Next Up Natick

Last night the School Committee hosted the Public Hearing on the budget. For those who were not able to attend, it will be up on Pegasus’ Video on Demand page sometime soon.   Big Picture Summary of the Superintendent’s Recommendation The Superintendent has put forth an approx $80.5M budget. The Town has suggested a $79M appropriation. The schools are confident the difference can be made up using “cost saving measures, grants and revolving accounts.”   After a few special education add ons that NPS will make to ensure students receive the services they need…  The major place of emphasis in this budget is retaining our teachers and staff in a negotiation year with our unions. (slide 8)   Secondary to that, the Superintendent is suggesting positions to add support into the middle schools and 2 of the elementary schools “What I need” (WIN) time periods . These WIN periods (or blocks) are meant to provide students with the kind of personalized learning, exten...

At the very end of our meeting last night, I overstated that I had been told “no,” when asking for an item called the warrant. The reality is, both times I have asked to see them, once in December and again last week, I have been met with several emails asking me to clarify what I am asking for and why I need it. I have also been told that I don't need to see them. The confusion is understandable. As a committee we vote to allow the chair to sign the warrant. However Mass Gen Law makes clear that designating a signatory does not preclude the rest of us from our fiduciary responsibilities. Knowing that, I asked to see the details that were behind the memo on our agenda. Instead of receiving them, I was reminded that we had already had the conversation was asked to let our chair know if I’d still like to see them. I responded in the affirmative asking for the entire committee to see the warrant. (edited 2/29 10:00 a.m. with added picture below) No one explicitly told me “no,” but ...