School Committee Minutes of April 7, 2009 |
Posted: July 7, 2009, by Cathy Grant |
BELMONT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES
1.1 None 2. OPENING BUSINESS 2.1 Call to Order At 7:41 p.m. Ms. Rittenburg called the meeting to order in the Community Room of the Chenery Middle School. 2.2 Superintendent's Report Dr. Aubin asked Dr. Missal to provide an update on the plans to repave the BHS driveway. Dr. Missal reported that the request is part of the school department’s proposal to the Capital Building Committee. He will have more information once the town adopts its 2009-2010 budget. Dr. Aubin reported on a very successful Kindergarten Information Night held at Wellington School on Thursday, March 26. Dr. Aubin also reported kindergarten enrollment figures for next year. Dr. Aubin stated she expects to shortly make final decisions on the new Butler principal and the Director of English. Dr. Aubin will bring the successful candidates to an upcoming school committee meeting. Mr. Fitzpatrick reported that the BHS math team placed third in the large school division at the Massachusetts Association of Mathematics League state meet on Friday, April 3. BHS senior Sergei Bernstein was the highest scorer at this state wide contest. Dr. Aubin reported on the Foundation for Belmont Education’s recent successful gala. She also reported that the FBE board approved $25,000 in learning excellence grants at its meeting on Monday, April 6. Dr. Aubin expressed her gratitude to the FBE for its outstanding support of Belmont Public Schools. Ms. Rittenburg thanked her colleagues for electing her as Chair of the School Committee. Ms. Rittenburg stated her goals for the coming year, including making a smooth transition as the district welcomes a new superintendent, working on team building with the School Committee, and building positive and productive relationships with the town government and the community. Ms. Rittenburg provided an update on the Wellington building project. The Board of Selectmen has chosen June 8 as the date for a town wide debt exclusion vote as well as a possible override. Ms. Rittenburg indicated that the School Committee will consider Wellington relocation plans at its next meeting, April 14. Ms. Rittenburg provided an update on the School Committee’s recent joint budget meeting with the Warrant Committee and the Board of Selectmen. All three groups will reconvene on April 15. Ms. Rittenburg reminded committee members of the upcoming Massachusetts Association of School Committees’ lobbying day with legislators on Beacon Hill, May 7.
Nancy Sorreno expressed interest in assistance with having an exchange student from Germany live with her family next year. Dan Scharfman complimented BHS and CMS music students on their very successful participation and performances at last weekend’s Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association State Concert Festival. Jackson Pate, member of Troop 66, asked several questions regarding the budget process and the costs associated with building a new Wellington School. 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None 4. MAJOR BUSINESS Ms. Reagan and Dr. Harvey provided an overview of the BHS library program and the implications of the available funds budget on library services. On a motion offered by Ms. Vose and seconded by Ms. Walker, it was VOTED: unanimously (6-0) to approve Tuesday, June 23, 2009, as the last day of this school VOTED: unanimously (6-0) to opt out of the School Choice program for the 2009-2010 school 4.4 Welcome to New Members – Overview of District Documents Ms. Rittenburg welcomed newly elected School Committee members, Karen Parmet and Paul Roberts. Ms. Rittenburg also welcomed Becky Vose to a new three-year term on the committee. Ms. Rittenburg provided Ms. Parmet and Mr. Roberts with a binder containing a number of important planning and information documents. These documents will also be posted on line for the public. Ms. Rittenburg reminded Mr. Roberts and Ms. Parmet of the mandated training required of new school committee members. 4.5 Update of Budget Book for FY 2010 Dr. Aubin informed the School Committee that Dr. Missal has distributed an updated FY 10 budget book reflecting the reductions necessary to meet an available funds budget. Ms. Rittenburg asked that this information be put on line for the public. Ms. Rittenburg distributed copies of the FTE Staff Reductions necessitated by the available funds budget; she asked that this information also be posted on line. Ms. Rittenburg outlined a number of issues that the School Committee will need to reexamine now that it has adopted an available funds budget. These issues will be part of the agenda for the next School Committee meeting on April 14. Dr. Aubin provided an overview of the goals and funds included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Dr. Aubin stressed that, except for possible IDEA funds, the district has little concrete information about the fiscal implications of the Federal stimulus package on the state and school budgets. Dr. Aubin stated her intention to bring the School Committee additional information on the revenue picture for the upcoming school year. 7. OTHER BUSINESS 7.1 Consent Agenda VOTED: unanimously (6-0) to accept the consent agenda. a. Award of Bids – Exhibit A 1) Boiler/Burner Repair a. Instructional Assignments – Exhibit B 7.4 Approval of Minutes – None 8.1 Next Meeting Dates: April 14, 2009 – 7:30 p.m. (newly scheduled) May 5, 2009 – 7:30 p.m.. 9.1 March 25, 2009 issue of Words from Winn Brook (electronic) At 10:00 p.m., on a motion offered by Ms. Graham and seconded by Ms. Vose, it was VOTED: unanimously to adjourn the meeting. Respectfully submitted by _____________________________________ |