October 17, 2007

Wellesley Public Schools
School Committee Meeting - Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Wellesley High School Library

The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 6:04 pm. Mr. Young, Ms. Allen, Ms. Littlefield, and Ms. Newman were present. Also present was Ms. Wong. Mr. Guiffre joined the meeting at 6:20 pm.

Mr. Young explained the purpose of the meeting. Updated cost information regarding a proposal to request funding of Special Town Meeting for a conversion of the high school lecture hall (little theater) into four classrooms has prompted the committee to reconsider its recent decision.

CITIZEN SPEAK
There were no citizens present who wished to speak.

ACTION ITEM
High School Short Term Space Options
The committee toured the high school to observe where space might be reconfigured to create four classrooms by the start of the 2008-09 school year. Principal Andrew Keough described how the high school would make adjustments to accommodate the education program if space in the library, auto shop, and a science lab were reconfigured into four classrooms. Acknowledging that there are still many unanswered questions about the developing high school project, the committee weighed the space conversion options presently under consideration in light of short and long term needs, with further discussion about the student schedule, funding sources, modular classrooms, and its decision a week earlier to request funding for the more costly option of converting the lecture hall.

Upon motion made by Ms. Littlefield, seconded by Ms. Newman, it was

VOTED: To refine the vote by school committee on October 9 requesting funding of Special Town Meeting for conversion of the lecture hall into four classrooms by recommending instead a conversion of several spaces to create four temporary classrooms to be ready for September 2008 as follows: create two classrooms in the library; divide space in a science lab to create one classroom; and divide space in the auto shop to create one classroom.
The motion CARRIED (4-1).
Ms. Allen voted No.

CITIZEN SPEAK
There were no citizens present who wished to speak.

ADJOURNMENT
The public session was adjourned at 7:29 pm

Executive Secretary