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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-01-03 School Committee MinutesEADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 3. 1983 73 Call to Order Chairman Garroway called to order a regular meeting of the Reading School Committee on January 3, 1983, at 7:00 p. m., in the Central Office Conference Room. All members were present (Mr. Landers arrived at 7:30 p. m.). Present also were Superintendent Wells and Assistant Superintendents Munnelly and Winslow. There were seven visitors, including representatives of the Finance Committee, the Citizens Advisory Council and the Daily Times and Chronicle. Approval of Minutes of December 20, 1982 Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the meeting of December 20, 1982. Approval of Bills and Payrolls Warrants for bills and payrolls were authorized as follows: Bills December 31, 1982 - General Expense - Total - $12,981.81 Payrolls December 30, 1982 - Weekly - Total - $24,272.33 January 7, 1983 - Weekly - Total - $23,628.76 Citizens' Input There was no citizens' input. School Committee Policy on Equality of Staff and Instructional Expenditures in the Schools (AF) A motion for final adoption of the School Committee Policy on Equality of Staff and Instructional Expenditures in the Schools (AF) was made by Mr. Nigro, seconded by Mr. Allen, and voted unanimously. Budget Review -- Detail of Expense Budget Chairman Garroway said the Committee would go through the expense portion of the budget page by page and that he would entertain a motion after each section had been discussed. He added that, hopefully, by the end of the evening there would be a preliminary FY84 budget to submit to the Finance Committee. He also said that between the time of the submission and the February 8th Finance Committee hearing there will be time to do some fine tuning. A final vote on the budget will be taken before Town Meeting. Prior to the Committee's review of the athletic expense budget Dr. Wells noted that despite declining enrollments there has been an increased participation in sports. He added that the Athletic Department has fallen behind in some items and therefore, the proposed budget reflects a 15% increase over last year. However, gate receipts, which were $9,500 this year, are estimated at $14,800 for the coming year because more t4 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 3. 1983 people are attending the various games and because the Thanksgiving Day Foorball Game will be played in Reading. Therefore the net increase in the budget is only 7 %. Dr. Wells pointed out that three new teams are included in the proposed FY84 I budget - girls' soccer, freshman boys' soccer and freshman field hockey. Also, a sophomore football squad is being reinstated. Dr. Wells said the first athletic budget submitted was for $90,000 but the Athletic Director has been asked to reduce it to $63,000. Items cut from the first budget are listed in a supplemental budget, which follows the $63,000 budget, he added. Mr. Coco asked the Superintendent if he had discussed user fees with High School Principal D'Orlando and Athletic Director Congdon. The Superintendent said they had talked to officials in Towns which have gotten deeply into user fees and found that while they do bring in income they also create problems. He added that many athletically inclined students participate in several sports so must pay fees for each sport's season. Mrs. Philbrick inquired as to whether the amount for athletic transportation covered all sports. Dr. Wells said golf and tennis transportation were not in the $63,000 figure but were in the supplemental budget. Dr. Munnelly added that transportation to ice hockey practice is not furnished by the School System. Mr. Allen asked if Mr. Congdon had given any thought to holiday basketball tournaments and also to making Reading's Field House available for part of the season to the Middlesex League. Dr. Wells said Mr. Congdon had not mentioned holiday tournaments as money makers to him. In answer to the second question he said it had been looked into in the past, adding that any money received would be the standard fees which would go to the Town Treasury. I Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was voted unanimously, for preliminary budgetary purposes, approval of $63,000 for the athletic expense account (3510 series) for FY84. Going to the 1000 series, Mr. Landers moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously, for preliminary budgetary purposes, approval of $16,380 for School Committee expense (1100 series) for FY84. Mr. Landers moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was voted unanimously, for preliminary budgetary purposes, approval of $16,188 for Superintendent's Office Expense (1200 series) for FY84. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was voted unanimously, for pre- liminary budgetary purposes, approval of $2,238 for Supervisors' Expense (2100 series) for FY84. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted, for preliminary budgetary purposes, approval of $12,430 for Principals' expense - High School - (2200 series) for FY84. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted, for preliminary budgetary purposes, approval of $6,582 for Principals' expense- Junior High Schools (2200 series) for FY84. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was- unanimously voted, for preliminary budgetary purposes, approval of $3,317 for Principals' expense - Elementary Schools (2200 series) for FY84. 75 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 3, 198 Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was unanimously .voted, for preliminary budgetary purposes, approval of $43,892 for Senior High School teaching materials and supplies (2300 series) for FY84. Prior to the vote Mr. Allen asked for an explanation of the $9,000 increase in the Industrial Arts Department. Dr. Wells said that Department needed to catch up because of severe cutbacks for the last few years. Mr. Nigro asked the Administration to check to see is the allocation for the Music Department was enough. Dr. Munnelly noted that this Department did not need the amount of consumeable supplies that others, such as the Art Department, did. Dr. Wells pointed out that under the 7400 series the Music Department was requesting a large increase for purchase of equipment replacement. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted for preliminary budgetary purposes, approval of $30,399 for teaching materials and supplies for the Junior High Schools (2300 series) for FY84. There was a brief discussion on how the expenditure of FY82 surplus funds in some instances distorted FY83 and FY84 budget comparisons. The Chairman asked the Administration to add another column to the budget pages to indicate where surplus funds were expended. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was voted unanimously, for preliminary budgetary purposes, approval of $68,810 for teachers materials and supplies for the Elementary Schools (2300 series) for FY 84. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was unanimously voted for preliminary budgetary purposes, approval of $12,225 for teaching materials and supplies - other - (2300 series) for FY84. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was unanimously voted, for preliminary budgetary purposes; approval of $45,505 for the textbooks - all levels - (2400 series) for FY84. Mr. Landers moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously, for preliminary budgetary purposes, approval of $31,992 for Library Services - all schools - (2500 series) for FY84. Mr. Coco questioned the large increase in the amount for the High School. Mr. Landers pointed out that this was one of the areas in which there had been severe cutbacks for the last two years. Mr. Landers moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was unanimously voted, for preliminary budgetary purposes, approval of $23,159 for Audio - Visual aids and supplies (2600 series) for FY84 Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was voted unanimously, for preliminary budgetary purposes, approval of $10,020 for guidance expense (2700 series) for FY84. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was voted unanimously, for preliminary budgetary purposes, approval of $3,253 for Health Services (3200 series) for FY84. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, approval of $132,553 for regular day school transportation. There was a brief discussion of this figure and it was decided that transportation expense should be calculated on 182 days of school 76 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 3. 1983 instead of 185 days. Mr. Coco moved to amend the amount to $130,403. Mrs. Philbrick seconded the motion and the motion, as amended, approved $130,403, for preliminary budgetary purposes, for regular day school transportation (3300 series) for FY84, by unanimous vote . Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was unanimously voted, for preliminary budgetary purposes, approval of $38,670 for custodial supplies (4110 series) for FY84. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, approval, for preliminary budgetary purposes, of $329,248 for the heating of buildings (4120 series). The motion was defeated on a 4 -2 vote, with Mr. Coco, Mr. Landers, Mr. Nigro and Chairman Garroway voting in the negative and Mrs. Philbrick and Mr. Allen in the affirmative. During the discussion which preceded the vote on the above motion, Mr. Landers questioned some of the numbers used in computing the estimate of FY84 fuel costs. He said he was astounded at the increase at the High School from 1980 to 1982. Mr. Nigro also said he was astounded at the increase, particularly after the burner replacement program. Mr. Landers noted that the School Department had embarked on an energy conserving posture since 1981, adding that he did not feel the figures presented were right. At this point the Administration was instructed to carefully review the oil usage figures. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was unanimously voted to approve, for preliminary budgetary purposes, $240,930 for utility services (4130 series) for FY84. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was voted unanimously, to approve only Priority ill Items and delete from the proposed FY84 budget Priority #2 and #3 Items, as listed on "Reference A," which was distributed during the meeting. Mr. Landers moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was unanimously voted to approve, for preliminary budgetary purposes, $21,250 for grounds maintenance (4210 series) for FY84. It was noted that this amount may be reduced at a later date if it becomes definite that the Board of Public Works will assume maintenance of School Department fields. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was voted unanimously to approve, for preliminary budgetary purposes, $89,483 for maintenance of buildings (4220 series) for FY84. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was voted unanimously to approve, for preliminary budgetary purposes, $73,050 for maintenance of equipment - buildings (4230 series) for FY84. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was unanimously voted to approve, for preliminary budgetary purposes, $36,212 for maintenance of equipment- instruc- tional (4231 series) for FY84. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was unanimously voted to approve for preliminary budgetary purposes, $9,204.for rental of 34 Gould Street (5300 series ) for one year. It was noted that the rent was less than last year because taxes had decreased and, because of a clause in the lease, the rent was reduced accordingly. READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 3, 1983 77 Mr. Landers moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted to approve, for preliminary budgetary purposes, $800 for transportation of Reading students to private and parochial schools. (6900 series) for FY84. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was unanimously voted to approve, for preliminary budgetary purposes, $170,000 for building improvement (7200 series) for FY84. During the discussion of the above motion, Mr. Landers said he felt the $50,000 allocated for renovation of a portion of the High School was a high figure and asked what it was based on. Dr. Wells said it was based on an estimate of the cost of renovations needed to house the Central Office in that building. He added that originally it was the consensus of the Committee to relocate the Central Office to the Pearl Street School, but he knew of no reason why it would cost less to move to the High School. He pointed out that when the housing of the Central Office in the Lowell Street School was under consideration 6 -8 years ago the architect employed by the School Committee estimated the cost at $100,000 - at a time when there was much less inflation. Chairman Garroway pointed out that the Administration has been working with Architect Archibald MacLaren and has asked him to present figures as soon as possible. He added that the amount could be reduced later if Mr. MacLaren's estimate warrants it. Mr. Landers said he felt it should be made very clear to the public that the $50,000 figure was based on moving the Central Office to the Pearl Street School and that the Committee would not endorse this amount without real solid numbers. He asked if the figure included moving costs as well as physical improvements, and the Superintendent said he believed that it did. Mr. Allen said his sense of the vote to relocate the Central Office to the High School rather than the Pearl Street School was that it was to prevent a possible second move - to the High School - which might cost even more. He added that he felt it was unfair to expect the Administration to have a new cost estimate ready by tonight. Mr. Landers also questioned the amount allocated for replacement of the roof over the girls' gym in the High School and suggested that a roofing firm be contacted for a new estimate, as the one being used had been obtained three years ago and updated to keep up with inflation. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, to approve, for preliminary budgetary purposes, $14,769 for the purchase of new equipment (7300 series). Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Landers, to amend the motion by deleting the $8,000 allocated for a word processor for the Central Office and reducing the total to $6,769. Mr. Coco said he felt that word processing is an emerging technology, changing rapidly, and he was concerned about spending that amount at this time, and also that experienced people were needed to maintain the equipment. The vote on the motion, as amended, was 5 -1, with Mrs. Philbrick casting the dissenting vote. Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was voted unanimously to approve, for preliminary budgetary purposes, $112,155 (figure adjusted because of deletion. on "Reference 'B ") for renlac-amant of anninmant (7400 for FY84_ Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted to approve, for preliminary budgetary purposes, $11,000 for vehicle replacement (7600 series) for FY84. �S READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 3, 1983 Mr. Landers moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was unanimously voted to approve for preliminary budgetary purposes, $8,389 for programs with other. districts (9100 series) for FY84. The Chairman noted that the last motion finished the regular day school portion of the expense budget and suggested the Committee proceed with the special needs budget in the same manner. Mr. Allan moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was unanimously voted to approve, for preliminary budgetary purposes, $5,425 for Supervisor's expense (2100 series) for FY84. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted to approve, for preliminary budgetary purposes, $1,374 for Principals Office Expense $2200 series) for FY84. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted to approve, for preliminary budgetary purposes, $8,623 for Instructional Materials (2300 series) for FY84. - Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was unanimously voted to approve, -- for preliminary budgetary purposes, ($709 for textbooks (2400 series), $765 for audio - visual aids (2600 series), and $3,553 for psychological services (2800 series) for FY84. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted to approve, for preliminary budgetary purposes, $174,835 for transportation - public - (3300 series) for FY84. The Chairman pointed out that there will be a $56,975 reimbursement within FY83, but that the above amount must be listed for auditing purposes and will be offset by the Town Meeting vote. Mr. Landers moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, and it was unanimously voted to approve, for preliminary budgetary purposes, $3,512 for operation and maintenance of plant (4000 series) for FY84. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Landers, and it was unanimously voted to approve, for preliminary budgetary purposes, $26,890 for Community services - transportation to private schools (6900 series) for FY84. Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, and it was unanimously voted, for preliminary budgetary purposes, to approve $185 for purchase of equipment (7000 series) for FY84. Mr. Landers moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was unanimously voted to approve, for preliminary budgetary purposes, $145,891 for Programs with other Districts - Tuition (9000 series) for FY84. This motion concluded the special needs portion of the expense budget. As discussion started on the salary portion of the budget Dr. Wells stated that $126,606 could be deducted from the $9,051,423 salary projection because the Administration was recommending a reduction in force of 5.5 teachers - one guidance teacher at RMHS, one social studies teacher at RMHS, one special needs teacher and two and one -half elementary teachers. It was noted also that the _t Principals' salary projection for FY84 assumes a reduction o one t _Lstant Principal at the High School. 79 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 3, 1983 Mrs. Philbrick moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted to approve, on the recommendation of the Administration, a reduction in the proposed FY84 salary budget of $126,606 because five and one -half teaching positions will be eliminated. Mr. Allen then asked if further staff reductions could be made by increasing the teaching load of department heads. Mrs. Philbrick said she agreed with him, adding that with declining enrollments and Proposition 22 it might be a luxury to have department heads teaching only 2/5 of a day and earning more salary. Dr. Wells said that their pay decreases as their load decreases. Mr. Allen said he felt there could be more riffing. Mr. Coco added that he felt the salary budget could be reduced more if department heads carried more classes. The Chairman then asked the Committee members what information they wanted. Mr. Nigro said that he thought they could only express their feelings to the Administration now and they can come back with an evaluation of the situation and their recommendations. Mr. Landers said he did not see any adjustments in the salary account for staff turnover, which in the past has contributed to an excess in the account. He added that he thought the Administration could look over the history of the last few years and do some fine tuning of the salary account. Dr. Wells noted that the turnover factor in the past 3 -4 years has been less than 1% of the budget. Mr. Allen remarked that he was thinking only of the High School when he spoke of further staff _cutbacks because there will be enormous changes at the lower level when middle schools are initiated. Dr. Wells then recommended reducing the RMHS staff by one Assistant Principal. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was voted unanimously, upon the recommendation of the Administration, to reduce the High School Staff by one Assistant Principal position for FY84. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Nigro, and it was unanimously voted to approve, for preliminary budgetary purposes, $8,924,817 for the salary account for FY84. Mr. Allen then brought up the subject of an early retirement incentive plan. Following a discussion of the pros and cons of having such a plan this year, Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Landers, that the Chairman contact the Chairman of the Reading Teachers Association and have a dialog on the School Committee offering a voluntary retirement incentive plan, the details of which would be .determined later. The motion was defeated on a tie vote, with Mr. Allen, Mr. Landers and Chairman Garroway voting in favor and Mr. Coco, Mr. Nigro and Mrs. Philbrick against. Date for Next Meeting At this point the Chairman asked the members if they would be willing to meet again next Monday at 7:00 p. m. The membership agreed to his request. The Chairman noted for the record that Reading Schools had received an award of $2,247 from the Massachusetts Council on Arts and Humanities so that an increased number of Reading students may visit the Peabody Museum this spring. Chairman Garroway noted that the Legislature is expected to double the amount already voted for awards of this type. so READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES Resignation JANUARY 3. 1983 Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Coco, to accept the resignation of Mr. Paul Jackson, roving custodian, effective January 14, 1983. Appointments Mr. Nigro moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted to appoint Mrs. Cynthi. M. Jamison, 21 Stoneybrook Drive #7, Millis, as a Grade 4 teacher at Barrows School (replacing Ms. Yeannakopoulos), for the remainder of the year, at the rate of M -3 - $15,326 pro- rated. Mr. Coco moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, and it was unanimously voted to appoint Mr. John F. Splaine, 441 Franklin Street, Cambridge, as an industrial arts teacher at the Parker Junior High School, for the remainder of the year, at the rate of M -9 - $19,309 pro- rated. This position, replacing Mr. O'Gorman, was offered to Mr. Martell (Appointed at the last School Committee meeting) but he did not accept it. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 11:38 p, m. Respectfully Su'.- :ltted e. Robert S. Wells, Secrete I