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I <br />READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE <br />Reading, Massachusetts <br />BUDGET COUNCIL September 10, 1998 <br />CALL TO ORDER <br />Chair D'Antona called the School Committee to order at 7:35 p.m. Present were School <br />Committee members Cavicchi, Dahl, D'Antona, Stohlman, Twomey and Williams. <br />Also present was Superintendent Harutunian. <br />SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT <br />Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that the Finance Committee voted 8 -1 last night <br />in favor of Article 5 — Special Town Meeting. <br />Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that he had spoken to the principals again about <br />priorities for the surplus funds and there was a clear consensus that moving forward <br />with a pilot program of four elementary assistant principals would be advantageous. If <br />the Committee did not feel they could support the assistant principals, the principals <br />would petition for the $120,000 to be placed back in the 20% hold account. <br />Mr. Stohlman stated that he had looked through the cut list and thought that if we plan <br />to make a commitment to implement the Peat Marwick report the Committee should <br />consider restoring the original cut of $33,000 made to building maintenance. <br />Dr. Harutunian advised that the cut of $33,000 was a cut out of the maintenance budget <br />not an additional custodian. Dr. Harutunian also advised that the principals feel that <br />moving forward on funding the Peat Marwick recommendations without a long -term <br />plan will place a burden on the School Department. <br />Mr. Stohlman asked if an addition to the maintenance staff would be a supervisor, a <br />custodian or clerical. <br />Dr. Harutunian advised that at this time he is not prepared to make a commitment as to <br />what type of staff would be added first. He stated that if there is support for <br />implementing the Peat Marwick recommendations he would meet with Jeff Griffin to <br />discuss this issue. <br />Mr. Stohlman asked how much the per pupil allocation was increased. <br />Dr. Harutunian advised approximately $20.00 <br />Mr. Twomey stated that he thinks there is some weight to the administrators' current <br />expression of priorities even thought it has changed since the budget process. The <br />Committee has had a number of discussions about the elementary school enrollment <br />