SC Executive Session Minutes of 2/6/2007

Posted: August 17, 2007, by webmaster

BELMONT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES
CHENERY MIDDLE SCHOOL COMMUNITY ROOM
FEBRUARY 6, 2007

Present: Ms, Elizabeth Gibson, Chair
Mr. John Bowe, Secretary
Ms. Kathy Miller
Mr. Scott Stratford
Dr. Diane Stafford  (arrived at 8:05 p.m.)
Ms. Ann Rittenburg
Dr. Peter Holland, Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Patricia Aubin, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction
Dr. Gerald Missal, Director of Finance and Administration
Ms. Julia Silverman, Human Resources Manager (left at 7:30 p.m.)

Also present: Mr. Mike Harvey, Acting BHS Principal; Deborah Alexander, CMS Headmaster; Denis Fitzpatrick, Director of English; Janice Darias, Director of Foreign Language; Vaag Mosca, Director of Mathematics; Jim Davis, Director of Athletics; Larry Weathers, Director of Science & Technology Education; Michael McAllister, Director of Social Studies and Community Service; William Lynch & Robert McLaughlin, RE:  Ski Team

1. EXECUTIVE SESSION

1.1 Collective Bargaining

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

VOTED: unanimously, at 7:03, to enter Executive Session.

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

VOTED: unanimously, at 7:25 p.m., to return to Open Session.

2. OPENING BUSINESS

2.1 Call to Order

Ms. Gibson called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. in the Community Room of the Chenery Middle School.

2.2 Superintendent's Report 

Dr. Holland called the Committee’s attention to a corrected copy of grant information included in the School Committee packet.  He noted that state revenue projections are not promising.  In addition, Dr. Holland noted for the Committee a chart of staff distribution by number of years teaching in Belmont.  He advised that the EDCO Legislative Forum will take place on March 9, 2007 and the topic for the forum is Early Childhood Education.  Dr. Holland said that Kindergarten Information Night will take place on March 29, 2007.  He reported that the Federation of Teachers of Special Needs awarded a grant to Cliff Gallant, teacher at the Burbank School.  Finally, Dr. Holland announced the death of James Francis, husband of Christine Francis, Principal of the Burbank School.

2.3 Chairman's Report  

Ms. Gibson noted that a Structure Meeting took place which is a meeting of Warrant Committee, School Committee, Capital Budget Committee, and Board of Selectman to investigate ways in which the Town can maximize resources.  She said that currently, the Town is looking at self-insurance as a cost savings and the Selectmen will make a decision on it at their March 5, 2007 meeting. 

Ms. Gibson noted the work of the Outsourcing Subcommittee.  School Committee members requested information from Dr. Missal regarding the food service program prior to any discussion with the subcommittee on outsourcing at a later time.

School Committee members agreed to request that the Warrant Committee Subcommittee on Education meet with the School Committee during a regularly scheduled School Committee meeting.

2.4 Citizens' Concerns - None  

3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

4. MAJOR BUSINESS

4.1 Discussion of FY 2008 Budget with Principals & Directors

a. English
b. Reading
c. Foreign Language
d. Mathematics
e. Physical Education
f. Science
g. Health Education
h. Technology Education
i. Social Studies
j. ESL/ELL
k. Athletics
l. Student Activities

Dr. Missal provided the School Committee with an overview of the budget book for the FY 2008 recommended budget.  He reviewed for the Committee the program pages for twelve programs.  Curriculum Directors and the principals for the high school and middle school were present to answer Committee members’ questions. 

Mr. William Lynch, parent of a high school student, and Mr. Robert McLaughlin, grandparent of a high school student, spoke on behalf of the Ski Team and requested that full funding for the Ski Team be included in the FY 2008 budget.

4.2 ITAC Appointment - Exhibit  A

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

VOTED: unanimously, to approve the appointment of Philip Lawrence of
48 Agassiz Avenue,  to serve as a School Committee appointed
member of the ITAC through June 2009..

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) 

Ms. Gibson announced that the Warrant Committee will meet on February 7, 2007.

Mr. Stratford attended a meeting of the Community Coalition for Youth Safety.

Mr. Bowe reported that the Capital Budget Committee is engaged in discussions of major maintenance projects and that School Department items will be discussed on February 15, 2007.

Dr. Stafford advised that the subcommittee on consolidation for the Structure group will meet on February 28, 2007 to discuss technology issues.

6. OTHER BUSINESS

6.1 Consent Agenda

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

VOTED: unanimously, to approve the following Consent Agenda items:
a. Recommendation for Engineer for Building
   Envelope Study - Exhibit  B

b. Approval of All Night Graduation Party 2007 - Exhibit  C

c. Establishment of Pre-School Tuition Rates for 2007-2008 - Exhibit  H

6.2 Personnel Items - Informational

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

a. Maternity & Extended Parenthood Leave - Exhibit  D
b. Instructional Assignments - Exhibit  E
c. Instructional Change of Assignment - Exhibit  F
d. Non-Instructional Assignments - Exhibit  G

6.3 Business Items - None

6.4 Approval of Minutes

On a motion offered by Mr. Stratford and seconded by Ms. Miller, it was

VOTED: unanimously, to approve the following Minutes as submitted:

a. January 9, 2007
b. January 23, 2007     
9. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion offered by Mr. Bowe and seconded by Ms. Miller, it was

VOTED: unanimously, at 10:06 p.m., to adjourn the meeting.

Respectfully submitted by
John Bowe, Secretary

ATTACHMENT A

EXECUTIVE SESSION: February 6, 2007 7:00 p.m. to 7:25 p.m.

RE: Collective Bargaining

The School Committee discussed recent negotiations sessions with the Unit A. bargaining team.  No actions or votes were taken.

At 7:25 p.m., the Committee indicated its readiness to return to Open Session.