School Committee Minutes of February 10, 2009 |
| Posted: March 31, 2009, by Cathy Grant |
BELMONT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES
Present: Mr. John Bowe, Chair Eric Smith, Peg Callanan, and Liz Allison were in attendance representing the Education Subcommittee of the Warrant Committee. Jim Davis, Director of Athletics, Physical Education, and Student Activities, was also in attendance.
2.1 Call to Order
Dr. Aubin announced that she met with parents from the Butler School regarding the search for a new principal. Dr. Aubin confirmed that Rep. Will Brownsberger will hold a public forum on March 5 in the BHS auditorium for the purpose of discussing school budget issues; DESE Commissioner Mitchell will attend. Mr. Fitzpatrick announced the names of CMS and BHS students accepted into Massachusetts Music Educators Association Eastern Division Junior High Music Festival to be hosted by Lincoln-Sudbury High School on March 6 and 7, 2009. Mr. Fitzpatrick also announced national science awards to BHS seniors Jamie Kang and Anji Tang. 2.3 Chairman's Report Mr. Bowe reported on the recent well-attended community budget forum. He reminded the members of the School Committee about the public nature of e-mail. He announced that over 500 students participated in the FBE Student Spelling Bee, raising over $15,000. Mr. Bowe called on Ms. Graham to inform the School Committee of plans for the upcoming BHS Diversity Week, February 23 to 27, 2009. 2.4 Citizens' Concerns None
3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None 4. MAJOR BUSINESS Mr. Davis presented a revised athletic reduction proposal which brings back junior varsity sports at Mr. Bowe reviewed the superintendent search process to date, including recent site visits to the finalists’ districts. Members of the site visit committee gave their impressions. Mr. Bowe asked each member of the School Committee to indicate a preference for superintendent. Each member of the committee preferred Dr. George Entwistle. VOTED: unanimously that Dr. George Entwistle be offered the position of Superintendent of Schools for the Town of Belmont, effective July 1, 2009, subject to the execution of a formal and satisfactory written contract within ten days of this vote, consistent with the terms negotiated with him by the Chairman. The failure of such a written contract being executed shall void this offer of employment. Members of the School Committee reviewed a class size distribution chart created by the administration. The chart involved a possible reorganization of the Burbank School into a K and Grade 1 school and the Wellington into a Grade 2, 3, and 4 school. Dr. Aubin pointed out that this configuration would better distribute class sizes and would reduce by two the number of elementary teachers. Dr. Missal suggested that this plan would be a useful model to consider should students need to be relocated in the event of a successful debt exclusion vote to build a new Wellington School. School Committee members expressed interest in holding a public forum to hear from parents; Dr. Aubin suggested scheduling time for parent input at a School Committee meeting in March. Members of the School Committee discussed tomorrow’s meeting of the Warrant Committee as well as issues related to a future debt exclusion vote for the rebuilding of the Wellington School and a future Proposition 2 ½ override for the town and school operating budgets. School Committee scheduled a meeting for Friday, February 27, at 8:00 a.m. in the conference room at the School Administration Building. Mr. Bowe asked Ms. Rittenburg and Ms. Vose to meet with representatives of the Belmont Public Library to discuss possible collaboration for services to the elementary schools. Mr. Bowe accepted a suggestion that the March 3 meeting of the School Committee focus on the administration’s proposal for a possible reorganization of the Burbank and Wellington Schools as well as the idea of a school district development office for the purpose of raising private funds to support some expenses in the operating budget. NONE 6.1 Consent Agenda - None a. Leave of Absence – Exhibit A 6.4 Approval of Minutes - None 7.1 Next Meeting Dates: March 3, 2009 – 7:30 p.m.. March 24, 2009 - 7:30 p.m. 8.1 February 3, 2009 Letter to Michael Harvey from NEASC 8.3 Director of English Language Arts Search Schedule 1. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 11:00 p.m., on a motion offered by Ms. Gibson and seconded by Ms. Vose, it was VOTED: unanimously on a roll call vote (6-0) to enter executive session for the purpose of discussing strategy related to contract negotiations with the final candidate for Superintendent of Schools. The Committee stated that they did not plan to return to Open Session. 9. ADJOURNMENT At 11:20 p.m., on a motion offered by Ms. Rittenburg and seconded by Ms. Gibson, it was VOTED: unanimously to adjourn the meeting. Respectfully submitted by _____________________________________ |