m April 5, 2010

Minutes - Wayland School Committee
Regular Session April 5, 2010

A Regular Session of the Wayland School Committee was held on Monday, April 5, 2010, at 7:00 P.M. in the School Committee Room of the Wayland Town Building.

Present were:
Dr. Louis Jurist, Chair
Mr. Jeff Dieffenbach, Vice Chair
Mr. Malcolm Astley
Mrs. Deb Cohen, Esq.
Mrs. Barb Fletcher

Also:
Dr. Gary A. Burton
Superintendent of Schools

Mr. Brad J. Crozier
Assistant Superintendent

Ms. Joy E. Buhler
Business Administrator

Dr. Marlene M. Dodyk
Director of Student Services

Also;
Mrs. Lea Anderson, HSBC

Chair Louis Jurist convened the regular meeting at 7:04 P.M.

1. Special Matters:
(a) HSBC – HMFH Contract for Design Services:
Mrs. Lea Anderson spoke to the School Committee regarding a request to approve Amendment #1 to the HMFH contract for the design of WHS for $5,500,000, including what has already been spent for the Feasibility Study and the Schematic Design. The total amount falls within the MSBA approved budget. Mrs. Anderson also asked the School Committee to authorize Dr. Louis Jurist, as Chair, to sign the contract.

Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Dieffenbach, seconded by Mrs. Fletcher, the School Committee voted unanimously (5-0) to approve the contract of $5,400,000 for HMFH and to authorize the School Committee Chair to sign on the School Committee’s behalf.

(b) Payment Authorization Approval:
Mrs. Anderson raised concerns about paying invoices in a timely manner. She explained the invoice review process by KV Associates and John Moynihan and requested the School Committee to authorize Dr. Gary A. Burton, Superintendent of Schools, to approve payment of invoices for work and services under approved contracts. After a period of discussion, the School Committee voted.

Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Dieffenbach, seconded by Mrs. Fletcher, the School Committee voted unanimously (5-0) to authorize the Superintendent to approve invoices for payment for the high school building project and subject to approval by the OPM, the Public Buildings Director, and the HSBC.

(c) HSBC Update:
Mrs. Anderson also reported on the status of the contract with Shawmut Construction, as well as discussions with WayCam regarding space on the high school site.

2. Comments and Written Statements from the Public:
There were no public comments or written statements.

3. Discussion re: School Choice:
Dr. Burton announced that the District Hearing on School Choice would be June 1, 2010.

4. School Committee Policy Review:
The Committee reviewed several drafts of School Committee policies as proposed by the Policy Sub- Committee.

Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Dieffenbach, seconded by Mr. Astley, the School Committee voted unanimously (5-0) to release the following policies for public comment: “Student to Student Harassment (JBA); “Student Transportation in Private Vehicles” (EEAG); “Request for Copies of Student Records” (JRA); and “Observations of Special Education Programs” (IHBAA).

5. Discussion re: FOIA Request:
The School Committee discussed the most recent revision of a FOIA request. The Committee consensus was to respond in a similar manner to the last request.

6. Field Trip Approvals:
Upon a motion duly made by Mrs. Cohen, seconded by Mr. Astley, the School Committee voted unanimously (5-0) to approve the following field trips:
• WHS Journalism Class & WSPN Club Trip
• Wayland/Weston Crew Trip

7. Approval of Accounts Payables and Payroll Warrants:
Upon a motion duly made by Mrs. Fletcher, seconded by Mr. Dieffenbach, the School Committee voted unanimously (5-0) to approve payment of each of the following:
• School Department Accounts Payable Warrant, dated 4/5/2010, in the amount of $558,133.64

8. Approval of Minutes:
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Dieffenbach, seconded by Mrs. Cohen, the School Committee voted unanimously (4-0) (Mr. Dieffenbach abstained) to approve the following minutes as amended:
• Regular Session of March 8, 2010
• Regular Session of March 22, 2010
• Executive Session of March 22, 2010

Upon a motion duly made by Mrs. Fletcher, seconded by Mr. Dieffenbach, the School Committee voted unanimously (4-0) (Mr. Astley abstained) to approve the following minutes as amended:
• Executive Session #1 of August 25, 2008

9. Superintendent’s Report:
(a) “Listening Tour” Update:
Dr. Burton updated the Committee on the five “Listening Tour” meetings.

(b) Enrollment Update:
Dr. Burton provided the School Committee members with the latest enrollment numbers.

(d) Technology Community Outreach:
Dr. Burton reported that Technology Director Leisha Simon will be hosting a community technology informational session.

(e) Transportation:
Dr. Burton commended the bus drivers for their outstanding professionalism during the last few weeks during the flooding in town.

(f) Hiring for School Business Administrator:
Dr. Burton recommended that he use a focused search model to replace our retiring Business Administrator. The School Committee consensus was to move forward with the focused search.

10. Miscellaneous Items:
The School Committee discussed the timing and content of an article to the Town Crier for April 29th.

The School Committee discussed the agenda for their meeting with the Boston parents on April 13th.

11. Comments from the Public:
There were no public comments.

12. Executive Session:
Upon a motion duly made by Mrs. Fletcher, seconded by Mr. Dieffenbach, the Committee voted unanimously
(5-0) in a vote to convene in Executive Session at 10:00 P.M. to discuss strategy pertaining to two complaints and negotiations with the Non-Union Administrators, Wayland Teachers Association, Wayland Educational Secretaries' Association, Wayland Custodians, and Wayland Food Service Workers, as set forth in Section 23(B)(2) and (3) of M.G.L. Ch. 39. The School Committee agreed that discussion regarding the non-union and union 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.

13. Adjournment:
Upon a motion by Mrs. Fletcher, seconded by Mr. Dieffenbach, the Committee voted unanimously (5-0) to adjourn the Regular Session at 11:49 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Gary A. Burton, Clerk
Wayland School Committee

Amended as of June 6, 2011