1982-01-04 School Committee Minutes

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SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JARMARY 4, 1982 Superintendent Well's then presented five alternative grade reorganization plans, and the pros and cons of each. The grade organizations for the five plans are as follows: Plan #1 - K-6, 7 -8, 9 -12 ( "Status Quo "); Plan #2 - K -5, 6 -8, 9 -12 ( "Middle School "); Plan #3 - K -6, 7 -8, 9 -12 (Junior and Senior High Schools Combined "); Plan #4 - K -6, 7 -9, 10 -12 ( "Former Junior High Organization "); Plan #5 -K -6, 7 -12 ('One Secondary School "). Dr. Wells gave a brief history of enrollments, from the upswing in the early 1970's to the start of the declining enrollment trend which became apparent in 1975, including the closing of the Lowell Street, Prospect Street, Upper and Lower St. Agnes Schools and finnally the Highland School last June. He stated that it appears that by 1984 another elementary school can close if the School Committee agrees to a grade reorgainization. Dr. Wells noted that the alternatives presented were those which have been presented in previous reports, i. e., "Stage II - Declining Enrollment," dated April 17, 1979 and "The Shrinking Schools of Reading Massachusetts," "dated December 1980. Dr. Wells recommended Plan #2. A question and answer period by School Committee members and visitors followed. Questions concerned the amount of bussing and redistricting each plan entailed, how each would effect the efficient use of school buildings, future use of schools which might be closed and future use of surplus High School space. It was brought out that the High School will be greatly underpopulated by about 1984 -85. CAC member Mrs. Maureen Rich recommended that the School Committee appoint a steering com- mittee, as other towns the CAC studied had as she felt it would be advantageous because more people would be involved. She pointed out that reorgainization would effect all taxpayers and that a steering committee could help inform the public. Due to a full agenda the Chairman limited discussion to 15 minutes but urged visitors to attend the public meeting on January 27th. FY83 Budget Review Chairman Landers introduced the subject of the FY83 budget review by saying that he believed the "macro approach" used this year was good. The process was to take an overview of the budget from an informational point of view before going through it on a line basis. He added that it was his intention that the School Committee would vote on the budget line by line after they had more information about how negotiations were progressing with the four groups of unionized employees. In going over the budget by line tonight he asked members to confine their questions to the Administration to those of an informational nature, as they would get into other matters later which would give a clearer insight. Superintendent Wells, aided by Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow then went through the expense portion of the budget, with the exception of the special education and athletic areas, giving explanations and answering questions. Dr. Wells said he felt things were going better, as far as the budget was concerned, than other years and that if there is good progress with negotiations the School Committee will be very well prepared for their February 18th meeting with the Finance Committee. Dr. Wells stated that in his opinion it is critical that theSchool Committee allocate funds for -professional consultation- engineering and /or architectural - to assist in a r- -- study of how best to utilize surplus space in the High School.