School Committee Minutes of January 22, 2008

BELMONT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES
CHENERY MIDDLE SCHOOL COMMUNITY ROOM
JANUARY 22, 2008

Present:      Mr. John Bowe, Chair
            Dr. Diane Stafford, Secretary
            Mr. Scott Stratford
            Ms. Elizabeth Gibson
            Ms. Ann Rittenburg
            Ms. Leslie Walker
            Dr. Peter Holland, Superintendent of Schools
            Dr. Patricia Aubin, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction
            Dr. Gerald Missal, Director of Finance and Administration
     
                              
1.      EXECUTIVE SESSION                 
     

2.      OPENING BUSINESS

      2.1      Call to Order                                   

      At 7:30 p.m. Mr. Bowe called a meeting of the Belmont School Committee to order in the Community Room of the Chenery Middle School.

      2.2      Superintendent's Report                         

      Dr. Holland announced two dates for Capital Budget meetings and asked Committee members to contact Dr. Missal with any comments or questions on the Capital Budget requests.  Dr. Holland commented on the 14th annual Belmont MLK Breakfast.  Dr. Aubin announced a student award and an award for a member of the administrative staff.

      Mr. Stratford reminded the Committee of the registration date for the Community Education Program.

      2.3      Chairman's Report
                              
      Mr. Bowe announced that March 1, 2008 is the date for the School Committee, Warrant Committee, and Selectmen to meet.  The meeting will be held in the Community Room of the Chenery Middle School at 9:00 a.m.

                 
3.      UNFINISHED BUSINESS

4.      MAJOR BUSINESS
                 
      4.1      Review of FY 2009 Budget                 

      Dr. Missal led a review of the budget requests for the academic areas (grades 5-12) and athletics and student activities.  He concluded with a review of the for technology budget.  Principals of the Chenery Middle School and Belmont High School as well as the Curriculum Directors were available to answer questions.

      A major topic of interest from audience members was class size for grade 5 classes at the Chenery Middle School.                 
                 

           
     
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) 

      Dr. Stafford announced that the next Capital Budget Committee will take place on February 7, 2008. 

      Mr. Stratford suggested that the School Committee invite the Wellington Building Committee to come to a meeting to discuss the proposed population for the new Wellington School.  Mr. Stratford announced that the Sub-Committee on the Consolidation of Technology will meet on February 2, 2008.

      Ms. Gibson announced that the Sub-Committee on Policy is working on field trip permission forms as well as permission forms for athletics, student activities, and overnight trips.
     
                       
6.      OTHER BUSINESS

      6.1      Consent Agenda - none
                                                           
      6.2      Personnel Items - Informational

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

            a.      Maternity Leave – Exhibit A     
            b.      Instructional Assignments – Exhibit B
            c.      Appointment to Extra-compensatory Position – Exhibit C

      6.3      Business Items - none
     
      6.4      Approval of Minutes - none

7.      FUTURE BUSINESS

      7.1      Next Meeting Dates:
            February 5, 2008 – 7:30 p.m.
            Regular School Committee Meeting
            CMS Community Room
                                         

            At 9:29 p.m. it was

      VOTED       unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
                 
           

                              Respectfully submitted by                              
                                    Dr. Diane Stafford, Secretary