1982-01-25 School Committee Minutes

Home Browse Search

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES He continued, stating that a $300,000, $200,000 of which in expense. January 1982 conservative estimate of the FY82 surplus would be is in the salary portion of the budget and $100,000 Dr. Munnelly explained that there were three factors which contributed to the surplus in the salary account - (1) certain positions which existed last year were not filled this year, (2) staff turnover and (3) closing of the Highland School. Also, he added, the Voluntary Employment Termination Incentive Plan had contributed to the overage. He noted that although the surplus was large such situations could easily arise in a $10 million budget. Dr. Munnelly said that there probably had been 30 people in and out of the system during FY82 and replacements were employed at reduced salaries. Dr. Munnelly said that the Administration was recommending that the teaching staff be reduced by four for FY83 one at Barrows School, one at Pearl Street, and two at R.M. H.S., one of whom would be from the FOCUS Program. It is not expected that this program will be serving the same number and kind of students in future years. He noted that a sum of $12,700 has been added to the Special Education Teacher Aides account. This is because ofe student who has come from a private placement will need a full -time aide and another child with an un- usual and severe medical problem needs a full -time medically alert person. A child with a similar problem is expected to enter school next year. Financial aid is being sought from several sources but it is not yet known what will be available. Regarding the ILA's Dr. Munnelly said that a number of them have been funded by Public Laws 94 -142 and 89 -313 funds, but Federal funds have been cut by $6 -7,000 - to about $9,500. The funding of other positions is also in doubt. Dr. Munnelly said that English as a Second Language (ESL) tutors have been pro- vided for financially for 10 -15 students by the Foreign Refugee Program. This Program costs about $175 per week and involves students at the High School, both Junior Hlghs and two elementary schools. When it is determined how much the Government will contribute to this Program it will be reduced, if necessary. Dr. Wells added that the budget item Curriculum Workshop can be removed from the budget, with the understanding that block grant funds would be used for this pur- pose. Dr. Wells also said that the budget could be reduced by making summer school self supporting but he hoped that the remedial, or maintenance courses, for children who need reenforcement during the summer, could remain in the budget and that there be no financial criteria for parents whose students needed these courses. He also reminded the School Committee that he strongly recommends transferring the $1,200 budgetted for field workers from the athletic account to the part =time cus- todial services account because there would be more control and a better pay scale could be maintained. There was a brief discussion about the pay scale of substitute teachers and the problem of obtaining enough qualified people, particularly at the secondary level; to avoid cancelling classes. Dr. Wells said that, although he did not expect it would really help the problem, the Administration planned to recommend a $2.00 per day increase - to $28 in FY83 and another $2.00 - to $30 for 'FY84. He felt it would make the rate competive with other school districts.