Minutes - Wayland School Committee
Regular Session  February 28, 2011  

A Regular Session of the Wayland School Committee was held on Monday, February 28, 2011 at 7:00 P.M. in the School Committee Room of the Wayland Town Building.

Present were:
Dr. Louis Jurist, Chair
Mrs. Barb Fletcher, Vice Chair (arrived at 8:38 p.m.)
Dr. Malcolm Astley
Ms. Beth Butler
Dr. Shawn Kinney (absent)

Also:
Dr. Gary A. Burton
Superintendent of Schools

Mr. Brad J. Crozier
Assistant Superintendent

Mr. Geoffrey S. MacDonald
Business Administrator

Dr. Marlene M. Dodyk
Director of Student Services

Chair Louis Jurist convened the regular meeting at 7:05 P.M.

1. Comments and Written Statements from the Public:
Mr. Tom Sciacca commented on the status of the Town’s free cash position and his plan to propose at the Annual Town Meeting that funding for the Technology Capital Plan be funded out of free cash.

2. Discussion re: Article Proposing Two New Fields at the Middle School:
Mr. Don Ouellette, DPW Director, presented information regarding the proposed new soccer fields at the Middle School. He also answered questions posed by the School Committee. The Committee discussed formally discussing the proposal at a future meeting and gathering more feedback from the community. Dr. Astley will convey the School Committee concerns to the Parks Commission.

3. Approval of HMFH Amendment #4 (WayCAM Renovation):
Dr. Burton recommended that the School Committee approve HMFH Contract Amendment #4 in the amount of $22,400 for extra services required to design and engineer the requested renovations of the existing one-story weight room building attached to the north end of the Field House for a revised contract value of $5,569,100 and to authorize Chairman Jurist to sign the contract on behalf of the Wayland School Committee.

Upon a motion duly made by Ms. Butler, seconded by Dr. Astley, the School Committee voted (3-0) to approve Contract Amendment #4 for HMFH Architects, Inc. for $22,400.00 for extra services required to design and engineer the requested renovations of the existing one-story weight room building attached to the north end of the Field House for a revised contract value of $5,569,100.00 and to authorize Chairman Louis Jurist to sign the contract on behalf of the Wayland School Committee.

4. Discussion re: Article 8: Restatement of FY11 School Department Budget:
The Committee discussed the proposed Article 8, but there was a lack of understanding as to what was intended by the petitioner. The petitioner will meet with the FinCom next week and Ms. Butler will attend on behalf of the School Committee.

5. Discussion re: New Policy (Presence and Use of Service Animals in Public Schools):
Dr. Burton recommended that a draft policy regarding the presence and use of service animals in the public schools be referred to the Policy Sub-committee. The sub-committee will bring a draft to the next meeting.

6. Approval of Accounts Payable & Payroll Warrants:
Upon a motion duly made by Ms. Butler, seconded by Dr. Astley, the School Committee voted (3-0) to approve payment of the following:
• Wayland Public Schools Accounts Payable warrant, dated 2/28/2011, in the amount of $542,772.34
• Wayland Public Schools Payroll warrant, dated 2/24/2011, in the amount of $1,112,734.67

7. Discussion and Preparation for Budget Hearing on March 7:
• School Budget Presentation for 2011-2012
Dr. Burton reviewed the Budget Presentation Book; two items for discussion were added to the list.

The School Committee received the School Committee’s recommended budget and the budget book. Mr. MacDonald noted several changes to the draft document. Dr. Burton reviewed how community members can access the information.

The School Committee reviewed the School Committee Budget Presentation and the communication that will be sent via the Superintendent’s and School Committee’s listserv.

The School Committee reviewed the revised Technology Capital Plan detail after the FinCom recommended the capital budget.

8. Approval of Minutes:
Upon a motion duly made by Dr. Astley, seconded by Ms. Butler, the School Committee voted (3-0) to approve the following minutes as amended:
• Special Session of January 11, 2011
• Special Session of January 13, 2011
• Special Session of January 19, 2011
• Executive Session of January 24, 2011
• Regular Session of January 24, 2011
• Regular Session of February 7, 2011
• Special Session of February 17, 2011
• Executive Session of February 17, 2011

9. Superintendent’s Report:
(a) Full Day Kindergarten:
Mr. Crozier reviewed the memo to Dr. Burton dated February 17, 2011 regarding Full Day Kindergarten. The School Committee approved the recommended refund to families and the tuition rate for FY12.

(b) HSBC Update:
Dr. Burton updated the School Committee on the current status of the high school building project. The Field House is now closed to the public and renovations have started on this building.

10. Follow-up and Future Agenda Items:
(a) The School Committee would like the following items on a future agenda:
• School Bus Safety Policy
• Establishment of a Wayland Alumni Association
• Elementary School Organizational Structure

(b) Ms. Butler informed the School Committee that they must file a “Disclosure Form” with the Town Clerk by Monday, March 7. Mrs. Fletcher also disclosed that her husband had been hired as a coach and that Attorney Tate is reviewing.

(c) Dr. Astley provided articles to the School Committee related to the benefits the public sector receives and balancing the standardized testing movement.

11. Comments from the Public:
Mr. Tom Sciacca commented on the article Mrs. Fletcher provided on the use of technology in Maine. He suggested that copies be made available at the budget hearing. He also reiterated that the Town should use funds already in the possession of the Town and not borrow new funds. He also commented on the Gale Report and his rationale for supporting public education and the funding for the benefit of the greater society.

12. Executive Session:
Upon a motion duly made by Mrs. Fletcher, seconded by Ms. Butler, the School Committee voted unanimously (4-0) to convene in Executive Session at 9:30 P.M. to discuss matters pertaining to Superintendent contract negotiations, as set forth in Section 23B of G.L. Ch. 39. The School Committee agreed that discussion regarding Superintendent negotiations would be in Executive Session, as conducting these discussions in open session will have a detrimental effect on the School Committee’s negotiating position.

A roll call vote was taken as follows:

Other administrators left the meeting.

The School Committee may return to Regular Session to vote on the Superintendent’s contract and to authorize Chair Louis Jurist to sign the contract.

13. Adjournment:
Upon a motion duly made by Mrs. Fletcher, seconded by Ms. Butler, the School Committee voted unanimously
(4-0) to adjourn Regular Session at 9:47 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Gary A. Burton, Clerk
Wayland School Committee

Observers:
Tom Sciacca, WVN
Alexia Obar, 18 Dean Road
Ellen Grieco, 90 Old Connecticut Path
Brooklyn Lowry, PATCH

Corresponding Documentation:
1. HMFH Amendment #4
2. Client Advisory from MHTL re: New Policy (Presence and Use of Service Animals in Public Schools)
3. Full Day Kindergarten Memo from Brad Crozier
4. Handout by Dr. Astley – “Goddard a Case Study in Crisis”
5. Handout by Dr. Astley – “Going Postal on Public Workers”