Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-06-17 School Committee Minutes - Financial ForumREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE READING, MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET COUNCIL June 17, 1998 CALL TO ORDER Chair D'Antona called the School Committee to order at 7:33 p.m. at the Senior Center. Present were School Committee members Cavicchi, Dahl, D'Antona and Stohlman. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian, Town Manager Hechenbleikner, Town Accountant Richard Foley and Town Treasurer Beth Klepeis. Chair Anthony called the Selectmen to order at 7:35 p.m. Chair Keigley advised that the Finance Committee had met prior to the Budget Council meeting and had already been called to order. The Library Board advised that they could not call the Board to order at this, time as they did not have a quorum. PEAT MARWICK REPORT Representatives from Peat Marwick gave a presentation on their report regarding Reading Public Schools, Review of Custodial and Maintenance Operations. After the presentation, the discussion was opened to questions from the Budget Council. Selectman Hoyt asked if the recommendation of contracting out for all of the custodial services at a pilot school is implemented would the custodians at the pilot school be shifted to other buildings. Dr. Harutunian advised that there are enough openings so he anticipates that no one will lose their job. The Library Board stated their concern is that if maintenance service at the Library is contracted out the current maintenance staff does more than just clean, they perform ongoing maintenance and questioned how that would be handled with a contractor. Dr. Harutunian advised that an RFP would be issued and the needs of the Library would be written into the RFP. Selectman Hines question whether the only solution looked at by Peat Marwick was hiring additional help and if they had any data on peer groups with less square footage and better results. BUDGET COUNCIL -2- June 17, 1998 Peat Marwick advised that the data was not part of the scope of the study but that the national average is 26,000 square feet per cleaner. Dr. Harutunian stated that the report doesn't just add more staff but states how to get more from current staff including additional training. Selectman Hines questioned why the School Department could not use students in detention to help with maintenance work. Dr. Harutunian advised that using students would be a liability to the School Department. A Finance Committee Member questioned why the School Department is not using motivated students to enter in the outstanding work orders. Dr. Harutunian advised that there are some students working with Jeff Griffin now. Finance Committee Member Grimm stated that Birch Meadow School falls within the 26,000 square foot national average and still needs improvement. She stated that she is worried that shifting around help will create a bigger problem at the elementary schools. Dr. Harutunian advised that in the early 1990's the custodial staff was cut in half and we need more people. He stated that the solution is a combination of additional staff, more training and more tools. Finance Committee Member Keigley stated that the lack of maintenance increases the town's cost over the long run. Mr. Keigley stated that we need to implement this plan and trim the budget elsewhere if necessary. Dr. Harutunian advised that he and Town Manager Hechenbleikner would like to meet with the School Committee to discuss prioritized recommendations and present recommendations to the Budget Council before FY2000 budget begins. Town Manager Hechenbleikner asked the Budget Council if there was any opposition to moving forward with the general direction of the report. BUDGET COUNCIL -3- June 17, 1998 It was decided that Dr. Harutunian and Town Manager Hechenbleikner should meet with the School Committee for prioritized recommendations keeping in mind fiscal restraints. BUDGET PROCESS Town Manager Hechenbleikner passed out evaluation forms for last year's budget process and asked the Budget Council to complete the forms and return them to him. Town Manager Hechenbleikner advised the Council that he and Dr. Harutunian will be developing a 3 -5 year operating budget model including projecting expenses. The model will be similar to the Capital Plan. BUDGET COUNCIL SCHEDULE After discussion, it was decided that the next Budget Council meeting would be held on September 10th. A request was made that either a public address system be added to the Senior Center or the location of the meeting be changed as members are having difficulty hearing. ADJOURN At 9:20 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona and Mr. Stohlman. At 9:22 p.m. the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn. At 9:24 p.m. the Finance Committee voted to adjourn. ectful1 submitted, Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools