Couldn't make it to last night's School Committee meeting? Don't worry, we've got you covered. Here are 5 things you missed from last night.

1. Angie Taranto Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. Angie Taranto, The legislative liaison for the Chelmsford School Committee was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in a surprise announcement at the committee meeting last night.

In his teaching carreer, Taranto first started out teaching science, and then worked as the head of the science department. Finally, he worked as a dean at CHS until his retirement. The application that was submitted by the committee for Taranto’s nomination listed that he devoted his entire working life to education and he’s served the community for 50 years. Taranto will most likely receive his award at the MASC conference the Hyannis.

2. Superintendant Frank Tiano was awarded performance bonus. For the 2010-11 school year, goals were laid out by a subcommittee, and accepted in Februrary. Tiano was expected to complete three goals to help aggressively move into his new role:

• Have meetings with key stakeholders, and submit final Superintendant Entry Plan
• Review the School District’s Special Education Program
• Prepare and present a draft outline of strategic plan for school district

Tiano presented the Superintendant Entry Plan to the committee on May 24.  The Special Education Program is currently being reviewed, on pace with the laid out timeline, and reports will be available in the early fall.   Due to his successful completion of these goals, Tiano was awarded a $2,500 bonus.

3. Staffing update. Tiano presented the staffing changes for the 2011-12 school year. Noting that every year, some changes should be expected, he announced the shifts in staffing between school years.

• 8 retirees
• 5 resignations
• 3 non renewals
• 1 leave of absence
• 6 transfers

Tiano said that Chelmsford is still a place where people want to work, noting there were hundreds of applicants for open positions for the 2011-12 school year. There have been 16 new employees hired so far.

The committee has also approved opening new positions, and the 2011-12 Chelmsford Staff will include two more teachers than last year.  They hope that these positions, spread out across multiple subjects in the high school, the special education program, and middle schools, will allow students to enroll in more electives in the elementary and middle school grades, and more core classes that will help with college preparations for high school students.

4. Bus Pass Logistics. All students have been registered in the busing system, and will be required to opt out if the do not wish to take the bus. Students and parents now have the ability to pay for bus passes online, but Chelmsford Public Schools will still accept checks and cash. Information on bus passes can be accessed through the x2 portal.

5. Bus Pass Pick-Up. Bus pass pickup will be Aug. 23,  9 a.m.to 3:30 p.m., Aug. 24, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.  and  Aug. 25, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.