The School Committee approved an extension of Superintendent Anthony Pierantozzi's contract through June 30, 2014.

By George P. Hassett

The School Committee met for 51 minutes Monday. Mayor Joe Curtatone was absent.

Superintendent’s contract extended three years

The School Committee approved an extension of Superintendent Anthony Pierantozzi’s contract through June 30, 2014 in executive session at a Dec. 21 meeting. Two committee members, mary Jo-Rossetti and Theresa Cardoso voted against the extension.

Budget work begins

School administrators are being asked to prepare level service budget proposals for the next fiscal year, said schools Finance Director Patricia Durette. School officials are not expecting increases in services or new initiatives in next year’s budget, she said. Officials expect to save about $200,000 after they relocated the district’s main office from the Boys and Girls Club to a city-owned building on Cross Street.

‘Baby boom’ in Somerville

School officials are expecting to add at least one additional kindergarten class to the city’s school lineup in the coming years as they deal with the city’s “baby boom.”

Ward Five School Committee member Mark Niedergang said school enrollment in Somerville had dropped most of this decade. “In the next two or three years I’d be surprised if we don’t see school population start to grow,” he said.

‘Disconnect’ between aldermen, school committee 

New Board of Aldermen President Rebekah Gewirtz said she will work to increase communication between school committee members and aldermen in her year as president.

“There’s been a disconnect between the Board of Aldermen and the School Committee,” she said at Monday’s meeting.

Gewirtz said she plans to present a monthly report from the School Committee to aldermen updating the board on issues the school committee is working on.