Schools

[The following minutes, posted 4/12/10 on the district site, were copied on 01-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                                                                                                                                                        March 24, 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, Maureen  Ferguson; Director of Technology, Kathy Martin; Director of Fine Arts, David Jost;  Principals, John Smith,  Maryann Stannard, Assistant Principals, Jack Foley and Brian Callaghan; Athletic Director, Johanna DiCarlo; Student Representative, Afeefa Bhatti.

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 March 17, 2010.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS

Superintendent Towle recognized and congratulated team captains of winter athletic teams:  Jeff Bush, Byron Jones, Dan Sullivan and Brian Leslie, Boys’ Track MIAA District Champions; State Champion, Byron Jones and Worcester Telegram Super Team and MVP Indoor Track; Jeff Bush, Worcester Telegram Super Team; Julianne Reid and Megan Graham, Girls’ Track MIAA Districts 5^th place finish; Girls Basketball MIAA District Semi-finalists, Emily Van Dam, Karly Murphy and Maddie Fryer.  Maddie Fryer also named Mid Wach B Academic Award Winner; Chris Armand and Nick Flahive, Boys Basketball MIAA District Qualifying Team and Clark Tournament; Swimming Mid Wach League and Meet Champions, Cam Piper and Sybille Moesta.

Ben Peterson, Benjamin Roth and Logan Scharen received congratulations and a certificate of achievement from the Superintendent for having achieved the rank of Eagle Scout awarded by the Boys Scouts of America.

Mrs. O’Connor reported Dr. Todd Ryan, Lisa Greenwald and Jeannine Weiss will be attending a Summit meeting at MIT, Moodle/STEM (science, technology, English and math), and will share their experience with the Westborough staff upon their return. The all day kindergarten lottery was held.  Mrs. O’Connor is hopeful that all of those on the wait list will be accommodated.

Mr. Hendricks reported a survey of school property along O’Neil Drive will be done next week.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Afeefa noted the English/Language Arts MCAS testing is underway.  It is a graduation requirement.  April 3 the Student Council will be holding a yard sale, and April 5 a College Night will be held to acquaint juniors and parents with the college application process.

MOTION

Upon the Superintendent’s recommendation, Mr. Harris made a motion to ratify the teachers’ contract.  Mr. Tretter seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor of the motion.

MOTION

Upon Dr. Towle’s recommendation, Mr. Tretter made a motion to ratify the administrators’ contract. The administrators include assistant principals and directors.  Mr. Harris seconded the motion, and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor of the motion.

Mrs. Henderson expressed her pleasure that the union membership voted to support the contract, which will help the town climb out of the deficit that the Town Manager outlined and the health changes that were key to making the budget whole.  She appreciates the teachers and administrators understanding of the situation. Thanks were extended to the negotiating teams in getting it done.

School Committee Meeting                                                                                                                                                         2.

March 24, 2010

Mr. Harris hopes the citizens of Westborough take notice of the settlement.  Neighboring towns have $2-3 million dollar shortfalls.  Mr. Harris hopes the community recognizes the sacrifices people have made.  Thanks to everyone.

REPORTS

[c1] Mr. Hendricks reported the student enrollment for next year shows a decrease from 3620 students to 3560.

FINE ARTS BUDGET REPORT

Mr. Jost noted the Fine Arts have been part of the core curriculum since 1999.  In 2007 the Massachusetts Department of Education declared the recommendations for graduation include one credit of the arts.  Westborough cannot implement the recommendation due to limits on staffing.  All music accounts were reduced by 10% in FY10.  No change is recommended for FY11.  Mr. Jost recommends a $970 increase in the High School maintenance budget for brick work and vent replacement on kilns.

The loss of the Gibbons musical production impacted approximately 100 students; there was a loss of several music electives at the High School, due to staffing. Cello instruction will begin in grade 4.  Mr. Jost is currently supplementing the string staffing at Mill Pond.

