Minutes - Wayland School Committee
Regular Session   July 12, 2010  

A Regular Session of the Wayland School Committee was held on Monday, July 12, 2010, 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, Esq.

Also:
Dr. Gary A. Burton
Superintendent of Schools

Ms. Joy E. Buhler
Business Administrator

Chair Louis Jurist convened the regular meeting at 7:02 P.M.

1. Comments or Written Statements from the Public:
• A parent inquired about the assignment of Brian Jones as principal of the Loker K School.
• A parent addressed the School Committee regarding student records policies as they pertain to selection procedures for the National Honor Society.
• A parent inquired about the official title of Brian Jones.

2. FY10 Technology Report:
Leisha Simon, Director of Technology and Accountability, provided the School Committee with an overview of the department’s activities in FY10, including network upgrades, data center consolidation, hardware support, software support, classroom software, equipment and upgrades, and related professional development for staff.

3. Approval of School Committee Policies:
After a brief period of discussion and upon a motion duly made by Ms. Butler, seconded by Dr. Astley, the School Committee voted unanimously (4-0) to approve the following four policies:
• Request for Copies of Student Records (JRA)
• Student Transportation by Employees in Private Vehicles (EEAG)
• Observation of Special Education Programs (IHBAA)
• Student-to-Student Harassment (JBA)

4. School Improvement Plans:
After brief discussion and upon a motion duly made by Mrs. Fletcher, and seconded by Dr. Astley, the School Committee voted unanimously (4-0) to receive the School Improvements Plans of Wayland High School, Claypit Hill School, and Happy Hollow/Loker Schools

5. Superintendent Search Update:
Ms. Buhler provided the School Committee with a brief status report regarding the Request for Proposals (RFP) for superintendent search services. The School Committee set a meeting for August 2, 2010 to review the proposals, with interviews tentatively scheduled for the week of August 23, 2010.

6. Operations Review Committee Update:
Ms. Fletcher spoke about the draft RFP for the Operations Review and solicited School Committee members’ opinions as to including, as part of the RFP, the School Department’s Administrative review, the Athletic Director’s position in the review, and specific peer communities for comparison. The Committee members agreed not to include the Athletic Director’s position in the overall School Department’s Administrative review.

7. Approval of Accounts Payables and Payroll Warrants:
A discussion of the process for accounts payable and payroll warrants was outlined to the School Committee.

Upon a motion duly made by Dr. Astley, seconded by Ms. Butler, the School Committee voted (4-0) to approve payment of the following:
• School Department Accounts Payable warrant, dated 7/12/2010, in the amount of $681,942.68
• School Department Accounts Payable warrant, dated 7/12/2010, in the amount of $413,678.35 (WHS project)
• School Department Payroll warrant, dated 7/15/2010, in the amount of $221,709.29

8. Approval of Minutes:
The School Committee discussed the nature, substance, and level of detail to be included in School Committee minutes, as well as specific content of minutes before them for approval, with respect to the Superintendent’s evaluation. Approval of the minutes of the June 28, 2010 regular session was tabled for further emendations. The minutes of the June 21, 2010 were not ready for review and a vote.

9. Superintendent’s Report:
(a) Enrollment Update:
Dr. Burton and the School Committee discussed July enrollment figures for the 2010-2011 school year.

(b) HSBC Update:
Dr. Burton provided a brief update on the status of the High School Building project.

(c) Literacy and Math Institutes:
Dr. Burton commented on the attendance and success of both the Literacy and Math Institutes held on June 29 and 30, and July 1 respectively.

(d) Title I:
Dr. Burton said that there were indications that the district would qualify for approximately $42,000 in Title I money for the coming year, focusing on mathematics at the Middle School.

(e) Update on Anti-Bullying Work Group:
Dr. Burton said that the Anti-Bullying Work Group had completed a draft of the district’s Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan, which would be a focus of the Admin Council retreat in August, as well as readied for implementation district-wide in September.

(f) AP Scores:
Dr. Burton noted that WHS Principal Pat Tutwiler just received AP scores for this past round of testing, with approximately 70% of the students receiving a score of 4 or 5 on the test.

10. Follow-up Items:
• Upon a motion duly made by Mrs. Fletcher, seconded by Ms. Butler, the School Committee voted unanimously (4-0) to approve the School Department Payroll warrant, dated 7/01/2010, in the amount of $277,274.05
• Ms. Fletcher reviewed the status of a list of items of unfinished business to be considered at future School Committee meetings.

11. Comments from the Public:
There was no public comment.

12. Executive Session:
Upon a motion duly made by Mrs. Fletcher, seconded by Dr. Astley, the Committee voted unanimously
(4-0) in a roll call vote to convene in Executive Session at 10:08 P.M. for the purpose of finalizing the Superintendent’s evaluation, of reviewing the minutes of the June 28, 2010 executive session, and for discussion related to negotiations and collective bargaining strategies with the Food Service Workers Association, as set forth in Section 23B of G.L. Ch. 39 and discussion in open session would be detrimental to the Town’s position. “To discuss strategy with respect to Collective Bargaining or Litigation, if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the governmental body; to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel; and to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with non-union personnel.” (Open Meeting Law Guidelines)

The Chair announced that the Committee would reconvene in Open Session immediately following the adjournment of the Executive Session for adjournment purposes only.

13. Adjournment:
Upon a motion duly made by Mrs. Fletcher, seconded by Dr. Astley, the Committee voted unanimously (4-0) to adjourn the Regular Session at 10:53 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Gary A. Burton, Clerk
Wayland School Committee

Observers:
Leisha Simon, WPS Technology Department
Elizabeth Nolan
Jeff and Robin Sklar
John Flaherty

Corresponding Documents:
1. WPS Technology FY10 End of Year Report
2. Approved Policies
• Request for Copies of Student Records (JRA)
• Student Transportation by Employees in Private Vehicles (EEAG)
• Observations of Special Education Programs (IHBAA)
• Student-to-Student Harassment (JBA)
3. 2010-2011 School Improvement Plans
• Wayland High School
• Happy Hollow/Loker K Schools
• Claypit Hill School
4. Revised Draft of Operations Review RFP
5. Enrollment as of July 7, 2010