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READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS <br />Reading, Massachusetts <br />SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING <br />OPEN HEARING MINUTES JANUARY 10, 1994 <br />CALL TO ORDER <br />Chair Roberta D'Antona called the Budget Open Hearing of the <br />Reading School Committee to order at 7:10 p.m. in the Reading <br />Memorial High School Lecture Hall. All members were present. <br />Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant <br />Superintendent Dennis A. Richards, FinCom member Nathan White, <br />a reporter from the Chronicle, and approximately 20 citizens. <br />MOMENT OF SILENCE <br />Chair D'Antona asked the audience along with School Committee <br />members to observe a moment of silence for Natalie Jansen, who <br />died on Christmas day. The Superintendent noted that Ms. <br />Jansen served 16 years before retiring last year as the Super- <br />vising Psychologist in the Reading Public Schools. <br />FY95 BUDGET <br />Dr. Munnelly's opening remarks stated the budget is a finan- <br />cial plan for carrying out an educational plan. He added that <br />the FY95 $16.7 million for schools and money from Town to <br />total an $18,555,000 budget. <br />The Superintendent advised since 1991 the projected elementary <br />student population's growth will be 204. He stated that <br />buildings need new equipment and that additional repairs will <br />be increased by $100,000. Another feature of the budget <br />includes salaries along with regular step increases and union <br />negotiated raises. <br />Chair D'Antona reminded the audience that the School Committee <br />is here to listen to the concerns of the public and gave the <br />cable phone number for others listening at home to call with <br />their comments and questions. <br />Reading Teachers Association President Robert Donovan, on <br />behalf of teachers, requested commitment from the Town of <br />Reading to fund a school system of the 21st century. He <br />stressed the need for multimedia labs that would include video <br />and computer links with outside networks and within the school <br />system. <br />Dr. Munnelly explained for computer access the proposed budget <br />includes $5,000 for an additional phone line at each school. <br />He noted that an additional $50,000 for computers, most of <br />