SC Minutes of June 24, 2008 |
| Posted: September 10, 2008, by Cathy Grant |
BELMONT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES
1. EXECUTIVE SESSION 1.1 Personnel Issues At 7:17 p.m. Chairman Bowe called to order a meeting of the Belmont School Committee. On a motion offered by Ms. Gibson and and seconded by Ms. Rittenburg, it was VOTED: unanimously to enter executive session for the purpose of discussing salaries for non-collectively bargained personnel. 2. OPENING BUSINESS 2.1 Call to Order At 7:35 p.m., the School Committee returned to open session. Dr. Holland clarified for the Committee a personnel item regarding BHS counselor Toby Brown. Mrs. Brown will retire but will continue to serve as a counselor at a reduced schedule during the 2008-2009 school year. Dr. Holland asked that discussion of the Goals for the School Committee and Superintendent be included in agenda item 4.4. He asked that discussion of two job descriptions be included in agenda item 4.7. Dr. Holland noted that a request for an increase in cafeteria fees will be addressed in agenda item 4.6. Dr. Holland noted that a temporary relocation plan for Wellington students was available for review and that more details will be added to the plan in the fall. Dr. Holland announced a gift from the Chen-Ex Board of funds to be spent by curriculum directors for Middle School programs. Dr. Holland announced that the position of English Language Arts Curriculum will remain open for the 2008-2009 school year. A full search will begin in late winter. Dr. Holland had discussed with Mr. Antonellis stipends to be offered to lead teachers who will assist with department responsibilities. Dr. Holland announced that this was his last School Committee meeting. He thanked the Committee and the community for their support throughout his twenty years of service to the children of Belmont. Dr. Holland estimated that he attended over 400 School Committee Meetings during his twenty years as Superintendent. Mr. Bowe noted that the School Committee would be working during the summer months on the search process for a new superintendent and with the MSBA on the new Wellington project. Mr. Bowe welcomed the many former School Committee members present to honor Dr. Holland on the occasion of his last School Committee meeting. Committee members, current and former, commented on Dr. Holland’s contributions. The meeting was delayed briefly for cake and conversation. 4. MAJOR BUSINESS 4.2 Increase in School Lunch Prices – Exhibit A (TO COME) On a motion offered by Dr. Stafford and seconded by Ms. Rittenburg, it was VOTED: unanimously to approve an increase in fees for the School Lunch Program for the 2008-2009 school year as outlined in Exhibit A. 4.3 Discussion of Superintendent Search Process Dr. Holland reported to the Committee on the contacts he made regarding a search process and firm to assist with the process. 4.4 Report on 2007-2008 Educational Improvement Plan – Exhibit B Dr. Aubin provided highlights from the 2007-2008 Education Improvement Plan. In addition, the Committee discussed the proposed goals for the Superintendent and School Committee. Dr. Aubin presented a third draft of the goals for the Committee’s consideration, noting that draft three limited the goals to a more manageable number. However, Dr. Aubin did note that action steps supporting goals in draft two that were not included in draft three would be included in the 2008-2009 Education Improvement Plan. On a motion offered by Ms. Graham and seconded by Ms. Rittenburg, it was VOTED: unanimously to approve draft three of the School Committee and Superintendent goals for the 2008-2009 school year. In addition, goals not included in draft three will be included in the 2008-2009 Education Improvement Plan. 4.5 School Committee Meeting Calendar for 2008-2009 – Exhibit C The School Committee reviewed and approved the School Committee dates for the 2008-2009 school year. 4.6 2008-2009 Compensation for Non-Contractual Employees – Exhibit D On a motion offered by Dr. Stafford and seconded by Ms. Walker, it was VOTED: unanimously to approve compensation for the salaries of those employees that are not collectively bargained. 4.7 Revised Job Description for Director of Technology – Exhibit E On a motion offered by Dr. Stafford and seconded by Ms. Graham, it was VOTED: unanimously to approve a job description for the Director of Technology On a motion offered by Ms. Gibson and seconded by Ms. Graham, it was VOTED: unanimously to approve the expanded job description for the Director of Finance, Administration, and Capital Planning by adding the following duties: • Greater financial responsibility with the retirement of Dr. Holland and the transition over the next two years to an interim and then a new superintendent. • During this transition, representing the School Administration at all Warrant Committee meetings where financial matters affecting the School Department are on the agenda. • Obtaining and maintaining the Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Officer (MCPPO) certification issued by the Massachusetts Inspector-General’s Office to qualify the Town of Belmont for Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) reimbursement for school building projects. • Expanded duties as the Capital Planning Officer by being the liaison to the Wellington Building Committee, in seeking State funds from the MSBA to build a New Wellington Elementary School, and in the construction of the project. • Additional expanded duties as the Capital Planning Officer by being the liaison to the Belmont High School Feasibility Study Committee in pursuing State funding for the renovation and addition to Belmont High School as per the Master Plan. Mr. Bowe noted that the Warrant Committee will be involved in a number of summer projects. Mr. Bowe announced that the Wellington Building Committee will meet on June 25, 2008 and the Parent Committee for a Ballot Initiative was meeting on June 24, 2008. 6.1 Consent Agenda The following items were presented for the School Committee’s information: 6.4 Approval of Minutes – June 3, 2008 On a motion offered by Ms. Rittenburg and seconded by Ms. Graham, it was VOTED: unanimously, to approve the minutes from the June 3, 2008 School Committee Meeting. At 9:50 p.m. the School Committee announced its intention to return to executive session and announced that it would not return to open session. 1. EXECUTIVE SESSION 9. ADJOURNMENT At 10:26 p.m. on a motion offered by Ms. Rittenburg and seconded by Ms. Gibson, it was VOTED: unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
|