SC Minutes of October 21, 2008

Posted: December 11, 2008, by Cathy Grant

BELMONT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES
CENTRAL BOSTON ELDER SERVICES CENTER
OCTOBER 21, 2008


Present: Mr. John Bowe, Chair
              Ms. Ann Rittenburg, Secretary
              Ms. Elizabeth Gibson
              Ms. Leslie Walker
              Ms. Laurie Graham
              Ms. Becky Vose
              Dr. Patricia Aubin, Superintendent of Schools
              Mr. Denis Fitzpatrick, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction
Also Present:      Ms. Diane Wiltshire, Belmont METCO Director           


RECEPTION at 6:30 p.m. with METCO parents.

1.      EXECUTIVE SESSION                                   

      1.1      No executive session     
                                                                 
2.      OPENING BUSINESS

      2.1      Call to Order                                   
     
      At 7:00 p.m., Mr. John Bowe called the meeting to order at the Central Boston Elder Services Center.  School Committee members and parents introduced themselves.

2.2      Superintendent's Report:                   

Dr. Aubin thanked the parents for hosting this evening’s meeting of the School Committee.
                                                     
      2.3      Chairman's Report                         

      Mr. Bowe expressed the School Committee’s gratitude for the opportunity to conduct this meeting in Boston with the METCO parents.  Mr. Bowe informed parents that the School Committee voted to oppose Question 1 on the November 4 ballot, and he urged parents to do the same.  Mr. Bowe provided an update on the School Committee’s search for a new Superintendent of Schools.

      2.4      Citizens' Concerns - None                 

3.      UNFINISHED BUSINESS

      No unfinished business was discussed.


4.      MAJOR BUSINESS
                 
      4.1      Update on Transportation                                                                                 

      Mr. Kevin Chinn, Belmont METCO Transportation Coordinator, provided an update on the transportation program and its rules and procedures.  Parents requested that bus routes be finalized as early as possible in order to allow them time to make necessary afternoon arrangements for their children.  Parents requested an updated list of bus stops.  Parents asked about having a bus for the high school students.  Dr. Aubin and the School Committee agreed to look into this issue.     
                                                     
      4.2      Review METCO Program

      Diane Wiltshire, Belmont METCO Director, provided a program update, including program enrollment, goals, activities, and academic support services.                 

      4.3      Discussion with Parents

      Ms. Gibson facilitated a focus group discussion with parents as part of the Superintendent Search process.  Ms. Graham scribed.  As with all focus group input, this evening’s input will be forwarded to Mr. Richard Warren of Future Management Systems to develop the district’s leadership profile.                                                                 
5.      REPORT OF SUBCOMMITTEES/LIAISONS - None                       
                             
6.      OTHER BUSINESS

6.1      Consent Agenda                 

            Approval of Minutes - None

      6.2      Personnel Items

            a.      Resignations  -- Exhibit A
            b.      Leave of Absences  -- Exhibit B
            c.      Instructional Change of Assignments  -- Exhibit C
            d.      Non-Instructional Change of Assignments  -- Exhibit D
            e.      Instructional Assignments  -- Exhibit E     
                                                          
7.      FUTURE BUSINESS

      8.1      Next Meeting Dates:      November 18, 2008
                              Wellington Music Room
                              7:30 p.m. Student Advisory Council
                              7:45 p.m. Regular Meeting

             
8.      ENCLOSURES

      8.1      Directions to Boston Elder Services                             
      8.2      Schedule for Veterans’ Day Exercises            
      8.3      Resignation Letter from Wellington Building Committee     
      8.4      October, 2008 CMS Lower School Newsletter
           
            
                                                           
9.      ADJOURNMENT
           
      At 8:33 p.m., on a motion offered by Ms. Gibson and seconded by Ms. Graham, it was

      VOTED:      unanimously to adjourn the meeting.

                              Respectfully submitted by ______________________________
                                    Ann Rittenburg
                                    Secretary