1982-12-20 School Committee Minutes

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10 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 20, 1982 School Committee; and KL - Complaints. Following the discussion Chairman Garroway said he would like to have proposals for specific changes on the agenda of the next meeting. He asked Mr. Nigro, with the help of Dr. Wells, to prepare a draft of the above policies, including changes. Old Business Mr. Coco said that at the next School Committee meeting he will give an update about the proposed agreement with the Board of Public Works and the Recreation Committee to provide a cooperative effort between these parties for the use, maintenance and scheduling of Town -owned athletic and recreational facilities. Overview of the 1983 -84 Preliminary Budget Dr. Wells presented to the School Committee the first draft of the School Department's budget for FY84. It exceeds the guidelines given by the Finance Committee. He said that it has been the most difficult one to assemble in his 18 years in the System because we no longer are making decisions on the basis of a one -year crisis situation but rather on the reality of a long term economic cap of available resources. Dr. Wells said it is more difficult to continually find ways of economizing in a "system that for years has expended far below that of the average community than it is for those that spend more. The latest data from the Massachusetts Department of Education shows that the average community spends $314 more per pupil than we do in Reading. Continuining, Dr. Wells stated that the difference between the Finance Committee's guidelines that totaled $10,807,505 and this preliminary presentation of $11,377,086 will be narrowed. For Instance, included in this first draft are items of equipment and capital outlay projects that carry a priority label less critical to our immediate needs than others. In addition, it will be recommended that there be a staff reduction of 6.5 members and that an anticipated unexpended balance of $100,000 in the FY83 salary account be encumbered to offset some of the recommendations contained in this budget. He said that these two factors, if agreed to by the School Committee, would further reduce the budget by approximately $200,000. "However," Dr. Wells said, "At this time I see no way of meeting the Finance Committee's guidelines without effecting the quality of education in our School System." He said he is not faulting the decisions made by the Finance Committee as they were made on the basis of the financial conditions of Reading and existing laws that limit the raising of revenues. He added that the Finance Committee is doings its job well. Dr. Wells said the School Committee does have an additional responsibility other than being fiscally responsible, and that is the responsibility to deliver an appropriate educational program to the youth of Reading. Present members have stated that they want an educational program of quality and excellence. 'However," he concluded, "As we continue into the Proposition 22 era, especially under conditions that fail to recognize a need to review priorities of Town Government, then a decline in the quality of education is enevitable." After reviewing the line items in this draft budget the School Committee entered into a d1SCUS-SL011 dbUUt 111 Unit! S in t le Capital 11I1provennents budget for the housing of the school administration office.