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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-03-20 Finance Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the Finance Committee Open Session Date: March 20, 2013 Time: 7:00 p.m. Place: Town Hall Conference Room Fincom Members Present David Greenfield Paula Perry Paul McNeice Mark Dockser Jeanne Borawski Hal Torman, Jeffrey Perkins Karen Herrick Arrived at 7:50 p.m. Arrived at 7:40 p.m. Visitors: John Doherty, Superintendent Mary DeLai, Assistant Superintendent Karen Janowski, School Committee Hal Croft, School Committee Chuck Robinson, School Committee Chris Caruso, School Committee Rob Spadafora, School Committee I. Call to Order r,tCtIVED i OWN CLERK ;DING. MASS. JI4 MAR -4 P 154 Staff Members Present Bob LeLacheur, Town Finance Director Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager James Bonazoli, BOS Gary Brackett, Town Counsel Chairperson Greenfield called the Finance Committee to order at 7:30 p.m. Mrs. Janowski called the School Committee to order. Mr. Greenfield moved, seconded by Mr. Torman to enter into executive session at 7.32 p.m. to discuss strategy with respect to litigation and the acquisition and /or the sale of Real Estate and to return to open session at approximately 8:00 p.m. The roll call vote was 6 -0 Mr. Greenfield, Ms. Borowski, Mr. Dockser, Mr. McNeice, Mrs. Perry and Mr. Torman Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso to enter into executive session at 7.32 p.m. to discuss strategy with respect to litigation and the acquisition and /or the sale of Real Estate and to return to open session at approximately 8:00 mm. The roll call vote was 5 -0 Mrs Janowski, Mr. Croft, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Spadafora and Mr. Caruso Mr. Greenfield returned to the meeting at 8:37 p.m. Mr. Croft, Mr. Hechenbleikner, Mr. Brackett and Mr. LeLacheur left the meeting at 8:39 p.m. The Finance Committee and School Committee were call back to order at 8:39 p.m. II. Recommended Procedure A. Continued Business FY2014 School Department Budeet Dr. Doherty and Ms. DeLai reviewed the changes between the Superintendent's Recommended and School Committee approved budgets. Dr. Doherty explained that the School Committee will request that Town meeting approve the allocation of $250,000 from free cash in the FY2013 Capital budget to be used to purchase curriculum materials. If this request is approved the School Committee budget would be reduced by that amount. Mrs. Perry asked about the additional staffing to address behavioral health needs in the district and wondered if we could capitalize on funding from health insurance companies. Dr. Doherty indicated we could not but we can recommend and direct families to seek out other services that private health insurance may cover. Dr. Doherty reviewed enrollment and class sizes trends. He pointed out that the additional staffing requests are need to address the large incoming grade nine. Ms. DeLai reviewed the foundation budget and how the Foundation budget is determined for each district. Mr. Spadafora left the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Ms. DeLai reviewed the district per pupil spending and how our per pupil spending ranks with other comparable communities. Superintendent Doherty reviewed the budget drivers used in developing the budget. The drivers include salaries, the implementation of curriculum initiatives, a large grade nine class, significant increases in out of district tuitions, the continued need to provide behavioral health supports for middle and high school students, and a reduction in circuit breaker reimbursement amounts. Ms. DeLai reviewed information on energy and utility usage and grant and revenue offsets. Dr. Doherty reviewed the School Department Cost Centers and reviewed the budget drivers for each. Mr. Dockser asked how Reading's Special Education spending compared to comparable communities. Ms. Delai responded that we are close to the state average. Ms. DeLai reviewed the Town electricity, natural gas and water consumption over a five year period. Ms. DeLai answered previously submitted questions. Mr. Greenfield appreciated the level of transparency that allows for open and frank discussions. He also appreciates the level of trust that is a result of the transparency. III. Information IV. Future Business V. Adjournment Mr. Torman moved, seconded by Mr. Dockser, to adjourn The motion carried 7-0. Meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m._ NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting.