School Committee Minutes of January 13, 2009

BELMONT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES
CHENERY MIDDLE SCHOOL COMMUNITY ROOM
JANUARY 13, 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. Gerry Missal, Director of Finance and Administration
 

      Julie Silverman, Human Resources Manager, was also in attendance.

1.      EXECUTIVE SESSION                                                                                                                                   
      None
                                                  
2.      OPENING BUSINESS

2.1      Call to Order
                                   
      At 7:35 p.m. Mr. Bowe called the meeting to order in the Community Room of the Chenery Middle School.         
      2.2      Superintendent's Report 

      Dr. Aubin distributed the Belmont Community Education Spring 2009 program catalogue.  She thanked Martha Reagan and Mary Jones for their work in arranging programs and distributing the catalogues to the entire community.  Registration is Tuesday and Wednesday, January 26 and 27.                 

      2.3      Chairman's Report       

      Mr. Bowe welcomed Josh Nelson, representative from the High School Student Advisory Council.

      Mr. Bowe reminded members of the upcoming School Committee meetings as well as the meeting scheduled for January 14 with the Warrant Committee and the Board of Selectmen. 

      Mr. Bowe advised the committee that Sara Masucci hopes to start a Belmont chapter of Stand for Children, a national child advocacy organization.

      Mr. Bowe invited members to attend the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast sponsored by Belmont Against Racism.  The event will take place on Monday morning, January 19, at Belmont High School.

      Mr. Bowe reminded the committee of the upcoming visits on January 15, 16, 21, and 22 by each of the finalists for Superintendent.  On January 24, each finalist will be interviewed by the School Committee      in a public meeting at Chenery Middle School.                 

      2.4      Citizens' Concerns       
     
      None                 

3.      UNFINISHED BUSINESS

      None

4.      MAJOR BUSINESS
                 
      4.1      Preliminary FY 2010 Budget Proposal

      Dr. Aubin began this portion of the meeting by stating that the budget she is presenting reflects a level service budget; it does not include investments in programs and positions which would best serve the needs of all students.

      Dr. Aubin and Dr. Missal presented an overview of the FY 10 Superintendent’s Recommended Budget.  Their presentation included the fiscal implications of an available funds budget.                                                                                   
4.2      Review of FY 2010 Budget:  Curriculum Development and Staff Development     

Mr. Fitzpatrick reviewed these two budget programs, explaining each aspect of these programs as
well as the funds available in the Superintendent’s Recommended Budget and the implications of cuts necessary to meet an available funds budget.

      School Committee members expressed concerns about the cuts in professional development and the potential  impact on the quality of classroom instruction.           

      School Committee members discussed the upcoming meeting with the Warrant Committee and the Board of Selectmen.  Members discussed the need for larger town government decisions to be made regarding a Proposition 2 ½ override, the possible use of free cash, and the current allocation formula between the town and the school department.

      Ms. Rittenburg requested that subsequent budget meetings include an agenda item for discussion of revenue options.           

                             
5.         REPORT OF SUBCOMMITTEES/LIAISONS                 
      
Ms. Rittenburg reported that Mr. Bowe has asked her to represent the School Committee at a meeting on Friday, January 16, with the Library Trustees regarding the White Field House. 

6.      OTHER BUSINESS

      6.1      Consent Agenda - None                              
           
      6.2      Personnel Items - Informational

            a.      Extra-compensatory Assignments – Exhibit A                                                                           
      6.3      Business Items – None

      6.4      Approval of Minutes - None                 
           
7.      FUTURE BUSINESS

      7.1      Next Meeting Dates:      January 20, 2009 - 7:30 p.m.
                              Regular School Committee Meeting
                              CMS Community Room           

                 
8.      ADJOURNMENT

      At 9:28 p.m., on a motion offered by Ms. Vose and seconded by Ms. Graham, it was

      VOTED:  unanimously to adjourn the meeting.

                        Respectfully submitted by _____________________________________
                                    Ann Rittenburg
                                    Secretary