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REGULAR SESSION -2- JANUARY 13.1999 <br />Mr. Stohlman asked about the $ 32,000 Budget Offset. He stated that it has been level <br />funded for the past several years. He felt there should be an increase in the offset. Dr. <br />Harutunian stated that the $32,000 was part of the revolving account. Historically, half <br />of the clerical salary was paid out of the revolving account and the other half was paid <br />from appropriation. He went on to say that all the money in the revolving account goes <br />towards the buildings anyway. It is just a question of which way you want to state it. He <br />said he would state it anyway the committee wanted him to. The revolving account status <br />is also stated on Page 81 of the green budget sheets. <br />Dr. Harutunian suggested to the Committee that in the next few years we ask for an <br />increase in facility rental fees. Mr. Twomey asked why aren't we collecting rental fees <br />up front? Dr. Harutunian stated that if the rental is cancelled then we have to issue them <br />a check. Mr. Twomey stated that would be better that having so many receivables <br />outstanding. Dr. Harutunian said this was something we would definitely look into. <br />Another reason for a decrease in rental receivables is due to the fact that during the entire <br />construction process, Parker Middle School was closed to rentals. Coolidge Middle <br />School is not open to rentals this year. Every year some school will be shut down. There <br />will be a loss of revenues during the transitional periods. <br />Mr. Twomey asked the other members if they minded how the clerical salary is stated. <br />No one minded. Mr. Dahl stated that this way eliminates the myth that there is money <br />hidden in revolving accounts. He then went on to ask how much we charge for a rental. <br />Dr. Harutunian responded that the rates are ridiculously low. One can rent (with the <br />exception of Parker) a school gym for $16.00 for four hours plus the custodial cost. <br />Since the Parker renovation, the cost of the Parker Gym has been raised to $ 75.00. Mr. <br />Dahl said the rental price should go up 4 -5 % per year just for inflation. <br />Dr. Harutunian stated that the Town of Winchester stopped renting their facilities <br />completely due to the added wear and tear on the buildings and the added hassle of the <br />rental process. Many of the surrounding towns rent property in Reading because it is so <br />cheap. He explained that as we renovate the schools we would be raising the rental rate. <br />The custodial fees are not waived for any reason. <br />The next question dealt with custodial overtime. Mr. Twomey inquired if it would be <br />cheaper to hire more custodians than to pay overtime? He asked what circumstances <br />there was overtime? Dr. Harutunian stated that overtime was needed to cover vacations, <br />medical leaves and emergency situations. He gave as example; a custodian at one of the <br />schools was out for three months with a medical issue. He had to pay the custodian that <br />was out, as well as the replacement. They have also increased the cleaning at each school <br />to cut down on deterioration. Building checks are performed on Saturdays and Sundays <br />in winter to insure that the boilers are working at each school. This is a substantial part <br />of the overtime. The Superintendent hopes that in the future, with the help of Siebe and <br />the computerized heating system that we will be able to eliminate these building checks. <br />With the new energy management systems, a computer dials a phone <br />