HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-01-14 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Reading, Massachusetts
REGULAR SESSION January 14 1998
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Twomey called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. in the
Superintendent's conference room. Present were School Committee
Members Cavicchi, Stohlman, Twomey and Williams. Also present
were Superintendent Harutunian, Associate Superintendent
Richards, Selectman Hines.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Dr. Harutunian briefed the School Committee on new legislation
for special education, it appears that Reading will gain $65,000
from the new funding formula.
Dr. Harutunian advised that the School Size and Enrollment
committee will meet with the School Committee at 7:30 p.m. on
February 5th.
Ms. D'Antona arrived at 7:45 p.m.
MAINTENANCE BUDGET
Dr. Harutunian went over questions pertaining to the Maintenance
Budget. Heating oil went up 11.5% because of higher bid prices
for barrels of oil. Water supply /sewer increased 200, that
figure came from town hall. Electricity account, expecting some
energy savings from the CB project at the high school but an
increase due to increased space at Parker. The building
equipment rental is missing because it has been moved into the
building maintenance account. The equipment rental account was
for rental of mops and should be rolled into the general building
maintenance account.
Chair Twomey asked to confirm whether still want to spend $20,000
on Coolidge tech ed room even though there is the possibility of
major renovation to Coolidge.
Dr. Harutunian advised that, yes, still want to renovate tech ed
room.
Mr. Stohlman questioned what the administrative expense are on
page one and the service consultants expense.
REGULAR SESSION -2- January 14 1998
Dr. Harutunian advised that if the maintenance staff can't
resolve a problem, they call in service consultants to assist.
Dr. Harutunian advised that he would get back to the Committee
with further information of the administrative expenses.
At 8:10 p.m. Finance Committee Keigley arrived.
Mr. Stohlman stated that it is important to him to know what the
principals' unfunded requests are and he would like information
on all requests put in by principals whether they fall under
capital or operating budget.
Dr. Harutunian distributed to the Committee additional
information on the replacement computer for the SPED director.
Chair Twomey asked when we originally bought the computers for
the IEP program, were they bought for everyone that needed them.
Dr. Harutunian advised that everyone with the exception of the
SPED director received a computer for the IEP program.
Ms. Williams asked whether the money for computers from town
meeting could be used.
Dr. Harutunian advised that money is for instructional computers
only.
Mr. Stohlman stated that the new computer should have a high
capacity floppy drive for archiving records.
HEALTH BUDGET
Dr. Harutunian advised that he is requesting to use part of the
$53,000 currently in the contractual services account to hire an
additional nurse. He advised that the ratio should be 1 to 750
and we are currently at 1 to 824.
ATHLETIC BUDGET
A discussion was held regarding non - athletic stipends for extra
curricula activities. It was noted that a very small amount of
money is spent on non -high school extra curricula activities. A
question was raised whether the School Committee should put more
money in to assist lower levels with extra curricula activities.
REGULAR SESSION -3- January 14, 1998
Dr. Harutunian advised that to gather the information that was
requested such as what activities children are participating in,
how much money we devote to the activity and how much money the
participants are required to devote to the activity will be
very time consuming. It was decided that to be prepared for next
year's budget, all the information requested above will be
provided to the School Committee.
Ms. Williams questioned why there is no money in the medical
supplies account.
Dr. Harutunian advised he will check into this matter and get
back to the Committee with the information.
FOOD & SERVICES BUDGET
There were no questions raised regarding the food and service
budget.
ADJOURN
Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to adjourn at 9:30 p.m. Ms. D'Antona
seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms.
D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams.
R spectfully submitted,
Harry Harutunian, Ph. D.
Superintendent of Schools