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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-03-15 School Committee Minutes Financial ForumREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts Financial Forum March 15, 2000 CALL TO ORDER Chair Grimm called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. Present were School Committee members Cavicchi, Dahl, D'Antona, Griset, Keigley and Twomey. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian, Town Manager Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager Dean, Town Accountant Richard Foley, Treasurer Beth Klepeis, Board of Selectmen Hines and Nestor and Finance Committee Members McDonald, LeLacher, Grimm, Robinson, Francis, Kurker, Library Board Members Dick Ogden and Maria Silvaggi. Chair Dahl called the School Committee Chair Silvaggi called the Library Board of Trustees to Order The Selectmen did not have a quorum present to call to order. Chair Grimm reviewed the agenda for the evening. Richard Foley reviewed the revenues. Town Manager Hechenbleikner reviewed the FY00 budget adjustments. He advised we would need approximately $612,730 from reserves. Chair Grimm asked if any of the offsetting surplus of $88,000 is left? Richard Foley reviewed the general fund reserves. Chair Grimm asked Richard Foley if he had any sense where we will come in on regeneration. Richard Foley stated that it was too early to tell Dr. Harutunian advised that today he, Selectmen Anthony and School Committee Members D'Antona and Cavicchi attend the special education hearings to testify. He distributed 3 documents to the forum regarding special education. At 8:10 p.m. Selectmen Anthony arrived and the Board of Selectmen called to order. Selectmen Hines asked whether other communities are seeing the same level of special education students coming into their towns or if Reading deals so well with special education issues that it is a sought after community. Financial Forum 2 _ _ March 15, 2000 Mr. Twomey stated that not every town has the numbers, Reading is viewed as a desirable community to live in and people come to Reading for that reason. Mr. Dahl stated that although Reading may handle special education in a way that is more comforting to parents when we compare ourselves to the 10 surrounding communities our numbers place us about sixth. He stated that Reading is not an extravagant community when it comes to special education. Dr. Harutunian advised that we are below the per pupil spending on special education. Dr. Harutunian stated that he is concerned larger class sizes may prompt people to have their child tested and attempt to get them on an IEP. Mr. Nestor stated that he felt money spent on litigation to prevent this would be wisely spent. The Town Manager stated that the Board of Selectmen has selected Lincoln Properties as the designated develop of the landfill. He stated that the proposal calls for a hotel and 350 luxury housing unit, 10% to be affordable housing. Mr. Griset asked what the numbers were estimated to be for school age children residing in the luxury apartment unit. The Financial Forum discussed the two proposals on how to resolve the budget crisis. The Town Manager stated that if the forum is able to reach a conclusion this evening all members should realize that this numbers have not yet been confirmed. At 9:30 p.m. Chair Grimm advised that the Committees would caucus for 15 minutes. Dr. Harutunian discussed the option of going for "pothole money" from the state to cover unanticipated special education costs. Ms. Cavicchi moved that the School Committee support the recommended reduction of $1,041,553 as outlined in the Finance Committee Chair's proposal number one as it appears in the Financial Forum agenda of March 15, 2000. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twomey. At 9:55 p.m. the Financial Forum called back to order. Chair Dahl advised that the School Committee took a formal vote and unanimously supported proposal one. Financial Forum 3 March 15, 2000 Selectmen Anthony stated that the Board of Selectmen came to a consensus for proposal two. Dr. Harutunian advised that he will apply for pothole money this year from the state to cover unanticipated special education costs if necessary. Chair Grimm stated that the Finance Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday and they will make their final decision at that time. Selectmen Nestor stated that the difference between the two proposals is $88,000 he asked that the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee split the difference. At 10:10 p.m. Chair Grimm advised that the Committees would caucus. At 10:25 p.m. the Financial Forum called back to order. Mr. Dahl stated that it was the consensus of the Committee that the Committee had already taken a vote and they were uncomfortable at this point setting an arbitrary compromise figure. ADJOURN At 10.35 p.m. Mr. Twomey made a motion to adiourn. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twomey. Respectfully submitted, Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools