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[The following minutes, posted 1/14/10 on the district site, were copied on 28-Jan-2010.  Minor differences in formatting do occur, please access the district site if you desire an official, formal copy --webmaster]

WESTBOROUGH SCHOOL COMMITTEE

WESTBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS

MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING

Thursday                                                                                                                                                       December 10, 2009

 

The Westborough School Committee meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman, Karen Henderson.  Committee members present included Mr. Bruce Tretter, Mrs. Ilyse Levine-Kanji, Mr. Stephen Doret, and Mr. Craig Harris.  Administrators present were Assistant Superintendent, Marianne O’Connor; Director of Finance and Administration, Mr. Daniel Hendricks; Principals, Reene Hatherley, Pattie Berkey, Assistant Principal, Jack Foley; Director of Technology, Kathy Martin.

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Mrs. Henderson announced the purpose of the meeting is to conduct an interview with superintendent candidate, Marianne O’Connor.

Mrs. O’Connor reviewed her background in the district.  She noted she has been a member of the Westborough community for twenty years, eighteen of them working for the school district.  Mrs. O’Connor has worked in the educational field for thirty years, in New York, North Carolina, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Her career in Westborough began as a teacher at the Fales School.  She was appointed by former superintendent, Jack Doherty, to be principal of the Fales School for five years.  From there she was appointed by Stephen Dlott to open the new Mill Pond School.

Mrs. O’Connor stated opening the new school was a wonderful professional experience. She was able to set the tone and develop the culture of the school, and choose the staff.  Following her position at Mill Pond, Mrs. O’Connor was appointed Director of Instruction and Curriculum at the central office.  She spent one year under Dr. Stephen Dlott and five years with Superintendent Anne Towle.

Academic leadership and curriculum development

Mrs. O’Connor stated curriculum instruction is paramount to success of the district.  Every school curriculum has been aligned with the state frameworks.  Many curriculum grants have been secured and all mandates have been addressed.  The MCAS scores are great.

MCAS – Role and value of the instrument

Mrs. O’Connor stated she looks at all the MCAS data received and the numbers.  A meeting with each principal is held, the individual student score is reviewed and student support is determined.  She meets with all team leaders in grades four to six and reviews the strengths and weaknesses of the students and the classroom programs.  Through supervision and evaluation, Mrs. O’Connor determines what is happening in the classroom.  There is a great deal of collaboration with teachers and the students’ work.

In response to Mr. Harris’ question, Mrs. O’Connor stated she prioritizes the curriculum by meeting with the middle and high school principals and department heads, reviews the modifications to textbooks to determine the course of study.

 

Due to the financial situation facing the district, what kind of planning do you envision to meet the needs of all students and maintain the quality of education we provide?

Mrs. O’Connor stated she would continuously gather information from the state.  She would then review the school committee goals and use them to make every decision.  Personnel decisions go back to the goals and every dollar must be spent in the appropriate way.  The team leaders, principals, town leaders all have to be engaged in the process.  We have to be creative as we go forward.  The people ask for and expect this, and we must provide that for them.

Mrs. O’Connor noted the Grant Committee is looking at how it can bring revenue into the community; transportation services are being looked at; everything is being looked at.  Sub committees are crucial.  This school committee has been very aggressive in looking at that.

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December 10, 2009

How can 21^st Century technology be integrated across the curriculum?

Mrs. O’Connor noted the district had a wonderful professional development day this week.  The entire staff was involved in either ELL or technology.  Kathy Martin brought in tremendous people.  There are SmartBoards in the classrooms that are used as instructional tools in an active way to extend curriculum.  Students must understand not only the use of technology, but how to use it to extend learning.  The students are exposed to science labs and mobile lab carts where every student has a computer in front of them.  There have been amazing results in the foreign language labs and technology is used at the administrative level.

We can now communicate with China.  A recent visitor from China spent a week with us, spoke with our students and taught a class.  Mrs. O’Connor will be visiting his school in the spring.

On line Grades

Mrs. O’Connor noted teachers send grades to the guidance office.  This is happening.  To have students and parents access grades will take time.

 

If finances were not a concern, what would result in better classroom achievement, both academically and beyond?

Mrs. O’Connor stated the ELL students and Special Needs population should all be on the same curriculum as the regular students.  Time should be spent on aligning that curriculum, which will take a lot of work and planning.  Getting great results from all students, program resource materials that students need, and have that happen K-12.

With diminishing state and federal funds, plus a shortfall of $1.7 million dollars locally, how would the budget process be different and what would be the priorities?

Mrs. O’Connor stated the job is to educate and guide the school committee in the decision making process.  People need to be involved in the decision leading process and you have to ask for the best scenarios.  We have the capacity to do that.  You have to build trust to make it happen; make it the mission of the district.

Mrs. O’Connor added she truly believes in Westborough, having worked in five districts.  When the superintendent opening was posted, she felt she had to put her name forward.  She truly believes the Westborough schools are excellent and will continue to be excellent.

Management and communications

Mrs. Levine-Kanji asked Mrs. O’Connor whether she was comfortable in the role of management and communications and how she planned to do that.

Mrs. O’Connor replied you start with the teachers, meet with the principals and sub groups, parents, town officials, and you continue to educate and guide.  The position requires a PR person, a cheerleader.   The parent groups are huge supporters of the school system, and they have a right to complain if they are not informed.  That goes with the job.  If people do not understand, that is why they complain.  It is OK to disagree; change happens; everything could be different next year.

Staff Relationships – what have you seen outside and inside the district that you could bring to keep enthusiasm and morale high in light of changes in the future.

Mrs. O’Connor noted that when people are not happy where they work, the product suffers.  There must be trust with each other as well as true professionalism.  Treating each other with respect builds morale.  People are happy when their child is happy.  We have the capacity to do that here.  Mrs. O’Connor said, when speaking with a staff member regarding a problem, she has used three options to resolve it:  1. Suggest  2. Recommend 3. Expect (consequences).

Visibility

Mrs. Henderson noted it is crucial that the superintendent be visible in the schools.  Mrs. O’Connor replied that is the best part of the position.  She has meetings in all the buildings and makes that a priority.

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December 10, 2009

Mentoring

Due to financial constraints, Mrs. O’Connor has assumed the role of mentor coordinator.  She meets with new teacher employees for one year, reviewing student behavior, leadership, instruction and has the person observe seasoned teachers.  The second year she checks in from time to time to see that everything is going well.    She does not want anyone to fail.  The people are hired because the district wants them to be successful.  Very few new teachers leave because of dissatisfaction.

Replacement

Mrs. O’Connor was asked whether she has thought of anyone to fill her position if the opportunity presents itself.  She replied that she has thought of several people who would fit into the position and be very capable in it.

The leadership team is critical for success in Mrs. O’Connor’s eyes. You need to have complete confidence in principals, department chairs.  The leadership in this district can take feedback, criticism, and ask for support if needed.  Mrs. O’Connor prefers to meet personally with a teacher if there is a request for a meeting, rather than email.  Her door is always open and she would keep that same philosophy.  You have to be accessible to the staff, and you start with the leadership team.

Mrs. O’Connor commented on the development of the Mill Pond School before it was opened.  A lot of team building went into the process before school opened, and it was evident by Thanksgiving that some things were not the right fit.  The team knew what it wanted and what was needed to get the job done.  Some long standing programs were not working and the data was available to support changes in curriculum and instruction.

Mrs. O’Connor looked for people who were passionate in what they do.  Her core belief is that you are passionate in your work;  if not, it is not the person for her.  Teaching is an honorable profession.  You need to give the teacher the tools needed to teach.  Sometimes it is just a gut feeling, that the person is not the right fit.

 

Professional Organizations

Mrs. O’Connor is a member of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Co-chair of the Curriculum Committee for the Assabet Collaborative, Phi Delta Kappa Society member, Curriculum Association, and NTA.  She noted when a new superintendent comes on board, the MASS rallies around and mentors that person legally and otherwise.

Mr. Doret felt the MASS was a place where significant changes can be made.

Mrs. O’Connor noted when she became curriculum director, there was no outside support organization.  Through the Assabet Collaborative, she has developed a group of people who have a similar position.  They meet regularly and share cost sharing programs especially in the professional development area.  It is a great support group.

Mrs. O’Connor has been involved in the peripheral area of collective bargaining, but has not been at the table, but will be this year.  She stated that when people disagree the level of professionalism has to be maintained at all costs. She added that in some districts, the superintendent is at the table; in others, the superintendent is not.  In terms of an attorney being used during negotiations, Mrs. O’Connor replied it depends upon the skill set of the attorney and whether the cost is worth doing it.

