2003-01-09 School Committee Minutes

Home Browse Search

Reading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session January 9, 2003 CALL TO ORDER Chair Griset called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Dahl, Griset, McFadden, Russo, Twomey and Student Representative Jake Hanin. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian, Associate Superintendent Richards, Town Accountant Richard Foley, Finance Committee Members Martin and McDonald and Board of Selectmen Matt Cummings. BILLS & PAYROLL The Committee signed the bills and payroll. CITZENS INPUT There was no citizen input. FY04 BUDGET Chair Griset stated that the process for this evening would be to hear from the Superintendent on the budget reductions and then School Committee and the public would ask for clarification. He stated that they would not go into detail on the prioritized list. Dr. Harutunian advised that the profit and loss statement from the Director of Food Services would be available at the end of next week. Dr. Harutunian briefly reviewed the budget process. Dr. Harutunian discussed the potential shortfalls in the FY03 budget due to a decrease in METCO funding, the repairs to the Barrows boiler, the state's inability to pay their portion of special education residential placement from April through June 30th, additional special educational costs, the maintenance account being under funded, the substitute teacher account being under funded and additional attorney fees for litigation that occurred this year. Dr. Harutunian stated that he is hoping the Finance Committee will recognize and cover the following portions of the shortfalls, the $25,400 for the boiler, the $70,000 due to state not funding special education residential placements and the $25,000 legal fees for litigation. Town Accountant Foley discussed projected revenues for the Town.