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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-02-17 Finance Committee Minutesn• J 1 Finance Committee Meeting February 17, 1993 A meeting of the Finance Committee convened at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 17, 1993 in the Conference Room at the Read- ing Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street. The following members were present: Chairman Richard Coco, Fred Van Magness, Bill Murphy, Bill Albro, Gerry MacDonald, Liz Greene, Jim Keigley, and Stephen Blewitt.. Also in attendance was the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Robert Munnelly, as well as several members of the school committee. The meeting began with an update presented by Chairman Coco. He gave committee members an overview of what was expected from the Finance Committee in terms of the school's budget review process and their final recommendations. He also noted that the Selectmen had agreed to the proposed 2 1/2 override of which specifics have not yet been determined as to what the override would cover, if passed. The chairman went on to say that the Finance Committee must review the submitted school budget and will present their recommendations, for changes to the Town Meet- ing. It was brought to the attention of the Finance Committee members that changes in the school department budget would only amend the bottom line as it was under the purview of the School Committee to determine how the funds for schools would be ex- pended. . As the actual review of the School Department's budget began, Matt Cummings, Chairman of the School Committee, gave a presentation to the Fin Com members of the submitted budget. He noted that this budget was voted unanimously by the School Com- mittee and that it was for a sum larger than recommended by the Town Manager. A lengthy discussion followed regarding such issues as: an- ticipated class size, availability of state funds, union nego- tiations, salary increases as well as step contractual increases, an $82,000 differential fund being used to reduce fees for ath- letics, bus fees, and extra curricula fees, elimination of over- time, rental facilities.intake of $250,000, and brief discussion of the three and one half person clerical support staff within the superintendent's office. Following a brief discussion regarding the costs of nego- tiations and labor counsel for the schools, it was moved by com- mitee member Fred Van Magness, seconded by Bill Murphy, to reduce the counsel's line by $5,000. The motion passed by a vote of 4:3:1. In an attempt to reduce one person in the administrative services by $18,784.40, a motion made by Fred Van Magness, seconded by Bill Murphy, did not pass by a vote of 1:6:1. Finance Committee Meeting - February 17, 1993 Page 2 Under the next order of business a motion by Bill Murphy, seconded by Gerry MacDonald, was made to decrease the salary line item of the assistant superintendents from $144,180 to $136,223. The motion to amend this amount by $7,957 passed by a vote of 4:3:1. The next motion was made by Fred Van Magness, seconded by Stephen Blewitt, to reduce the superintendent's allowance of $1,200 for automobile expenses and $750 in dues. The motion passed by a vote of 5:2:1, decreasing the amount of the line item by $1,950. After a brief discussion and review of teacher differentials/department head stipends, a motion was made by Fred Van Magness, seconded by Gerry MacDonald, to reduce teacher dif- ferentials by $25,672 which would eliminate stipends at the middle school level. An amendment to the main motion was made by Bill Murphy, seconded by Gerry MacDonald, to decrease the amount by half making it $12,836. The amendment failed by a vote of 2:4:2 and the main motion passed by a vote of 4:3:1. At 9:30 p.m. the Finance Committee adjourned for a brief recess and committee member Fred Van Magness had to leave the meeting. The meeting reconvened at 9:45 p.m. Under the next order of business there was a brief review of principals salaries, number of support staff, and tuition reim- bursement policies. When it was noted that professional develop- ment was $20,000, an increase of $10,000, it was moved by Gerry MacDonald, seconded by Bill Albro, to reduce the superintendent's professional development line item by $10,000. The motion passed by a vote of 4:1:2. Immediately following this motion, a second motion was made by Gerry MacDonald, seconded by Bill Albro, for the $10,000 reduction from the previous motion to be transferred to each of the text book line items in the following manner: $3,500 elementary schools, $3,500 high school, and $3,000 middle schools. The motion passed by a vote of 5:1:1. Committee member regarding the budges Finance Committee mus It was again noted by Cummings, that these the School Committee line item adjustments Jim Keigley spoke out over his frustration cutting process, however, he felt the t present a recommendation to Town Meeting. the Chairman of the School Committee, Matt cuts will effect the bottom line only, with members responsible for making the final to its' budget. H Finance Committee Meeting February 17, 1993 Page 3 1 Under the final order of business, a lengthy discussion about computers and their capacity verses use in the classroom was followed by a motion made by Bill Albro, seconded by Gerry MacDonald, to reduce the computer line item by $10,000. The mo- tion passed by of vote of 4:2:1. Chairman Richard Coco adjourned the meeting of the Finance Committee at 10:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Gail A. Faller Recording Secretary