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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-10 Board of Selectmen Minutes Joint Meeting School Committee Board of Selectmen FINCOM Date: September 10, 2012 Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: Coolidge Multipurpose Room Board of Selectmen Members Present Staff Members Present Steve Goldy, Chair Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager James Bonazoli Bob LeLacheur, Assistant Town Manager Ben Tafoya, Vice Chair Sharon Angstrom, Town Accountant Rick Schubert John Arena School Committee Members Present Staff Members Present Karen Janowski John Doherty, Superintendent Hal Croft Patty de Garavilla, Assistant Superintendent Chuck Robinson Arrived at 7:28 p.m. Mary DeLai, Assistant Superintendent Lisa Gibbs Alison Elmer, Director of Student Services Chris Caruso Rob Spadafora Conner Traugot, Student Representative FINCOM Members Present David Greenfield, Chair Barry Berman, Vice Chair Mark Dockser Jeanne Borawski Hal Torman Paula Perry Visitors Mary Grimmer, resident Nadine Wandzilak, Reading Patch Melissa Koster, resident Tom Ryan, Resident Barbara Jones, Reading Chronicle Bill Brown, Resident Mr. Goldy called the Board of Selectmen to order at 7:30 PM. The School Committee had already been called to order as they began their meeting at 7:00 PM Continuation of Elementary Space Study Discussion Dr. Doherty provided an overview of the discussions the School Committee has had regarding the elementary space study. He pointed out that programmatic changes are driving the need for space in the elementary schools. Creation of additional full day kindergarten classrooms, special education district programming, the maintenance of adequate class size, the growth of the RISE Preschool program and the desire for dedicated art and music classrooms have contributed to the need for additional space. The commitment to support Fine Arts programing, space for future programs such as science & engineering, foreign language and 21St Century skills are other contributing variables. Dr. Doherty provided an overview of the elementary school Board of Selectmen Minutes— September 10, 2012 —page 2 enrollment, reviewing the kindergarten and preschool space needs. He shared that the need for space has been created by a combination of the desire for additional full day kindergarten and preschool classes, an increase in Special Education In-District programs and the desire to maintain adequate class sizes and have dedicated art and music spaces. Dr. Doherty cleared up misconceptions regarding the RISE preschool program. It is an integrated preschool program that services students starting at age 3. The preschool must maintain a 51%-49% ratio with a class size of 15. The enrollment is constantly changing during the course of the year as children requiring services turn 3 years old. If Reading did not have an integrated preschool the district would have to outplace students to fulfill their special education needs. Mr. Greenfield called the Finance Committee to order at 7:45 p.m. Dr. Doherty turned to the decision to offer full day kindergarten to all students and the implementation of the process. He reminded the boards that this is an educational decision. It is in the best interest of the children. He provided information on the benefits of full day kindergarten for all students both academically and social/emotionally. The Superintendent also is cognizant of the impact full day kindergarten will have on the budget. Ms. DeLai reviewed the financial impact of free full day kindergarten. There would be an increase in the Chapter 70 funding for 320 free full day kindergarten students and the cost of implementing full day kindergarten for all would include the addition of teachers and para- educators and 4 classrooms. Mr. Greenfield asked for Chapter 70 funding clarification. Ms. DeLai indicated that the town would not see the increase in funding until FYI 5. She added that there were funds available from all-day kindergarten that would help bridge the gap in that first transition year, but that the additional budgetary impact for the first year could be approximately $625K. Mrs. Perry asked about second year cost. Ms. DeLai said the staffing cost would remain the same but there would need to be an increase in the operating budget to cover the offset. Mr. Bonazoli asked about kindergarten enrollment. Dr. Doherty said there has been a steady increase in the enrollment for full day kindergarten. He also said that we see enrollment increases entering grade 1 from children that are coming from other settings. Mr. Arena asked if the assumption that 95% of eligible kindergarten students attend Reading Public Schools. The answer was yes. Ms. DeLai reviewed the space needs. Assuming RISE was not using their current spaces, an additional 10 to 12 classrooms would be needed for the program. She stated that in determining whether to lease or buy modular classrooms, there appears to be a "break even" point of approximately three years. If the town plans to use the modulars for three years or more, buying them makes more financial sense. If the town plans for use them for less than three years, renting them might be the better option. Dr. Doherty interjected that we are hoping to offer a five full day preschool option with before and after care. Board of Selectmen Minutes— September 10, 2012—page 3 Mr. Berman asked about staff increases at the RISE Preschool. Ms. DeLai said it would depend on enrollment. Mr. Bonazoli asked what the highest RISE tuition is. The highest tuition is 4 full days at $630/month. He asked if we needed to offer tuition based preschool. If we did not offer an integrated preschool the district would have to outplace students for services. Ms. DeLai reviewed the MSBA funding scenario. MSBA has not funded a PreK-K building in the past. The MSBA has worked with school districts to expand existing facilities for PreK-K. The District would need to file a statement of interest stating the problem. Core educational space would be the only reimbursable areas. Each request is reviewed on a case by case basis. She shared information on the North Andover preschool center and discussed the cost of constructing a new school to replace Killam. The cost for this project would be approximately $21 - $23 million. She then shared information on the cost of a modular building to be used for PreK-K. The cost for the building only would be $9 - $11 million. The cost of leasing of modular classrooms would be $15,000/year and an additional $20,000 - $30,000 for site preparation per modular. The district could gain 2 additional classrooms and feels permanent modular construction is preferable to leasing. Ms. DeLai presented information of Full Day Kindergarten Competitive Grant Funding. One grant opportunity would be for transitioning to full day which would be $10,000 per half day classrooms and the other is Quality Full Day K grant which would award $10,000 per full day classroom. Dr. Doherty provided information received from a recent kindergarten survey sent to families via Edline and reviewed the short term and long term options. If nothing is done to resolve the space dilemma we will continue to implement the Superintendent's option and dealing with increased class sizes. Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner then reviewed the steps/factors for decision making implementation of full day kindergarten. Included are the School Committee's decision to implement FDK for all, the establishment of a School Building Committee, modifications to the Capital Plan and a multiyear plan to the operating budget. He went on to review the general steps and which board actions would be needed. He reviewed a decentralized scenario, which involves additional classroom space at each building and then a centralized scenario which would involve a separate PreK-K structure. The centralized scenario would take longer and he cautioned that we would have to be sure to include all needs in the cost estimates. Mr. Hechenbleikner estimates total capital costs in the $1 M range. He cautioned the group that the Library and Killam projects are looming. He also reminded the group that there is $400,000 in the FYI capital plan for modular classrooms. Mr. Greenfield voiced concerns about the irresponsible US Congress and looming tough financial decisions that will be required. Cuts are likely to put more pressure on State budgets to fill the voids and in turn on local budgets. Financial markets are going to force Congress to make difficult decisions at the same time Reading would be committing to expanding programs. Mr. Arena asked if the Chapter 70 funds were an all or nothing. The answer was yes. Board of Selectmen Minutes— September 10, 2012 —page 4 Melissa Koster, resident, asked if the decision to offer FDK to all is final. Dr. Doherty said that the School Committee has authorized the administration to develop a strategy for implementation but no timeline is in place. Mr. Hechenbleikner said there is a lot of information and the decision needs to be looked at thoroughly. He feels it is a community decision and does not feel that implementation in the fall of 2013 is feasible. Mr. Goldy asked about the funding. Mr. Hechenbleikner indicated there are a couple of sources through free cash and possibly the stabilization fund. Mr. Schubert asked when the high school bonds will be paid in full and then asked if there was any wiggle room in the enrollment numbers. There are no signs of significant growth at this point. The district is using the moderate growth numbers. Mrs. Janowski asked about the creation of a School Building Committee. Mr. Hechenbleikner feels this is the direction to go. There are many decisions to be made and we can't jump right in without looking at all of the data. Mr. Robinson agreed that a School Building Committee should be formed but the decision to implement FDK should not be tied into that. Mr. Hechenbleikner agreed that the decision is ultimately the School Committees but would like full information before making any decisions. Mary Grimmer, resident & Owner-Little Treasures School, feels these decisions are hurting small businesses in town. She does not think FDK and RISE should be considered together. She feels there are many quality and qualified preschools in town that can provide special education services required by law. She agrees that FDK is great for the community. Mrs. Janowski thanked Mrs. Grimmer for her input. Dr. Doherty pointed out that whatever decisions are made we will need additional space for the 2013-14 school year. Mr. Schubert cautioned that due to the complexity of the problem enough information should be gathered and communicated to the community. He does not want to be put in a position that the community does not support whichever direction is taken. Ms. Perry feels there are some good resources for space in town. The Superintendent agreed and said that he and the administration were investigating space options in town. Mr. Berman is in favor FDK but feels that we need to look at every option available. We need to take our time determining the direction we should go as a community. Mr. Hechenbleikner feels we need to investigate both a FDK solution and an Early Childhood Center solution. There is $400,000 in the FY13 capital plan for modular classrooms. Board of Selectmen Minutes— September 10, 2012—page 5 The discussion turned to the creation of a School Building Committee. The town had a successful model in the past. The Town Manager indicated a warrant article would need to be created for the Fall Warrant. He thinks the Committee should be established following similar criteria as a normal committee with a purpose and 3 year terms. Mr. Croft shared a website (nea.org) that had information on the benefit of full day kindergarten. Mrs. Gibbs felt that both options (full day kindergarten for all and PREK-K Center) should be explored. Mr. Robinson feels it is important to move quickly getting the information to the community. Mr. Greenfield reiterated his budgetary concerns. Mr. Dockser would like to look at as many options as possible. Ms. DeLai shared information on the make-up of a School Building Committee from the MSBA website. Dr. Doherty once again reviewed the reasons we are in a space crunch—programmatic changes and the district's ability to retain special education students in district by creating appropriate programs. Mr. LeLacheur reminded the group that the warrant closes on the 25th and feels a broadly stated article to establish the School Building Committee will be adequate. A motion by Goldy seconded by Bonazoli for the Board of Selectmen to adjourn at 8:35 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully Submitted \'&j Secretary NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting.