Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-01-10 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts REGULAR SESSION January 10, 2000 CALL TO ORDER Chair D'Antona called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, D'Antona, Twomey and Williams. Also present were Richard Foley, Town Accountant and Finance Committee Members Robinson, McDonald and LaLacheur. Chair D'Antona reminded the audience that tonight is the eve of the special election and encouraged everyone to vote. Chair D'Antona advised that Mr. Dahl and Mr. Keigley were unable to attend this evening's meeting. CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen input. BILLS & PAYROLL PR51 12/23/99 $804,005.40 W52 12/27/99 $459,176.85 W54 01/03/00 $21,558.16 PR55 01/07/00 $162,771.05 W56 01 /10 /00 $80,596.46 PR49 12/16/99 $649,419.35 W50 12/20/99 $61,568.89 GIFTS Dr. Harutunian advised that Carl and Jill McFadden have made a very generous donation to the athletic department. Dr. Harutunian thanked the McFadden's for their $25,000 donation. Dr. Harutunian asked that the Committee accept the donation. Mr. Twomey made a motion to accept the donation, with gratitude. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Ms. Williams and Mr. Twomey REGULAR SESSION -2- January 10, 2000 SUPERINTENDENT'S AND LIAISON REPORT Dr. Harutunian advised that a meeting was held at the Joshua Eaton School regarding how to solve the enrollment and class size issue. After discussion, the parents present felt the best solution to the problem would be the elimination of the computer lab. Dr. Harutunian thanked the Joshua Eaton parents for their work and effort on the computer lab. Dr. Harutunian advised that he has received a request from Lisa Pittella to modify the media center to accommodate the computers. Dr. Harutunian stated that he believed the meeting on Friday went very well and thanked the Committee and the Building Committee for their support. He stated that he hopes that the information is out there and available to the public. Dr. Harutunian thanked the community for coming to the school department and requesting further information. Dr. Harutunian also stated that he was impressed with the camera work on Friday evening, he commended and thanked RCTV for their work on Friday. In reviewing the questions posed by Boards, Dr. Harutunian asked if Wednesday evening an attempt could be made to go through all budgets on Wednesday and cancel the Thursday meeting. Chair D'Antona asked if we would we be able to notify groups that the Thursday meeting would be cancelled. Dr. Harutunian advised that he would notify the newspapers and contact RCTV and ask them to run a message. FY01 SPECIAL EDUCATION BUDGET Chair D'Antona thanked the members of the Finance Committee, Richard Foley and the members of the parents budget group for attending this evenings meeting. Dr. Harutunian addressed the questions asked by the Committee regarding the special education budget. Page 60 — Please explain the 67% increase in differentials. On June 24`h the School Committee increased two stipends to bring it in line with other departments. The Assistant Director of Special Education and the Director of Preschool would receive stipends. REGULAR SESSION -3- January 10, 2000 Why the additional differential for $3,868? Dr. Harutunian advised that after discussion with the high school principal, we felt an addition of $3,868 for a stipend for a special education department head is justified. He stated that special education is the largest department and does not have a department head. The high school principal felt this would be important for representation at meetings, etc. Mr. Twomey asked if the Director of Special Education deals only with programmatic issues and beside the number of people in the department what is the rationale for the Special Education Department Head? Dr. Harutunian advised that we have 17 people and outside of asking the high school principal to go in to talk to the 17 people about their budget, the IEP of a child, etc. there is no one coordinating in the department. It is the magnitude of the department that makes us feel we need a representative. Mr. Twomey asked if this need is more urgent today than it was three years ago. Dr. Harutunian advised that due to the increase in high school staff, yes the need has increased. When there are department head meetings there is someone speaking to all issues except special education. Special education students make up approximately 13% of the student population. Mr. Twomey asked who would take the position. Dr. Harutunian advised that a special education teacher would take the position. Ms. Williams stated that it sounds as the department head would be the one who ensured that things don't fall through the cracks. Please explain the drop in physical therapy. Dr. Harutunian stated that the Committee transferred money out of the physical therapy account money to the salary account due to the hiring of a physical therapist that saves us money. Explain the increase in Deaf Services Dr. Harutunian advised that if you look at the actual expenditures for FY99 they were greater than the budget and the needs of students have increased and additional funding is necessary. REGULAR SESSION -4- January 10, 2000 Ms. Cavicchi asked if this translates to an increase in the number of students needing this service or students who have worsening problems. Dr. Harutunian advised that it is combination of both. Please provide actual expenditures to date for the FY00 budget. Dr. Harutunian advised that tuition public was budgeted for $892,628 and as of December 31St we have spent $476,640 leaving balance $426,487. We have used approximately 53% of the money in that account. Tuition private was budgeted for $801,365 and as of December 315` we have spend $512,984 leaving balance $288,380. We have used approximately 64% of the money in that account. Dr. Harutunian distributed information on the FY95, 96, 97 and 98 state average for per pupil. He stated that if Reading put as much money into the school department as state average we would see an additional $3.7 million in the budget. Mr. Twomey asked why there was a large spread in the years. Dr. Harutunian advised that the FY97 numbers are suspect. He stated that record keeping was not good enough to start to try to- reconcile the issue. Dr. Harutunian distributed a chart showing comparable communities special education information. He stated that he felt this information was suspect due to different variables. Ms. Cavicchi stated that the number of out of district students jumped significantly. Dr. Harutunian stated again that the FY97 numbers are suspect Mr. Twomey asked if the special education budget is increasing because the number of special education students is increasing Dr. Harutunian stated that the special education population remains at approximately 13%. Mr. Twomey asked how many students will be special education students next year. Dr. Harutunian advised that approximately 700 -800 students out of 4,300 would be special education students. REGULAR SESSION -5- January 10, 2000 Mr. Twomey stated that as a Committee we need to approach the state and work towards alternative funding of special education. He stated towns can no longer bear the costs of special education alone. Mr. Twomey stated that he is not looking to eliminate services for students but to make them more cost effective and seek assistance from the state in paying the costs. Mr. McDonald asked if the state increased funding for special education would they decrease funding in another area. Dr. Harutunian advised that Mr. McDonald's question was legitimate and that could well be the case. F-I Mel 01 W At 9:30 p.m. Ms. Williams made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Respectfully submitted, Harry . Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools