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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-01-28 School Cimmittee Minutes 19 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 28, 1985 Call to Order Chairman Allen called a regular meeting of the Reading School Committee to order on January 28, 1985, at 7:34 p.m. , in the Central Office Conference Room. All members were present, as were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. There were five visitors, including representatives of the Finance Committee, League of Women Voters and the Daily Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of January 21, 1985 Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. MacDonald, and it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the meeting of January 21, 1985. Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were approved as follows: Bills February 1, 1985 - General Expense - $24,209.98 Payrolls February 1, 1985 - Weekly - $27,651. 71 Citizens' Input There was no citizens' input. Executive Session Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, to enter into executive session to discuss salaries. The motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote. Return to Open Session - FY86 Budget Preparation At 8:28 p.m. the Committee returned to open session. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously that the School Committee approve the staffing changes as enumerated on the recom- mendations by the Administration, dated January 21, 1985, i.e. , minus one SEEM teacher at Killam School, two home economics teachers in the Middle Schools, and one English teacher and one guidance person in the High School; plus one gifted/talented resource room teacher for Elementary Schools and one reading specialist, to be shared by the Middle Schools. Regarding the above motion, Dr. Munnelly stated that next year eighth graders will have one-third of a year each of Industrial Arts, Home Economics, and Computer Science, so one less Home Economics teacher will be needed at each of the Middle Schools. 20 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY .2 8, 1985 Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. MacDonald, the School Committee accept the expense budget cuts as recommended by the Administration on Document B-2-a - a total of $55,557. After some discussion Mr. Coco amended the motion, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, that the total budget cuts be reduced to $52,157, leaving in the budget (4 230 series) shunt trip switches for the High School, Coolidge and Parker Middle Schools and Barrows School, and a water level alarm oil surge for Birch Meadow School. Mr. Coco said he could not feel comfortable deleting these items from the budget because they are protective devices. After further discussion the motion, as amended, carried by a unanimous vote. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, to delete from the expense budget $40,000 for partitioning in the "A" Wing of the High School (7200 series) . Dr. Wells said this item was to "put walls around classrooms," as the open- classroom concept had not been successful. He added that this process had started long before it was decided to compact the building as it would improve the academic environment, but it would also hasten consolidation. Mrs. Philbrick asked if this would affect any savings in electricity, custodial services, etc. Dr. Wells replied in the affirmative, as four rooms would be effected and the thermostat could be turned down to 55 degrees, in addition to savings on cleaning and electricity. Mr. Coco noted that if the work is delayed for a year it will cost more. Mrs. Philbrick agreed, adding that the Committee is facing steadily declining enroll- ments at the High School. Mr. Nissen said he would be glad to see the money spent on this project if it were available. Mr. Nigro noted that it has not been done up to now and that it made more sense to delay the partitioning than to cut back on transportation. The Chairman called for the vote and the motion carried 5-1, with Mrs. Philbrick casting the dissenting vote. It was noted that the total amount deleted from the expense budget at this meet- ing was $92,157, in addition to the $6,000 deleted at the last meeting. Mr. MacDonald then asked for a discussion of the 3300 series - transportation. He said he believed $57,000 of the total was discretionary. Mr. Nigro said he felt cutting back on school bus transportation would hurt some parents and children. Mr. MacDonald countered that he didn't feel the Committee should discuss "hurts", because the Committee has been asked by the Finance Committee(FinCom) to come in with a certain increase and the Committee cannot go along with these guidelines without impacting the budget. 21 RFF7='ING :3rhC^?• ','MMITTEE MINUTES I UA? 23_ 1c)j,5 Mr. Nissen felt that this is a safety issue z:Id the. Cc:.miitec s:.culc hold off on it. He said he thought the Committee should go before the FinCom, tell them what is needed and :-`ar` fry r . :j.ie.re. Mr. 'o•.cc said ti:::re ire qo :may' of l :okin_3 at :he prc iem one to go to the FinCom with a budget within the guidelines and the other for the Committee to budget the amount it needs. He added that he felt the Town should look at the whole budget process and decide on priorities. FinCom member Mrs. Margaret Russell responded that the FinCom had made a real effort to set priorities and in doing so gave the School Committee a 42% increase while most other departments received only a 1.4% increase. She added that while the cost of the Coolidge Middle School roof was originally included in the 42%, the FinCom is now willing to take a second look at that . Mr. Nigro asked if deleting $57,000 from transportation would mean no bussing of students not required by State law. Mr. Winslow said the law mandates bussing anyone living two or more miles from school, which means that some High School, Coolidge and Killam School students would have to be bussed, adding that the savings would be about $77,000. Mr. Nissen noted that mandatory bussing would require five busses and these could be used to transport some additional students. Mr. MacDonald said that such a cut clearly would mean a lot of impact and "push back" from the public, and that the Committee should wait to see what aid there will be from the State. He added that he felt transportation should be the next area to be cut, in an effort to support salary negotiations. Chairman Allen reminded the Committee that at the last two meetings he had stated that the Committee would have to meet in the High School Auditorium to hold all the protesters if transportation is cut. Mr. Nissen said he would like to state for the record that if the Committee is forced to reduce its budget by another $60,000 he would support taking money from transportation because the only other areas which could be cut are textbooks and other parts of education. Mr. MacDonald said he thinks transportation is the next area the Committee should look at, adding that there is also athletics, but he considers athletics to be instructional. Mrs. Russell asked if the "Kalwal" windows for the Coolidge Middle School had been included in the School Committee's Capital Outlay Plan and Mr. Winslow said they had not. She said this item would have to go through the Capital Plan to be funded. Mr. Nissen noted that the FinCom always presents an amended Capital Plan. The Chairman said the "Kalwal" windows would have a good pay back rate. Mr. Coco said that, from a technical point of view, the windows should be installed at the same time the roof is being replaced. Mrs. Philbrick noted there would be a 60% reimbursement from the State. 22 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 28, 1985 Revised Meeting Schedule - Adjournment During a brief discussion it was agreed that the School Committee meeting scheduled for Feburary 4th would be postponed until February 11th, and that an in-service meeting (under the Incentive Aid Grant) would be arranged for Tuesday, February 5th. The meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m. Respectfuii;j suhriitted, Robert S. Wells, Secretary