NAHANT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES
JANUARY 13, 2004

CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Chair Mrs. Reeh in the Nahant Town Hall. All members were present.

READING & APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the 11/18/03 Executive Session were approved. Motion to approve by Mrs. Dunn, second by Mr. Coffey. Vote: All in favor

The minutes of the 12/16/03 regular session were approved. Motion to approve by Mrs. Dunn, second by Mr. Coffey. Vote: All in favor

The minutes of the 12/16/03 Executive Session were approved. Motion to approve by Mrs. Dunn, second by Mr. Coffey. Vote: All in favor

ACKNOWLEDGEMNT OF VISITORS

CORRESPONDENCE & COMMUNITY INPUT
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EXAMINATION & AUTHORIZATION FOR PAYMENT OF BILLS

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

A. ACKNOWLEDGE FURNITURE DONATION FROM SOVEREIGN BANK: Dr. DiBella acknowledged a wonderful donation of surplus classroom and office furniture from Sovereign Bank. Mr. Peter Barba, a member of the Johnson School Renovation Committee, made this donation possible. She expressed sincere gratitude for this donation of desks, chairs, and file cabinets on behalf of the Johnson School community.
B. REVIEW ENROLLMENT DATA FOR CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR: Currently we have 207 students enrolled at the Johnson School. Dr. DiBella distributed a spreadsheet and reviewed the enrollment numbers by grade, as well as possible options for the 2004-2005 school year. She stated that based on current knowledge we will have a projected enrollment of 207 students for next year, including a minimum of 34 kindergarten students next year. Dr’s Littlefield, Testaverde and DiBella are reviewing the numbers to determine what configuration would be in the best interest of the school. She noted she plans to schedule another open forum with parents in early February to review options.
C. REVIEW PROJECTED ENROLLMENT DATA FOR 2004-2005 SCHOOL YEAR: Dr. DiBella noted that the projected enrollment is higher than earlier numbers.
D. PERIWINKLE HEATING BREAKDOWN: The superintendent reported that the heat in Periwinkle PreSchool was up and running. The School was forced to close for 2 days while the motor of one of the units was re-built by P.J. Kennedy. She noted that due to the age of the system the parts were not available.

OLD BUSINESS

A. ADOPT POLICY MANUAL: Motion to amend the Policy Manual by removing Articles BB and BDA from the Policy Manual for future consideration by Mr. Walton, second by Mr. Wilson. Roll Call: Mr. Wilson-yes, Ms. Gilman-no, Mrs. Dunn-no, Mr. Rauworth-no, Mr. Walton-yes, Mr. Coffey-yes, Mrs. Reeh-no. Motion failed, 4-3.

Motion to adopt the Policy Manual as presented by the Policy Sub-Committee by Mrs. Dunn, second by Mr. Rauworth. Roll Call: M. Wilson-no, Ms. Gilman-yes, Mrs. Dunn-yes, Mr. Rauworth-yes, Mr. Walton-no, Mr. Coffey-no, Mrs. Reeh-yes Motion passed, 4-3.

NEW BUSINESS

A. DISCUSS RECOMMENDED CLASS SIZE: As a result of recent discussions, Dr’s Testaverde, Littlefield, and DiBella are recommending the following class sizes as a beginning point for the Committee. For Kindergarten thru Grade 3 class sizes of 18-22 students is recommended. For Grade 4 thru Grade 6 class sizes of 22-26 is recommended.
B. REVIEW ARTICLES FOR SPECIAL TOWN MEETING: Mr. Rauworth reviewed the 3 articles on the Special Town Meeting warrant. Article 1 clears the way for the Town to borrow $3.8M to begin the HVAC replacement as approved at the April ’03 Town Meeting. Article 2 requests an additional $4M to complete the renovation of the school. Article 3 would limit the scope of work to the HVAC repair.

Motion by Mr. Rauworth, second by Mrs. Dunn that the School Committee formally endorse the full renovation of the Johnson School as set forth in Articles 1 and 2 responding to the educational specifications and requirements that the School Committee has put forth. During discussion committee members Mr. Walton and Mr. Coffey voiced their concern over asking residents of the town to vote for article 2. They acknowledged that some residents may not be in a position to handle the tax burden associated to article 2 and did not want to recommend a vote in favor of or against this article.

Roll Call: All members in favor

OTHER COMMITTEE BUSINESS

A. REPORT OF RENOVATION/BUILDING COMMITTEE: Mr. Rauworth and Mrs. Dunn expressed their deep disappointment at the Selectmen’s vote to provide no television coverage of the Special Town Meeting on 1/24/04. Motion by Mr. Rauworth, second by Mrs. Dunn that the School Committee expressly call upon the Board of Selectmen to ensure that the Special Town Meeting on 1/24/03 is televised and direct the Corresponding Secretary to transmit a letter to the Selectmen informing them of the School Committee’s desire. Roll Call: All members in favor

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Mrs. Dunn, seconded by Mr. Wilson to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of discussing strategies for collective bargaining, not to return to public session. Roll Call: All in favor

The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Thomas Coffey
Recording Secretary