SC Executive Session Minutes of 1/9/07

Posted: July 19, 2007, by webmaster

BELMONT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES
CHENERY MIDDLE SCHOOL COMMUNITY ROOM
JANUARY 9, 2007

Present: Ms, Elizabeth Gibson, Chair
Mr. John Bowe, Secretary
Ms. Kathy Miller
Mr. Scott Stratford
Dr. Diane Stafford
Ms. Ann Rittenburg
Dr. Peter Holland, Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Patricia Aubin, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction
Dr. Gerald Missal, Director of Finance and Administration
Ms. Julia Silverman, Human Resources Manager

Also present: Selectman Angelo Firenze for Executive Session; Mr. Mike Harvey, Acting BHS Principal;
Ms. Jenny Fallon, Energy Conservation Committee; Annie Warner, BHS Student Senate
Advisor to School Committee

1. EXECUTIVE SESSION

1.1 Collective Bargaining

On a motion offered by Ms. Miller and seconded by Mr. Bowe, it was

VOTED: unanimously, at 7:00 p.m., to enter Executive Session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining.  Selectman Angelo Firenze joined the Committee for these discussions.

2. OPENING BUSINESS

2.1 Call to Order

Ms. Gibson called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. in the Community Room of the Chenery Middle School.

2.2 Superintendent's Report  

Dr. Holland’s report included comments on the following topics: MUNIS (the Town’s financial management system) transition; the Coordinated Program Review; an article in the January 4, 2007 The Boston Globe West on rising health care costs; a letter from Butler parents about class size at the Butler School; the Foundation for Belmont Education Cycle I grant awards; an article on the issue of proficiency for all students; the dissemination of the approved Wellness Policy; results from MCAS retesting; and, an announcement of Belmont High School student participation in the inauguration of Governor Patrick.

2.3 Chairman's Report

Ms. Gibson commented on the new finance system (MUNIS) and stated her hope that this new system would better serve the town and the schools.  Ms. Gibson also alerted the public to upcoming budget presentations and discussions.

2.4 Citizens' Concerns - None

3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

4. MAJOR BUSINESS

4.1 Belmont High School Principal Appointment - Exhibit  A-1

Dr. Holland announced that he appointed Mr. Michael Harvey as the permanent Principal of Belmont High School effective July 1, 2007.  The Committee congratulated Mr. Harvey on his appointment.

4.2 First Reading of Energy Conservation Policy - Exhibit  A

Ms Jenny Fallon joined the Committee to present a proposed policy on energy conservation.  Ms. Fallon noted that the Town had adopted such a policy by a vote of the Board of Selectmen.  Ms. Miller informed the Committee of her research regarding this type of policy in other communities and assured the Committee that the proposal as written was suitable for inclusion in the current School Committee Policies Manual.

This policy will be presented for a vote at the January 23, 2007 meeting, after a second reading, as is the practice with the adoption of policies.

4.3 Review of FY 2008 Capital Budget - Exhibit  B

Dr. Missal submitted the Capital Budget requests for the FY 2008 budget.  Committee members asked questions and were advised by Dr. Missal to contact him with additional questions or comments on setting priorities.  Gretchen McLean, a Wellington parent, commented on her concerns about the status of the Wellington School.  Ms. Gibson asked the Superintendent to check on the status of the building projects.

4.4 Challenges and Costs of Accountability and Regulatory Oversight - Exhibit  C                      
Dr. Aubin shared with the Committee updates on state and federal mandates and the impact of these mandates on the school system.

4.5 Superintendent’s Contract Renewal

On a motion offered by Mr. Stratford and seconded by Mr. Bowe, it was

VOTED:   unanimously to approve a new two year (2007-2009) contract for
Superintendent Peter B. Holland.

5. REPORT OF SUBCOMMITTEES/LIAISONS
(Wellington Building Committee; ESCO; Communications & Community
Relations; Crofts Policy Revision; Technology Assessment & Funding;
Advisory Council for the Future Needs of Belmont High School; Capital
Budget Committee; Community Education; Council on Aging; EDCO Board;
ESCO Energy Study; Foundation for Belmont Education; Health Advisory
Committee; ITAC; Vision 21; Warrant Committee; Youth Commission) 

Ms. Miller announced that the EDCO School Leadership Committee is presenting a program, led by  Department of Education representatives, on changes to the year-end report for per-pupil expenditures, on January 17, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Ms. Gibson noted that the Warrant Committee will meet on January 10, 2007. 

6. OTHER BUSINESS

6.1 Consent Agenda

On a motion offered by Mr. Stratford and seconded by Mr. Bowe, it was

VOTED: unanimously, to approve the Amendment/Revision to the following
Policies:

a. Harassment Policy (1012) Amendment - Exhibit  D
b. Complaints Concerning School Personnel Policy (1019)
   Revision - Exhibit  E
6.2 Personnel Items - Informational

The following items were presented for the Committee’s information:

a. Retirements - Exhibit  F
b. Resignations - Exhibit  G
c. Maternity Leaves of Absence - Exhibit  H
d. Instructional Assignments - Exhibit  I
e. Non-Instructional Assignments - Exhibit  J
f. Non-Instructional Change of Assignment - Exhibit  K
g. Completion of Six-Month Probationary Period - Exhibit  L
h. Extracompensatory Assignments - Exhibit  M

6.3 Business Items - None

6.4 Approval of Minutes

On a motion offered by Ms. Miller and seconded by Dr. Strafford, it was

VOTED: unanimously, to approve the Minutes of December 5, 2006,
as amended.

9. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion offered by Dr. Stafford and seconded by Mr. Bowe, it was

VOTED: unanimously, at 9:06 p.m., to adjourn the meeting.

Respectfully submitted by
John Bowe, Secretary

ATTACHMENT A

EXECUTIVE SESSION: January 9, 2007 7:00 p.m. to 7:34 p.m.
RE: Collective Bargaining

Selectman Angelo Firenze joined the School Committee in its discussion of collective bargaining issues with Unit A.