1999-01-25 School Committee Minutes

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Regular Session -2- January 25, 1999 SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT The Superintendent thanked the Koppell family for their generous contributed to the Birch Meadow School. Their donation of $1,000 will be used towards the development of a Living Science Center at the Birch Meadow School. Dr. Harutunian advised that he had received a letter from a community member regarding the use of the word personal versus personnel in the town and school budget. He advised that he had forwarded the letter to Richard Foley for response. Richard Foley advised that next year he would use neither personal or personnel but would find another appropriate phrase. Dr. Harutunian advised that the Town Manager would be scheduling a meeting with Ted Cohen, Richard Foley and him to discuss the School Town Maintenance Merger. He stated that some of the selectmen were concerned about the use of $18,000 for the GeoTech survey. He stated that he has spoken to some of the selectmen regarding the issue. Dr. Harutunian stated that he is confident that the $18,000 can be replaced. Dr. Harutunian informed the Committee of the Coolidge "Buy A Brick" fundraiser. The "Buy A Brick Fundraiser" would be to raise funds for the library and for software at Coolidge Middle School. Dr. Harutunian informed the Committee that he had included a poem written by a former student in honor of retiring teacher Sheila Richardson. Dr. Harutunian informed the Committee that a policy already existed for prepayment of rental fees. He advised that the administration would move forward with the existing policy and will change the application to state that prepayment is required. SCHOOL COMMITTEE CALENDAR The Committee discussed the School Committee calendar. Chair D'Antona and Ms. Williams both stated that they will be unable to attend the February 10`h Budget Council meeting. It was agreed to try to change the Budget Council meeting to February 9`h FY00 BUDGET Dr. Harutunian stated that two months ago he had asked 35 -38 parents to participate in the budget process. Dr. Harutunian thanked all those that had participated in the process. Mr. Stohlman advised that he would be making motions to adjust the budget. He stated that with the added pressure of the capital budget he felt that the Committee should go