Approved:Dec.7,2005
School Committee meeting November 30, 2005
Under Report of the Secretary
Mr. Radtke called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Members present: Jonathan Radtke-Chairperson, Ellen Alcorn, Teri McRae, Jason Toothaker, Benjamin Meiklejohn, Otis Thompson, Tae Chong, Stephen Spring, James DiMillo, Sophia Njaa
Members not present: Michael Imbergamo
Mr. Radtke asked Ms. McRae to report out on the Finance Committee Task Force on consolidation. Ms. McRae indicated that a letter would be going to the current mayor, incoming mayor, and school committee with consolidation recommendations. Areas being suggested are transportation – starting in January all high school students will receive free metro bus passes; maintenance – unifying all maintenance in the city; consolidation of the employee assistance programs.
Mr. Chong moved, seconded Mr. Thompson to approve the superintendent’s compensation July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007 in the amount of $111,959.
Mr. Radtke spoke to the motion.
Mr. Meiklejohn – asked to amend motion and was ruled out of order.
Mr. Meiklejohn moved, seconded Ms. McRae and voted 5-4 to overrule the chair. (Student voted with minority)
Mr. Meiklejohn moved, seconded Ms. McRae to amend the amount to $110,328.
Mr. Meiklejohn spoke to the motion indicating this is a 1.5% increase.
Mr. Chong, Mr. DiMillo, Mr. Thompson, Ms. Alcorn, Mr. Toothaker, Ms. McRae, Ms. Njaa spoke to the amended motion and the process.
Vote on amendment: It was voted 4-4-1 to amend the amount to $110,328. Motion fails for lack of a majority.
Vote on main motion: It was voted 4-5 to approve the superintendent’s compensation July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007 in the amount of $111,959. Motion fails. (Student voted with minority)
At 7:30 p.m. Mr. Thompson moved, seconded Mr. Chong and voted unanimously to adjourn the business meeting. (Student voted with majority)
School Committee Caucus
At 7:40 p.m. it was voted unanimously to go into caucus session.
Mr. Thompson moved, seconded Mr. Radtke to nominate Ellen Alcorn as the 2005-2006 School Committee Chairperson.
Mr. Spring moved, seconded Mr. Toothaker to nominate Benjamin Meiklejohn as the 2005-2006 School Committee Chairperson.
It was voted 5-4 to appoint Ellen Alcorn as the 2005-2006 School Committee Chairperson. (Students voted with majority)
It was voted 4-5 to appoint Benjamin Meiklejohn as the 2005-2006 School Committee Chairperson. Motion fails. (Students voted with majority)
It was moved, seconded and voted unanimously to cease nomination.
Mr. Toothaker moved, seconded Mr. Meiklejohn to nominate Mr. Spring as the 2005-2006 Finance Committee Chairperson.
Ms. Alcorn moved, seconded Mr. Radtke to nominate Mr. Thompson as the 2005-2006 Finance Committee Chairperson.
It was voted 4-5 to appoint Mr. Spring as the 2005-2006 Finance Committee Chairperson. Motion fails. (One student rep voted with minority and one with majority)
It was voted 5-4 to appoint Mr. Thompson as the 2005-2006 Finance Committee Chairperson. (One student rep voted with majority and one with minority)
It was voted unanimously to cease nomination.
Mr. Spring moved, seconded Mr. Coyne and voted unanimously to adjourn the caucus session at 7:45 pm.
The Committee moved into a workshop session on policies and procedures.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Jo O’Connor, Superintendent of Schools