NAHANT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES
JULY 22, 2003
AMENDED

CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Mrs. Dunn at 7:00 p.m. in Nahant Town Hall.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Tom Coffey, Joanne Dunn, Nancy Gilman, Michael Rauworth, John Walton, Dave Wilson.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Gailanne Reeh

READING & APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the June 24, 2003 meeting were approved, as amended (see attached). Motion to approve by Mr. Rauworth, second by Mr. Coffey. Vote: All in favor

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF VISITORS

CORRESPONDENCE & COMMUNITY INPUT: Several community members were in attendance. Mr. Rogers raised several issues related to the Swampscott contract negotiations, the renovation project, and budget matters. Correspondence from Mr. Bob Munnelly regarding the Swampscott contract and a letter from Dr. DiBella to Commissioner Driscoll regarding per pupil cost were read aloud. Dr. DiBella was asked to report on the status of Enclosure #2. When asked about any formal action to follow Dr. DiBella stated that her return correspondence was the only action she felt necessary regarding this issue.

EXAMINATION & AUTHORIZATION FOR PAYMENT OF BILLS: This was completed during the meeting.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
A. UPDATE ON FY ’04 BUDGET: Dr. DiBella reported that we are still awaiting final local aid and grant figures from the State. As a result, we have held off on hiring a .5 foreign language teacher until the Fy ’04 State budget is finalized.
B. CLOSE-OUT OF THE FY ’03 BUDGET: Dr. DiBella presented a list of final budget transfers. The total of these transfers is $47,963.54 which will cover our final FY ’03 invoices. The Superintendent stated that with these transfers the budget is balanced. Additionally, Special Education ($6,829) and Public School ($2000) transportation funds were reverted back to the Town. Motion to transfer funds as presented by the Superintendent by Mr. Rauworth, second by Mr. Wilson, Roll Call: All members in favor

OLD BUSINESS
A. Several committee members discussed the need to finalize the terms of the Superintendent’s Contract, which was voted on at the previous school committee meeting on July 22nd.
B. The school committee members who attended the joint meeting between the board of selectman and the school committee, which took place on July 17th, shared the highlights of the meeting. The selectman’s wishes to schedule future meetings between the two boards were shared with the committee. Issues of communication and school committee meeting notices were also discussed.
C. Requested unofficial meeting notices of future school committee meetings to be posted on both the Nahant.org and Johnson School web sites for convenience. Dr. DiBella stated she would look into posting the meeting notices on these web sites.

NEW BUSINESS
A. CONSIDER SWAMPSCOTT TRANSPORTATION BIDS: Dr. DiBella explained that on Thursday, July 17th we received 3 bids for Swampscott transportation. The bids for the 3 year contract were as follows: First Student-$328,805; Healey Bus-$339,390 and Laidlaw-$366,120. Bids for the first year of the contract all exceeded the FY ’04 budgeted amount of $102,195. Additionally, the lowest bidder did not complete the required Vehicle Equipment list as specified in the Bid Document. As a result the First Student bid is non-responsive and must be rejected by the School Committee. Motion to reject First Student bid as a non-responsive bid by Mr. Rauworth, second by Mr. Wilson. Vote: All in favor

This leaves the second lowest bid, Healey Bus, which represents a first year cost of $113,130, which exceeds the FY ’04 budgeted amount by $10,935. Dr. DiBella indicated she spoke to Mr. Cullinan regarding awarding the regular education bus contract in excess of the budgeted amount. He said that with the SpEd Transportation budget there are sufficient funds to award the contract. He also noted that the School Committee may wish to request the $8,829 in FY ’03 excess transportation monies to cover any shortage. Motion to accept bid from Healey Bus by Mr. Wilson, seconded by Mr. Coffey. Vote: All in favor

OTHER COMMITTEE BUSINESS
A. REPORT OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE: Mr. Rauworth reviewed the options the Renovation Committee is discussing. The Committee is aware of the long-term impact of enrollment or grade re-structuring resulting from Swampscott’s Master Plan. While the Committee awaits final confirmation about the placement of the project on the DOE’s approval list it will continue to discuss the issues.
B. REPORT OF SWAMPSCOTT CONTRACT NEGOTATIONS: The Committee met on July 7th and reviewed language about educational issues including curriculum and professional development and collaborative activities. Swampscott presented a draft proposal which will be reviewed by Nahant for the next meeting on August 19th. Dr. Testaverde will review and advise the Superintendent regarding special education issues.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. AUGUST 26TH SCHOOL COMMITTEE WORKSHOP: Mike Gilbert from MASC will conduct a workshop on School Committee Roles and Responsibilities before the regularly scheduled meeting. Any specific areas or questions Committee members would like Mr. Gilbert to address should be directed to the Chair or Superintendent by August 22nd. The workshop will be from 5:00-6:45 p.m. The regular meeting will follow.

ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Mrs. Dunn to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing a non-union contract, second by Mr. Coffey, not to return to public session. Roll Call: All in favor

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Thomas Coffey
Recording Secretary