When participating in the Joint Labor and Management issues, Mrs. O’Connor feels you discuss things in a way that is forth with, let the group speak its mind and engage in healthy discussion.  You can avoid a lot of grievances getting the facts.  Talk about it, and get it solved before the next step.

Mr. Doret inquired whether the former school districts were unionized.  Mrs. O’Connor responded New York and New Hampshire definitely; Raleigh was a private school and not unionized.  Mrs. O’Connor stated she has not always been in the role of supervisor, but has been one of the rank and file.  When a strike was called in one district, Mrs. O’Connor did not strike. She wanted to teach.  It took many years to regain friendship with her colleagues.

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She was active in Westborough.  The experience has helped her to see both sides of an issue.  You make a decision on the big picture; it all has to fit; it is about ALL of us taking little steps to get there.

In response to a question about homework, Mrs. O’Connor stated this is a difficult area for every student and every teacher.  It depends upon the goal of the homework assignment.  If it is truly work that needs to reinforce a foundation, then it is appropriate.

Is giving homework a way to teach?  If you can teach, you own it.  If you teach facts, you own it.

Relationships in the community

Mrs. O’Connor stated she lives in town; her husband is active in town and she is very comfortable speaking with people in town. There are limits, however.   She is entitled to a personal life, and if someone needs information or a meeting, she suggests a more appropriate time.  Mrs. O’Connor has served on the Capital Expenditure Committee in town and noted most of the work has been put on hold or moved out in years to come.

Mrs. Henderson announced Mrs. O’Connor will be available Monday, December 14, in the high school library to take questions from faculty and staff.  At 7:00 p.m. she will again be in the library to answer questions from community members and parents.

At 8:15 p.m. the Committee took a short break and reconvened at 8:30 p.m.

Superintendent, Dr. Anne Towle, Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. Marianne O’Connor, and Director of Administration and Finance, Mr. Daniel Hendricks, joined the meeting.

Mrs. Henderson introduced Elizabeth Valerio of the Deutsch/Williams law firm, and stated that she is present to be interviewed for the position of attorney to the School Committee.

Ms. Valerio stated her work involves primarily the public sector, working 99% of the time on the management side of schools and towns.  Her expertise is in the areas of labor relations, unfair labor practices, arbitration, student discipline.  She does not do court litigation.  Another member of the firm would have that expertise.  Ms. Valerio served six years on the school committee in Wrentham, so is aware of both sides of the table.

Ms. Valerio noted a legal answer is not always the right way. The school boards need to be trained to work with the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee because they know where the money is.  The school committee needs to live up to its part of the deal. The community needs to be involved in the schools.  Keep the senior community in the schools; they vote.  Selectmen and the town manager need to be on board when negotiating with the unions.  When dealing with counsel, it is best not to wait a week or two.  Try to sign agreements immediately.

In response to a question from Mr. Doret, Ms. Valerio stated time and billing is as much or as little as a district needs.  Travel time is not billable, and the firm does bill in 1/10 of an hour increments.

Ms. Valerio tries not to have a lot of arbitration and keeps away from litigation. She is available by phone or email.  An attorney does not always have to be present at the table.  It depends upon strategy and language.  The committee can run things by her for an opinion, and she can work in the background.

Regarding a Labor Relations complaint, Ms. Valerio stated the Board is better than it was in responding.  The Board may try to mediate, issue a complaint or dismiss it.

Ms. Valerio reviewed the municipalities currently represented by the firm.

MOTION

At 8:50 p.m. upon a motion by Mr. Tretter, seconded by Mrs. Levine-Kanji, the Committee voted 5-0 by roll call vote in favor of entering Executive Session under Chapter 30, Section 21 for the purpose of discussing collective

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bargaining strategy.

The Committee returned to Open Session at 9:24, signed bills.  Upon a motion by Mr. Tretter and a second by Mr. Doret, the Committee voted 5-0 to adjourn at 9:26 p.m.

Respectfully submitted

Ilyse Levine-Kanji

Secretary

These minutes are as recorded by the secretary to the school committee and do not become an official part of the record until so noted in a subsequent record.