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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-02-26 School Committee MinutesAPPROVED BY SCHOOL COMMITTEE READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES REGULAR SESSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 26, 1997 CALL TO ORDER Chair Susan Cavicchi called the meeting between the Finance Committee and the School Committee to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All school committee members were present with the exception of Robert Spadafora. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Harry K. Harutunian, Associate Superintendent Dennis Richards, Town Accountant Richard Foley and Town Treasurer Beth Klepeis. FISCAL YEAR 1997 BUDGET ANALYSIS The Chair for the Finance Committee, Steve Blewitt, said they would need to vote on a Reserve Fund Transfer later on. He thanked the School Committee for getting the FinCom involved in the budget process from the start. Dr. Harutunian stated the Reading Public Schools Fiscal Year 1997 Budget Analysis as of February 24, 1997 is reflected in columns A H. A Amount left in each budget area (cash basis, no accruals). B Use of special revenues to offset expenditures (athletics, use of property, METCO, early childhood and smoking cessation) and reimbursement from SEEM. C Projected expenditures using current teacher staff. D Projected expenditures using current educational assistants, tutors and clerical staff. E Projected expenditures using current level of expenditures for custodians, coaches and substitute teachers. F Available balance for expenditures after deduction projected salaries (A minus B, C, D, E, and F). G Except for special needs assumes expenditures will equal remaining available balances. H Projected positive or negative budget impact. Dr. Harutunian stated the administration savings included the hiring of the Administrative Assistant for Personnel, as we just recently hired her. BUDGET MEETING WITH THE FIN COM 2 FEBRUARY 26, 1997 The Superintendent added that he recently found out that Reading is being charged $8,423 for the cost of one student who is attending Minute Man. He indicated we could be charged for seven other students who are going to Minute Man. He stated Reading has a low amount of students now at Northeast Regional, presently costing the school department approximately $90,000. Mr. Blewitt asked if we plan to fix this under a warrant article? Dr. Harutunian said the Town Manager needs to know this week what we are asking for. Mr. White, FinCom member, stated the portable move is not considered in this final amount. Mr. Blewitt suggested three options: 1. Fix within our own budget 2. Reserve fund transfer 3. Town Meeting Mr. Cummings asked if we thought tuition and transportation out could be handled ($164,858) in the Special Needs FY97 budget? Dr. Harutunian said we can do anything we are directed to do. CAPITAL PLAN The Superintendent advised that the Eaton Project is still open with the State. If the Town gives us $350,000, then we can get 66% reimbursement from SBAB. Russ Graham, Chair for the School Building Committee, added an AdHoc group of 4 members wanted to know the total amount of money and expressed their concern that the Town would not be reimbursed. He explained that an override was initiated but it did not pass. The enrollment crunch is about to happen. When asked if the SBC could come up with a plan to get state reimbursement, Mr. Graham indicated that it was decided they could. Dr. Harutunian explained that Eaton would be reimbursed by the state (66 %) and Birch Meadow would not. FinCom member Carol Grimm asked if when Eaton was complete would we get full reimbursement right away. The Superintendent replied he would be in touch with Jim Anderson who will indicate to the him as soon as possible. • Presently the Superintendent does not have a definitive BUDGET MEETING WITH THE FIN COM 3 FEBRUARY 26, 1997 answer. He reiterated that the amount we are looking for at Eaton is $350,000. Ms. D'Antona said the final amount is based on needs of the school. FinCom member Mr. Keigley found it disturbing that the roof at the Eaton tower was leaking. Superintendent replied the leak is through the clock. Ms. Klepeis said $950,000 will be bonded for Birch Meadow and Eaton Projects. Dr. Harutunian gave a short synopsis of the Articles 11, 12, and 13. He explained the $1.8 million dollar high school improvement. High priority areas for this money are as follows: • refinish exterior windows, • upgrade access for A.D.A., • structural repair, • upgrade heating, • upgrade electrical, • upgrade plumbing, • upgrade technology networks, • upgrade HVAC and • upgrade lighting. He added that the Five -Year Progress Report should provide detailed information on action taken to address the following: • provide a status report on the