1996-01-18 School Committee Minutes

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READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES BUDGET HEARING MINUTES JANUARY 18,199 CALL TO ORDER Chair Matthew Cummings called the Budget Hearing to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Reading Memorial High School Lecture Hall. All members were present with the exception of Timothy Twomey. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Harry K. Harutunian, Associate Superintendent Dennis Richards, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Accountant Richard Foley, Town Treasurer Beth Klepeis and approximately 80 citizens. Chair Cummings advised the public that the Town Manager would present a brief explanation of the Fiscal Year 1997 Revenues and Other Resource Projections in the General Fund. Mr. Hechenbleikner demonstrated his information on overheads. He stated that the proposed 1996 property tax includes a 2 1/2% increase plus new growth. The local revenues from sources other than property taxes is about 10% of the total revenue. The Town Manager added that an area most likely to increase because of School Building Assistance is Intergovernmental Revenue: State aide. He also outlined the Operating transfers /available funds and noted that we have currently overextended that account by $200,000 for snow removal. After Mr. Hechenbleikner's presentation, Chair Cummings opened up the meeting to the audience. Mr. Carpenter asked if we could expect State or Federal support for snow removal? The Town Manager said there was a possibility we could get State aide but in order to qualify for Federal aide we would have to declare an emergency situation. Mrs. Horn, a Killam and Coolidge parent, complimented the Superintendent and congratulated him and his budget. Mr. Carpenter stated the percentage over last year is a big number. Noted other needs were not in this budget and asked for a principal to summarize some of the dialogue. Dr. Harutunian responded to this information. He stated the format has changed. Every teacher, and School Council has been involved. He noted some of the reasons for the increase is that special education has labeled more children; grade four will be receiving new text books next year; a half time educational assistant will be with every Birch Meadow grade four teacher and with Barrow's grade three teachers.