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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-02-26 School Committee Minutes - Financial ForumFinancial Forum February 26, 2003 Parker Middle School CALL TO ORDER Finance Committee Chair Catherine Martin called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. at the Parker Middle School multi - purpose room. Present were Finance Committee Members Charles Robinson, James Francis, Karen Epstein, Dick McDonald, Robert LeLacheur, Andrew Grimes, Randy Mason and Harold Torman. Board of Selectmen Members present were Chair Camille Anthony, Gail Woods, Matthew Cummings and Richard Shubert. School Committee members School Committee members present were Chair William Griset, Susan Cavicchi, Pete Dahl, Carl McFadden, John Russo, and Timothy Twomey. MISSION FOR THIS FINANCIAL FORUM Town Manager, Peter Hechenbleikner stated that the reason for the meeting was to discuss and come to a consensus on the forms and amount of Debt Exclusion(s), Capital Exclusion(s), and/or Proposition 2' /Z overrides(s) for the FY2004 budget. He gave an overview of the FY2004 state budget, highlighting Chapter 70, the Lottery and Transitional Mitigation. Transitional Mitigation is new aid in FY2004 to help offset some of the transitional impacts of rationalizing the Local Aid formulas. Transitional Mitigation will be phased out in FY2005 when full- funding for a new Housing Incentive Program is established. Richard Foley, Town Accountant, gave an explanation of the Projected State Aid for 2004. He went on to give an overview of the Town of Reading Projected Revenues for 2004 compared to the same revenues in 2003, noting a significant decrease ($1,402,211) in Intergovernmental Revenues. Peter Hechenbleikner made reference to the Local Aid Distribution for Reading on Page 14 and 15 of the handout. He gave an overview of Richard McDonald's model for distribution of the FY2004 shortfall. School Superintendent Harutunian stated that the School Department is in the midst of the cut process. He gave an update on the School Building Assistance. The Governor is asking the legislature to give him unilateral control of SBA. Peter Hechenbleikner reviewed the available options under Proposition 2 ' /z. He explained the wording of the ballot questions. Mrs. Anthony asked Beth Klepeis how much a general override would cost each taxpayer. Mrs. Klepeis stated that for every million dollars in the override the cost to the average taxpayer would be $125.00. The average house having a value of $355,000. Peter Hechenbleikner gave an overview of the Levy Limit Override Approach. There was discussion about the "Pyramid" approach. He explained that the voters would vote yes or no on each question in the pyramid and the question with the majority of yes votes wins. Financial Forum - 2 - February 26 2003 Mr. William Brown asked if overrides are good for one year except for the schools. Mr. Hechenbleikner told him that was correct. Dr. Harutunian asked for twenty minutes for each board to review options. At 8:30 Catherine Martin called the meeting back to order. Mrs. Anthony suggested that all the pyramid questions be taken out completely. Everyone agreed. Mr. Rob Spadafora stated a request for a general override would be the best approach for all. Mr. Brown stated people would vote for an exclusion but not for an override. Mr. Michael Sleazak suggested taking a leadership role with a realignment of taxation, urging a general override rather than tax upon tax. It was stated that debt exclusion questions and override questions cannot be mixed on the ballot. At 8:40 the boards again broke into discussion groups. At 8:55 Catherine Martin called the meeting back to order. She asked that one member of each table give the highlights of the discussion. Mr. Grimes stated a general override siting example 3. Mr. Shubert's table had a similar conclusion, one question for an override, keeping it simple but requesting enough money to solve the problem. Peter Hechenbleikner stated a single question for an override or debt exclusion was probably the best way to make sure that it is enough money so that services will not be cut. Mr. Carl McFadden suggested two questions: one override question and one debt exclusion question with equal amounts of money. Dr. Harutunian sited example number two, one question with one number listing all departments. He went on to say that two questions on the ballot have not done well historically. Peter Hechenbleikner stated that the warrant closes on Tuesday. Monday was Town Meeting and no other Board Meetings could be held at the same time Catherine Martin stated that the three Boards would break into groups again and decide on a number for the override. Mr. Dahl made a motion for the Reading School Committee to request an override of $3 million dollars for the school deuartment. Mrs. Cavicchi seconded the motion The vote was 3-03. Mrs. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, and Mr. Griset in favor and Mr. Russo, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Twomey against. Mr. Twomey amended the motion for the Reading School Committee to request a $3.1 million dollar school deuartment override. Mrs Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -1. Mrs. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. McFadden and Mr. Twomey, Mr. Russo voting against. Financial Forum -3- February 26, 2003 Mr. Shubert suggested that they not bring in less money than they need. "Level services" would be good. Gail Woods asked how could we not cut services. Mr. McDonald suggested that the amount be kept under 4 million dollars. Mr. Hechenbleikner stated the number necessary is $4,254,000. This number includes the minimum library hours for certification, no cuts in services and no athletic fees. Mr. Grimes stated that the leadership of the Town should state a number that they need to make the Town work. The people of Reading do not want fewer services. Mr. Russo stated that he is against an override, but he would vote for a debt exclusion. Catherine Martin made a motion to adiourn. Mr. Shubert seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. The School Committee stated they were going to have a short meeting. The Selectmen were also going to meet. Mr. Frances made a motion to adiourn the FinCom. Mr. McDonald seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. At 10:05 Chair Griset called the School Committee back to order. Superintendent gave the School Committee a list of issues needing their attention in the upcoming weeks. Interviews for the Superintendent Search Consultant have been set up for March 11, 2003 starting at 6:00 p.m. The members agreed that they wished to interview all the consultants. Dr. Harutunian suggested that the School Committee hire a Search Consultant as quickly and expeditiously as possible. Mr. McFadden stated that he did not think a consultant was necessary. Superintendent Harutunian stated he needed direction on the redistricting process for the elementary schools. They also need to decide what information would be included in the search brochure. Dr. Harutunian was seeking permission to interview Architects for the high school project. He asked if the School Committee wished to interview all six firms over the course two evenings. They agreed to interview three firms starting at 6:00 p.m. on March 17a' and three firms on March 18th. Each Architect will give a 20 -25 minute presentation then have 20 -25 minutes of questions and answers. The School Committee would arrive at 5:30. Mrs. Cavicchi asked if there was a list of questions. Mr. Twomey will work with Dr. Harutunian to develop the questions. Financial Forum - 4 - February 26, 2003 March 20th will be an alternative date to meet with the Search Consultant if they were not available on March 13', 2003. Mr. Twomey moved to adjourn. Mrs. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0. Mrs. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Twomey, Respectfully Submitted, Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools