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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-01-09 School Committee MinutesTown of Reading Meeting Minutes 5$9'lNCb'F4�� Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2017-01-09 Building: School - Memorial High Address: 82 Oakland Road Purpose: Open Session Attendees: Members - Present: RECEIVED TOWN CLERK READING. MASS. 1011 FEB 23 P `-. 3b I Time: 7:00 PM Location: Superintendent Conference Room Session: Open Session Version: Final Jeanne Borawski, Chuck Robinson, Elaine Webb, Linda Snow Dockser, Gary Nihan, Nick Boivin Members - Not Present: Student Representative Mario Cutone Others Present: Superintendent John Doherty, Director of Finance Gail Dowd, Director of Student Services Carolyn Wilson, Assistant Superintendent Craig Martin, Birch Meadow Principal Julia Hendrix, Parker Principal Ricki Shankland, Interim HR Director Jenn Bove, METCO Director Jason Cross, RTA President Eric Goldstein, Birch Meadow teacher Heidi Murray, RMHS Principal Adam Bakr, Coolidge Principal Sarah Marchant, Fincom members Paula Perry & Mark Dockser, Selectman Barry Berman Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Linda Engelson on behalf of the Chair Topics of Discussion: I. Call to Order Chair Borawski called the School Committee to order at 7:00 p.m. and reviewed the agenda. Dr. Snow Dockser arrived at 7:04 p.m. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Comment There was no public comment. B. Consent Agenda Mr. Robinson asked the Committee if there were any consent agenda items that they would like removed. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Dr. Nihan, to approve the consent agenda as presented. The motion carried 6-0. Page 1 1 - Accept Donations to the Reading Public Schools — Karen & John Janowski for software licenses C. Reports Student Representatives Student Representative Alex Nazzaro reported on the following: • The RMHS Singers will be performing the National Anthem at the boys basketball game tomorrow • It was cold in the school today • Students are talking about the proposed budget changes Liaison's Report Dr. Snow Dockser reported the upcoming Martin Luther King celebration. Dr. Snow Dockser also reported that the SEPAC meeting scheduled for January 7t' was cancelled. Superintendent's Report Dr. Doherty announced the release of Executive Session minutes dated December 19, 2007, February 11, 2008 and April 7, 2008. He also said that there was information included in the executive minutes posted on the website that should have been redacted and the website has been shutdown to make the appropriate changes. Dr. Nihan suggested what the purpose of redacting information is. Mrs. Borawski said that information that is still considered active executive session discussions should be removed to protect the board's positions on such discussions. D. Old Business There was no old business. E. New Business FY2018 Budget Presentation Dr. Doherty provided an overview of the presentation. He pointed out that this year's budget document is streamlined and shows a true financial picture. He thanked the building administrators, directors and central office administrators for the work they have done since October. Dr. Doherty pointed out that he would like to use the term "recommended" very loosely. He is not comfortable with the reductions that will have to be made in this budget. The focus on this budget is what is best for kids. The administrative team has struggled with difficult Page 1 2 decisions during the development of this budget. Dr. Doherty shared that the cuts are the least impactful of the worst case scenario. He went on to thank Director of Finance Gail Dowd for the amazing job she has done during this process. The Superintendent reviewed why we are in this difficult budget climate. Revenues can only increase by 2 %z% each year plus growth. Reading does not have a large commercial tax base and new growth is limited. Expenses such as health care can go up higher that 2 '/2% impacting the available funds for town and schools, Chapter 70 funding is not sufficient, the override to solve the structural deficit failed in October and both the Town and schools indicated that they needed approximately an additional $3,000,000 (if no cash reserves used) to fund the FY2018 budget. He reviewed the total FY 15 per pupil expenditures vs. Comparable Communities in which Reading ranks 27' out of 30. FY15 information is the most recent available on the DESE website. Dr. Doherty felt it would be helpful to define the types of funds. • Operating Budget Funds: Includes all of the salaries, materials, supplies and services needed to operate the school district; revenue sources include property taxes, state aid, excise tax, fees, sale of land; property taxes can only go up 2 1/2 % per year plus any new growth unless there the community decides on a Propositions 2 %2 override and any funds at the end of the fiscal year need to be returned to the Town's General Fund Capital Funds: Usually 5% of the operating budget; used for any capital improvement projects or purchases; the RMHS litigation will be funded out of Capital for the next 10 years and you cannot use capital funds to support the operating budget • Grants & Revolving Accounts: Includes funds raised by user fees, tuitions, ticket sales or receiving grants and must be used for a specific purpose Dr. Doherty wanted the public to know that the high school litigation has no impact on the operating budget. Superintendent Doherty then provided a financial overview including discussion on revenue projections and accommodated costs. He went on to review the FYI budget projections stating that we are facing a $1.4 -million -dollar deficit to fund a level service budget. Dr. Doherty reviewed the reductions since FYI 3 where the administration has tried to make non personnel reductions, however, staff reductions are unavoidable in this budget. Dr. Doherty reviewed the budget drivers which include salary and benefits, increases in regular day transportation, a decrease in the use of offsets, an increase in athletic expenses and a decrease in the METCO grant offset. Not included in this budget is funding for the multi-year implementation of the science Page 1 3 curriculum, unanticipated enrollment increases and extraordinary special education costs related to out of district placement tuition, transportation and other services required by a student's IEP. District priorities for this budget include four focus areas (closing the achievement gap, literacy, mathematics instruction and social emotional learning), class size concerns at the K — 2 level, maintaining the middle school interdisciplinary model, ensuring RMHS juniors and seniors have access to coursework for graduation and continuing the Joshua Eaton School Improvement Plan process. Not all of these priorities are fully funded. Dr. Doherty next reviewed each cost center and the budgetary impact on each. The School Committee asked clarifying questions. Administration Cost Center Dr. Doherty reviewed the major changes in this cost center which include salary and benefit increases, the elimination of the 1.0 FTE School Business Assistant position, and a decrease in labor counsel services. With the loss of the School Business Assistant, the Director of Finance and Student Services has assumed the duties of that position including budget forecasting, grants management, special education budgeting and Medicaid reimbursement. The School Committee asked clarifying questions. Regular Day Cost Center Dr. Doherty reviewed the major changes in the regular day cost center which include salary and benefit obligations, level funding the buildings and reviewed the personnel reductions. He next reviewed the impact of the personnel reductions which include 3.3 FTE regular education paraeducators, 2.0 FTE elementary classroom teachers, 7.0 FTE middle school classroom teachers, 3.8 FTE high school teachers, and 1.0 FTE Instructional Coach. These reductions will lead to larger class sizes, restricting of the middle school interdisciplinary model (reducing to a six period day), the elimination of foreign language at grade 7 and grade 8 foreign language becoming an elective and reduced paraeducator support in the kindergarten classrooms. At the high school level, the impact of the reductions includes suspension of the Fine Arts and Business requirements for the Class of 2021, higher art, business and physical education classes, the elimination of college prep level classes in science, social studies, and ELA, and higher class sizes in strong college prep/honors classes. Building based per pupil expenditure was reviewed. The FY18 budget provides for increases to each building from the FY17 fiscal year. This funding is used for building supplies, text and materials and consumables, classroom furniture, classroom technology/equipment, paper, copier leases, memberships/dues, testing supplies, instructional software and license and maintenance fees, conferences/workshops/professional development and graduation expenses. The professional development breakdown was reviewed. Dr. Nihan would like to find a way to save the 3.3 regular education paraeducator positions. Dr. Snow Dockser asked about the impact on the cut in middle school Page 14 foreign language. Dr. Doherty responded that foreign language will become a full year class in grade 8 for those who enroll. This will allow for a path to AP in high school. Former RMHS student Nathan Giacalone asked about the increase in athletic user fees. Dr. Doherty pointed out that increase in the pool rental and transportation are contributing factors to the proposed increase in user fees. Former RMHS student Carl Anderson asked if there have been discussions with the Finance Committee, he feels there is a lot of waste in the Town's budget. Mrs. Borawski said that there is a high level of collaboration with the town side. Selectman Barry Berman invited Mr. Anderson to attend the Selectmen's meetings. He said the Board has done the same drilling down into the budget. Fincom Chair Mark Dockser added that Fincom works closely with all Town boards. He feels the Town is run and managed well fiscally. Mr. Anderson asked about the math track at middle school. Mr. Martin said that the principals and he are still looking at levels and accelerated pathways. Mr. Anderson added that he is a college sophomore and feels that Reading Memorial High School prepared him for college and the requirement to take a foreign language. He added that taking a foreign language in middle school also prepared him for this. Foreign Language Department Head Joanne Alvarez is concerned with personnel cuts and the effect of the staff at the high school because of the possible seniority bumping. Parent Eileen Manning asked about the Joshua Eaton funding and the afterschool program/tutoring. Dr. Doherty said staff additions are coming out of the special education cost center. The afterschool program/tutoring are short term programs. Mrs. VandenAkker asked about the substitute expenditures. Mrs. Williams asked about transportation costs because it appears to pop up in several areas. Mrs. Borawski said this is fairly typical. Dr. Doherty added that the cost must be represented in the appropriate cost center as determined by DESE. Mrs. Williams would like to know the total cost for transportation. III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) Warrant S 1726 12.22.16 $253,166.93 b. Calendar IV. Information V. Future Business Page 1 5 VI. Adjournment Adjourn Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Dr. Nihan, to enter into executive session for the approval of minutes not to return to open session. The roll call vote carried 6-0. Mr. Robinson, Dr. Nihan, Mr. Boivin, Mrs. Borawski, Mrs. Webb and Dr. Snow Dockser. The meeting adjourned at 10:34 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. 4A J F. Doherty, td.D. Page 1 6