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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-03-07 Finance Committee MinutesE1_'EIVED `i'0Wtl CLERK Finance Committee Meeting READING, MASS. March 7, 2001 2001 APR -R p2: o I The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, at the Town fIal1, 16 Lowell Street, Reading Massachusetts. Present were Chair Carol Grimm, Vice Chair Richard McDonald, FmCom Members Mary Grimmer, Charles Robinson, James Francis, Robert LeLacheur. Andrew Grimes, Superintendent Dr. Harutunian, Susan Cavicchi, Pete Dahl, Robin D'Antona, Selectman Matthew Cummings and Carl McFadden. On a motion by Mary Grimmer, seconded by Dick McDonald, the Finance Committee voted to accept the minutes of their February 21, 2001 meeting, as amended. The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0-0. Dr. Harutunian thanked the Finance Committee for meeting with him. He announced there would be school in Reading tomorrow. He thanked Mike DeBrigard, Ted McIntire, the DPW, Police Dept. and Fire Dept. for their excellent job in the recent snowstorm. He stated there was a lot of overtime. Dr. Harutunian stated he met with Town Accountant Richard Foley. They expect a deficit at the end of the year in electricity, oil, custodial overtime, and one or two other accounts. They are not expecting to request additional money for special education. He will have a better idea in two weeks at what the balances would be. ( Carol Grimm asked if the deficit would be $200,000 as anticipated? Dr. Harutunian stated he thinks it will be less, closer to $150,000. Dr. Harutunian stated the Superintendent's salary increase for 2002 is2 1/z%. Administrators will not have a pay increase until the teachers and custodians have one. After those pay increases, the Superintendent will receive his. Dr. Harutunian stated there is a 9% increase in the 2002 budget. Carol Grimm stated there was an 11% increase in 2001 to bring the Superintendent's salary up to the mid- point. Tim Twomey stated they started negotiations with the teachers in December 2000. Carol Grimm asked why, under the Administration budget, Professional Development has increased 40%. Dr. Harutunian stated it is closer to 19.84% and is divided into four areas. In the next five year cycle all teachers would need to be recertified. The amounts were taking from other departments including the technical account. It was a matter of priorities. Jim Francis asked if it is a 42% increase in 2002 to bring the levels up? Dr. Harutunian stated that was true. They are two years behind in the social studies curriculum and they need to address the MCAS. In 2004 the math curriculum will be eight years behind. Pete Dahl stated the State gives the Chapter 70 money in expectation of where the money will be spent. Finance Committee March 7, 2001 Page 2 Dr. Harutunian stated the transfer of $150,000 does not include the $55,000 to $75,000 the School Department has spent on the Ten Taxpayers suit. Dr. Harutunian stated there is not enough room in the schools for all of the elementary students. They could lose some of the METCO students as a result. The school department received $279,440 in FY2001 from the state for the METCO students. After all expenses were met, the school department was left with $118,000. The METCO students are a benefit to the Reading Schools culturally and economically. The text book replacement funding is increased to $103,900 in FY2002 for the replacement of K - 2 materials and 6 -12 materials and language arts. The per pupil rates per day were kept the same for the FY2002 budget. This is $189 at the elementary level. Pete Dahl stated this is $810 per year less than the state average. The school department runs a tight ship and spends $3 million less annually than the state average. There was under $193,000 allocated for unanticipated cost. Carol Grim stated the State might give less than anticipated, than this will have to be revisited. Dr. Harutunian stated the custodians negotiated their 2-year contract on June 30, 2000. This made it retroactive. There is a one year contract with one year retroactive in the budget. The year to date custodial overtime is approximately $9,000 over budget. There is $115,000 for classroom technology. $80,000 of this is to supplement the language arts curriculum. The remaining $35,000 is to bring Coolidge Middle School to the same level as Parker Middle School. There is $20,000 for Drama Equipment and $20,000 for Musical Instruments budgeted for two consecutive years. Carol Grimm stated that if the override doesn't pass the Selectmen would cut the pavement management request. What would the school department change? Dr. Harutunian stated that is $40,000 over two years instead of the requested $175,000 over 10 years. In the CIP he would install computers before replacing the track. They would consider patching the track instead. Susan Cavicchi stated the School Committee has not discussed this. Carl McFadden, President of the Friends of Reading Athletics, stated the track's condition is dangerous. They are proposing a 50/50 split in the replacement cost of the track. They estimate it would cost $80,000 to tear up the present track and then resurface it. If the DPW tears up the track it would cost $60,000 to resurface and they would donate $30,000. Jim Francis stated this might not be the year to repair this. Dr. Harutunian stated the Selectmen are aggressively pursuing refinishing the high school. This would include a new track. The high school could be started in the Spring of 2004. Finance Committee March 7, 2001 page 3 Dr. Harutunian submitted a list of budget reductions of $500,000 and their impact. The first 16 items have been prioritized. The remainder would be prioritized after the Finance Committee submits their final budget figures. On a motion by Richard McDonald, seconded by Neil Cohen, the Finance Committee voted to adjourn their meeting at 10:25 PM. The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0-0. On a motion by Robin D'Antona, seconded by Pete Dahl, the School Committee unanimously voted to adjourn their meeting at 10:25 PM. Respectfully submitted, Joy Mohr Recording Secretary