2009-01-20 School Committee Minutes

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January 20, 2009 3. Superintendent's Report Superintendent Schettini also attended the MLK event. It was a significant learning experience consistent with the Project Challenge/Rachel's Challenge initiative. 4. Sub-Committee C. Continued Business FY 10 Budget Superintendent Schettini presented the Special Education, Undistributed and Maintenance Cost centers of the FYI 0 Budget. He stated that we must stay focused on the district mission and vision and we may be slowed but not stopped on our path towards excellence. He reviewed how the budget was developed using the directive received at the November Financial Forum to develop a level funded budget and pointed out that the budget is also policy driven. He turned the meeting over to Colleen Dolan, Director of Pupil Services who gave an overview of the Special Education programs. The goal of the Special Education Department is to provide quality services for low costs. Ms. Dolan reviewed the reductions in her budget and shared concerns over the continued escalation of private school tuitions and decreases in the Circuit Breaker reimbursement. She said she was working with state officials on these concerns. Ms. Dolan has reorganized the Special Education department using a team chair concept that has been a very successful. She has been able to bring several students back into the district resulting in substantial savings. Ms. Dolan felt that reductions in the professional development cost center will have an impact on the district. She hopes to be able to use the in-district resources, tapping the staff to teach professional development sessions. Ms. Dolan is also utilizing collaboration - with surrounding districts to share the cost of professional development activities and will continue to use grant monies the district has procured for Professional Development. She discussed the programs we have in our district and that the department is looking to establish more inclusive programs in-district for children that require that kind of setting. Her goal is to keep Reading students in Reading and feels that we offer very competitive programs. We have also been able to tuition in students into 3 of our programs from other districts. Ms. Dolan expects all of these students to return next year and has referrals for more. Ms. Dolan went on to express her concerns regarding the Circuit Breaker reimbursement. There is still question whether we will receive our 4"' quarter payment for this year. We will not know until the next round of 9C cuts from the state. Superintendent Schettini stated that we will have a better idea of future state cuts after this weeks meeting of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents and Massachusetts Municipal Association. Ms. Dolan discussed other funding sources including grants, a Community Partnership Collaborative and donations from area organizations. These resources are used to fund professional and support positions, professional development, instructional supplies and technology. There was discussion regarding the reduction of paraeducators. Ms. Dolan stated that there may be positions lost and she is looking at ways to best use the paraeducators in our classrooms. No determination has been made on how the reductions will be made.