2001-02-12 School Committee Minutes

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Regular Session 2 February 12,2001 Chair Cavicchi stated that the School Committee would like to clarify two issues that have appeared in editorials in the newspaper. She stated that Mr. Griset would discuss the Superintendent's raise of last year and Mr. Dahl would discuss the budget. Mr. Griset stated that members of the Committee had been questioned about the Superintendent's raise. He stated that the raise worked out to 1.0.5%on base and there are reasons for that increase. He stated that the goal of the Committee was to bring the Superintendent's base pay more in keeping with the average salary of the superintendents in the Middlesex League. He stated that in previous years the Committee had brought the teachers up to the average, actually slightly above average, of the teachers' salaries for the Middlesex League. Mr. Griset stated that from his personal perspective Reading could not find anyone who works harder than the Superintendent He stated that the Superintendent goes to extraordinary lengths to support the district. Mr. Dahl concurred with Mr. Griset and stated that Dr. Harmunian does what he does without the benefit of a business manager. Mr. Dahl distributed information he had compiled titled School Spending Growth Analysis Reading Schools Department FY93-01. This information analyzed school budgets from FY93-FY01, special education spending, school spending (net of special education), increased enrollment, cost of living and programs that require funding. He reviewed Reading per pupil spending versus state per pupil spending for FY99 and Reading per pupil spending versus the per pupil spending of Burlington, Woburn, Lexington, Winchester, Lynnfield, Melrose, Wakefield, Stoneham and North Reading. Superintendent's Report Dr. Harmunian thanked the staff and students at the Joshua Eaton School for the artwork in the School Committee room. Dr. Harmunian distributed an updated public records request list. Dr. Harutunian discussed the proposed pilot drop out high school program. Mr. Griset asked what the drop out rate is in Reading. Dr. Harutunian advised that the drop out rate is approximately 1.7%. Ms. D'Antona asked if the administration was expecting an increase in the drop out rate due to the MCAS tests.