricks presented the brochure for distribution at the upcoming Town Meeting.  One section details comparisons with neighboring districts.  It was pointed out, however, that transportation costs were not included, and some business managers record line items differently, resulting in some sizeable differences.  The bottom line of expenditures is a better indication of the comparison.

Mrs. Henderson was pleased the district put its emphasis on instructional leadership and classroom and specialist teachers.  The Committee discussed its presentation for Town Meeting and what information should be available in anticipation of questions.

MOTION

The Committee signed bills.  Upon a motion by Mr. Tretter and a second by Mrs. Levine-Kanji the Committee voted 5-0 to adjourn at 7:20 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.