1998-02-05 School Committee Minutes - Finance Committee

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READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE /FINANCE COMMITTEE February 5, 1998 Finance Chairman Keigley called the meeting of the Finance Committee to order at 7:35 p.m. at town hall. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Twomey and Williams. Also present was Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards. Only 3 members being present and not constituting a quorum, the School Committee took no action. Mr. White made a motion to approve the Finance Committee minutes of January 21 with amendments as noted by Member Grimm. Mr. McDonald seconded the motion. SCHOOL BUDGET PRESENTATION Dr. Harutunian discussed enrollment projections by grade and distributed to the Committee a copy of the projections and also a copy of a memorandum from Town Clerk Cheryl Johnson stating that the Town Clerk records show there were 338 births in Reading in 1997. The memorandum also stated that it should be noted that in some cases, it takes months for various communities to mail the Town copies of births. Dr. Hirudinean noted that the projection for births in 1997 was 314 and as stated in the memorandum actual births so far are 338. Dr. Hirudinean answered questions submitted by Finance Committee member McDonald as listed: • How many students in the METCO Program and does it pay for itself? Dr. Harutunian advised that there are 74 students in the METCO program. The contract states that Reading maintain approximately 100 students. Reading receives $268,000 from METCO, $118,000 to cover books, paper, etc. The remainder of the money is for monitors etc. Also supplemental $12,000 is for SPED services. There are 13 METCO children in the SPED program. Finance Committee Member Grimm asked whether the $12,000 for SPED covers the services for the METCO students. Dr. Harutunian advised that the $12,000 does cover the services.