BELMONT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES
CHENERY MIDDLE SCHOOL COMMUNITY ROOM
FEBRUARY 3, 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
Ken Kramer, Mary Jane Weinstein, and Steve Mazzola were in attendance from the School Department. Eric Smith and Bill Lynch were in attendance representing the Education Subcommittee of the Warrant Committee.
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 thanked all who attended last night’s budget presentation held at Wellington School. The presentation was a joint effort of the four elementary PTO’s.
Dr. Aubin corrected a comment in the Belmont Citizen-Herald. Contrary to the newspaper’s printed report, no librarians are being cut in the superintendent’s recommended FY10 budget.
Mr. Fitzpatrick announced middle school winners in the recent Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards program. He also added the names of three BHS winners for photography in the Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards program; the high school winners were announced at the January 27, 2009 School Committee Meeting.
2.3 Chairman’s Report
Mr. Bowe reminded School Committee members of the February 4 town wide budget forum beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the CMS auditorium.
Mr. Bowe stated that an appointed committee is conducting site visits to the finalists’ home communities as part of the superintendent search process.
Mr. Bowe introduced Rep. Will Brownsberger who proposed a budget forum with representatives from MASS, as well as perhaps other interest groups to discuss the current fiscal situation with a representative from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. School Committee members expressed interest in such a meeting. Rep. Brownsberger suggested Thursday, March 5, 2009, as the date for such a meeting. He will advise Mr. Bowe when plans are finalized.
2.4 Citizens’ Concerns
None
3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
4. MAJOR BUSINESS
4.1 FY09 Second Quarter Budget Report – Exhibit A
Dr. Missal presented the FY09 Second Quarter Budget Report.
4.2 Continued Discussion of FY10 Budget
Ken Kramer, Director of Student Services, and Mary Jane Weinstein, Assistant Director of
Student Services, presented the recommended level service budgets as well as any anticipated reductions with an available funds budget for the following programs:
Pre-Kindergarten
Special Education
Guidance
Psychological Services
Health Services
Mr. Steve Mazzola, Director of Technology, presented the recommended level service budget
as well as any anticipated reductions with an available funds budget for the following program:
Technology & AV
Dr. Missal presented the recommended level service budgets as well as the anticipated
reductions with an available funds budget for the following accounts:
Building Administration
Central Administration
Legal Services
School Committee
Contractual Allowance
Fringe Benefits
Revenue Offset
5. REPORT OF SUBCOMMITTEES/LIAISONS
None
6. OTHER BUSINESS
6.1 Consent Agenda: Approval of anonymous $10,000 gift to the Wellington School
On a motion offered by Ms. Walker and seconded by Ms. Vose, it was
VOTED: unanimously to approve the consent agenda
6.2 Personnel Items – Informational
a. Leave of Absence - Exhibit B
b. Instructional Assignments – Exhibit C
6.3 Business Items
None
6.4 Approval of Minutes
None
7. FUTURE BUSINESS
7.1 Next Meeting Dates:
February 10, 2009 – 7:30 p.m.
Regular School Committee Meeting
CMS Community Room
March 3, 2009 – 7:30 p.m.
Regular School Committee Meeting/Budget Discussions
CMS Community Room
8. ENCLOSURES
8.1 January 29, 2009 CMS Lower School Newsletter (electronic)
8.2 January 28, 2009 Words from Winn Brook (electronic)
8.3 January 2009 The Highpoint (electronic)
8.4 Kindergarten Information Evening Flyer (electronic)
8.5 M.A.S.S. Legislative Committee Recommendations
1. EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 10:40 p.m., on a motion offered by Ms. Vose and seconded by Ms. Graham, it was
VOTED: unanimously on a roll call vote (6-0) to enter executive session for the purpose of discussing superintendent contract negotiations.
9. ADJOURNMENT
At 11:12 p.m., on a motion offered by Ms. Vose and seconded by Mr. Bowe , it was
VOTED: unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully submitted by _____________________________________
Ann Rittenburg
Secretary
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