Minutes - Wayland School Committee
Regular Session December 13, 2010
A Regular Session of the Wayland School
Committee was held on Monday, December 13, 2010, at 7:00 P.M. in the
Senior Center 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. Geoffrey S. MacDonald
Business Administrator
Chair Louis Jurist convened the regular meeting at 7:06 P.M.
1. Comments or Written Statements from the Public:
Mr. Tom Sciacca commented on an article in the Globe relating to
the recruitment of executives and being creative as a key quality for
which recruiters are looking.
2. Approval of 2011 Wayland Middle School Cape Cod Trip:
A discussion was introduced by Dr. Burton in which Dr. Astley
commented that he hoped that the field trips would stop coming before
the Committee. Dr. Kinney supported the recommendation. Dr. Burton
said it would be referred back to the Policy Committee. This
discussion will continue at a future meeting.
Upon a motion duly made by Dr. Astley, seconded by Dr. Kinney,
the School Committee voted unanimously to approve the 2011 WMS Cape
Cod trip.
3. Approval of WHS “Kids to Kids” 2011 Trip to Dominican Republic:
A discussion ensued and Mrs. Fletcher posed a question to Dr.
Burton as to why scholarships were not available for this trip. Dr.
Burton responded that all fundraising for this trip was for the purpose
of the trip itself, similar to Habitat for Humanity.
Upon a motion duly made by Dr. Kinney, seconded by Ms. Butler,
the School Committee voted unanimously to approve the WHS “Kids to
Kids” 2011 trip to Dominican Republic.
4. Capital Budget Discussion:
Technology Director Leisha Simon presented to the School Committee
and answered questions from the Committee. Dr. Kinney had several
questions about cost savings and the cost of technology. Once the
presentation was ended, there were additional questions from the
Committee. Mrs. Fletcher proposed that the discussion move to the
report. Dr. Kinney focused on personnel savings through the use of
technology and the need for metrics. Dr. Jurist and Ms. Butler
questioned the sustainability of this level of funding over time. Mrs.
Fletcher requested that the inventory be tied to the replacement cycle,
quantification of savings documented, and current research addressing
educational outcomes. Mrs. Fletcher added the need to understand the
inventory at the High School and what happens to it with the replacement
of equipment through the building project.
5. FY12 Budget Discussion:
The budget discussion was postponed until after the discussion with FinCom.
Mr. Crozier and Dr. Dodyk joined the meeting at approximately 10:15.
6. Approval of Fuel Efficiency Vehicle Policy (DJB):
The School Committee discussed the Fuel Efficiency Vehicle Policy
that had been outstanding for 30 days and received no public comment.
Upon a motion duly made by Dr. Kinney, seconded by Mrs.
Fletcher, the School Committee voted unanimously to approve the Fuel
Efficiency Vehicle Policy (DJB).
7. Approval of Accounts Payables and Payroll Warrants:
Upon a motion duly made by Mrs. Fletcher, seconded by Ms.
Butler, the School Committee voted unanimously (5-0) to approve payment
of the following:
• Wayland Public Schools Payroll warrant, dated 12/2/2010, in the amount of $1,042,258.60
• Wayland Public Schools Payroll warrant, dated 11/19/2010, in the amount of $1,259.05 (manual check)
• Wayland Public Schools Payroll warrant, dated 12/3/2010, in the amount of $3,540.81
• Wayland Public Schools Accounts Payable warrant, dated 12/13/2010, in the amount of $2,427,828.87 (High School project)
• Wayland Public Schools Accounts Payable warrant, dated 12/13/2010, in the amount of $585,381.12
8. Acceptance of Gifts:
Upon a motion duly made by Mrs. Fletcher and seconded by Dr.
Kinney, the School Committee voted unanimously to approve, in accord
with Policy KCD, to accept the following gift with gratitude to the
Wayland Public Schools:
• A monetary donation of $300.00 to The Children’s Way from Jennifer Nichols and John Crawford of Wayland.
9. Approval of Minutes:
Upon a motion duly made by Mrs. Fletcher, seconded by Ms.
Butler, the School Committee voted unanimously to approve the following
minutes as amended:
• Public Forum/Regular Session of November 22, 2010
• Executive Session of November 22, 2010
• Regular Session of November 29, 2010
• Executive Session of November 29, 2010
10. Superintendent’s Report:
(a) Enrollment Report:
Dr. Burton reported the latest enrollment numbers.
(b) HSBC Update:
Dr. Burton requested that this agenda item be postponed until next week.
(c) Possible Loker Classroom Rental:
Dr. Burton presented a request from a special needs pre-school to
rent three classrooms at Loker School. Dr. Jurist mentioned the need
for study into grade level schools or the leveling of class sizes, which
may require more classrooms in Loker. The School Committee declined
to entertain the rental of classrooms.
(d) FY12 Budget:
Dr. Burton presented a high level view of the FY12 budget assuming
increases in steps and lanes and a small amount for
SPED/transportation increases. Dr. Burton also prepared a first cut at
the offset list, resulting in a possible increase of $247,000. The
School Committee asked questions and provided input.
(e) Cleanup Around Loker School Pond:
Dr. Burton discussed with the Committee the request by the DPW to clean up the pond.
(f) Recent MCAS Analysis Presentation:
Mr. Crozier made a presentation on MCAS results displaying the advantages of new software called Prezi.
11. Meeting with the Finance Committee:
The School Committee and FinCom met jointly. Mrs. Leisha Simon
opened it up to questions from the FinCom. The high school project
funding was also discussed. Mrs. Fletcher recapped what had already
been requested. The FinCom requested the total technology budget,
which Mr. Geoff MacDonald will provide.
12. Follow-up and Future Agenda Items
(a) Superintendent Search Update:
No discussion.
(b) Operational Review Committee Update:
No discussion.
(c) Suburban Coalition Update:
Dr. Astley handed out an action alert from the Coalition and
quickly explained Mr. Widmer’s presentation. Dr. Astley requested
that this topic be discussed in more depth at the next meeting.
(d) Communication:
The School Committee reviewed a draft circulated by Mrs. Fletcher
as an update on key issues facing the School Committee.
13. Comments from the Public:
Mr. Tom Sciacca asked when Executive Session meeting minutes
would be available. He then elaborated on his thoughts as a member of
the Technology Task Force – increase the number of students per class by
using technology, ultimately saving the district money. His view
represented certain members of the Technology
Task Force.
14. Executive Session:
There was no Executive Session.
15. Adjournment:
Upon a motion duly made by Mrs. Fletcher, seconded by Dr. Kinney,
the Committee voted unanimously (5-0) to adjourn the Special Session at
11:17 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Gary A. Burton, Clerk
Wayland School Committee
Observers:
Tom Sciacca, WVN
Basil Halperin, WSPN
Betsey Brigham, Wayland
Aaron Kono-Bone, WSPN
Corresponding Documentation:
1. Wayland Middle School Cape Cod Trip Proposal
2. Wayland High School “Kids to Kids” 2011 Trip to Dominican Republic
3. FY12 Capital Budget Presentation
4. Fuel Efficiency Vehicle Policy (DJB)
5. December Enrollment Report
6. MCAS Results