School Committee Minutes of January 9, 2009

BELMONT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION CONFERENCE ROOM
JANUARY 9, 2009

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
            Dr. Gerald Missal, Director of Finance and Administration
            Ms. Julie Silverman, Human Resources Manager

Also in attendance were Bill Lynch, member of the Education Subcommittee of the Warrant Committee, and Scott Stratford.

1.      EXECUTIVE SESSION

      1.1        No executive session

2.      OPENING BUSINESS

      2.1      Call to Order           

      At 8:09 a.m., Mr. John Bowe called the meeting to order in the Conference Room at the School Administration Building
     
2.2      Superintendent's Report 

None

2.3      Chairman’s Report

      Mr. Bowe updated the School Committee on the work of the Wellington Building Committee.  He stated that the Warrant Committee has agreed to draw on its reserve funds to pay for the costs estimates needed from both the architect and the OPM.  These estimates must be submitted to the MSBA as soon as possible to keep the project moving forward in a timely fashion.

2.4      Citizens’ Concerns

None.

3.      UNFINISHED BUSINESS

      No unfinished business was discussed.

4.        MAJOR BUSINESS

Dr. Aubin distributed budget books to the members of the School Committee.  Dr. Aubin stated
that budget books will be given to the Education Subcommittee of the Warrant Committee.  She also indicated that the complete budget will be posted on line.

Dr. Aubin outlined the next several school committee meetings to deal with the budget.  On
January 13, she will give the School Committee an overview of the complete budget.  Specific programs will be reviewed by the School Committee with principals and curriculum directors on January 20, January 27, and February 3.

Dr. Aubin indicated that she would reserve an agenda item at each of these meetings for
a discussion of alternative funding sources.

      School Committee members discussed the potential reductions necessary to reach an available funds budget.  Members discussed alternative funding sources, a Proposition 2 ½ override, and the administration’s recommended budget.

      Ms. Vose reported on the preliminary recommendations of the Town Government Structural Review Committee which will be submitted to the Board of Selectmen.

ADJOURNMENT

      At 9:52 a.m., on a motion offered by Ms. Rittenburg and seconded by Ms. Graham, it was

      VOTED:  unanimously to adjourn the meeting.

                        Respectfully submitted by _____________________________________
                                    Ann Rittenburg