Mr. Jost is requesting an increase of 1% for his budget for supplies, fees and maintenance.  The dollar amount is $1,043.  He added that he has been making reductions year after year.  Programs will start to erode if it continues.

HIGH SCHOOL BUDGET

Principal Smith thanked his staff and School Council for their support.  The High School offers a wide range of electives which results in its being a true comprehensive school.  It is a tribute to the community, teaching and maintenance staffs.  He reported an increase next year of 20 students which will affect the Learning Center and paras, and the STARS program which keeps social and emotional students in the district.  It appears the need at the High School will be a para and an additional section of Mandarin, in addition to the current Mandarin I and II.  Next year there are plans for adding a third year of Mandarin.  The Language Department now offers Latin, French and Spanish through AP.

Mr. Smith noted the site based budget has decreased from $314,066 to $306,167.  The Contracted Services budget has increased due to an increase in the Jobs for Bay State Graduates contract and the Virtual High School contract. Additional training will also be needed for new students in the Peer Mediation program. The General Supplies and Library budgets also show a slight increase due to increased costs.

Mr. Smith reported preliminary discussions are underway for establishing a Drop In Career Center which would offer job opportunities.  The Virtual High School has 75 students per semester and three teachers trained online to teach.  All districts must have a coordinator for quality control of students and teacher evaluation.  The College Board requires a full audit of all AP courses offered.  The total High School Budget shows a -3.15% decrease.

ATHLETIC BUDGET

Johanna DiCarlo presented the Athletic Budget. She reported 1200 participants at the High School; 300 at the Middle School, with 26 offerings.  Alpine Skiing was offered this year as well as Girls’ Golf.  There were 80 fewer participants this year due to a reduction in the 9^th grade class size and not having a freshmen softball team.  Ms. DiCarlo noted the budget reflects no increase in the fee structure.  The total budget shows an increase of 0.76%.

CURRICULUM AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Mrs. O’Connor reported the Professional Development Funding includes Entitlement Total, $216,204; District Funding $172,000; for a total PD Support $388,204.  The DOE recommends $125 per student, or $450,000.   The district has offered Worcester State and Framingham State graduate courses, SPED and ELL training, also programs in Literacy, Technology, Professional Learning Communities, Fine Arts, Physical Education and for Nurses.

School Committee Meeting                                                                                                                                                        3.

March 24, 2010

Plans for 2011 include training to support 21^st Century Learning, ethical and responsible use of technology, as well

as more content in science, math, and social studies.  A group is also meeting monthly on new standards for kindergarten.  The district will continue sharing programs with other districts to reduce costs.   The in-service budget of $75,000 is the same as it has been for the past four years.  Tuition reimbursement also remains at $50,000.  The National Science Foundation is providing K-8 training for two teachers who will then serve as facilitators and offer mapping next year.

The Committee discussed meeting with the Finance Committee on April 12.  Mr. Doret noted an official budget figure cannot be presented until the state figures are available.  Mr. Doret commended the administration for honoring the request of the School Committee to hold the budget as tight as possible.  Sooner or later the school department will run to the end of what it can deal with in terms of reductions.

The School Committee will meet April 7 to review the remaining budgets, and meet with the Finance Committee April 12.  The April 14 School Committee meeting will remain scheduled, but will be canceled at a later date if there is no need for it.

The administration will present an updated policy on student travel at the April 7 meeting.

MOTION

At 7:50 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.

The Committee returned to Open Session at 8:40 p.m., signed bills.  Upon a motion by Mr. Tretter and a second by Mr. Doret, the Committee voted 5-0 to adjourn at 8:41 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.

A message from WESTBOROUGH HIGH SCHOOL

This coming Thursday, April 29, the Westborough High School Fine Arts Department will be presenting its first annual Pops Concert and Fine Arts Showcase fundraiser in conjunction with the Westborough Music Parents Association.

