Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-01-09 School Committee Minutes READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES SPECIAL BUDGET SESSION MINUTES JANUARY 9, 1996 CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Susan Cavicchi called the special budget session to order at 7:40 p.m. in the Superin- tendent's Conference Room. All members were present with the exception of Matthew Cummings who was expected to arrive shortly. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Harry K. Harutunian, Associate Superintendent Dennis Richards, FinCom Representative Steve Blewitt, Town Accountant Richard Foley, a reporter from the Chronicle, and several parents from the Barrows and Birch Meadow Elementary Schools. OTHER Dr. Harutunian explained that we now have voice mail for the School Committee members. He outlined the positions in the 94-142 Grant; 1 full time Speech Language Therapist, 1 full time high school special education, 1 full time middle school special education, 1 full time social worker, 1 part time liaison, and 2 part time psychologists. Dr. Harutunian passed out and explained the updated special education pages. Mr. Cummings arrived. REGULAR DAY - FY97 The Superintendent began with the overall of the detail that follows: • contracts have not been settled with 4 principals • differentials are for stipends for education positions • substitutes - potential raise in per diem to $55 from $50 • educational assistants 21.8 - 2 1/2% salary increase • clerical 11 - 2 1/2% salary increase • longevity • sick leave buyback for 4 people anticipated to leave the system • revenue ($118,000) from METCO He stated the 7.7 new teachers are; 1.2 high school, 1.5 Coolidge Middle School - Grade 6, 1 Barrows Elementary - Grade 5, and 4 Parker Middle School - Grade 6. SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING 2 JANUARY 9, 1995 Dr. Harutunian explained there is $65,000 for teachers' step changes. Associate Superintendent Richards stated Reading has been chosen as 1 of 5 school districts to be a Project PALMS demonstration site. PALMS is an acronynm for Partnerships for the Ad- vancement of Learning in Math and Science. Mr. Spadafora asked where the money for leadership in the Health Education resides. Dr. Harutunian said he would provide the percentage for substitutes used for Professional Devel- opment and other categories. Mr. Cummings asked about the middle school staffing. Dr. Harutunian replied that the middle school students are on a 6 day cycle, noting Language Arts and Math 6 times a week and Science and Social Studies 4 times a week. Next year it will be 6 of each subject. The Superintendent replied to FinCom Blewitt's inquiry about 3 educational assistants by stating that we add classrooms but not educational assistants. He noted that we actually need more than the number shown. Parents in the audience raised questions about the Barrows and Birch Meadow class sizes. Dr. Harutunian explained that Barrows Kindergarten is the largest in the system. He stated the addition of another teacher was discussed, but realizes that other issues need to be considered besides the $30,000 salary, there is a $5,000 benefit package and a portable classroom costing approximately $65,000 to $80,000. He added that the Birch Meadow Principal anticipates 98-100 additional students next year. If that number is true then we may have 5 Grade 1 classrooms. If we do not get that number he may in fact open up another Grade 4. Mr. Richards stated dedicated educational assistants could free up the teacher for instruction. Dr. Harutunian advised that other school classrooms will be offered to parents for their child. Mr. Twomey asked about the division of educational assistants among the elementary schools. Dr. Harutunian replied that he would have preferred to add 2 - 2 1/2 educational assistants to the necessary 3. He will be meeting with the elementary principals to discuss this issue. Mr. Richards explained that Dr. Harutunian was going to recommend 1 more hour of regular educational assistant time per classroom but that idea was out. SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING 3 JANUARY 9, 1996 In response to parent concerns, Dr. Harutunian stated we could go into the year 2001 before we would be able to remove a portable classroom. Alternative measures were offered by parents for the use of a portable when the schools no longer need them. Mr. Cummings suggested to the parents that they attend the FinCom meetings to ask their ques- tions. Mr. Blewitt stated the FinCom members are trying to make a commitment for all Town budget issues. Ms. D'Antona added the process of what gets folded into the budget is not in a priority order but programmatically. Dr. Harutunian continued that as a CEO he needs to spend the money in an equal fashion - this is a needy district and given more time we can move forward. There was a short break before the Superintendent returned to FY97 Regular Day Budget. He explained that the increases in Instructional Supplies for Art is mostly for paper in the elementary schools. Mr. Cummings requested more detail in the General Account (5511) and a breakdown by school. The Superintendent explained there has been a long history of not purchasing textbooks. He has asked for $10 per elementary student for textbooks. He stated the $16,375 in Mathematics is for replacement textbooks and the $16,190 in Social Studies includes new and replacement textbooks. Mr. Twomey asked for a breakout of replacement costs and the new allocation for textbooks. Ms. Cavicchi questioned if a principal could hold over the money in the new textbook allocation and the Superintendent replied yes. He noted he would like to see textbooks phased out. Someday each student would have a lap top computer and then textbooks would be unnecessary. We would then have everyone on diskette and be able to save money! FinCom Representative Mr. Keigley stated that the $27,870 for new and the $35,890 for replace- ment in Instructional Equipment is lower than most budgets he is familiar with. Dr. Harutunian stated he anticipates an increase in the Student Transportation Services due to the redistricting plan. SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING 4 JANUARY 9, 1996 ADJOURN At 10:45 p.m. Mr. Spadafora moved to adjourn from the special budget meeting and go to executive session for the purpose of bargaining discussion and labor relations. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Cummings, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey Respectfully submitted,„yr Harry K. Harutunian, Ph. D. Superintendent of Schools