The School Committee on Thursday, Oct. 13, rejected a motion to reinstate the athletics advisory committee, the group that successfully helped negotiate reductions of sports fees last March, when its work ended. The vote was 2-5, with Bill Hayner and Judson Pierce voting yes.

Joseph Curro Jr. said that to reinstate an advisory committee, it would have to draw up a charter. Leba Heigham said it was unclear what the committee's mission would be and, if the group is addressing only Arlington High sports issues, then it should connect with the AHS School Council.

Committee Chair Cindy Starks said no one from the committee, including its chairman, Jack Crowley, has come to her directly about the issue.

Four residents at public participation earlier in the meeting expressed support for reinstating the panel.

OPINION: Public face, anonymous critique

Stephen Harrington, who introdcued himself as the chairman of the Arlington Athletics Foundation, said it is important to have parents from a reinstated committee at the table.

Nicole Libresco referred to circuit-breaker money received by the schools since the override and sought committee comment about why it can't offset fees. Asked later to clarify the information, she declined to comment and asked not to be quoted.

Former School Committee Chairman Joseph Curran added his voice to support reinstatement.

After public participation, Hayner asked Starks whether he could make a motion, presumably to reinstate. "Not at this time," Starks said. The four left the room. Hayner made his motion later in the meeting.

Bodie annual review in public Nov. 10

In other business, the committee:

-- Discussed the annual review of Superintendent Kathleen Bodie, which is to take place in public session on Thursday, Nov. 10;

-- Heard a response to a state report critical of the district's English language learners' (ELL) program;

-- Welcomed Bo Yu, a teacher of Mandarin, who becomes the second at Arlington High School to teach Chinese, and Barney Maier, community liaison;

-- Voted, 7-0, to spend $15,000 for Today’s Students Tomorrow’s Teachers (TSTT). The program recruits, mentors and places economically challenged and culturally diverse high school students through college to employment as teachers and leaders who will inspire and strengthen their communities.

-- Received a hiring report that showed a slight decline in the number of members of minority groups.

Discussing a civil-rights corrective action plan were Cindy Bouvier, the health, wellness and physical education director who is also now the 504 coordinator, and Carla Bruzzese, the new director of ELL.

Bruzzese said of the state report: "There's a lot here," but none of it is major."

One concern to administrators is the requirement to translate key documents into four languages -- Japanese, Mandarin, Portuguese and Spanish.

Some document, such as the program of studies and student handbook, are lengthy, and translation will be costly.

Bo was enthusiastic after his welcome as the second teacher of mandarin. He applied for the position in January 2010 and was among 15 chosen nationwide. He noted that the others chosen are "jealous" he was picked for Arlington, whose educational system he praised.

This story was published Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011.