Minutes - Wayland School Committee
Regular Session   February 8, 2010  

A Regular Session of the Wayland School Committee was held on Monday, February 8, 2010, at 7:00 P.M. in the School Committee Room of the Wayland Town Building.

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

Also:
Dr. Gary A. Burton
Superintendent of Schools

Mr. Brad J. Crozier
Assistant Superintendent

Dr. Marlene M. Dodyk
Director of Student Services

Chair Louis Jurist convened the regular meeting at 7:03 P.M.

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

2. Approval of Accounts Payables and Payroll Warrants:
Upon a motion duly made by Mrs. Fletcher, seconded by Mrs. Cohen, the School Committee voted unanimously (4-0) to approve payment of each of the following:
• School Department Accounts Payable warrant, dated 2/1/2010, in the amount of $242,287.44
• School Department Payroll warrant, dated 2/3/2010, in the amount of $176.47 (final paycheck for employee)
• School Department Payroll warrant, dated 2/11/2010, in the amount of $1,098,496.55
• School Department Accounts Payable warrant, dated 2/8/2010, in the amount of $28,690.91

3. Suburban Coalition:
Mr. Astley updated the School Committee on recent Suburban Coalition activities. He provided some information from Noah Berger of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center and a summary of recent meetings. He also discussed the need for the School Committee’s priorities of interest as the Coalition advocates for action on matters and how other Town boards rate their respective priorities.

The School Committee agreed to ask if the FinCom and Board of Selectmen can meet on March 1st to discuss their priorities of the Suburban Coalition and have an executive session on negotiations.

4. Superintendent’s Report:
(a) Central Office Management Review: Dr. Burton provided a proposal from the New England School Development (NESDEC) to audit the Wayland Central Office management structure. The proposal also included the option of expanding the audit. The School Committee will also contact MASC to see if they provide a similar service. The School Committee will work with the Town on their efforts on possible petitioner articles that may be proposed at Town Meeting.

(b) Mary Johnson Travelship: Dr. Burton informed the School Committee that Kevin Delaney was awarded the Mary Johnson Travelship.

(c) Achievement Gap Newsletter: Dr. Burton informed the School Committee of a new newsletter from the Closing the Gap working group.

(d) Vacation Schedule: Dr. Burton will send the February break schedule to the School Committee.

(e) Agenda for February 22: The Committee discussed possible agenda items for the scheduled meeting on February 22. The Committee consensus was to cancel the February 22 meeting if the Committee is meeting on March 1.

(f) Enrollment Update: Dr. Burton provided the School Committee with the current enrollment in the five schools.

(g) HSBC Update: Dr. Jurist and Dr. Burton updated the School Committee on the latest progress on the High School building project. The signed Project and Scope Agreement from the MSBA has been returned.

(h) Request for Approval for WSPN to attend the CSPA Convention in New York City: Dr. Burton presented the travel request from WSPN to attend the CSPA Convention in NYC.

Upon a motion by Mrs. Fletcher, seconded by Mrs. Cohen, the School Committee voted unanimously (4- 0) to approve the WSPN trip to New York City.

(g) Mid-Year Goals Update: Dr. Burton provided an update on his efforts on his goals related to differentiated instruction, staff evaluations, and staff training opportunities. He also discussed his proposed effort to invite parents and community members in for conversations around the goals and their concerns. He answered questions and took feedback from the Committee members.

5. Miscellaneous School Committee Items:
• Mrs. Fletcher will follow up on the letter to the Town Crier and Q & A for the budget.
• Mrs. Fletcher will bring the School Committee follow up items.

6. Approval of Minutes:
Upon a motion duly made by Mrs. Fletcher, seconded by Mr. Astley, the School Committee voted unanimously (4-0) to approve the following minutes as amended:
• Regular Session of January 19, 2010
• Regular Session of January 25, 2010

7. Comments from the Public:
A community member expressed concern that an NSTAR representative could not contact the HSBC and the Energy Committee. He commented on possible alternative taxation models.

8. Executive Session:
Upon a motion duly made by Mrs. Fletcher, seconded by Mr. Astley, the Committee voted unanimously
(4-0) in a roll call vote to convene in Executive Session at 9:03 P.M. for the purpose of matters pertaining to Collective Bargaining, as set forth in Section 23B of G.L. Ch. 39 and the review of minutes.

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

9. Adjournment:
Upon a motion by Mrs. Fletcher, seconded by Mrs. Cohen, the Committee voted unanimously (4-0) to adjourn the Regular Session at 9:36 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Gary A. Burton, Clerk
Wayland School Committee

Observers:
Tom Sciacca, WVN
Georgia Mudway, 3 Maguire Road