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[The following minutes, posted 5/26/10 on the district site, were copied on 28-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                                                                                                                                                              May 5, 2010

The Westborough School Committee meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m by Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Anne Towle. Committee members present included Mrs. Karen Henderson, Mr. Craig Harris, Mr. Stephen Doret, Mrs. Ilyse Levine-Kanji and Mr. Bruce Tretter. Administrators present were Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. Marianne O’Connor; Director of Finance and Administration, Mr. Daniel Hendricks; Principal, Dr. David Fredette; Student Representative, Afeefa Bhatti.

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

MOTIONS

Dr. Towle requested nominations for the position of Chairman of the School Committee.  Mrs. Henderson nominated Mrs. Levine-Kanji. Mr. Harris seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor of the motion.

Mrs. Levine-Kanji assumed the chair and nominated Mr. Doret for Vice Chairman/Secretary.  Mrs. Henderson seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor of the motion.

 

COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS

Upon a motion by Mrs. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Tretter, School Committee members were appointed to the following sub committees by a 5-0 vote:

Forbes Loan Sub Committee – Mrs. Henderson

Sick Leave Bank – Mr. Harris and Mrs. Levine-Kanji

Joint Labor/Management Sub Committee – Mr. Tretter

Safety Committee – Mr. Harris, Mr. Doret

Facilities Committee – Mr. Tretter

Sexual Harassment Grievance Officer – Mr. Hendricks

Policy Sub Committee – Mrs. Henderson, Mr. Tretter

Community Education Liaison – Mrs. Levine-Kanji

Grant Sub Committee – Mrs. Henderson, Mr. Doret

The Budget Sub Committee appointment will be made at the next meeting.

MINUTES

Upon a motion by Mr. Tretter, a second by Mrs. Henderson, the Committee voted 5-0 in favor of approving the minutes of April 28, 2010.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS

David Jost, Director of Fine Arts, informed the Committee it has been selected to receive the prestigious 2010 Arts/Learning Massachusetts School Committee Arts Advocate Award.  The award will be presented at the 24^th Annual Champions of the Arts Awards Ceremony May 26, at 2:15 p.m. at the Gardiner Auditorium in the Massachusetts State House, Boston.  The award to be received is a work of art created by Massachusetts ceramicist, Judith Motzkin.

The NAMM Foundation results of its 11^th annual “Best Communities for Music Education” survey named Westborough one of five Massachusetts communities for unwavering commitment providing music education for their students.  The foundation, a non profit organization dedicated to advancing active participation in music, recognized 174 schools nationwide.

Dr. Towle introduced the Gibbons School math team students who are among the top math students in New England.  The students entered a national math contest offered through the New England Mathematics League.  Over 120 schools and 2000 seventh and eighth graders participated from Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont.   Joseph Aronson had a perfect score and placed in the top twenty students.

School Committee Meeting                                                                                                                                                          2.

May 5, 2010

Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont.   Joseph Aronson had a perfect score and placed in the top twenty students.

The eighth grade team placed first in the region and 6^th overall.  The Superintendent and Principal, Dr. David Fredette, congratulated each student and presented them with Certificates of Achievement.  Eighth grade students:  Joseph Aronson, Steven Homberg, Urvya Iyer, Harish Ravi, Sean Van Doren, Riona Reeves, and Rachel Harris.  Seventh grade team members who ranked 6^th in New England and first in the region were:  Ashok Aggarwal, Dongpeng Xia, David Faulds, Vishnu Prasad, and Shreedhar Deshpande.

Mrs. O’Connor reported she spent May 3 and 4 at the high school preparing for the upcoming NEASC review by   examining the mission statement and goals.  The principal search committee will be chosen by lottery because of the high interest in serving.  Two internal candidates have submitted applications, Jack Foley and Chris Fournier.  Interviews will be conducted next week.

Mr. Hendricks announced the Massachusetts State Building Authority visited the schools and was pleased with the facilities.  A written report will be forthcoming.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Afeefa noted One Act Plays will be presented May 7.  The Spring Festival was a success.  The Junior Prom is this weekend.  AP exams are underway and the seniors are having their exit interviews.  The Girls Golf Team went to individual states on May 3 at the Woodland Golf Course in Newton.  Ali Reed was the Central Mass best, shooting 85, along with Ali Lonstein at 91 and Meg Burke at 93.  The girls are still undefeated 9-0.

Mr. Tretter announced he sat in on the “Facing History and Ourselves” course at the high school and enjoyed it very much.  He also attended the Joint Labor/Management meeting May 4.

Mr. Doret attended the recent High School concert, directed by Mr. Hager.  He felt it is understandable why the district receives many outstanding Fine Arts awards when you experience the caliber of the programs.  Hats off to the Fine Arts department; it was a tremendous concert.  Mr. Doret added it is a shame Mr. Hager is retiring.  He has enjoyed his concerts for thirty years.

Mrs. Levine-Kanji expressed the thanks and appreciation of the Committee to Mrs. Henderson for the time she has served as chairperson.  It has been a busy year and she has spent a huge number of hours devoted to the district.

Mrs. Levine-Kanji welcomed Mr. Doret and Mr. Tretter back to the committee after winning their re-election bids.

Mrs. Levine-Kanji announced Westborough has been chosen as the Massachusetts nominee for the 2010 Kennedy Center Alliance for the Arts Education Network and National School Boards Association Award.  Thanks were extended to David Jost for all the effort put into submitting the paperwork.

May 6 a workshop will be presented by Town Moderator, Joseph Harrington, on everything you want to know about town meeting.  Town Meeting is May 15.

MOTION

Mrs. Henderson made a motion to accept with gratitude the donation from Carla Skraly of a Brio Train Station Table and trains, valued at approximately $200 for the Hastings Pre School.  Mr. Doret seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR TOWN MEETING

The Committee reviewed the financial information to have available for questions that may arise at the upcoming town meeting.  A power point presentation will be compiled and presented if requested and will include information regarding the district having the same amount of money this year as last; unfunded mandates, the control schools have exercised, grant money that has dried up, sub committees on energy, transportation and fees, cooperation among all parties in the district and health insurance savings.

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have exercised, grant money that has dried up, sub committees on energy, transportation and fees, cooperation among all parties in the district and health insurance savings.

SCHOOL CHOICE

The Superintendent informed the Committee of the costs of students attending Charter Schools.  The state gives a district $5000 per student attending a Charter School, but charges the district between $12,000-$13,000 per student attending.  Westborough students are attending the Math/Science Academy in Marlborough.  Dr. Towle noted the Westborough MCAS scores out perform the Marlborough school.  There is no educational research that shows Charter schools better than district schools.  It appears to be an expensive experiment.

MOTION

At 7:00 p.m. upon a motion by Mrs. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Tretter, the Committee voted unanimously to close the regular meeting.

Upon a motion by Mrs. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Tretter, the Committee voted 5-0 to open the Public Hearing on School Choice.  There was no one present who wished to speak on the matter of School Choice.  At 7:01 p.m. upon a motion by Mrs. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Tretter, the Committee voted 5-0 in favor of closing the School Choice Hearing and return to Open Session.

Superintendent Towle recommended the Westborough School District remain at the current level of School Choice, not to accept other students and to make the program available only to the Westborough teachers.

MOTION

Mr. Tretter made a motion to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation on School Choice.  Mr. Doret seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor.

The Committee signed bills.  Upon a motion by Mrs. Henderson and a second by Mr. Tretter the Committee voted 5-0 to adjourn at 7:03 p.m.

Respectfully submitted

Stephen Doret

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.