Next Up Natick

People keep referencing the Dore & Whittier Presentation... What is it?   A presentation /report given to the School Committee in 2012 by the Dore & Whittier Architectural firm.    What did it seek to do?   Solve the (former) Kennedy aging building problem and the pending (2015) Wilson/Kennedy enrollment imbalance.  Consider a decision about the two oldest elementary spaces - Johnson and Memorial. Options  suggested for Memorial and Johnson  (page 43)... In this 2012 presentation, the ADA concerns were: Johnson -  "no ADA accessible path from the School building to the play areas" Memorial - "barriers to Handicap accessibility." In the capital plan, Johnson is mentioned for needing accessibility and coding.  ADA concerns were there in 2012 just as they are today. While we absolutely need to address this, I disagree with any process that is truncated because 10 years ago we did not take the time to figure it out. The only way...

Date change ... Community Forum from tonight, Monday October 25th to next week, Monday, November 1st. (explained below.)  What is all the hub bub? Space needs at the High School Pre-school programs movement Future of Johnson Elementary Long term planning for Memorial Elementary renovations/rebuild If I haven't read anything or need information what should I read?    Taken From the Natick Engage email this week:   I (Dr. Nolin) advise reading the in depth report on  Facilities, Space and Capital Planning , or, if you have less time, this  Executive Summary . Discussions will occur on 10/18, 11/1, 11/15 at a minimum. ***** Quick links to items that you can find in the above documents:  Link to FACILITIES DEPARTMENT STEWARDSHIP REPORT  presented to School Committee on 10/18. Chart Overviewing the Findings/Analysis of the TA’s Advisory Committee (Spring 2021)   (of which I was a part this summer)  Town of Natick Space Report (2012...

Faced with some monumental school facility and space decisions, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the quote that Dr. Nolin has below the signature line in her email:       The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on                building the new.     The emphasis in the quote is on what can come next. It is not about holding on tightly to what was, nor looking at an issue through only a technical, logistical lens but on moving forward with vision .  The administration, under advisement of the School Committee, is charged with setting that vision. The School Committee is charged with protecting that vision using the three roles within our domain - budget, policy and supervision of the Superintendent. All of us are working for the kids that are here today and those who will be here in the future.   Thankfully this time, as our School Committee grapp...

For those looking to influence, support, or better understand the conversation in Education Equity - the time is NOW in Massachusetts.  Too often, I find that our political process happens quietly and the attention only comes when those opposing or supporting a bill see it get voted on...  For months (and sometimes years) before a vote, however, the bills are in committee for discussion and revisions!   Both of these equity bills, S365 and H584  (same wording in both) are currently in that spot right now!  The are in the Joint Committee for Education.   If passed in their current form, they will create a commission to make recommendations  (not mandates) to School Committee's and Superintendents about changes to curriculum, fostering equity on the mtel (teacher exam) and creating resources for professional development with an equity focus. They will also create a private/public trust fund for future investments in these areas.  ...

 On Monday night the School Committee voted on the strategic plan:  First, we voted to extract the Equity goal from the Social Emotional Goal  Yes Vote: 7-0 Then, we discussed what exactly we were voting when voting about the goal areas (as listed on the agenda.)  It was confirmed that by voting the goal areas, we were also voting each of the items on the slides listed under the goal areas.  Yes Vote: 6-1 (I was the no vote and will share my dissenting view when the minutes are produced.)  This vote means that: The document is shared: responsibilities ... oversight for the School Committee and execution for the administration  Changes to this plan will need to be agreed upon by both entities. We have asked our administration to complete 67 tasks by June 30, 2022. We will also continue to see this plan throughout the year - again as a school committee to understand how each step will be measured or evaluated, it will help inform the School Improvement P...