Please come help support Westborough Fine Arts program by joining us for a fun-filled evening showcasing our talented young adults. The evening will feature the high school’s music ensembles, theatre arts ensemble, a visual arts gallery, a silent auction and refreshments.

There will be shows at both 6 and 8 pm.

Tickets for adults are $10 for adults and $5 for students and can be purchased in advance using the form that was sent home with your fine arts student or that can be picked up in the WHS office. Tickets will also be available at the door on a first-come, first served basis, with limited availability! 

Thank you in advance for your support of WMPA.

Sincerely,

Terry Gavin
WMPA, President

Westborough High School, Class of 1980 30^th Reunion is being held on Saturday, June 26, 2010 at the Best Western Royal  Plaza Hotel and Trade Center, Marlborough, MA from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.   We are planning at Pre-Reunion Get-Together Friday evening, Tour of the High School Saturday afternoon, and Morning After Breakfast at the hotel. 

Visit our class reunion website at http://www.westborough1980.com to register, see what’s going on, list of missing classmates, check our weekend events, RSVP and information about reserving a hotel room.  We also have a Facebook page: Westborough High School Class of 1980, with information. 

Or contact Kim Strout Barton at (508) 366-5342.  Please pass this information on to all classmates you are in touch with.

We look forward to seeing you and making this the best reunion ever!

[P.S. Check out the 80+ photos on the Facebook group!  -- webmaster]

[The following is a message from Westborough Public Schools, received at 7:50 pm Wed Apr 07, 2010, with the subject "Suspicious Activity 4/7/10" -- webmaster]

Good Evening,

We are calling for the Westborough Police Department to inform you of a suspicious incident that occurred at approximately 5:45 PM at the corner of Adams Street and Mountain View Drive. A fourteen year old girl, who was walking her dog, was approached by a black midsized sedan with tinted windows. The operator of the vehicle was described as being approximately 30 years old, bald, with a goatee, wearing a white tee shirt. He pulled up to the girl, told her that he was lost and needed directions. He asked for her name and then asked her to get in his vehicle to help him locate his friend's house. She backed away from the vehicle. At the same time, another vehicle approached the area, the driver of the black sedan turned around and left the area on Adams Street towards Ruggles Street.

If you have any information regarding this incident or if you are aware of similar incidents please contact the Westborough Police Department at 508-366-3060.

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The Fine Arts Department of the Westborough Public Schools will be presenting its annual display of student art work from April 1^st - 28^th at the Forbes Municipal Building Auditorium, 45 West Main St.

This art exhibit features works of students in grades kindergarten - grade 12 from each of the schools throughout the school district. The exhibit is open on weekdays between 6-8:00 PM.  As part of the event, each school will have a special night that will highlight the student artists and select musicians from that school.

The schedule for each school's highlighted evening is as follows :

Tuesday, April 6th, 6:00 - 8:00 PM - Mill Pond Art Night

Artwork by students of Linda Crawford and Sky Headland

Music provided by the WHS Jazz Combo, David Jost - director

Thursday, April 8^th,  6:00 - 8:00 PM - Hastings Art Night

Artwork by students of Rebecca Connor

Music provided by the students of Wendy Clark

Tuesday, April 13th, 6:00 - 8:00 PM - Armstrong School Art Night

Artwork by students of Sky Headland

Musical performances by Tri-M Music Honor society students.

Thursday, April 15^th, 6:00 - 8:00 PM - Fales School Art Night

Artwork by students of Susan Saari and Rebecca Connor

Music provided by the students of Alix Pollock

Tuesday, April 28^th, 6:00 - 8:00 PM - High School / Gibbons Middle  School Art Night

Artwork by students of Paula Harrison, John Hayes-Nikas, Pamela Rourke-Dupuis

Music provided by the WHS Jazz Combo, David Jost - director

[the above fetched from the district web site, 5-Apr-2010 -- webmaster]