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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-09-12 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts REGULAR SESSION September 12, 2000 The Reading School Committee met informally with new teachers and staff. CALL TO ORDER At 7:33 p.m. Chair Cavicchi called the meeting to order in the high school lecture hall. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Dahl, Griset and Twomey. Student representative Jill Macari was also present. Mr. Keigley arrived at 9:10 and Ms. D'Antona arrived at 9:20. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian, Associate Superintendent Richards, the principals and new staff, Director of Facilities Rick Barrett, Director of Extra Curricula Activities, Phil Vaccaro, and Director of Special Education, Steve Gannon. Finance Committee Members McDonald, LaLechuer and Robinson were also in attendance at the meeting. Dr. Harutunian advised that Mr. Keigley and Ms. D'Antona have personal commitments and would be late. Dr. Harutunian passed along Mr. Keigley's and Ms. D'Antona's best wishes to the new staff. The principals introduced the new teachers at each of their schools and Mr. Orlando introduced Mike Scarpitto, Assistant Principal at RMHS. Dr. Harutunian introduced Joe Finigan, Principal at Parker Middle School and Steve Gannon, Director of Special Education. Chair Cavicchi thanked all the new staff and principals for attending this evening's meeting and giving the Committee an opportunity to meet the new staff. Ms. Cavicchi advised that the Committee would be taking a short break. At 8:20 p.m. Chair Cavicchi called the meeting back to order. BILLS & PAYROLL There were no bills and payroll. CITIZENS' INPUT There was no citizen input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian gave a report on the opening of school and congratulated the staff, principals and students for a great opening day. REGULAR SESSION -2- September 12, 2000 FY02 BUDGET Dr. Harutunian distributed budget information to the public and gave a presentation on his proposed FY02 budget. Dr. Harutunian advised that based on revenue projections for this year if there is not an override there will have to be a major reduction to both the town and school budgets. Dr. Harutunian distributed his recommendations for the FY02 budget if an override passes and his recommendations for the FY02 budget if an override is not passed. Dr. Harutunian distributed information regarding the FY02 budget over the FY01 budget without the $424,561 in Chapter 70 money and one with the $424,561. Dr. Harutunian distributed information on the cost history of special education. Dr. Harutunian recommended to the Committee that they request $300,000 of the $424,561 to offset increases in special education. Dr. Harutunian distributed information on the FY02 budget over the FY01 budget including the assumption that the School Committee requests the $300,000 from the Chapter 70 funds. Dr. Harutunian asked the Committee for input on his recommended budget. Mr. Twomey asked what happens to the balance of the $424,561 if the School Committee does not request all the money. Mr. Foley advised that any part of the $424,561 that is not used by the School Committee could be used to set the tax rate. Mr. Twomey stated his concern that if the School Committee does not request the full $424,561, it could have a negative impact on future state funding from the state for the Reading Public Schools. Mr. Twomey asked why it would be to School Committee's advantage to recommend anything less than the $424,561. Dr. Harutunian advised that his reasoning is there is no new revenue coming in to town and the Town Manager has advised that there will be a shortfall in the employee benefit account due to increasing insurance costs. REGULAR SESSION -3- September 12, 2000 Mr. Twomey stated that he wants to be sure that the decision made by the Committee will not adversely effect the funding for next year for the state. He stated that we need to send a clear message to the state that the Reading Public Schools need this funding. Both Dr. Harutunian and Richard Foley stated that the $125,006 could be used to offset the shortfall in the employee benefit account and that because the employee benefit costs appear in the end of the year Department of Education report it would appear that all $424,561 was used in the school department budget. Ms. Cavicchi asked if the $424,561 is one -time money Richard Foley stated that it is part of Chapter 70 it is in the base going forward. Mr. Dahl stated that the Superintendent's recommendation accomplishes two things. First it keeps the money in the school department budget and second it speaks well to the process of working with the town during these difficult financial times. Mr. Griset stated that provided he has the assurance of the Superintendent that his recommendation will not adversely effect future funding for the Reading Public Schools he could support requesting $300,000. Mr. Twomey stated that he had two issues with the Superintendent's recommended budget. First, he stated that user fees were not addressed in the budget and second it does not appear that the cost of inflation was built in. Dr. Harutunian stated that the user fees are usually covered under other services and that the 10.5% increase includes covering the costs of inflation, such as in the per pupil to cover inflation in the regular day program. Ms. Cavicchi asked for input from the public. There was no public input Ms. Cavicchi asked if the Committee had further comments regarding the budget. Mr. Dahl stated that we need to focus on the high school. He stated that more staff is necessary in order to meet increasing enrollments and add necessary courses. Dr. Harutunian advised that any increase under 10.5% would require that he recommend to the Committee that they rescind their previous vote to increase the high school graduation requirements. REGULAR SESSION -4- September 12, 2000 Mr. Twomey stated that the Superintendent's recommended budget is a first draft and does not reflect the fact that we have the opportunity to increase revenue through user fees. He stated that the Committee needs to provide the Board of Selectmen with a budget figure that will move the schools forward. Mr. Twomey stated his concern about not funding the Director of Technology position. He stated that we have made a large investment and cannot allow it to wither away. Mr. Keigley stated that it is premature to bring up priorities tonight. He stated that a number needs to be given to the Board of Selectmen so they can decide on an override. Mr. Dahl stated that if the Selectmen do not put the override on the ballot the School Committee must still present a budget to Town Meeting that moves the schools forward. Mr. Twomey stated his concern about providing a number to the Board of Selectmen that the School Committee has not had input. He stated that once a number is put out for the public even though it may be the Superintendent's recommended budget it will perceived as the School Committee budget. He stated that the number that is given to the Selectmen on September 181h will be the maximum the Committee will be able to ask for and the Committee will not be able to go back with a high figure after we discuss our priorities for the budget. Mr. Keigley stated that he believed the Financial Forum only wants a benchmark figure on September l8tn Ms. Cavicchi asked the Committee their opinion on presenting a budget figure to the Financial Forum on September 181H Mr. Dahl stated that he did not see a budget beyond the Superintendent's recommended budget as being possible this year. Mr. Twomey stated that the Committee needs to recommend to the Board of Selectmen what is needed to move the district forward. He stated that it is the Board of Selectmen's job to determine whether to go for an override and if so for how much. Mr. Griset stated that he would be comfortable moving forward with the Superintendent's recommended budget figures provided that a disclaimer is on the recommendations. Ms. D'Antona agreed with moving forward and putting a disclaimer on the budget. She stated that we need to move the school district forward while recognizing and understanding the needs of the community as a whole. Ms. Cavicchi stated that it appears the Committee is in agreement to move forward with tH the Superintendent's figure with a disclaimer for the meeting on September 18 REGULAR SESSION -5- September 12, 2000 Dr. Harutunian recommended to the Board that at the meeting on September 18th he distribute the information on the goldenrod paper first, the lavender second and pink document would be third. Mr. Twomey stated that he would like the record to reflect that he is not comfortable with the presentation. He stated that he felt the process used by the Superintendent was excellent but that he is uncomfortable presenting to the Board of Selectmen anything other than what is needed to move forward and he is not sure that is the number presented this evening. Ms. Cavicchi asked for input from the public. Mr. Gary Phillips stated that he would like to know what percent of the budget is the school department budget. Dr. Harutunian advised that the school department's budget is approximately 65% of the overall budget. Mr. Phillips stated that he would like to see a more basic math curriculum, more volunteerism and that the Committee should consider eliminating 6t' grade foreign language completely. Paula Perry stated that there is time to fine tune the numbers but we must get the information to the Selectmen that if there is no override we are in desperate trouble. Nancy Stager agreed with Ms. Perry that we need an override. She asked that during these difficult times we need to stay focused on keeping class size down, continuing to fund classroom resource material and continuing to fund professional development. Janice Jones president of the band parents stated that the band parent's organization is unable to purchase new uniforms for the band. She stated that participation in the band has increased and more funding is needed from the school department. Dr. Harutunian advised that he will be presenting to the School Committee some additions to the capital plan particularly in the area of music and band. Pam Chomsky Higgins co presidents of PSST asked that the Committee consider adding more drama courses. She stated that these courses tie in well with the frameworks. Ms. Chomsky- Higgins also advocated for the reinstatement of the fine arts program at RMHS. REGULAR SESSION -6- September 12, 2000 Derek Peterson stated his concern that reasonable class size remain a priority in the schools. Chair Cavicchi advised that the Committee would take a brief recess. At 10:38 Ms. Cavicchi called the meeting back to order and Student Representative Jill Marcari left the meeting. GIFTS Ms. D'Antona made a motion to accept the $500 donation of David Dugan and Atlantic Food Mart with the Committee's sincere thanks. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twomey. Ms. D'Antona made a motion to accept the $1,000 donation of Donald McGown with the Committee's sincere thanks. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dhal, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twomey. Dr. Harutunian advised that enrollment information was included in the School Committee's packet. He stated that the enrollment was down 50 students from the projections and a majority of those students were in kindergarten. He stated that many parents have chosen to send their child to private all day kindergarten. Dr. Harutunian advised that a notice of intent has been filed and a copy included in the School Committee packet. Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on his meeting with the forest commission. Dr. Harutunian advised that the School Committee was scheduled to meet on September 25th and that date had to be changed because the CPDC was scheduled to meet that night and the new school is on the agenda. It was the consensus of the Committee that Chair Cavicchi and Mr. Twomey attend the CPDC meeting. Dr. Harutunian advised that on September 19th Sid Bowen of Earl R. Flansburgh would be meeting with the Committee. The date of September 26th was tentatively set for a School Committee meeting. REGULAR SESSION -7- September 12, 2000 Dr. Harutunian advised that the quarterly personnel report was included in the Committee's packet. HOME SCHOOLING REQUEST Ms. D'Antona moved to approve the home schooling request of Mr. & Mrs. Ryan. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Kerley and Mr. Twomey, MINUTES Mr. Dahl moved to approve the minutes of August 9, 2000. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twomey. Ms. D'Antona moved to approve the minutes of August 28, 2000. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twomey. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 10:50 p.m. Mr. Griset moved to enter into executive session for the purpose of conducting strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with the Teachers' Association, Custodians and Maintenance Workers, Cafeteria Employees, Association of Secretaries and Clerks, Educational Assistants and Nurses and to discuss the possible sale or lease of real estate not to return to regular session. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -09 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twomey. Respectfully submitted, Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools