Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-01-08 School Committee MinutesReading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session January 8, 2003 CALL TO ORDER Chair Griset called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee members Cavicchi, Griset, McFadden, Russo and Twomey. Mr. Dahl arrived during executive session. Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards were also present. EXECUTIVE SESSIOIN At 7:00 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi moved to enter into executive session for the purpose of conducting strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with the Teachers' Association, Secretaries & Clerks, Nurses, Custodial Maintenance Workers, Cafeteria Employees, Educational Assistants, Administrators including the Supeirntendent, Associate Superintendent, the high school principal, the Coolidge and Parker principals, the Barrows, Birch Meadow, Eaton and Killam principals, the two assistant high school principals, the Coolidge and Parker assistant principals, the Directors of Special Education, Food Services, Athletics, Nurses and Facilities, the Assistant Director of Facilities, the Secretary to the Superintendent and the Administrative Assistants for Finance, Personnel, curriculum and Central Office. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Griset, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. CALL BACK TO ORDER Chair Griset called the meeting back to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Dahl, Griset, McFadden and Russo. Mr. Twomey left executive session to attend the School Building Committee. Ms. Martin, Mr. McDonald and Ms. Epstein of the Finance Committee were in attendance at the meeting. Also present was Town Accountant Richard Foley. CITIZENS INPUT There was no citizen input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian distributed revised pages 10 and 11, a revised budget calendar and a revised School Committee calendar and the budget questions. At 7:40 p.m. Mr. Twomey returned to the meeting. Regular Session 2 January 8, 2003 Dr. Harutunian described the process used to put together the FY04 budget. Dr. Harutunian acknowledged and thanked the budget parents. Dr. Harutunian then reviewed the Superintendent's Recommended budget page by page and answered the questions submitted by the seven individuals distributed earlier. Dr. Harutunian distributed the FY01 per pupil expenditures for the Middlesex League. Town Accountant Foley outlined the end of the year state report and how it compares the money spent on schools by each town. Dr. Harutunian distributed the charts showing the breakdown of administration, regular day, special needs, other school services and custodial maintenance for the last eight years total dollars spent and the percentage of the overall budget. Dr. Harutunian explained that the School Committee budgets go out so early that we are using actuals from two years ago so fluctuations occur. Dr. Harutunian stated that salaries change for many reasons, teachers moving columns and steps, equity adjustments that brought non -union employees up to the average of the Middlesex League salaries, he stated that non -union employees are on probation for 3 years and in the fourth year they are brought up to the average. Town Accountant Foley stated that salaries are budgeted by taking a one payroll snapshot to determine everyone's annual salary. He stated that this year the payroll used was sent to the administrative office for review to be sure we had all positions listed. He stated that he then takes the payroll and applies steps and a percentage increase. He stated that there are personnel changes from that time including retirements and column moves. Dr. Harutunian stated that the Director of Special Education is still a probationary employee and his salary went up 6% because of excellent performance and the fact that we are moving him to average over the next few years. Dr. Harutunian stated that every salary is negotiated and approved by the School Committee. Dr. Harutunian stated that the athletic transportation costs rose because we are going in to a year when the contract will have to be renegotiated. Dr. Harutunian distributed the per pupil for elementary, middle and high school principals from 1997 to present. He stated that the per pupil has not increased. Dr. Harutunian asked the Committee if they felt it would be helpful to bring our special education attorney to a meeting for one hour to give the Committee an opportunity to have special education questions answered by the attorney. Regular Session 3 January 8, 2003 It was the consensus of the Committee that Dr. Harutunian come back to the Committee with a cost for bringing the attorney to a meeting. Dr. Harutunian stated that the policy manual cost was done prior to education reform and that the Committee felt we can't hold students and staff accountable for rules and regulations that are out of date. Ms. Elaine Webb asked about the increase in the line for media for the high school. Dr. Harutunian advised that the high school hired a new media specialist and new equipment is needed. At 9:05 p.m. the Committee took a short recess. At 9:10 Chair Griset called the meeting back to order. Mr. McFadden asked how is responsible if a parent is driving their special needs child to school and there is an accident. Dr. Harutunian advised that the individual drivers personal insurance. Ms. Epstein asked how many unanticipated special education students are included in the FY04 budget. Dr. Harutunian advised that there are 2 unanticipated private and 2 unanticipated public tuitions and 4 transportation costs. A member of the audience asked what the percentage of students in special education is. Dr. Harutunian advised that approximately 13% of the students are special education students. Ms. Webb asked why coaches' salaries have increased 10 %. Dr. Harutunian advised that the increase is due to steps and a 3.5% increase. Mr. Dahl asked if the budget offset revenue includes fees for rentals. Dr. Harutunian advised that it includes fees for rentals but not the cost for custodians. M Regular Session 4 January 8, 2003 Mr. McFadden asked if a balance must be kept in the revolving account. Mr. Foley stated that there did not have to be a balance but in the past that money had been used to cover facilities' emergencies. Mr. Russo stated that he would like to see a profit and loss statement for the lunch program. Dr. Harutunian advised that he would have the Director of Food Services provide a profit and loss statement. Mr. McFadden stated that he would like the School Committee to meet with the RMLD to request a refund and a discount on future changes. After discussion it was the consensus of the Committee to bring the issue up at the next financial forum meeting. ADJOURN At 10:15 p.m. Mr. Dahl moved to adiourn. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. Respectfully submitted, Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools