HomeMy WebLinkAbout1932-02-09 Finance Committee Minutes Meeting February 9, 1932.
The meeting of the Finance Committee was called to order at 8 o'clock.
The records of the last meeting were read and anproved. The clerk read
a letter from Mr. George L. Larrabee written to Chairman Mount dated February
16, which contained several suggestions regarding methods by which the school
costs in Reading might be reduced. the letter is attached to the minutes
of this meeting.
A list of appropriation estimates for 1932 was presented to the Psoard
showing that to date the estimates amount to x643,260.00.
The School Committee, having been invited to appear before the Finance
j Board to discuss the Larrabee report came in about 8.30. The members of the
School Committee present were Chiirman, Coolidge, Spencer, Tanner, Hartshorn,
Gordon, Dickie. Chairman Coolidge discussed item by item of the Larrabee
report and explained many of them from the view point of the School Board.
He also presented tabulations which had been prepared, the object of which
was to refute some of the claims in the report. He answered all questions
put to him by the various members of the Finance Committee. Me' Spencer
added some information from his experience as former Chairman of the School
Board.
A special meeting was announced for Wednesday evening, February 10th to
hear Mr. Theodore P. Berle on School matters.
i Adjourned: 10.45 P.M.
SISI? Members present: Chm. Mount, Briggs, Higgins, Connelly, Devaney, Ellison,
Fairchild, Canty, Haley, Killam, Knox, Scott.
Clerk.
394 Main Street,
Reading, Massachusetts,
February 6, 1932.
Mr. Robert B. Mount, Chairman,
The Finance Committee,
Reading, Mass.
LDear Mr. Mount:
Should your Committee, after proper
consideration, conclude that the taxpayers of Reading are
entitled to substantial relief from the excessive expenditures
of our School Department, there are two methods of attaining
the objective which seem to me to be worthy of consideration:
1st- A drastic cut in the aggregate of
the appropriation requested for current year, with a challenge
to the members of the Committee to find ways and means of
keeping within the limitations set.
2nd- In addition to as large a out as
your Committee deem it advisable to recommend this year, con-
sistent with needs of our schools, it would seem to me an ex-
cellent idea if the Finance Committee could at this time in-
corporate in its report to be made public, a strong recommend-
ation that the School Committee at this time take steps to
effect such a reduction in the appropriation for 1933 as will
bring us into line with the average town in our group of 83,
that is, the Sohbol Committee to refrain from entering into any
new contracts or binding obligations which will preclude their
acceptance of the average per pupil cost for these oom® ities
for the school year 1931-1932, which figure will be available
at the office of the State Department of Education in the latter
part of 1932.
This would prepare the School Committee
to anticipate the move along similar linea which I contemplate
making upon the floor at the Town Meeting, and it seems reason.
able to me that the School Committee will heed the mandate of
4 the taxpayers and voters if it is given.
4
i .
`r RBM-2- 2-6-32.
btren though the average for years 1931-1932
should be adopted as our working basis for the year 1932-1933, we
`. will still doubtless be lagging behind the procession, owing to
reasonable anticipation that many of these towns will effect sub-
stantial reductions in the meantime; however, it will indicate
that Reading is headed in the right direction, and that seems to
me at present the real goal. Once headed in the proper channel,
it will be an easier matter to get into line with these other
communities, during the next several years.
This is but a suggestion on my part, with
no intention of presuming to offer it other than as a suggestion,
but it seems about the most practical answer to your question of
Thursday night, as to ways and means of attaining objective sought.
With kindest regards, I an,
Sincerely,
P. S. Coo Ids is responsible for publication of larger circular
enclosed--.rill be glad to furnish as many as desired by all inter-
ested parties.