School Committee Minutes of October 16, 2007 |
| Posted: January 16, 2008, by Cathy Grant |
BELMONT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES Present: Mr. John Bowe, Chair Ms. Leslie Walker Mr. Scott Stratford Ms. Ann Rittenburg Ms. Elizabeth Gibson Dr. Peter Holland, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patricia Aubin, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Also present: Ms. Diane Wiltshire, METCO Program Director; Mr. Kevin Chinn, METCO Parent Liaison 2. OPENING BUSINESS 2.1 Call to Order At 7:05 p.m. Mr. Bowe called to order a meeting of the Belmont School Committee in the conference room of the Center for Boston Elder Services. 2.2 Superintendent's Report - Introduction of John Robotham and Mike Collins from Belmont Against Racism Dr. Holland invited John Robotham and Katherine Bonfiglio to address the parents and to present a check to the School Committee from Belmont Against Racism to support the funding of after school transportation. Dr. Holland announced that at a recent School Committee meeting 19 teachers received Professional Teacher Status. He noted that the Foundation for Belmont Education contributed $95,840 this year for special initiatives. He concluded his comments by thanking Diane Wiltshire for organizing the meeting. 2.3 Chairman's Report Mr. Bowe noted that MCAS scores had been released and he looked forward to more information on Belmont scores. he announced that Patricia Hadddad would speak at a forum on school spending on October 18, 2007 at the Wellington School. 2.4 Citizens' Concerns - None 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 4. MAJOR BUSINESS 4.1 Review METCO Program Ms. Wiltshire provided an update on the number of students in the METCO program and the various activities planned for the fall, and the programs in place to provide academic support for METCO students. 4.2 Update on Transportation Mr. Chinn provided an update on transportation and asked the parents if there were any questions. One parent spoke about the need for a high school bus. Dr. Holland will investigate the possibility of a high school bus, at least for the morning. 4.3 Information on Supreme Court Decision: Parents Involved - Exhibit A Dr. Holland provided information on the recent Supreme Court Decisions regarding desegregation programs and what impact, if any, these decisions might have on the METCO program. 4.4 Discussion with Parents One of the parents of a METCO student raised a concern about the field trip permission form. Dr. Holland will review the form with School Counsel. 5. REPORT OF SUBCOMMITTEES/LIAISONS - None 6. OTHER BUSINESS 6.1 Consent Agenda Approval of Minutes a. August 9, 2007 b. September 11, 2007 The vote of approval of School Committee Minutes will take place at the next School Committee meeting on November 6, 2007. 7. FUTURE BUSINESS 7.1 Next Meeting Dates: November 6, 2007 CMS Community Room 7:00 p.m. Reception for Volunteers 7:15 p.m. Recognition for Volunteers 7:30 p.m. Meeting with Student Advisers & Regular Meeting of the School Committee 9. ADJOURNMENT On a motion offered by Ms. Rittenburg and seconded by Mr. Stratford, it was VOTED: unanimously to adjourn the meeting Respectfully submitted by Diane Stafford, Secretary |