2010-01-11 School Committee Minutes

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January 11, 2010 center has been reviewed and carefully scrutinized. He pointed out that it is important to keep the district mission and vision in mind as the School Committee reviews the budget. The vision is what drives the budget. Dr. Doherty broke down the process which began in August. The administration held community forums, has met with the RTA Executive Board, Reading Public Schools staff, budget parents and the Administrative Council in developing a level funded budget. He went on to review how we got to this point reviewing the FYI 0 budget reductions. Many of those reductions were made away from the classroom with the goal to reduce personnel cuts. Dr. Doherty pointed out that the administration used a multi-faceted approach to addressing the needed reductions including cost savings in special education and facilities and the introduction of new fees and increases in offsets. Dr. Doherty reviewed the per pupil spending in comparison to the state average. Reading is once again well below the state average overall but near state average in the teaching and learning and operations and facilities areas. He continued to discuss the priorities used to design the budget aligning with the district vision. Dr. Doherty indicated that there would be a reduction of 14.8 FTE in personnel, as well as the elimination of three sports. The criteria in determining which sports would be cut included possible Title 9 issues in the future, the cost of running the program and participation levels. Mr. Vaccaro would provide more information during the Athletics Cost Center presentation. He wanted to make the School Committee aware that there will be an impact as a result of these reductions. Dr. Doherty turned the meeting over to Ms. DeLai to answer questions from the committee or audience. She reviewed the questions the School Committee had previously submitted. (See attached) Mrs. Webb requested clarification regarding the $125,000 carry over in the Accommodated Cost section and Mrs. Gibbs asked about the support for the Director of Finance. FYI 1 Administration Cost Center Review Ms. DeLai reviewed the Administration Cost Center. She reviewed the areas of this Cost Center and the basic description of duties in each area which include the Office of the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Business & Finance, Human Resources and Data and Information Management. She stated that Administration comprises 2.3% of the budget and there will be a.5% decrease in the FYI 1 budget which includes no increases for non-union personnel and a reduction in hours of the full-time Central Office Administrative Support Staff. The administration has been looking at ways to decrease costs in contracted services as well as instituting a reduction in supplies and materials and a reduction in advertising and employee physicals. Ms. DeLai answered questions from the committee. She reviewed the questions the School Committee had previously submitted. (See attached).