1996-01-04 School Committee Minutes

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READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING JANUARY 4, 1996 CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Susan Cavicchi called the Special Budget Meeting to order in the Superintendent's Conference Room at 8:00 p.m. All members were present with the exception of Matthew Cummings and Timothy Twomey who were expected to arrive later. Also present were Superin- tendent Dr. Harry K. Harutunian, Associate Superintendent Dennis Richards, Finance Committee Representative Steve Blewitt, Town Accountant Richard Foley and a Chronicle reporter. Superintendent Harutuman stated he will meet with Mr. Blewitt to discuss his letter of January 4, 1996 regarding the School Department's request for $500,000 for technology. SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDED BUDGET FOR FY 97 Dr. Harutunian handed out the FY97 Administration Section replacement pages that include the School Committee's requested changes. He also replaced pages 50 -55 FY96 Personnel by School and pages 40, 41 and 43 of the FY97 Special Education Program. SPECIAL EDUCATION DISCUSSION The Superintendent explained there were a number of teachers paid through the 94 -152 Grant in FY96. Dr. Harutunian was asked by Ms. D'Antona to identify and provide the back -up information for the five people who were effected. Part of the difficulty in getting people to substitute in Reading, the Superintendent stated, is because we are one of the lowest paying in the area. Chair Cummings asked to have the Regular and Special Education substitute time broken down. The Superintendent noted that an asterisk should also be placed by teachers and tutors, as they are projections. The Chair also requested the Medicaid program indicate what percentage the School Department actually saves the Town. Dr. Harutunian stated all Special Education students should be in the FY97 special education section of the budget not in regular education.