1998-06-17 School Committee Minutes - Financial Forum

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READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE READING, MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET COUNCIL June 17, 1998 CALL TO ORDER Chair D'Antona called the School Committee to order at 7:33 p.m. at the Senior Center. Present were School Committee members Cavicchi, Dahl, D'Antona and Stohlman. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian, Town Manager Hechenbleikner, Town Accountant Richard Foley and Town Treasurer Beth Klepeis. Chair Anthony called the Selectmen to order at 7:35 p.m. Chair Keigley advised that the Finance Committee had met prior to the Budget Council meeting and had already been called to order. The Library Board advised that they could not call the Board to order at this, time as they did not have a quorum. PEAT MARWICK REPORT Representatives from Peat Marwick gave a presentation on their report regarding Reading Public Schools, Review of Custodial and Maintenance Operations. After the presentation, the discussion was opened to questions from the Budget Council. Selectman Hoyt asked if the recommendation of contracting out for all of the custodial services at a pilot school is implemented would the custodians at the pilot school be shifted to other buildings. Dr. Harutunian advised that there are enough openings so he anticipates that no one will lose their job. The Library Board stated their concern is that if maintenance service at the Library is contracted out the current maintenance staff does more than just clean, they perform ongoing maintenance and questioned how that would be handled with a contractor. Dr. Harutunian advised that an RFP would be issued and the needs of the Library would be written into the RFP. Selectman Hines question whether the only solution looked at by Peat Marwick was hiring additional help and if they had any data on peer groups with less square footage and better results.