HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-01-04 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Reading, Massachusetts
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES
SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING JANUARY 4, 1996
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Susan Cavicchi called the Special Budget Meeting to order in the Superintendent's
Conference Room at 8:00 p.m. All members were present with the exception of Matthew
Cummings and Timothy Twomey who were expected to arrive later. Also present were Superin-
tendent Dr. Harry K. Harutunian, Associate Superintendent Dennis Richards, Finance Committee
Representative Steve Blewitt, Town Accountant Richard Foley and a Chronicle reporter.
Superintendent Harutuman stated he will meet with Mr. Blewitt to discuss his letter of January 4,
1996 regarding the School Department's request for $500,000 for technology.
SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDED BUDGET FOR FY 97
Dr. Harutunian handed out the FY97 Administration Section replacement pages that include the
School Committee's requested changes. He also replaced pages 50 -55 FY96 Personnel by School
and pages 40, 41 and 43 of the FY97 Special Education Program.
SPECIAL EDUCATION DISCUSSION
The Superintendent explained there were a number of teachers paid through the 94 -152 Grant in
FY96. Dr. Harutunian was asked by Ms. D'Antona to identify and provide the back -up
information for the five people who were effected.
Part of the difficulty in getting people to substitute in Reading, the Superintendent stated, is
because we are one of the lowest paying in the area.
Chair Cummings asked to have the Regular and Special Education substitute time broken down.
The Superintendent noted that an asterisk should also be placed by teachers and tutors, as they
are projections.
The Chair also requested the Medicaid program indicate what percentage the School Department
actually saves the Town.
Dr. Harutunian stated all Special Education students should be in the FY97 special education
section of the budget not in regular education.
SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING 2 JANUARY 4, 1996
When Dr. Harutunian was asked questions about SEEM tuition he stated he would be meeting
with the SEEM people next week and will review their tuition costs.
In order to compare every year, Mr. Stohlman suggested another asterisk beside transportation on
Form D.
Dr. Harutuman replied to the request where anticipated itinerant services occur be placed in
another column identified as ANTICIPATED AMOUNT REQUESTED FROM SPRING
TOWN MEETING.
ADJOURN
At 9:55 p.m. Mr. Spadafora moved to adjourn. Mr. Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote
was unanimous.
Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Cummings, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman Mr. Twomey.
Respectfully submitted,
Harry K. Harutunian, Ph. D.
Superintendent of Schools