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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-01-13 School Committee Minutes.. . ... ... ._._.. _ _ READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE HEARING FOR FY 1993 BUDGET BUDGET HEARING CALL TO ORDER JANUARY 13. 1992 The Budget Hearing was called to order by School Committee Chair Barbara Philbrick in the Reading Memorial High School Lecture Hall at 7:40 p.m. All members of the School Committee were present with the excep- tion of Stanley Nissen. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Lynn M. Bak, Student Representative Carrie Bither and over three hundred members of the Reading community. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS Chair Philbrick stated that copies of the FY93 budget have been distributed to schools, the library, Town Hall and Central Office, for all residents of the Town of Reading to review and share their comments at this meeting. Ms. Philbrick added that final decisions would be made by the School Committee at the January 21st meeting and the FY93 budget would be presented to the Town Manager on January 22nd. Dr. Munnelly advised that all ideas presented by Reading citizens would be taken into consideration. The Superintendent identified the Public Hearing Budget Booklet, Rising to the Challenge: representing cuts made over the last four years, the per pupil expenditure comparisons from 1985 to 1990 "All Day" Programs; the history of the Reading Public Schools staff numbers and student enrollments from 1981 -1992; present enrollment figures with the projection of over 100 additional students for FY93. Dr. Munnelly shared with the audience with the use of an overhead the summary of the FY93 Projected Level Service Budget totaling $14,828,947. The Superintendent advised that in order to reach the Finance Committee Budget Target of $13,745,427 a total of $1,083,520 reductions have to be made for the 1992 -93 school year. Dr. Munnelly shared the list of staff and program reductions that were adopted by the Reading School Committee at its January 6, 1992 meeting. The Superintendent reviewed the reductions as identified in the copies of the school budget that have been publicly distributed. BUDGET HEARING 2 JANUARY 13, 1992 Fifty - seven members of the audience spoke over a three hour period in support of many of the current school programs and urged the School Committee to take leadership in encouraging the Selectmen to identify education as the priority in the community by placing an override question on the upcoming ballot. A question regarding State Aid was raised and FinCom member Bill Burditt explained that Governor Weld's FY92 budget has not been seen, and anticipates that there will be a short fall. He noted it was premature to expect Level Funding. Chair Philbrick informed the audience that a petition supporting an override question was being were circulated for their signatures. All members of the School Committee publicly stated their support for an override. Board of Selectmen member Sally Hoyt informed the School Commit- tee and the audience that she would make a report of the com- munity's interests at the Selectmen's meeting Tuesday, January 14, 1992. Chair Philbrick thanked members from the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee and the audience for their input. ADJOURNMENT At 10:55 p.m. Chair Philbrick adjourned the Open Hearing. Respectfully Submitted Roberti. Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee