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Home My WebLink About1994-02-14 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 14, 1994 CALL TO ORDER Chair Roberta D'Antona called the Regular School Committee Meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Superintendent's Con- ference Room. All members were present. Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly and a reporter from the Chronicle were also present. Assistant Superintendent Dennis A. Richards and Student Representative Allison Bastiani were not present. ROUTINE MATTERS BILLS The warrants for Bills were as follows: January 24, 1994 - Bills - $ 76,630.91 January 31, 1994 - Bills - $ 37,477.78 February 7, 1994 - Bills - $ 98,288.88 February 14, 1994 - Bills - $ 59,405.04 February 14, 1994 - Bills - $ 16,842.91 n T V D 11 T T Q The warrants for Payrolls were as follows: January 28, 1994 - Biweekly - $114,833.28 February 11, 1994 - Biweekly - $127,378.25 February 4, 1994 - Teachers - $440,162.76 CITIZENS' INPUT There was no citizen input. GIFTS Dr. Munnelly acknowledged gifts Parker Middle School recently received: 1. From an anonymous parent funds to purchase a TV, VCR, anemometer and some CD /ROM discs. 2. Five hundred dollars contributed by Arnold Berger to help underwrite the woman who directs the self - esteem program at Parker. 3. Several funds from the PTO. 4. One thousand dollars from another anonymous parent to help underwrite the cost of the student agenda books. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 FEBRUARY 14, 1994 School Committee along with Dr. Munnelly thanked everyone for their wonderful support. SUPERINTENDENT'S AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR'S REPORTS Chair D'Antona stated the spring bid documents for the project Joshua Eaton Elementary School will be issued on February 24th and general bids will be received on March 31, so the general contractor can be ready for an aggressive construction start when school ends in June 1994. Dr. Munnelly wished Arnold Berger, who he noted is a friend of the community, a happy birthday. He also recognized Principal Rena Mirkin for her recent article, "Public Relations" in the Bugle. OLD BUSINESS BUDGET FY1995 DECISIONS Dr. Munnelly explained the two technical changes he outlined in his February 7, 1994 memo: In the discussions of the budget before the vote on January 18, 1994, the School Committee did not act to take out turnover money. He suggested $40,000 of turn- over we can deduct from our budget. Also in the spirit of a bare bones budget, we can take $9,000 out of the Lexan replacement line. Thus we can figure on $49,000 in downward budget adjustments. He added the importance of recognizing that the State has provided preliminary figures on foundation budget and the Town is to receive funds higher than we predicted last fall. The additional funds equal $86,000. The State's new target number for us is $18,288,283 (versus the $18,191,000 previously). Our minimum target is $97,000 higher than when we voted a budget. This would close 36% of the budget to a Foundation Minimum of $18,288,283. Dr. Munnelly discussed the Trade off Adjustments: NEW BUDGET FY'95 Electrician Salary Teacher Tuition Reimbursement PREVIOUS BUDGET FY'94 Contract work expended Not budgeted separately but turnover include in Teachers' Budget REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 FEBRUARY 14, 1994 2.5 Special Education Tea Vision Testing Machine He continued by outlining the Level Standards Items In The Budget. chers From tuition and aide re- ductions in present budget Special Education Computer the reductions that total $165,100, and the Priority Items Not Included Chair D'Antona opened discussion to School Committee members. Matthew Cumminas moved to amend the oriqinal motion and reduce the amount authorized by $245,986, derived from $16,728,457 minus $16,482,471 the amount of money of FY94 plus salary increases. Georae Shannon seconded the motion. Discussion followed. Mr. Cummings shared his February 14th memo that outlined information he had sent to School Committee dated November 18, 1993 and a report of Budget Committee discus- sions. One of the items covered was the proposal to formu- late a FY95 budget that was either within the Foundation Budget, or the r'Yy4 Duagez plus was greater. He also noted th fully costed additional programs budget. Mr. Cummings stated no c to this proposal, then or later the Board of Selectmen and the budget voted by the School Cc amounts. He noted although no list of new expenditures has been doing this was voiced. Mr. Cun best interests of the system ar cooperative method, we vote a bud consistent with the agreement mac salary iriurea5e5, W11_LUiievci Lt a prioritized listing of was to be provided with the ne had voiced any opposition it a subsequent meeting with FinCom. He added that the nmittee exceeds both these )rovision for prioritizing a made, that no opposition for mings suggested that in the d to continue to work in a jet and a list of priorities, E? with the other Town Boards. Mr. Stohlman stated the number has no meaning, it's just a mathematical calculation and suggested presenting the budget that is right for our school system. Ms. D'Antona stated at the December 15, 1993 Joint Meeting, the Town Manager noted that the School Department and the Town would travel parallel courses. She added that the School Department was asked to: 1) understand the foundation budget per school reform; 2) develop a budget that comes within the foundation budget or which keeps the status quo in the Department including salary increases whichever is greater; and 3) develop a list of prioritized and fully costed additions to the budget over and above the base budget. Ms. Cavicchi stated the enrollment figures of a 100 new students should not be classified as a new program. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 FEBRUARY 14, 1994 Mr. Shannon added that Status Quo has become Level Service Budget. What FinCom and the Town Manager expect is the same as last year with salary increases, we need to prioritize if we plan to come in with a higher figure. Mr. Twomey noted this is the third year we will be trying to provide the same level of services and that School Committee never agreed to cut the budget. Mr. Stohlman suggested submitting what is appropriate for our group -- School Committee should be making priorities not the FinCom. Dr. Munnelly asked School Committee to go forward with both numbers or more to the FinCom, present a realistic budget and outline the changes in the landscape. The motion failed with a vote of 2 in favor and 4 against. Timothy Twomey moved to take out the $40,000 turnover money and the $9,000 Lexan replacement line, thus $49,000 downward budget adjustments. George Shannon seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0. Thomas Stohlman moved to take the difference of the approved budget and the foundation budget set in the December 15, 1993 joint board meeting and develop a list of $196,986 priorities plus other items not included in the budget. George Shannon seconded the motion. Discussion followed regarding an education plan with a financial plan to support it. Mr. Cummings added prioritizing would provide the public a better understanding. The vote failed on a 3 -3 vote. Dr. Munnelly stated School Committee has to be explicit with the FinCom and he plans to discuss the gap with them. Chair D' Antona noted priority items not included in the budget will need to be revisited. PARKER MIDDLE SCHOOL: RECAP OF FEBRUARY 9, 1994 OPEN MEETING Dr. Munnelly stated an article in the Chronicle recognized the increase in middle school enrollments and made sense for new construction at Parker Middle School. When asked about the timeframe, the Superintendent said alternatives would need to include parent input. He noted there may be a need for redistricting. Mr. Shannon stated alternative plans are a job for administra- tors. He suggested we start holding open hearings now. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 FEBRUARY 14, 1994 What to do with students during construction time, was a question Ms. D'Antona felt people should be involved with from the beginning. School Council goals may have to be modified until after School Committee votes on where children will attend school, Mr. Shannon said. He added the sooner theories are out there the sooner feedback will be generated. Dr. Munnelly anticipates three years of disruption and will develop a list of alternatives for School Committee's discussion at the March 14th meeting. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS STATE BOOKLET: SCHOOL COUNCILS -NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS AND PPArTTrFq Dr. Munnelly referenced the table of contents of the Depart- ment of Education School Councils booklet that includes: Understanding the Needs Assessment Process, Primary Sources of Information and Secondary Sources of Information. MONTHLY ACCOUNT BALANCES The Superintendent pointed out a maintenance error in the monthly Status of Appropriations of $19,000 that should have been charged to a bond. He expressed his concern over the high school roof that will soon be replaced. Other School Committee members requested the Superintendent to look into the 60% spending in Coolidge Middle School Special Needs account and 54.99% spending in Birch Meadow Elementary School Regular Day account. CAFETERIA REPORT Dr. Munnelly shared the December Statement from Food Services Director Catherine Cook and advised the disposal was replaced at the High School. ADJOURNMENT At 9.45 p.m. Timothy Twomey moved to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of impact bargaining, adding they would not be coming back to regular session. Thomas Stohlman seconded the motion. The vote was unanimodw Susan Cavicchi Matthew Cummings Roberta D'Antona George Shannon Thomas Stoh .r"llum i f oR Timothy Two 32 T tnsbn81nhsg0 i0 W32 94T 6T