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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-03-10 Finance Committee MinutesOPREq Finance Committee Meeting. r 'rr " G March 10, 2010 sJ9: Conference Room, Reading Town Hall ~N COKp¢ The meeting convened at 7:30 PM in the Conference Room of Town Hall. FINCOM Members Present: Matthew Wilson, Bryan Walsh, David Greenfield, Barry Berman, Kevin Leyne, and Harold Torman Members Absent: Marsie West, Tom White, George Hines Also Present: Mary DeLai Director of Finance & Operations, John Doherty School Superintendent, Colleen Dolan Director of Pupil Services, and School Committee members Chuck Robinson, David Michaud, Chris Caruso, Karen Janowski and Elaine Webb. There being a quorum the Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm. The School Committee called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM. Public Comment: No comments. FY1I Town Manaster Budget Review: School Department & Facilities: Mr. Robinson began by summarizing the budget process which included several meetings at all school levels, community forums and meetings with the Reading Teachers Association. The School Committee voted on the school budget on February I". We started this budget process after experiencing significant reductions in last year's budget. The Superintendents first budget version was a level funded budget with significant reductions proposed for 2011. Revised State aid figures recently received allowed us to put back several items resulting in a 1.1 increase from the FY10 budget. Even with the increase, the budget still needs to be reduced through savings and other offsets. Ms. DeLai reviewed the details of the FYI 1 budget and also explained assumptions made for the FYI 1 budget. The FYI I budget was developed by assuming a higher probability of additional 9C cuts. This budget also plans to meet all contractual obligations included in this budget year but no increase for non-union employees. The budget also assumes that there will not be any more federal stimulus funds expected for FYI 2. Most reductions and savings in the FYI 1 budget came from reduction in positions and other cost savings methods. Some new fees were introduced and some existing fees were increased to generate revenue. Ms. DeLai also presented a breakdown of General Fund Expenses which showed that administration funds were decreased for FYI 1, regular day expenses increased by 1.6%, special education increased only by .5%, school building maintenance decreased due to energy costs. Dr. Doherty summarized the priority items used to design the budget. The major priorities included protecting low class sizes in grades k-2, preserving the interdisciplinary model in the middle school, sustaining the technology infrastructure, maintaining the school facilities and avoiding the elimination of regular day programs. The specific 8.3 staff positions being eliminated were reviewed and include 2 elementary school teachers, 3.1 paraeducators, 1 special education team chair, 1.2 secretaries and 1 custodian at the high school. New fees will include a middle school extra curricular activity fee, a high school extracurricular fee, a high school marching band/jazz band fee, and a high school fitness center fee for.non athletes. Ms. DeLai also summarized the reductions in both FY10 and FYI L. The large enrollment in grade 6 (currently 392 students) with an average class size of 28 is an area of concern for the future as well as the kindergarten enrollment that was opened a month earlier this year, the second grade class sizes at Barrows and grade 1 class size at Killam. The impacts of reductions will create a less efficient environment particularly without the secretarial and paraeducator support and a significant loss from the, elimination of one of the special education team chairs. Mr. Greenfield asked about the special education team chairs role. Ms. Dolan explained the role of the special education team chair and how they do a lot of analysis and assessment for the individual students and also help with placement. Mr. Berman asked how many of the students are out of district. Ms. Dolan answered that they expect 53 students next year that are monitored, hold annual reviews, evaluate every 3 years even when they are not in Reading. Essentially, we are paying for them even when they move out of district. Dr. Doherty stepped into the Superintendents role when Mr. Schettini went on medical leave. The Assistant Superintendents position was not immediately opened until recently. The School Committee feels this position is essential to the success of the Superintendent and the Reading schools. Mr. Robinson stated that the School Committee voted unanimously to authorize the Superintendent to search. for an Assistant Superintendent. Dr. Doherty summarized the role and responsibilities of the Assistant Superintendents and specific initiatives and responsibilities for the new Assistant Superintendent. The Assistant Superintendent is an advocate for policy change, writes and implements grants, works with teachers and principals, conducts curriculum review and manages many district committees that are composed of teachers. Mr. Torman asked what their sense for the candidate pool is and Ms. DeLai stated that the application closed last Friday and they received 47 applications. Ms. Webb further emphasized the importance of the Assistant Superintendent position in many activities specifically today's health & wellness fair which really gets many groups of students and educators involved and energized. The Assistant Superintendent is critical in the success of the district committees that organize special events and activities. Mr. Berman asked how other communities handle the variety of duties and functions. Mr. Robinson answered that a lot of districts now have Assistant Superintendents including many of Reading's neighbors. He also said that many towns have more than one Assistant Superintendent. Ms. DeLai stated that approximately 2/3rds of Middlesex County have Assistant Superintendent positions. Mr. Walsh asked about the donation account sources listed on page 45 of the budget packet under special revenue funds. Ms. DeLai explained that they were mainly from PTOs. Mr. Leyne asked when the specific athletic cuts would be determined and Dr. Doherty explained that no cuts to any athletic program are being proposed but just certain expenses dealing with sports such as equipment. Mr. Wilson asked about he band fees and how they work. Ms. DeLai explained that band students are currently charged $140 per student and it will now become $175. Mr. Berman asked if it would be likely that there will be decreased student participation in activities with new fees. Ms. DeLai did not think this would be the case and that this has not been so in the past. She also explained that there are opportunities for a fee waiver for certain individuals. 2 Mr. Wilson asked how the new high school was going to be maintained when they are proposing to cut one of the custodians. Ms. DeLai explained that we do contract with cleaning services and many of the prices have decreased significantly due to the economy and the need for competition. Mr. Berman asked if significant resources will have to be added back into the budget once the 6th grade class enters high school. Dr. Doherty said they are carefully watching this group and planning for the future but class size is also not as much as a concern in high school. Mr. Wilson asked about the project estimates for FY12. Ms..DeLai explained that a lot depends on the contractual obligations that are unknown at this time and consist of a significant portion of the budget. The School Committee adjourned at 9:00 PM. Approval of March Yd 2010 Minutes: The Committee agreed to add "he believed" after "He also handed out a list of suggested cuts that" in the second to last sentence under public comment. On a motion by Mr. Walsh, seconded by Mr. Leyne, FINCOM voted to accept the minutes from March 3, 2010 as amended by a vote of 6-0-0. Mr. Greenfield asked committee members if they would be interested in going into executive session next week after the scheduled meeting. Mr. Greenfield said he would find out the details of the executive session process and report back to FINCOM. On a motion by Mr. Torman, seconded Mr. Leyne, FINCOM voted to adjourn at 9:10 PM by a vote of 6-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary 3