School Committee Minutes of January 20, 2009

BELMONT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES
CHENERY MIDDLE SCHOOL COMMUNITY ROOM
JANUARY 20, 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
 

      Curriculum Directors, the middle school and high school principals, and Julie Silverman, Human Resources Manager, were attendance.
      Bill Lynch and Pat Brusch, members of the Education Subcommittee of the Warrant Committee, were 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 reported that the work on the high school pool drain has been completed and that the pool had been reopened.

            Dr. Aubin reported that Amy Wagner, principal of Wellington School, has received an anonymous $10,000 gift for the purchase of technology.
 
            Dr. Aubin acknowledged that she has received a letter from Bruce MacDonald informing her that he intends to retire at the end of the current school year.  Dr. Aubin praised Mr. MacDonald for his support and service over the years.

            2.3            Chairman’s Report

           Mr. Bowe reported that the public budget forum has been rescheduled for February 4 in the auditorium of Chenery Middle School.  He invited all residents, especially Town Meeting members, to attend.

         2.4            Citizens’ Concerns

         None
        
3.         UNFINISHED BUSINESS

4.      MAJOR BUSINESS

4.1      Review of FY 2010 Budget

 Curriculum directors presented their recommended level service budgets as well as the
anticipated reductions with an available funds budget.  The curriculum directors, the high school principal, and the middle school principal answered questions from School Committee members, the representatives from the Education Subcommittee of the Warrant Committee, and the audience.

Discussions focused on the following programs:     

      English
      Reading
      ESL/ELL
      Foreign Language
      Mathematics
      Science
      Health Education
      Technology Education
      Social Studies
      Physical Education
      Athletics
      Student Activities

      Denis Fitzpatrick was asked to keep a list of possible staff reductions as well as a list of topics for further discussion.

5.            REPORT OF SUBCOMMITTEES/LIAISONS     

      None

6.      OTHER BUSINESS

      6.1      Consent Agenda - None     

      6.2      Personnel Items – Informational - None
           
      6.3      Business Items - None

      6.4      Approval of Minutes - None
     
7.      FUTURE BUSINESS

      7.1      Next Meeting Dates:
            January 24, 2009 – 8:45 a.m.
            Superintendent Candidate Interviews
            CMS Community Room

            January 26, 2009 –
            7:00 p.m. - Regular Meeting: Superintendent Search
            7:30 p.m. – Executive Session: Salary Discussions
            CMS Small Community Room

            January 27, 2009 – 7:30 p.m.
            Regular School Committee Meeting
            CMS Community Room     

8.      ENCLOSURES

      8.1      January 8, 2009 letter from Bruce MacDonald
      8.2      January 9, 2009 letter from Mary Pichetti, MSBA
      8.3      Memo from Amy Wagner re: donation

9.      ADJOURNMENT

      At 10:55 p.m., on a motion offered by Ms. Walker and seconded by Ms. Vose, it was

      VOTED:  unanimously to adjourn the meeting.

                        Respectfully submitted by _____________________________________
                                    Ann Rittenburg
                                    Secretary