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ED <br /> READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE s i�jSLERK C,�t <br /> Reading, Massachusetts ' U. MASS. <br /> 4W Community Meeting 1001 UQ_. 45 <br /> CALL TO ORDER <br /> Vice Chair Dahl welcomed the public to the community meeting. The meeting was held <br /> in the Reading Public Library Meeting room. Present were School Committee Members <br /> Dahl, Griset, Russo and Keigley, Superintendent Harutunian and approximately 25 <br /> members of the public. <br /> Mr. Jack Goldberg former special education educator asked about special education <br /> funding from the state. He stated that special education has become the whipping boy for <br /> the budget. <br /> Dr. Harutunian stated that all the money received by Chapter 70 barely covers the cost of <br /> the special education. Dr. Harutunian stated that 95% of the students in special education <br /> belong in special education. He stated that the other 5% of the students are covered <br /> under special education laws for Massachusetts. He stated that Massachusetts had laws <br /> that went beyond federal law and that districts are responsible for maintaining the level of <br /> services required by Massachusetts. <br /> Sara Nastasi stated that the district is lucky to have such talented special education staff. <br /> She stated that one reason Massachusetts has a higher percentage of special education <br /> students is because parents move to Massachusetts for the services- available to their <br /> children. Ms. Nastasi discussed the space issues in the Reading schools. She stated that <br /> students are being taught in hallways and closets and that a long-term solution needs to <br /> be found so that children are in appropriate learning areas. She suggested that the next <br /> override be put on the ballot in a menu form. <br /> Mr. Russo stated that he did not vote for the override or the new elementary school but <br /> that teacher student ratios could be moved up by one or two students to free up needed <br /> space. <br /> Ms. Nastasi stated that increasing class size is only going to lead to more problems for <br /> children. More children will fall behind in larger class sizes. <br /> Mr. James Goldsmith asked what guarantees citizens have that if they agree to renovate <br /> the high school the school department will not let maintenance go and the high school <br /> end up in the same deplorable conditions. <br /> Dr_ Hamtunian discussed the history of the maintenance department and how he has <br /> handled maintenance since he arrived. He also advised that the state has a minimum <br /> dollar amount that must be spent on maintenance in order to continue to receive <br /> 4 reimbursement, <br />