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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-01-18 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES BUDGET HEARING MINUTES JANUARY 18,199 CALL TO ORDER Chair Matthew Cummings called the Budget Hearing to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Reading Memorial High School Lecture Hall. All members were present with the exception of Timothy Twomey. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Harry K. Harutunian, Associate Superintendent Dennis Richards, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Accountant Richard Foley, Town Treasurer Beth Klepeis and approximately 80 citizens. Chair Cummings advised the public that the Town Manager would present a brief explanation of the Fiscal Year 1997 Revenues and Other Resource Projections in the General Fund. Mr. Hechenbleikner demonstrated his information on overheads. He stated that the proposed 1996 property tax includes a 2 1/2% increase plus new growth. The local revenues from sources other than property taxes is about 10% of the total revenue. The Town Manager added that an area most likely to increase because of School Building Assistance is Intergovernmental Revenue: State aide. He also outlined the Operating transfers /available funds and noted that we have currently overextended that account by $200,000 for snow removal. After Mr. Hechenbleikner's presentation, Chair Cummings opened up the meeting to the audience. Mr. Carpenter asked if we could expect State or Federal support for snow removal? The Town Manager said there was a possibility we could get State aide but in order to qualify for Federal aide we would have to declare an emergency situation. Mrs. Horn, a Killam and Coolidge parent, complimented the Superintendent and congratulated him and his budget. Mr. Carpenter stated the percentage over last year is a big number. Noted other needs were not in this budget and asked for a principal to summarize some of the dialogue. Dr. Harutunian responded to this information. He stated the format has changed. Every teacher, and School Council has been involved. He noted some of the reasons for the increase is that special education has labeled more children; grade four will be receiving new text books next year; a half time educational assistant will be with every Birch Meadow grade four teacher and with Barrow's grade three teachers. BUDGET HEARING MINUTES 2 JANUARY 18, 1996 Ellen Montier, a Killam parent, asked if the Superintendent sees us moving forward with new programs or are we always going to be catching up? Dr. Harutunian replied that the 18 million dollar budget includes $500,000 for Special Education; $400,000 for pre- negotiated salaries; $300,000 for new staff at Parker and Coolidge and $375,000 for step increases. He added that we are a million dollars less than what we projected for needs. The Superintendent stated this is a conservative approach - we will get a better idea when the excise tax comes in. The Three Boards will be meeting on January 27th. Sue Berger, a Birch Meadow and Coolidge parent, stated the School Council has spent time looking into the Birch Meadow School Improvement Program. She added that class size and an additional nurse are priorities. Ms. Berger stated that some day she would like to see the goal be a nurse at each of the schools. Citizen Kendra Cooper asked about the Labor for Special Needs - expected the projection to be less. Wanted to know what happens if someone sues the Town? Dr. Harutunian stated it was never our intent to reduce our Special Education budget. Labor is an area we expect to go up. Another Killam Kindergarten parent, Nancy Benjamin, asked about class size in the future for grade three. The Superintendent stated there has been no discussion beyond next year. The projection is that this is our peak year in Kindergarten. Any changes in class size would be in consultation with the parents and teachers. Chair Cummings added that class size has always been a driving issue with the School Commit- tee. There have been 10 classrooms added in the last few years and students have also been bussed to different schools. Ms. Montier asked about Capital expenses. Dr. Harutunian stated that $500,000 for teachers; $200,000 for boiler replacement; vehicles and equipment; fire alarms and the American Disability Act add up to approximately $800,000. Marjorie Pasino asked how firm are we to the technology coordinator? Mr. Cummings replied the need has been acknowledged by the School Committee. Adjustments have been made to the regular education account as special education people were being paid from that account. Grants that we no longer have now need to be absorbed by the Special Education account. BUDGET HEARING MINUTES 3 JANUARY 18 1996 Ms. Cooper expressed concern over the decrease of maintenance of buildings. Dr. Harutunian stated 3 of the 7 buildings in Reading are practically new and that MIAA has insured each of the schools for the removal of snow on the buildings. He noted that the roofing company that re- placed Killam's roof 6 or 7 years ago went Chapter 11 and that new roof work will be done and a new warranty will be issued after the company completes the work. Mike Slazak commented on how helpful the graphics are in the budget and asked if materials have been assembled for citizens who do not have children in the schools. Dr. Harutunian stated an effort needs to be made to engage those people. He has asked the councils in every elementary school to identify the people in their area. He added that opening up the school libraries and offering the use of our computers are some of the ways we could encourage their interest. Mr. Spadafora stated it has been helpful to him for the School Committee members to have com- munication with the other Town committees. Mr. Slazak said it was important for the 70% who don't have kids in the schools to know what we are doing with the 9.5% increase. Mr. Carpenter commended the Superintendent and the School Committee for the openness of the school's budget process. Chair Cummings advised on January 22 the School Committee will hold a meeting and vote on the budget. It will then go through the Finance Committee for a month and then onto Town Meeting. ADJOURN At 8:45 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi moved to adjourn Ms D'Antona seconded the motion The vote was 440. Mr. Stohlman left at 8:40 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Cummings Ms. D'Antona Mr. Spadafora R spectfu ubmitted, Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools