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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-01-14 School Committee Minutesy or - o ai Town of Reading 0 ?' � �i Meeting Minutes a fro 0.i M(00.� Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2016 -01 -14 Building: School - Memorial High Address: 82 Oakland Road Purpose: General Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: RECEIVED TOWN CLERK READING. MASS. 2016 FEB - I P 2 33 t Time: 7:00 PM Location: Superintendent Conference Room Session: Open Session Jeanne Borawski, Linda Snow Dockser, Elaine Webb, Chuck Robinson & Julie Joyce Members - Not Present: Members Gary Nihan, Student Representative Carl Gillies Others Present: Craig Martin, Assistant Superintendent, Director of Student Services Carolyn Wilson, Director of Finance Martha Sybert, Al Sylvia, Daily Chronicle, Student Representative Alex Nazzaro, RTA President Chris Copeland, Birch Meadow Principal Patti Beckman, RISE Preschool Director Debbie Butts, RMHS Department Head Kristin Killian, Director of Nurses Lynn Dunn, RMHS Assistant Principal Tom Zaya, Network Administrator Julian Carr, RMHS teacher Danya Mahoney, RPS Budget Parents, Fincom Members Mark Dockser, Anne Johnson Landry and Paula Perry, RPS Team Chairs Minutes Respectfully submitted By: Linda Engelson on behalf of the Chair Topics of Discussion: 1. Call to Order Chair Robinson called the School Committee to order at 7:03 p.m. 11. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input The Chair asked for public input. RMHS Latin teacher Danya Mahoney read a statement regarding the importance of maintaining a strong Latin program. Chair Robinson thanked her for her input. B. Reports Student Ms. Nazzaro reported the Martin Luther King Celebration at which the high school chorus will be performing. She then read a statement supporting the need to avoid the cut in the .4 Latin position. She said there was a lot of talk among the Page I 1 students regarding this cut. The student body is not happy. Ms. Naz am currently takes Latin and this class is very important to her. She shared that Latin has a basis in many aspects of everyday life. The classes are excellent as are her teachers. Liaisons Mrs. Joyce attended the Board of Selectmen's meeting on Tuesday night as the Board began their budget discussions. Dr. Snow Dockser reminded everyone of the Martin Luther King Celebration on January 18a from 9:30 — 11:30 a.m. There will be representatives from the GSA and A World of Difference Clubs participating in this year's event. She thanked community business for their support of this huge community event. Dr. Snow Dockser reminded the community of the Coolidge Middle School production of Alice in Wonderland, Jr. this weekend. Mrs. Webb recommended that all members of the community should look over the Town Manager's budget overview. The FY2017 budget will be extremely difficult and the community needs to be engaged and take an active role. C. Consent Agenda Mr. Robinson reviewed the consent agenda and asked if any members would like any items removed from the consent agenda. Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mrs. Joyce, to approve the consent agenda as presented. The motion carried 5 -0. D. New Business FY2017 Budget Presentation Special Education Cost Center Mrs. Wilson reviewed the goals of the Student Services Department, reviewed the programs we currently have and reviewed the findings of the Walker report. Ms. Sybert went on to review the makeup and functions of this cost center. Mrs. Wilson also reviewed the budget drivers which include salary increases, an increase in out -of- district tuitions due to known and anticipated placements and an increase in special education transportation costs and the addition of the 1.0 Social Worker for the SSP Program. Decreases in this cost center include the reduction of .4 FTE Speech & Language Pathologist and a reduction in the use of the revolving fund offset from the Special Education Revolving Fund. Mrs. Wilson reviewed the staffing changes. Ms. Sybert reviewed the spending trends, staffing and expenses for this cost center. The School Committee asked clarifying questions Page 1 2 SEPAC parent Kate Goldlast read a statement from another parent supporting the addition of the BCBA staff member this year and the need for more to address the needs of our students. District -Wide Programs Ms. Sybert reviewed the Health Services, Athletics, Extracurricular and District Technology cost centers. She reviewed the drivers to this cost center. As with all cost centers, contractual collective bargaining salary increases make up a major portion of the budget. There will also be increases in Extra - Curricular and Athletics offsets. Ms. Sybert began the review of the individual cost centers. The Health Services cost center will see increases in the salary line as a result of collective bargaining agreements. This cost center is level funded for all other categories. Athletics budget drivers include increases in coach's and clerical salaries, facility rental costs and software licensing. There will be an increase in the offset from the Athletics revolving account as well. Ms. Sybert shared athletic participation numbers which have stayed steady over the past few years, including the year the user fee was increased. She went on to review the Extracurricular Programs. She reviewed the proposed budget. Lastly Ms. Sybert reviewed the Network and Technology Maintenance Cost Center. Drivers in this cost center include increases in salaries, staff turnover, the restoration of .25 FTE from the School Transformation grant, software licensing and network hardware. The School Committee asked clarifying questions. The Committee was reminded that there is a Financial Forum on Wednesday and the board will meet on the 21' at which time they will hold the Public Hearing on the FY2017 budget. The budget presentations will continue with facilities and an overview of grants and revolving funds. III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) Warrant S1629 1.14.16 $136,177.44 b. Calendar c. Information Page 1 3 d. Future Business e. Adioununent Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mrs. Joyce to adjourn. The motion carried 5 -0. The meeting adjourned at 9:21 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. 119,11, Page 14