school system's efforts to build a new high school or renovate the existing facilities, including any established timeline and • provide evidence that Rooms C 111, C 112 and C207 have been upgraded to allow for appropriate science instruction Mr. Blewitt expressed concern that if we do something for RMHS now will, it be gone tomorrow. Dr. Harutunian indicated that the plan is to address the elementary enrollment problem. He wants to have the schools balanced at 550. He will come back in the fall for Barrows and RMHS. He noted that DRA says RMHS says it is structurally sound - do we recommend a smaller school or renovate. RMHS needs work now. He expressed a concern about giving the quality of education at RMHS if it is not networked into our budget. Regarding Barrows we need to realize that Killam students at Birch Meadow will be moved to Barrows. BUDGET MEETING WITH THE FIN COM 4 FEBRUARY 26, 1997 Mr. Graham said the issues are: 1. safety, health (mechanics are in bad shape) and 2. when and if we are going to have a new building. Informally he added that the land fill dollars could help pay for a new high school. That needs to be more formally stated. Mr. Keigley encouraged doing things right the first time. Mr. McDonald, FinCom member, said we need a list to prioritize. Dr. Harutunian said the DRA report gives us 1.8M dollars for sprinklers, alarms etc. TECHNOLOGY PURCHASES FY97 Dr. Harutunian reviewed the Reading Schools synopsis for all of the technology purchases. Chair Cavicchi asked about the Alpha Smarts. Dr. Harutunian explained that it is a portable keyboard that allows for information later being transferred to a word processing program. The Superintendent added that $500,000 was spent for computer items, i.e. new, upgrade and a replacement plan. OPERATING BUDGET The Superintendent presented an overview of the FY98 Budget Break Down. FY98 Budget FY97 Budget FY98 Increase over FY97 $21,571,025 - 19,508,006 $ 2,063,019 $553,000 581,000 198,000 113,000 + 40,000 Minimum amount $1,485,000 needed to open in Fall, 1997 fixed costs Negotiated Salary Increases Special Needs Increase Cost of 6 New Teachers at RMHS Cost of 3.4 New Teachers at w/o For. Lang. K -12 Regular Day Per Pupil Increase BUDGET MEETING WITH THE FIN COM 5 FEBRUARY 26, 1997 FY98 increase $2,063,019 FY98 fixed costs - 1,485,000 Amount available $ 578,019 for program enhancement (numbers have been rounded) FY98 Budget Break Down of $578,000 $150,000 Curriculum Initiatives 25,000 2 Elementary Computer and Technology Assistants 96,000 3 Elementary Teachers to Reduce Class Size 25,000 2 Elementary Ed. Assistants to Reduce Class Size 64,000 2 Elementary Instructional Specialists 98,000 Increase in Building Maintenance Account 50,000 2 Building Level Custodians 30,000 District Level Carpenter 40,000 1.25 Middle School Foreign Language Teachers $578,000 Amount of Money Available for K -12 Program Enhancement (numbers have been rounded) Dr. Harutunian advised the contract says RMHS teachers teach 5 classes. If that were changed, it would require negotiations. The contract allows Department Heads to teach 3 classes next year. Mr. Blewitt asked about the $55,000 for contracted services. Dr. Harutunian stated it is part of the salary increases in the $553,000. Mr. Blewitt asked about the $50,000 built into the Special Needs increases. The Superintendent replied that we built in for 2 special education students for tuition out. Mr. Blewitt questioned the $40,000 in the K -12 Regular Day per pupil increase. The Superintendent stated that it was for student supplies, pencils, paper, and the cost of our copier that had to be absorbed. Mr. White asked about the differences in the negotiated salaries and Dr. Harutunian explained the steps and other changes that bring the teacher's salary. BUDGET MEETING WITH THE FIN COM 6 FEBRUARY 26 1997 TIME AND LEARNING The Superintendent stated under Educational Reform's Time and Learning regulations all students are required to be assigned a minimum of 990 hours of instruction for the 1997- 98 school year. He projected a need of one FTE teacher per 100 students per day. These teachers Will be added in the academic areas. SPECIAL NEEDS Dr. Harutunian said a Saturday morning school committee meeting was spent discussing the SPED budget tuition out and transportation. He noted a $581,000 increase in special needs. If we can get it down to 9% we will be the envy to other surrounding towns. He added that school committee will meet with Senator Tisei to talk about these 3 issues: 1. How to get state building access. 2. How to get state reform. 