SC Executive Session Minutes of April 15, 2008

Posted: June 30, 2008, by Cathy Grant

BELMONT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES
CHENERY MIDDLE SCHOOL COMMUNITY ROOM
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 15, 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                                   

      1.1      Collective Bargaining

      At 7:04 p.m. on a motion offered by Dr. Stafford and seconded by Ms. Walker, it was

      VOTED:      unanimously to enter executive session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining.

      At 7:36 p.m. the Committee left executive session to return to open session.

2.      OPENING BUSINESS

      2.1      Call to Order

      At 7:40 p.m. Mr. Bowe called the meeting to order.
                                   
      2.2      Superintendent's Report

      Dr. Holland listed a number of upcoming events for the Belmont High School Class of 2008.  He announced Memorial Day Programs at the schools on May 23, 2008.  Dr. Holland informed the Committee of a proposal for student travel to Rome.  Dr. Aubin announced student awards.  Dr. Holland referenced an article in the Boston Globe Northwest section and the Wall St. Journal.  Dr. Holland announced the beginning of two searches:  the first for the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction and the second for the Director of Technology.
           
      2.3      Chairman's Report
 
      Mr. Bowe announced that the recent spring reception of the Foundation for Belmont Education raised $120,000.  A video shown at the reception is available on the FBE web site.  Mr. Bowe announced that Town Meeting will begin on April 28, 2008.  He noted that the MASC day on the Hill is April 29, 2008.  Mr. Bowe thanked Paul Solomon for his years of service as a Selectman.

      2.4      Citizens' Concerns

      David Alper, father of a Wellington School 4th grader, expressed his concerns about the process by which a fourth grade teacher was replaced for maternity leave.  While the leave was anticipated, he did not feel that the children were appropriately prepared for the change in teachers.
                             
3.      UNFINISHED BUSINESS

      None

 


4.      MAJOR BUSINESS   
                 
      4.1      Discussion of School Committee comprehensive Plan

      Mrs. Fallon spoke to the Committee about a future Town wide strategic plan and the interest in comments from the School Committee. 

      4.2      Approval of School Calendar, 2008-2009 – Exhibit A

      On a motion offered by Dr. Stafford and seconded by Ms. Rittenburg, it was

      VOTED:      unanimously to approve the school calendar for the 2008-2009 school year.

      4.3      Approval of Last Day of School, 2008-2009 – Exhibit B

      On a motion offered by Ms. Graham and seconded by Ms. Walker, it was

      VOTED:      unanimously to approve June 18, 2008 as the last day of school.

      4.4      Approval of Fee Increases for 2008-2009 – Exhibits C-1 and C-2

      On a motion offered by Dr. Stafford and seconded by Ms. Walker, it was

      VOTED:      unanimously to increase the Athletic User Fee at Belmont High School to $330 per student per year ($600 family maximum), and to increase the Athletic and Student Activity Fee at the Chenery Middle School to $75 per student per year ($125 family maximum), effective July 1, 2008.

      And to increase the Regular Transportation User Fee to $385 per child per year ($770 family maximum), effective July 1, 2008.

      And to institute a new Full-Day Kindergarten User Fee of $1600 per child per year, effective July 1, 2008, with a sliding fee schedule for waivers as attached.

      On a motion offered by Ms. Gibson and seconded by Dr. Stafford, it was

      VOTED:      unanimously to increase the building usage rate schedule effective July 1, 2008 as per the attached sheet labeled “Recommendations for 2008-2009” and to increase the rental charge for the Chenex After-School Care Program to $40 per room per day.
 
      4.5      Regular Transportation Contract Award for 2008-2011 – Exhibit D

      On a motion offered by Dr. Stafford and seconded by Ms. Rittenburg, it was

      VOTED:      unanimously to award the contract for regular bus transportation for 2008-2011 to Eastern bus Company of Somerville, MA at their low bid price as opened on March 27, 2008, and to direct the Director of Finance and Administration to enter into a contract with Eastern Bus Company on behalf of the Belmont School Committee.

      4.6      Presentation of Fine and Performing Arts Plan of Action – Exhibit E
           
      Mr. Pappazisis presented the Plan of Action for the Department of Fine and Performing Arts.       

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) 

     

     


     
                       
6.      OTHER BUSINESS

      6.1      Consent Agenda

     
                  a.      Field Trip Permission Form – Exhibit F

                  b.      Award of Bids – Exhibit G
     
                        1.)      Door Repairs
                        2.)      Driver Education Program
                        3.)      Electrical Services
                        4.)      Elevator Repairs
                        5.)      Fresh Pizza
                        6.)      Glass Repairs
                        7.)      Heating System Repairs
                        8.)      H.V.A.C. Repairs
                        9.)      Lock Repairs
                             10.)      Plumbing Services
                             11.)      Window Repairs

      Ms. Gibson requested that the Field Trip Permission Form be removed from the consent agenda.     

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

      VOTED:      unanimously to approve the consent agenda.                 
                                                           
      6.2      Personnel Items - Informational

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

            a.      Resignations – Exhibit H
            b.      Non-Instructional Assignments – Exhibit I       
            c.      Non-Instructional (6 month probation period complete) – Exhibit J
            c.      Instructional Assignments – Exhibit K
            d.      Extra-compensatory Assignments - Exhibit  L     
                                                           
      6.3      Business Items - None

      6.4      Approval of Minutes
     
a.      February 5, 2008
b.      February 12, 2008
c.      February 26, 2008
d.      March 4, 2008
e.      March 18, 2008
f.      March 25, 2008


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

      VOTED:       unanimously to approve the minutes as amended of February 5, 2008, February 12, 2008, February 26, 2008, March 4, 2008, and March 25, 2008.

The minutes for the March 4, 2008 and March 18, 2008 meeting will be resubmitted for approval at the next meeting.

 

 

 


7.      FUTURE BUSINESS

7.1      Next Meeting Dates:      May 9, 2008 – 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
                        Annual Planning Day
                        Henderson House, Weston


                        May 13, 2008 – School Committee Meeting
                        CMS Community Room – 7:30 p.m.
                        Student Advisory Council

                        June 3, 2008 – School Committee Meeting
                        CMS Community Room – 7:30 p.m.

                        June 8, 2008 – 3:00 p.m. BHS Graduation
                        Wenner Field House

                        June 24, 2008 – School Committee Meeting
                        CMS Community Room – 7:30 p.m.
                       
     
           
8.      ADJOURNMENT

      On a motion offered by Ms. Walker and seconded by Ms. Rittenburg, it was

      VOTED:       unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 10:12 PM.

 


                              Respectfully submitted by                              
                                    Diane Stafford, Secretary