Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-03-14 Finance Committee Minutes Finance Committee Meeting March 14, 2007 The meeting convened at 7:35 p.m. in the Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Present were Chairman Andrew Grimes, Vice Chairman Chuck Robinson, Massachusetts. Fincom members Marsie West, George Hines, Michele Williams, Hal Torman and David Greenfield and Ron Powell. Also present were Paula Schena, Superintendent of Schools Pat Schettini, School Director of Human Resources and Finance Mary DeLai, School Committee members Elaine Webb, Lisa Gibbs, David Michaud and Christopher Caruso. School Committee Chairman Elaine Webb called the School Committee meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Andrew Grimes indicated that the Finance Committee will be reviewing the School Department budget this evening. Elaine Webb noted that the budget process has been a long process from October to April. She noted that the FY08 budget has the second lowest percentage increase in the last five years. Mary DeLai reviewed the responses to the Finance Committee’s questions. She noted that in contractual services there is a 2% increase for payment of the grant writer. Pat Schettini noted that the grants focus on specific things and it doesn’t mean the money goes into increasing the budget. Mary Delai noted that the increase in postage is due to the increase the USPS will be implementing starting May 1, 2007. The 65.9% increase in technology is due to moving it from the individual building budgets to the School Building Leadership. The 14.9% increase in the Technology Staff salaries is due to reclassifying positions to Computer Technicians. The FY08 budget represents a full year, where the current budget didn’t. The 6.1% increase in the Educational Assistant salaries reflects the collective bargaining agreement. George Hines asked how many positions are maxed out on steps. Mary DeLai noted that there are very few Educational Assistants on the top step and approximately 30% of the teachers are on the top step of 13 steps. George Hines suggested offering 2% increases for future contracts. Pat Schettini noted that Reading teachers are in the lower end of the scale compared with other towns. Hal Torman noted that there is no kindergarten tuition increase from FY07 – FY08 and no corresponding offset from the revolving funds. Pat Schettini noted that there was an increase in RISE. Mary DeLai noted the increase in instructional materials is due to consumables that have to be replenished each year and the instructional equipment is the copier equipment. Chuck Robinson asked why it was such a large increase and Mary DeLai noted that they are charged by the number of copies and the rate. Mary DeLai noted that the differentials are being charge to the teacher salary line rather than the differential line. The nurse’s salary represents the most recent offer in negotiations. The supplies and equipment in RISE have been incorporated in the Special Ed budget. The amount of hearing services is up. Pat Schettini noted that when a child moves from elementary to middle school that each teacher and room needs equipment. Also, the Special Ed supplies have been moved to the Special Ed budget. In athletic services the expenses have been moved from the equipment line to supplies. George Hines asked if the revolving funds are being used to pay for the lights. Pat Schettini noted that revolving funds can only be used for what they are designed for. Money from ticket sales, etc. was used for installing lights and this will be a revenue producer. Mary DeLai noted that cleaning services is up 14.5% due to an increase in the contract. Travel reimbursement is up 602% because there are three people traveling to all the buildings. In energy management expenses, natural gas consumption is approximately 10% below the last six years average. Pat Schettini noted that regarding legislative changes there will be changes in NCLB. Ron Powell asked if the primary source of funding is Title 1 or Title 2. Pat Schettini indicated both. Mary DeLai reviewed a chart comparing per pupil expenditures with neighboring districts. Pat Schettini passed out a list of what is not in the budget. He noted that there is no funding this year for the Health and Wellness Teacher so they used the money from the retirement of a teacher. He noted that grants bring in people for a limited time and then they decide whether or not to keep that position and put it in the budget. George Hines indicated he would like to see the Health and Wellness Teacher kept in the budget. Pat Schettini indicated that if they had the money he could not guarantee it would be used for that position. Marsie West asked if the salaries on this list included the cost of benefits and Pat Schettini indicated it is only salary. Andrew Grimes asked if they had LLD Special Ed if it would eliminate out of district placements. Pat Schettini indicated he did not know. Michele Williams asked if the list of items not in the budget was prioritized and Pat Schettini indicated it was not. A motion by Gibbs seconded by Caruso for the School Committee to adjourn their meetings at 9:30 p.m. was approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Linda Phillips noted that Reading’s per pupil expenditure has increased $800 from FY05 – FY06. She noted that Reading does not bus and that is approximately $500 per pupil. She also noted that not all of the money in the revolving funds is being spent. A motion by West seconded by Torman to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 p.m. was approved by a vote of 8-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary