SC Executive Session Minutes of March 18, 2008 |
Posted: June 30, 2008, by Cathy Grant |
BELMONT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES
At 7:05 p.m. on a motion offered by Mr. Stratford and seconded by Dr. Stafford, it was: At 7:35 p.m. on a motion offered by Mr. Bowe and seconded by Dr. Stafford, it was: VOTED: unanimously to leave Executive Session and enter Open Session. 2. OPENING BUSINESS 2.1 Call to Order At 7:40 p.m. Mr. Bowe called to order a meeting of the Belmont School Committee in the Community Room of the Chenery Middle School. 2.2 Superintendent's Report Dr. Holland announced that the Walk for Hunger is scheduled for the first Sunday in May. He noted that the BHS Newsletter outlined changes for the Junior Senior Prom, scheduled for May 9, 2008. Dr. Holland noted that parents of Belmont High School alumni will meet on April 12, 2008. He commented on the success of the Career Breakfast for juniors at BHS. Dr. Holland referenced a program on School Committee Leadership, sponsored by EDCO. He called attention to the new Emergency Response Manual for the Belmont Public Schools. Dr. Aubin announced student and faculty awards. Dr. Holland commented on his meeting with students at BHS and concluded by welcoming back Mr. Arthur Katz, reporter for the Belmont Citizen Herald. 2.3 Chairman's Report 2.4 Citizens’ Concerns 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None
A robust discussion of the administration’s proposal for a universal full-day kindergarten program supported by DOE grant funds and parent tuition payments took place. Ms. Rittenburg provided a compromise proposal to establish a separate half-day program in addition to the fee-based full-day program proposed. Ms. Rittenburg stated her support for a full-day kindergarten, but was not supportive of a program that made the full kindergarten curriculum available only through the payment of tuition. Discussion both at the School Committee table and with audience members continued at length. At 9:40 p.m. Ms. Walker moved to adopt the School Department’s recommendation for a full day kindergarten program. Ms. Gibson seconded the motion. Mr. Stratford amended the motion to include the adoption of a full day kindergarten program without cost to the operating budget unless a future override vote provide funding for the program. Discussion on the amendment continued. Mr. Bowe called for a vote on the amendment. The amendment was defeated by a 3-2 vote. Committee members voted on Ms. Walker’s motion. The motion was approved by a 5-1 vote. Ms. Rittenburg cast the opposing vote. 4.2 Discussion of FY 2009 Budget – Exhibit B Committee members participated in a discussion of the recent budget adjustments and corresponding budget restorations that have allowed the School Department to get very close to what we consider to be a level-service budget. Committee members commented on the implications of the Town opting to close the FY09 budget gap with one-time sources and postponing an operating override until next year. At 10:44 p.m. on a motion offered by Mr. Stratford and seconded by Ms. Rittenburg, it was VOTED: unanimously to recommend to the Warrant Committee that they consider moving $150,000 from the OPEB account to the operating budget to address Town and School needs. 4.3 Vote on School Choice On a motion offered by Mr. Stratford and seconded by Dr. Stafford, it was: VOTED unanimously that the Belmont Public Schools not enter the School Choice Program for the 2008-2009 school year. 4.4 Appointment of Superintendent for 2008 – 2009 School Year At 10:50 p.m. on a motion offered by Dr. Stafford and seconded by Ms. Walker, it was: VOTED unanimously to appoint Dr. Patricia Aubin as the interim superintendent for the 4.5 First Reading of the School Committee Policy – Exhibit C Ms. Gibson asked Committee members to review the submitted School Committee policies on administration. She suggested that questions might be posed at the next meeting. The Sub-Committee on School Committee Policies requested a vote of approval. 5. REPORT OF SUBCOMMITTEES/LIAISONS Mr. Bowe represented the School Committee at the most recent meeting of the Capital Budget Committee when items for the School Department were presented. Ms. Walker commented on the BSEAC’s recent on-line survey of parents regarding special education services. The survey had a 40% return rate. The Warrant Committee Sub-Committee on Education will meet with school administrators and available School Committee members on March 20, 2008 at 7:00 a.m. 6.1 Consent Agenda a. Job Description for BHS Advanced Placement Coordinator – Exhibit D At 11:02 p.m. on a motion offered by Mr. Stratford and seconded by Ms. Rittenburg, it was: VOTED unanimously to approve the consent agenda. The following items were presented for the Committee’s information: a. Instructional Assignments – Exhibit G 7.1 Next Meeting Dates: March 25, 2008 – 7:30 p.m.. At 11:02 p.m. on a motion offered by Dr. Stafford and seconded by Mr. Bowe, it was: VOTED: unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully submitted by |