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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-02-06 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 6, 1989 CALL TO ORDER Chairman George Shannon called the Public Hearing to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Library at the Killam School to discuss the FY90 Budget of the Town of Reading. All members were present. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendents Lynn M. Bak and Ronald A. Winslow, and a reporter from the Chronicle. SUPERINTENDENTS REPORT FY90 BUDGET Dr. Munnelly shared with the audience the FY90 Budget developed by the School Committee. The largest single increase is attributable to salary increases for the staff. An additional $100,000 is needed to fund increases in Special Education tuition and services. Also included in the FY90 Budget are plans to continue professional development at the same level as FY89. Due to an increase in elementary school enrollments there will be a need to add three teachers, but at the same time, the enrollment at Reading Memorial High School has continued to decline causing a need to reduce staff by 5.5 positions. Included in the budget was an addition of a school nurse, which will bring our complement of nurses to four. Funds to enclose the open offices of the High School Guidance Department are also included in this year's budget. Additional funding for extracurricular opportunities, musical plays and jazz bands; science clubs; AFS, students from other towns attending Reading schools; and other extracurricular clubs will also be supported by the school budget. The budget also includes support for appropriate learning materials, texts, audiovisual supplies, teaching and library materials, and replacement equipment. A series of articles were also presented that will be submitted to the Town fathers. They include money for asbestos removal, relocation of the Superintendent's office, relocating a portable classroom from Pearl Street to Eaton School, and hiring an architect to lay out plans for adding classrooms and doing renovations at the Eaton and Birch Meadow elementary schools. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 FEBRUARY 6, 1989 CITIZEN'S INPUT Reading Citizen Dan Swallom, a parent who has a student from Reading Memorial High School, asked about funding for the Varsity Boy's Swim Team. Dr. Munnelly explained that he was in contact with Shawsheen Tech and would have more information at the next School Committee meeting. Reading Citizen Stacey Smith shared her concerns regarding the space needs for kindergarten enrollment in September, 1989. Chairman George Shannon stated that space needs are an ongoing study and this concern is presently under examination. ADJOURNMENT Having no further questions, Chairman Shannon declared the hearing closed at 8:05 p.m.