HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-02-12 Finance Committee Minutes i
RECEI'V 0
046'N CLERY,
RLd01no, { ASS,
L01 FEB 29 }mance Committee Meeting
10 24 �, 96 February 12, 1996
The Finance Committee met at 8 :00 P.M. in the Conference Room
at Town Hall. Present were Chairman Steve Blewitt, Vice
Chairman Jim Keigley, FinCom members Gerry MacDonald, Nate
White, Carol Grimm, Jerry Vitale, Rocco Nenarella, Tom Green
Jr. , Catherine Martin, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and
Secretary Maureen Vierra. Also present were Superintendent
Harry Harutunian, School Committee Members Matt Cummings,
Robin D'Antona, Tom Stohlman, Tim Twomey and Robert
Spadafora . In addition, attending were Town residents and
various school personnel : Michael Kerwin, Beth Klepeis ,
Richard Foley, Dennis Laobs, Eleanor Burke-Hardin, Nancy
Twomey, Dennis Richards, Wendy Liston, Gina Healy, Jim
O'Leary, Teri Campbell, Ellen Mounteer, Bob O' Connor, John
Carpenter, Randy Gonchar, and George Thompson.
Approval of Minutes:
On a motion by Grimm seconded by Keigley the Finance
Committee voted to approve the minutes of February 7, 1996 by
a vote of 8/0/1 .
Review of Schools:
Superintendent Harry Harutunian gave a presentation on their
plan to improve technology in the schools . In addition, he
presented documentation to the Finance Committee in regard to
many questions they had submitted to him prior to this
meeting. Some of the topics reviewed were: professional
development, work schedules for physical ed, art and music
teachers, class sizes (current and future goal) ,bus
transportation costs/alternatives, 25% increase in
instructional supplies ( regular day) , 40% increase in
instructional equipment (regular day) , 60% increase in
custodial supplies and a $30,000.00 increase in athletic
services.
The current anticipated short fall in fY96 is $184, 398.00.
The main topic discussed was the technology plan. Currently
the Reading Public Schools has 213-Apple 2E ' s (these are
approximately 12-15 years old) , 22-286 PC' s , 71-MacIntosh,
and 147-PC ' s that he would like to attach external CD Rom
units ( this inventory does not include computers used by the
administrative staff) . He believes the $500,000.00 requested
in the Capital Improvement plan will get them to a level
comparable to other school districts. In addition, he would
like $100 ,000.00 each year carried out for 10 years giving
each school approximately $25 ,000.00 every other year to
purchase upgrades and new software. The $500,000. 00 will be
spent primarily on hardware, wiring and equipment. Parker
2
school will use funding from the bond for its purchase of
computer equipment and wiring.
Prior to the purchase of any computer equipment, Harry would
like to hire a technical coordinator to ensure that they are
purchasing the correct equipment and to make sure all
equipment is compatible.
The expenditure of $75,000.00 allocated to each school will
be used to upgrade each school ( some schools need more work
than others) so they will each have a computer lab
(consisting of 25-30 computers) , appropriate wiring and
hookups ( in the classroom leading to the lab) ,a PC in each
classroom and a LCD projection screen. This installation
will sustain the school for 2-5 years.
The ultimate goal is to have at each elementary school: two
computers in each classroom which will be networked into the
computer lab and one teacher computer tied into a school
system network. At each middle school he would like 2-4
computers in each classroom networked into the computer lab
and one teacher computer tied into the school system network.
At the High School each major department (history, english,
math etc. ) have direct access to their own computer lab and a
set of computers available to each of the fine arts
/// departments (art and music) .
The recommended ratio is one computer for every 6 students.
The current ratio is 1 : 18 , this technology plan it will bring it to
1 : 10
On a motion by MacDonald seconded by Martin the Finance
Committee voted to adjourn at 11 :00 p.m. by a vote of 9/0/0.
The next meeting of the Finance Committee is scheduled for
February 14, 1996 at 7: 00 p.m.
Re ect ully su i ed,
eve B
Chairman