HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-02-24 Finance Committee Minutes Finance Committee Meeting
February 24, 1994
The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the conference room, at 16 Lowell
Street, Reading, MA. Present were Chairman Richard Coco; Vice Chairman
Fred Van Magness; FinCom members Jim Keigley, Bill Murphy, Steve
Blewitt, Carol Grimm, Nate White. Member Gerry MacDonald arrived late.
Also present were Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner; Superintendent of
Schools Dr. Munnelly; School Committee Chairperson Robin D'Antona;
School Committee Members Matt Cummings, George Shannon, Tom
Stohlman, Tim Twoomey, Susan Cavicchi and Maria Silvaggi from the
Chronicle.
Richard Coco indicated that the School Committee and school
administration will be meeting with the Town Manager, and The Budget
Committee next week regarding their FY95 budget. They are moving in the
right direction in order to come to terms with the differences in preparing
their budget in comparison to the Municipal budget.
i
Several members of the Finance Committee were concerned about spending
time this evening reviewing the school's budget considering there may be
changes made next week. The Town Manager assured the committee that
there will not be any drastic changes to the budget it will mostly deal
with prioritizing. The School Committee's proposed budget is about
$400,000 above the 12/15/93 guidelines.
Richard Coco commented that the school committee has been reviewing
their budget since December 15, 1993 and that the process of rectifying
differences should have been occuring throughout past two months,
instead of the last minute.
Jim Keigley stated that it is history now and let's just move forward and
proceed and if there are changes, there are changes and we will deal with
them at that time.
On motion by Fred Van Magness seconded by Steve Blewitt the committee
voted to approve the February 17, 1994 Minutes as amended. The motion
was approved with a vote of 7-0-0.
i
Finance Committee Meeting
February 24, 1994
Page #2
The Finance Committee reviewed the projected revenues for FY95 as
presented by the Town Manager. There is no change in income from
property tax and there is still $500,000 in unlevied tax. At this time
there is $33,709,499 total revenues anticipated. There may be an
increase, as much as $231 ,000, with lottery receipts, new growth and
abatement surplus, but at this time it is not secure.
Dr. Munnelly opened the school committee budget discussion by asking
FinCom to be patient in giving the school committee another week to work
with the boards and for making adjustments in preparing and presenting
their final budget. Things have been changing and we've had to stop and
start the process and the state keeps coming through with new
information.
A request was made regarding employee raises. The schools didn't have
any raises in FY92 and FY93, but in FY94 there was a 3.6% increase and in
FY95 3.6 or 3.7%. As for the town, FY92 and FY93 was 0%, FY94 2.5% and
FY95 one bargining unit has settled at 4.5%.
The School Committee has no intent to race and play catch up with the
past FY88 and FY89 budgets, but there are major needs that have to be
addressed. They took a cut with the thoughts of it lasting 1 year and it
lasted 4 years. Some of the issues that need to be addressed are painting,
textbooks and staff improvement.
Fred Van Magness commented that he understands, but we have a time
limit also, and a full calender, and with the school budget upside down it's
not making it easier on us.
Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner left the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
Gerry MacDonald arrived at the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
Questions arose as to how many Metco students there are in the Reading
School System. Dr. Munnelly stated that there are 90 students at this
time. He also stated that the town receives approximately $110,000 free
r
Finance Committee Meeting
' February 24, 1994
Page #3
money for having the Metco program. Fred Van Magness questioned the
comparisons of additional teachers to the Metco students; is it beneficial
to the town to have additional students to increase the enrollment and the
need for more teachers?
The meeting adjorned for a 5 minute recess at 8:45 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 8:50 p.m.
There was an extensive review of a majority of the FY95 School Budget.
Questions arose regarding administration salaries, labor counsel,
supplies, athletics and enrollments.
One topic questioned by FinCom was Sick Leave BuyBack, which entitles a
teacher compensation when they retire, if they do not use 100 days of sick
leave throughout their employment. There will be 4 teachers leaving in
FY95.
The school committee is requesting 4 additional teachers due to the
increase of enrollments.
Bill Murphy requested a list of items that were underspent in the schools
FY93 budget.
Richard Coco asked the School Committee to have a completed budget
package for the next scheduled meeting on March 3, 1994 at 7:30 p.m.
The February 28, 1994 meeting will review the Human and General Service
budgets.
On motion by Jim Keigley seconded by Gerry MacDonald the committee
voted to adjorn at 10:25 p.m. with a vote of 8-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
(W 'Lisa Zannij Secretary