3. What can we do to support some adjustment to special education. CUSTODIAN BUILDING MAINTENANCE CHART Dr. Harutunian said we need to put a healthier environment in our schools. He added that he has the utmost confidence in our new building maintenance director. He noted on the chart that Parker Middle School has been off line for 2 years. He stated they will be going up next year. FinCom Mr. Keigley stated the public is getting a great deal here with the school department giving back to the community. FinCom Chair Blewitt said this still doesn't tell him why there is a $100,000 increase. Dr. Harutunian said the increase was due to the confidence in the individuals, wax, vacuum cleaners, etc. and more space that was added. CURRICULUM INITIATIVES Relative to the budget request of $150,000 for new curriculum, Dr. Harutunian replied that Reading's children are going to be tested on the math, science curriculum and world languages. For the curriculum initiative request for textbooks and instructional materials it was broken down as follows: BUDGET MEETING WITH THE FIN COM 7 FEBRUARY 26 1997 NUMBER OF BIRTHS BY YEAR Dr. Harutunian said the most important information in this packet is the numbers listed for live births for the past seven years. 1990-293 1991-294 1992-282 1993-261 1994-292 1995-334 1996-290 The reasons for doing this change for FY98 are: • Move to balance class size • Move to balance school size • Less stress on (Auditorium, Gym, Cafeteria) and other physical plant • Continue the K -5 elementary schools • Less bussing • No cost for new portables • Reduces the size of Killam • Reduces the size of Birch Meadow • Average "K" size at Birch Meadow will be 21 -22 instead of 26- 26 -26 -26 • Average "K" size at Barrows will be 20- 20- 20- 20 -20 -19 instead of 15- 15 -15- 14 • Average 4th grade class at Barrows will be 18 -18 -19 instead of 28 -27 • Average 4th grade class at Birch Meadow will be 4 @ 24; 1 @ 14 • Average 5th grade class at Birch Meadow will be 22 instead of 27- 27 -28 -28 • Minimum cost to district /town Math Science World Language Totals Elementary 25,692 14,200 Middle 16,100 19,700 19,200 High 21,362 40,990 Textbooks Totals 63,154 74,890 19,200 157,244 Software Math Science Elementary 1,000 500 Middle 1,000 1,000 High 11000 3,000 Software Total 3,000 4,500 7,500 Totals 66, 154 79,390 19,200 164,744 NUMBER OF BIRTHS BY YEAR Dr. Harutunian said the most important information in this packet is the numbers listed for live births for the past seven years. 1990-293 1991-294 1992-282 1993-261 1994-292 1995-334 1996-290 The reasons for doing this change for FY98 are: • Move to balance class size • Move to balance school size • Less stress on (Auditorium, Gym, Cafeteria) and other physical plant • Continue the K -5 elementary schools • Less bussing • No cost for new portables • Reduces the size of Killam • Reduces the size of Birch Meadow • Average "K" size at Birch Meadow will be 21 -22 instead of 26- 26 -26 -26 • Average "K" size at Barrows will be 20- 20- 20- 20 -20 -19 instead of 15- 15 -15- 14 • Average 4th grade class at Barrows will be 18 -18 -19 instead of 28 -27 • Average 4th grade class at Birch Meadow will be 4 @ 24; 1 @ 14 • Average 5th grade class at Birch Meadow will be 22 instead of 27- 27 -28 -28 • Minimum cost to district /town BUDGET MEETING WITH THE FIN COM 8 FEBRUARY 26, 1997 When asked how many students leave the district the Superintendent said that 98% of the students that begin in Reading graduate from Reading. INSTRUCTIONAL SPECIALIST JOB DESCRIPTION The Superintendent advised that the Instructional Specialists will use Standards of Effective Teaching in working with individual teachers and groups of teachers. It is important to note that this is a draft of the job description and will need to be formalized once the positions have been approved in the budget. It will also require negotiations with the bargaining unit. They will remain as teaching positions. He continued by saying the two elementary level - classroom teachers would be used for breaking up larger class sizes at the elementary schools and would be assigned to two of the four grades: • fourth grade at Birch Meadow School, • fifth grade at Birch Meadow School, • fourth grade at Barrows School and • third grade at Killam School. Dr. Harutunian stated that if these positions are approved, they would determine which two of the four needy grades would receive a teacher and the other two grades (if in fact they remain with high enrollments) would be supplemented with the educational assistants that are included in the budget. The instructional specialists will report to their building principal and the associate superintendent. The Superintendent expressed appreciation for this meeting with the FinCom. ADJOURN At 10.20 p.m. Mr. Cummings moved to adjourn to executive session for labor discussion relevant to strategies for union personnel. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Ms Cavicchi Mr. Cummings Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomev Respectfully submitted, Harry. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools