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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-01-09 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING BUDGET MEETING JANUARY 9, 1997 CALL TO ORDER Chair Susan Cavicchi called the budget session to order at 7:40 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present with the exception of Matthew Cummings who was expected to arrive later. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Harry K. Harutunian, Associate Superintendent Dennis Richards, Reading Town Accountant Richard Foley, FinCom Chair Stephen Blewitt and member Rocco Nenarella, several Reading citizens and a representative from the Chronicle. Chair Cavicchi asked if the School Committee members wanted to establish a time for tonight's meeting to end. The consensus was 10:00 p.m. She also wanted to thank everyone for their hard work in responding to the budget questions. Dr. Harutuman advised the first day for students to begin classes was established by the School Committee on March 14, 1994, for Wednesday, August 27, 1997. He said if that date is changed it would be Thursday, August 28, 1997. The Superintendent stated the light and sound for the Parker auditorium is in negotiation with the fixture company. He anticipates that he will have the amount when the School Committee meets for the Joshua Eaton Highlights on January 14. ROUTINE BUSINESS BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrant for bills was as follows: December 9, 1996 - Bills - $111,289.50 BUDGET SESSION MINUTES 2 JANUARY 9, 1997 December 16, 1996 January 6, 1997 The warrant for pay December 5, 1996 January 2, 1997 December 13, 1996 - . Bills - $191,997.08 - Bills - $ 32,832.95 rolls was as follows: - Teachers - $618,109.98 - Teachers - $522,148.86 - Biweekly - $153,831.63 FY98 BUDGET DISCUSSION ADMINISTRATION Dr. Harutunian explained the 12% FY98 Administration increase and asked to reinstate the $235,456 figure. Mr. Spadafora moved to reinstate the Administration FY98 budget to $235,456. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. Further explanation was given. The vote was unanimous, 5 -0. REGULAR DAY Dr. Harutunian stated on page 38 the explanation for instructional supplies is on page 40. He added the $75,000 for Collaboratives is for the Chapter I assistants. They are currently being paid through the North Shore Collaborative. Mr. Stohlman asked for an update on the Collaborative money when decisions are being made. The Superintendent explained that the curriculum initiatives are for textbooks and instructional supplies. This is one of the most important amounts in the budget as it gives teachers an idea of what they can plan for their classrooms over the next 5 years. He added in the January 6 memo the curriculum initiative amount of $164,744 is $15,000 below the budget request of $150,000 because the Administrations' believes, that the $15,000 difference can be made up by the BUDGET SESSION MINUTES 3 JANUARY 9, 1997 building principals or through cost saving measures by buying materials (textbooks and instruction) as a district rather than by doing it on a building basis. Dr. Harutunian explained the first line on page 39 being more than the 2.5% increase as it has 10 more work days added in for the middle school assistant principals. Mr. Twomey asked for more backup on the teachers. The Superintendent continued with class size. He noted that any class that is 15 or less students has to be approved by the department head, principal and himself. He outlined some important facts supplied by Principal Orlando in a January 9, 1997 memo. There are 76 teachers reported, counselors and . most of our special education personnel are not included, 45 teachers have 5 or more sections reported, 9 science teachers teach four classes because of the double lab periods, 1 science teacher has no labs and teaches 5 classes, 6 department heads who teach 2 classes per day will be going to 3 next year, 1 athletic director, 2 part-time teachers, 2 teachers in the Achieve program, 2 teachers in American Studies, 2 teachers in the Images class, not expected to be offered in this format in the fall, 4 teachers who were made commitments by Principal Mirkin to have an extra planning period in order to team teach the Humanities course, 1 teacher has a double period for our work program and 2 special needs teachers reported. Mr. Stohlman asked what kind of classes had 15 or less for enrollment. Dr. Harutunian stated if the presentation course is approved it would be an English course. He noted that we would need 1.6 teachers for this course. At 9:00 p.m. Mr. Cummings arrived. Ms. D'Antona stated that to meet the Education Reform Law we need to keep a list of costs for our legislators so when we look at the large picture we will be doing some strategic planning and won't be in this position again. BUDGET MEETING 4 JANUARY 9, 1997 Dr. Harutunian responded to a question from Mr. Blewitt about where changes will be made. In 45 of Principal Orlando's January 9 memo, the department heads will be going to 3 classes per day or .6 teachers and in 99 the reduction will be 2.6 in the Images class. Mr. Cummings asked about the team teachers and wanted to know the FTE at the high school for next year. He asked how many project achieve students are in other classes, per period/per student. He also asked for a list of teachers not carrying a full load. Dr. Harutunian explained that the Parker Middle School 3.4 teacher increase is because of enrollment numbers. The Superintendent recognized Mr. Spadafora's remarks about not moving Foreign Language as quickly as we can and stated we could accelerate next year if School Committee would like. Mr. Spadafora asked if we could move Foreign Language earlier to a lower grade in the middle school. Mr. Cummings asked what the students would be taking under the Answers to World Language Questions memo from Principals Doherty and Delaney dated January 2, 1997. Dr. Harutunian explained the staffing would allow every seventh grade student to take World Language (French or Spanish) three periods in a 6 day cycle for the entire school year. Students would begin their Spanish I or French I experience in Grade 7 and conclude it in Grade 8. There will still be sufficient staffing for 5 sections of a world language in grade 8. Mr. Stohlman asked that average class sizes in middle school be checked further. It was now 10:00 p.m. and there was still Regular Day information to be discussed. The consensus of the committee was to post a meeting for Saturday, January 18th. BUDGET MEETING 5 JANUARY 9, 1997 ADJOURN At 10:05 p.m. Mr. Stohlman moved to adjourn from regular session. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. Mr. Cummings suggested staying to complete more of the regular day. The vote was 5 in favor and 1 opposed, Mr. Cummings. Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey in favor and Mr. Cummings voting against adjourning. spect fully _,submitted, arry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools