Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-01-21 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING PUBLIC HEARING JANUARY 21, 1997 CALL TO ORDER Chair Susan Cavicchi called the public hearing to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Reading Memorial High School Lecture Hall. All members were present. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Harry K. Harutuman, Associate Superintendent Dennis Richards and Town Accountant Richard Foley. There were approximately 50 Reading residents in the audience. Chair Cavicchi informed the citizens that the purpose of a public hearing is to listen not debate with the audience. Killam parent Ellen Mounteer first announced that she supports the Superinten- dent's budget, appreciates the School Committee looking at the elementary enrollment with the addition of 2 teachers, supports Language Arts into the 7th grade, as a volunteer in the school library she supports the 2 technology educa- tional assistants, the commitment to looking at maintenance in the schools and asked if School Committee is planning to cutting more? Chair Cavicchi stated we are committed to the bare bones budget and need to work with the other Town committees. Mr. Twomey stated financial realities do exist. The budget represents a commitment of the School Committee to advance the schools. Mr. Carpenter, Town Meeting member, noted we are still trying hard to recoo- perate from loses we experienced in the 80's. We have a long way to go to get back the electives. The budget is directed to a purpose, our children and property values. High School Council parent Carol Pollett asked what the difference is on tonight's hand out of the budget, page 1. PUBLIC HEARING 2 JANUARY 21, 1997 Dr. Harutunian replied the School Committee's Recommended Budget for 1997 -98 totals $21,579.025 which represents an increase of $2,069,712 or 10.6% over the FY97 budget. The FY98 budget reflects a continued increase in the student population. The school department projects that the Reading Public Schools will see a K -12 enrollment for 1997 -98 of approximately 4,173 students, an increase of 121 students for the fall of 1997. Over the next five years (FY98 -FY02) we project enrollment will continue to increase, adding an additional 404 students. He noted that we will be reimbursed for 2 teachers by SEEM. Other areas such as legal fees were cut, a small amount was cut in awards and 2 Instructional Specialist for elementary moved forward with 2 elementary teachers. Dorothy Casalaro, Parker PTO President, asked about the Capital Plan and expressed concern that the capital needs of the high school were not being met. Dr. Harutunian explained that nothing has changed since the Capital Plan was sub- mitted to the Town Manager. The plan to set dates at the Budget Council meeting tomorrow night at the Senior Center at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Stohlman said the Capital Plan is submitted by the Town Manager for Town Meeting to approve. Before this is done, the School Committee submits a School Capital Plan to the Town Manager. Mr. Twomey stated the 6.5% of the revenues of the Town is allocated to the Capital projects. Another parent, Joanna Bartlett, said she was confused about the relationship of budgets. Where do they go to express their concerns about the capital plan? Chair Cavicchi stated the Capital Plan is a living document. They are hoping the land fill can be sold so we can move the RMHS money earlier in the Capital Plan. The feasibility study suggests $30 million dollars of work to renovate the high school. Other ideas are being considered which would require additional study. PUBLIC HEARING 3 JANUARY 21, 1997 Ms. Bartlett noted it sounds like we are doing nothing for 10 years. Chair Cavicchi added we will get some funding from SBAB if we take care of the heating at the high school. Dr. Harutunian stated land fill would minimize the cost when it is sold. Ms. Mounteer asked if special education noted any savings with the North Shore Consortium or studies on inclusion. Chair Cavicchi stated the School Committee would also like a presentation on inclusion. Dr. Harutuman stated we save money because we are part of the collaborative. There have been 2 placements that have gone to the North Shore Consortium that saved us money. We will know better in a couple of years. Kendra Cooper, a concerned citizen, noted the difficulty SEEM was having financially. The SEEM people are paid by Reading Public Schools. She commented that Reading is paying tuition to SEEM and asked how are we saving money. The Superintendent replied we never paid tuition until this year. We paid for 2 teachers and 2 educational assistants and a $70,000 assessment that paid for our students. After many conversations a merge with North Shore Consortium was considered. At the end of May we had $150,000 in that account. It was decided that since they were paid through Reading Public Schools and offset line should be shown. Ms. Cooper stated maintenance needs more money and that's where she would like to see it spent. Dr. Harutunian said in 1991 -92 school year we were forced to cut our maintenance account. Ms. Cooper asked for further explanation of the FY97 5 nurses for $119,051.73. PUBLIC HEARING 4 JANUARY 21, 1997 Superintendent Harutunian stated the $124,726 included a differential for subs and a slight reduction of the 4 nurses at maximum and 1 at entry level. Ms. Cooper asked if there was a stipend from the nurse account for the Associate Superintendent as their director. She also asked if we had looked at the problem for tax payers and what the unemployment would be. Dr. Harutunian indicated that the Associate Superintendent does not receive a stipend for supervising the nurses. Mr. Cummings stated the cost would be looked at for total compensation. Mr. Stohlman added that the School Committee has a policy when the Administration moves money in any of the five categories: Administration, Regular Day, Special Needs, Other School Services, and Custodial/Maintenance. Changes from one of these five accounts to another must be brought to the School Committee for a vote. Mr. Spadafora stated the changes on the municipal side need Town Meeting approval and our budget needs School Committee approval. Mr. Carpenter also understands Ms. Cooper's concern. He too is concerned over the benefit impacts. By the time the budget is voted on we know the bottom line. We do want the Superintendent to be able to move money around for his needs. This could include significant changes between the actual and what highlights other changes reported to the FinCom. Dr. Harutunian informed the audience that we do that now by reporting major changes in line items to the FinCom quarterly. In response to a question by Ms. Mounteer, Mr. Stohlman stated we are not spending an additional $150,000 on new textbooks we are spending an additional $106,000. PUBLIC HEARING 5 JANUARY 21, 1997 Mary Williams, a Reading parent, expressed her concern about spending money we can get within our own system - make sure we are paying less with our contracted service. Mr. Carpenter said he could provide a copy of the A76 report. For government employees first a cost analysis is done, it is sealed and filed, then they go outside for bids. A service can continue if equal or lower costs and services are provided for within the area. This is accepted throughout the country's businesses under examination. Ms. Williams added many people are watching at home and asked if there was a way the parents could give their input before the budget is created and asked about a call in show for future years during the public hearing. Chair Cavicchi noted that in the fall the Superintendent put together a group of parents from each school to communicate with parents about the budget. Any parent listening tonight could call a member of the School Committee and they will always return their phone calls. Mr. Spadafora stated that the Technology Plan took 2 years to get computers into the schools. Change takes a while. Ms. Cavicchi said not everyone heard the Winchester Hospital presentation. She suggested there would be a public hearing for everyone to hear the Winchester Hospital's proposal and also the nurses. Dr. Harutunian said we are trying to put more money in the hands of the principals for textbook replacement, resource materials and software. We will be building a 5 year replacement plan for textbooks. We will buy as a district rather than as individual schools. This should give us a 10% discount. Concerned parent, Lorraine Horn asked that the Special Needs director look closely at transportation. PUBLIC HEARING 6 JANUARY 21, 1997 ADJOURN At 9:20 p.m. Mr. Spadafora moved to adjourn. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Ms. Cavicchi Mr. Cummings Ms. D'Antona Mr. Spadafora Mr. Stohlman Mr. Twomey spectful submitted, arry ►K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools