Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-01-08 School Committee Minutes Reading School Committee Reading,Massachusetts Regular Session January 8 2001 CALL TO ORDER Chair Cavicchi called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Dahl, D'Antona, Griset, Keigley and Twomey. Also present were Superintendent Harumnian,Associate Superintendent Richards,Town Accountant Richard Foley, Student Representative Jake McAleer, Finance Committee Members McDonald, Lelechauer. BILLS & PAYROLL There were no bills and payrolls. CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen's input. FY02 BUDGET SPECIAL EDUCATION [ Dr. Harutunian briefly described the budget process. ` Dr. Harumnian advised that the 8%decrease in educational assistants is due mostly to the fact that when this budget was built it was built with the $150,000 transfer the School Committee made last week regarding educational assistants. Dr. Harutunian advised that the budget offset has declined because the revenue represents reimbursement and the transfer out of the revolving account from RISE to help defray salary costs. Dr. Haratunian advised that the increase in professional development is due to the special education laws in Massachusetts. There have been major changes and our staff needs to be aware of the changes and that requires significant professional development. Also, the Director believes that comprehensive training of staff will help lower out of district placements. Dr. Harutunian advised that the increase in special education salaries is that this year Pam Gill's salary is included and the addition of the new DLC program at Coolidge. Regular Session 2 January 8 2001 Dr. Harmunian advised that the director's salary increased because last year we were unable to find a qualified permanent director and therefore the position was filled on an interim basis. The increase this year is because we have hired an experienced director of special education. Dr. Harmunian advised that the tripling of the budgeted amount for adaptive equipment over the FY01 budget is because of specific students with disabilities and the necessary replacement of equipment. Dr. Harutunian distributed a memorandum with a breakdown of the increase in adaptive equipment. Dr. Harutunian distributed a list showing the number of students requiring transportation public/private and tuition public/private for FY02 including the number of unanticipated students built in to the FY02 budget. Dr. Harutunian discussed the possibility of allowing other districts with students with special needs to attend special education classes at Reading that had room for more students at a cost to the other districts. HEALTH EXTRA CURRICULA,ATHLETICS Dr. Harutunian advised that the director line for nurses and the director line for extra curricula increased because negotiations had not been finalized when the FY01 budget was completed. Dr. Harmunian distributed a list of each extracurricula activity and the ratio of advisors to students. Dr. Harutunian distributed the Massachusetts General Law that states that the position of physician is required. Ms. Janice Jones stated that she was disappointed that there was no increase in extra curricula this year. She stated that an inequality has existed for many years between band and athletics and she wants to see the inequality eliminated. She stated that only two activities, drama and band, must have parents raise substantial funds to continue. Mr. Twomey asked for a list of stipended positions including names and salaries. Mr. Keigley stated that he would obviously like to see more money go to extra curricula including the band but that during these financial times it was not possible. 4 Regular Session 3 January 8 2001 Ms. D'Antona stated that there is tension between regular day support and special education support and athletics and extra curricula. She stated that the community should be proactive and give to all students across the board. She stated that other funding sources need to be looked at to increase funds rather than taking from one group to give to another. Jake McAleer stated that there are many clubs at the high school besides drama and band that do not receive funding. Mr. Griset stated that the Science Olympiad hip to the nationals is fully funded by parents. A member of the audience asked why six football coaches are needed. Dr. Harmunian stated that he did not have specifics but that because there is a freshmen, junior varsity and varsity football team the number of students would be high and that because football is a contact sport there were safety issues to be aware of. An audience member stated that parents of football players fund some of the coaches. CUSTODIAL MAINTENANCE Dr. Harutunian discussed the increase in water and electricity in the custodial maintenance budget and the cost of contracting out cleaning for the new police station. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 9:50 p.m. Mr. Griset made a motion to enter into executive session for the purpose of conducting strategy session in preparation for negotiations wit the Teachers' Association. Secretaries and Clerks.Nurses,Custodial Maintenance Workers, Cafeteria Employees,Educational Assistants and.Administrators and to discuss pending litigation not to return to regular session. Mr. Keiglev seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi,Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona,Mr. Griset, Mr. Keiglev and Mr. Twomey. Respectfully s fitted, Harry K. Hamtunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools 4