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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-03-23 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts REGULAR SESSION March 23 2000 CALL TO ORDER Chair Dahl called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. in the RMHS Lecture Hall. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Dahl, D'Antona, Griset, Keigley, Twomey and Student Representative Sarah Hardin. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards. Chair Dahl advised that the purpose of tonight's public meeting is to hear input regarding reductions to the school's FY01 budget and the forum would last no more than 2 hours. Dr. Harutunian advised that the agendas are available on the tables and also there is a list of college acceptances for the RMHS Class of 2000. Dr. Harutunian thanked staff and administration for their work in assisting the students. Michelle Carrick asked the Committee to reconsider the reduction of the school nurse and the school psychologist. Susan Kalmakis asked the Committee to reconsider the reduction of the school psychologist. She stated that we need to guarantee the safety of our students. Laura Wilson a parent at the Killam School stated her concern about 4`h grade class size and asked that the Committee have class size as a priority Jim Murphy informed the Committee that he was involved in the user fees in the late 1990s and came this evening to offer assistance and support to the Committee. Nancy Ortiz stated that she was concerned with class size at the elementary level. She also stated that the user fee is low compared to the cost to students in band and drama. Debbie McCulley asked the Committee to reconsider part of the curriculum initiatives cuts and to set aside money for our honor students. Janet Trevor asked the Committee to reconsider the reduction of the school psychologist. She stated the need to have a psychologist in the middle school full time for the students. Linda Snow Dockser thanked the Committee for their work and stated her concern that class size be kept low in the elementary schools. She asked how parents could help. REGULAR SESSION - _ -2- March 23, 2000 Chair Dahl stated that parents who are interested in helping at the school level should contact their principals and work with the school staff. Anne Hardy stated that she felt a family user fee is a fair fee. Ms. D'Antona asked Mr. Murphy for his thoughts on implementing the user fees. Mr. Murphy discussed the user fees and how they were implemented in the early 1990s. Mrs. Cavicchi stated her concern about students who would not participate because they could not afford the fee. Mr. Murphy stated that it would be up to the coaches and the community to work to identify students that may have difficulty raising the money for the user fees. Gael Phillips Spence advocated for sell class size, keeping the school psychologist and the school nurse. She asked for fain and balance K -12. She stated that parents would be willing to help out and they woul, ooking for direction from the Committee. Donna Martinson spoke in favor of keeping the school psychologist and offered assistance to the Committee and the school district. At 8:20 p.m. Chair Dahl closed the meeting to public input. He thanked the audience for their input. He stated that the reductions are all in areas that are critically important and that the Committee would have difficult decisions to make over the next few weeks. Dr. Harutunian reviewed the put back list and the budget reductions for administration, regular day, special education, other services and maintenance. He informed the Committee that the Administrative Council had been working since December on reductions. Dr. Harutunian advised that in addition to reductions, he would be recommending increasing facilities rental fee and implementing user fees to cover the cost of freshmen sports. Dr. Harutunian informed the Committee that he was notified today that revenue projections are off and there will need to be another $31,000 reduction in the school budget. Mr. Twomey stated that the Superintendent has been asked to prepare a proposal adding back the 4.5 elementary teachers which were originally in the budget. At 8:50 p.m. Chair Dahl advised that the Committee would take a short recess. The meeting was called back to order at 9:05 p.m. REGULAR SESSION -3- March 23, 2000 Dr. Harutunian stated that he and the Administrative Council feel that if the elementary teachers are put back then the language arts curriculum should be eliminated. He stated that the cuts need to be equal K -12. Mr. Twomey stated that if you eliminate the 7.5 educational assistants the delta for adding teachers back is approximately $85,000. Mr. Dahl asked whether we could raise lunch fees to generate more revenue. Dr. Harutunian advised that history shows that a small increase in price does not result in any significant increase in revenues and a large increase in price will result in less students buying lunch. Ms. D'Antona asked that a list be put together indicating where educational assistants are assigned throughout the district. a0 Le U.11101 At 10:00 p.m. Mr. Keialey 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. Keialey and Mr. Twomey. Respectfully submitted, Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools