The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1994-08-29 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES AUGUST 29, 1994 CALL TO ORDER Chair Roberta D'Antona called the regular School Committee meeting to order at 8:35 p.m. after an executive session was held in the Superintendent's Office earlier. All members were present. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Dennis Richards and a reporter from the Chronicle. Thomas Stohlman moved to offer a contract base salary of $76,000, with a merit pay of $4,000 bonus based at the end of the year on an evaluation of achieving performance goals over and above those expected of an Interim Superintendent to Parker Principal Dr. Delaney for the Interim Superintendent position. Said goals shall be defined by the School Committee in writing by September 15, 1994. Timothy Twomey seconded the motion. There was discussion of the merit raise for Dr. Delaney at the end of the first year. The vote was five in favor with George Shannon opposing. Mr. Stohlman left the meeting at this time. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS SUMMER SCHOOL REPORT John Doherty, the 1994 Summer School Director, reported there were 327 students enrolled in the three program areas: Skills Maintenance 71 Developmental Reading & Language Arts 14 Enrichment 221 Mr. Doherty noted that he was disappointed in the enrollment for the High School Review Course, 21, a drop of 15 from last year. The following financial summary was reported: Total Receipts /Transfers from PPS $18,819 Expenses 2,307 Payroll 13,000 A financial success of $ 3,000 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 AUGUST 29, 1994 Mr. Doherty presented his future goals. .Increase course offering and enrollment in Skills Maintenance Program .Continue to increase enrollment in the Enrichment Program .Increase awareness of the High School Review Courses School Committee members praised Mr. Doherty for the success he had with the summer course program. Mr. Doherty stated the strength of the program comes from the teachers. NEW BUSINESS VISITORS: TOWN MANAGER, TOWN TREASURER, FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR - THE FINANCIAL HEALTH OF THE TOWN Town Manager Hechenbleikner presented the draft for the Town Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balance for the Last Eight Fiscal Years of the General Fund. Mr. Hechenbleikner informed the audience of the FY96 to FY00 Budget Revenue Projections noting: .Property taxes are levied to maximum capacity beginning in 1996 -New growth at $250,000 per year, which is average for 1988 -1995 .Local revenues from sources other than property taxes - Increases 2% per year .Intergovernmental revenue (State Aid) increased by the anticipated increase in Ch. 70 (School Aid) and uncapping lottery receipts - Estimated at $150,000 .Operating transfers projected to be level, except for known increases or decreases -Use $150,000 of Free Cash per year In response to a question the Committee asked, Mr. Hechen- bleikner stated the property tax reflects new growth, new homes and factories. He added increased growth in Reading is not expected. Regarding FY96 to FY00 on Budget Expense Projections Mr. Hechenbleikner stated: .Town payroll increases 3.5% per year - Assumes no new Town funded positions for FY96 through FY00 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 AUGUST 29, 1994 .Town expenses increase 2.2% per year -Based on "Muni- cipal Cost Index for year ending August 1994 - Includes no new programs and no major changes in con- tracts like RESCO .School payroll increases 3.5% per year plus step in- creases plus new hires -Step increases of $150,000 per year -Staff increases per Superintendent chart - average teacher $30,000 plus $6,000 in employee benefits - Total 37.1 full time teaching over 5 years .School expenses increase 2.2% per year .Capital and debt service remain at 6.53% of revenues (needs to be updated) .Employee benefits increase 8.05% per year, primarily be- cause of health insurance .State /County assessments increase 2.5% per year The Town Manager continued with the General Fund Revenue/ Expense Projections, FY95 through FY00. The projected available revenues approved $34,112,312 for 1995 up through projected figure for 2000, $40,045,272. He noted that the projected surplus amounts are out of balance if all assump- tions are correct and plan to do something to correct this. He continued with the Financial Assets Available as of this date: .FinCom goal is 5% of Operating Budget: FY95 $34,112,312 X .05 $ 1,705,616 .Available financial resources: Free Cash $ 922,000 Unlevied Tax Capacity 517,478 Reserve Fund $ 150,000 Total Reserves $1,589,478 = 93.2% .Assets potentially available Sale of Pearl St. School $ 600,000 Sale of Bear Hill 1,600,000 $2,200,000 Mr. Hechenbleikner stated the sale of real estate would be considered as cash, land would go on tax rolls, and the additional tax would be revenue. The sale of real estate may be used for debt service, capital projects or unfunded pension liability. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 4 AUGUST 29, 1994 Ms. Klepeis stated the accounting cash is accrued interest on the investment income at the end of June, 1994. In November we can appropriate from the Department of Revenue the certi- fied amount from free cash. Ms. Klepeis said the fund balances include certified free cash, reserved cash amounts all included in the $922,000. The Town Manager suggested a budget summit meeting in Septem- ber. Chair D' Antona requested all options for the Parker Project be looked at because of enrollment projections and the age of the school. She again spoke of an operational override and how it would fit in. Parker Principal Dr. Delaney asked the Parker Project be phased in before the SBAB funding formulas change. The Town Manager said the budget could be refined in the middle of September and then think of going to Town Meeting in November. Another piece for consideration, the Superintendent said is the employee remuneration issues. This year all contracts are coming up for renewal - need to face this financial future with all Town Boards understanding. ROUTINE MATTERS MINUTES There were no minutes for BILLS AND PAYROLLS The warrants for Bills we August 29, 1994 - August 29, 1994 The warrants for Payrolls approval. re as follows: Bills - $ 7,795.73 Bills - $155,086.64 were as follows: August 26, 1994 - Biweekly - $40,745.89 CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen input. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 5 AUGUST 29, 1994 REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR AND SUPERINTENDENT The Superintendent informed everyone that school would open tomorrow with teachers reporting to the high school auditorium in the morning. He will introduce new staff. He added that all schools are ready with Birch Meadow Elementary shaping up for an opening on September 6. PERSONNEL Assistant Superintendent Richards presented the teacher personnel report and resumes as of tonight's meeting. They include: Phyllis Fermon Robin Ferrazzani Mary Keyes Sherrill Cook INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS TEST PERFORMANCE REPORT Parker Psychologist Eaton Grade 4 Teacher RMHS Special Education Teacher RMHS Science Teacher Mr. Richards reported on the Stanford Achievement Tests that were administered to students in grades 5, 7, and 10 this year. He stated Reading students, as usual, performed well in comparison to other children taking these tests throughout the country. Math was a strong suit again and reading was almost as high - -- spelling was our students weakest area. Regarding the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) Writing Sample assessment, the Assistant Superintendent stated our students did exceptionally well this year in comparison to students in private schools and other suburban schools who were administered the test. Mr. Richards provided the audience this information via over- heads and noted our students are strong in sentence structure, development, organization and support. REPORT OF PROGRESS Dr. Munnelly stated there are five finalists for the Eaton Principalship which will be narrowed down to three to be interviewed in an Open Meeting with the Screening Committee on Thursday night. The two finalists for the Special Education Director will also be interviewed at that time. He noted that letters have gone out to teachers and parents regarding a Screening Committee to talk about the criteria for the Coolidge Middle School principal replacement. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 6 AUGUST 29, 1994 NEW BUSINESS SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING CALENDAR A draft of the Fall 1994 School Committee Meeting Calendar was reviewed and they agreed to give their input and vote on September 12th. Dr. Munnelly announced that Barbara McLean, Eaton's Library/ Media teacher was recently featured by State Farm in the Life and National Geographic magazines. She will be invited to attend the September 12th School Committee meeting. OLD BUSINESS REVIEW OF FY94 EXPENDITURES Dr. Munnelly pointed out several emergencies and the results of the cold winter that led to exceeding budgeted amounts for Building Maintenance. Some expenditure that were pushed into FY95 include $23,950 for the running track, $25,677 for electricity and $16,000 for an unplanned 53rd week for prin- cipals' salaries. Thus we are $65,627 short and need to add in the $106,000 funds for early retirement and school choice. ADJOURN At 10:55 A.m. George for the purpose o personnel. Timothy unanimous. Susan Cavicchi Matthew Cummings Roberta D'Antona George Shannon Timothy Twomey to Executive Session ssion of non -union lotion. The vote was swdofy to ft emnifte