Minutes - Wayland School Committee
Regular Session January 3, 2011
A Regular Session of the Wayland School
Committee was held on Monday, January 3, 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
Dr. Malcolm Astley
Ms. Beth Butler
Dr. Shawn Kinney
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
Mrs. Leisha Simon
Technology Director
Chair Louis Jurist convened the regular meeting at 7:04 P.M.
1. Comments or Written Statements from the Public:
Mr. Tom Sciacca commented on the Superintendent Search and the
use of the Myer’s Briggs assessment. He stated that the School
Committee should focus on candidates with high scores in three areas:
the NT cluster, Perceptive scale, and candidates with high extrovert
scores. He would be wary of anyone who scores “extremely” high in a
category as it would show a “weakness” on the opposing scale.
2. Review of FY12 Capital Request:
Leisha Simon reviewed the draft FY12 Technology Capital Request
and pointed out specific recent changes to the document. She answered
questions and incorporated suggestions from the School Committee. Mrs.
Simon and Mrs. Fletcher will work together to make several more changes
and the Committee will review the changes on January 6, 2011.
3. Discussion of FY12 Operating Budget:
Mr. MacDonald provided an overview and current state of creating the proposed FY12 budget.
4. Approval of Accounts Payables and Payroll Warrants:
Upon a motion duly made by Mrs. Fletcher, seconded by Ms.
Butler, the School Committee voted (4-0) (Dr. Kinney abstained) to
approve payment of the following:
• Wayland Public Schools Accounts Payable warrant, dated 1/3/2011, in the amount of $286,588.25
• Wayland Public Schools Payroll warrant, dated 12/30/2010, in the amount of $1,323,063.16
5. Review of Communications re: Superintendent Search:
The School Committee reviewed communications that will be released
this week related to the Superintendent Search. They also reviewed
the schedule for the candidate’s visits to the district and the next
steps in the hiring process, including reference checks by the School
Committee members. It was agreed that significant arising information
would be referred to FMS for review.
The School Committee also discussed the presentation for the budget hearing and a reminder communication to the community.
6. Superintendent’s Report:
(a) Enrollment Update:
Dr. Burton provided an overview of the current enrollment numbers.
(b) District’s Anti-Bullying Plan:
Dr. Burton reported that the district’s Anti-Bullying Plan was submitted to the state and is currently posted online.
7. Future Agenda and Follow Up Items:
Dr. Astley noted the James Carroll article from the Boston Globe
(1/3/11), “Now the Rich Get Richer Quicker” and also mentioned Dr.
Astley’s interest not in the main idea in the title, but in the
article’s theme of huge military expenditures at the federal level
being part of the problem of the shortage of funds for essential
services at the town level. Dr. Astley said he was interested in
discussing the ideas if others were interested.
8. Executive Session:
Upon a motion duly made by Mrs. Fletcher, seconded by Dr.
Kinney, the School Committee voted unanimously (5-0) to convene in
Executive Session at 9:32 P.M. to discuss matters pertaining to
Collective Bargaining and a legal matter, as set forth in Section 23B
of G.L. Ch. 39. The School Committee agreed that discussion regarding
union contracts would be in Executive Session, as conducting these
discussions in open session will have a detrimental
effect on the School Committee’s negotiating position.
The Chair announced that they would reconvene in Regular Session for adjournment purposes only.
Roll Call
Dr. Louis M. Jurist, Chair
Mrs. Barb Fletcher, Vice Chair
Dr. Malcolm Astley
|
Yes
X
X
X
|
No
|
Ms. Beth Butler
Dr. Shawn Kinney
|
X
X
|
|
9. Comments from the Public:
Mr. John Flaherty commented that School Committee members should use all sources when checking references.
Mr. Tom Sciacca questioned the need for a “licensed
electrician” instead of an “electrical technician.” He requested the
School Committee email him a list of deferred capital maintenance items
that may be funded through grant sources. He also predicted that not
only will each student have a technology device, but class sizes will
increase.
10. Adjournment:
Upon a motion duly made by Mrs. Fletcher, seconded by Ms.
Butler, the Committee voted unanimously (5-0) to adjourn the Regular
Session at 10:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Gary A. Burton, Clerk
Wayland School Committee
Observers:
Tom Sciacca, WVN
Betsey Brigham, Wayland
Corresponding Documentation:
1. FY12 Technology Capital Request
2. January Enrollment Report
3. Article from Dr. Astley re: “Now the Rich Get Richer Quicker”