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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-01-08 School Committee MinutesReading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session January S, 2004 CALL TO ORDER Chair Dahl called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee members Dahl, McFadden, Russo, Webb and Student Representative Nelson. Mr. Spadafora arrived at 7:45 p.m. Also present were Superintendent Schettini, Associate Superintendent Richards, Town Accountant Foley and FinCom members LaLecheur and McDonald. Chair Dahl stated that Mr. Carpenter was attending an RCTV meeting as the School Committee liaison and would be arriving later. BILLS & PAYROLL Bills and payroll were circulated for signature. CITIZEN'S INPUT > Mr. Gary Phillips asked what was the substance of a State House meeting attended by Superintendent Schettini and two School Committee members. Chair Dahl stateff4he meeting would be addressed later in the Superintendent's Report. Mr. Phillips commented concerning the SBA reimbursement. REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN/SUPERINTENDENT U U7 Chair Dahl stated that he along with Superintendent Schettini and Mr. McFadden went to testify before a task force for the Public Building Construction. The Task Force listened to the views of the Superintendent and the School Committee members. Chair Dahl stated that the meeting was an excellent experience. They felt that they represented Reading very well. Superintendent Schettini felt the morning was worthwhile and stated that they were well received. Superintendent Schettini went on to state that the reopening of the schools after the holidays went well. He met with the Administrators over vacation and stated it was time well spent. Chair Dahl stated the student version of Les Miserables would be opening at the High School Auditorium this weekend and encouraged people to attend. Regular Session 2 January 8, 2004 FY05 BUDGET PRESENTATION Superintendent Schettini gave a budget overview. He stated that the Special Education budget would be reviewed on January 12th, Regular Day on January 15th, and the Public Hearing would be held on January 20, 2004. He reviewed the FY05 budget priorities. They are listed in alphabetical order. He stated the need for a Business Manager. In order to improve maintenance functions they would be hiring one custodian and one maintenance worker. In order to address health issues he proposed adding one school nurse. Mr. Schettini thanked the Budget Parents, Administrators and Principals for their assistance in helping him build the priority budget with direction from the School Committee. Mr. Schettini welcomed Mr. McDonald, Mr. Foley and Mr. LaLecheur. Mr. Schettini turned to the pink pages in the budget. There was discussion regarding line number one, page ten. The addition of one Administrator would be the proposed Business Manager position. Mr. Schettini handed out a draft job description naming the additional position Director of Human Resources and Finance. Mr. Spadafora stated that if there were a Business Manager the Superintendent could spend more time being an educational visionary and a leader. Ms. Webb asked how the hiring of a Business Manager would help Technology. Mr. Schettini explained that if the Superintendent and Associate Superintendent Richards were not spending their time on finances and personnel issues they would be able to spend more time on Technology and Curriculum issues, focusing on teaching and learning. Mr. Dahl stated that they eliminated the Business Manager position in 1992. The budget at that time was $14 million. The enrollments have increased since that time and the total budget is now $30 Million. We also have to contend with the requirements of Education Reform Act of 1993, There was discussion regarding the Medicare reimbursement. Mr. Schettini stated that the SEEM Collaborative does the paperwork for us. They are hired as a consultant to do this process for Reading and many other towns. The reimbursement goes directly to the Town of Reading. Mr. McFadden asked if this was a new program. He was told that it was not a new program. Mr. Dahl asked if the Medicare reimbursement applied just to SEEM students. The Superintendent told him that the reimbursement applies to all students in Reading receiving medically based services. Regular Session -3- January 8, 2004 Mr. Dahl asked the audience if they had any questions or comments. Paula Perry expressed concern about Technology. It is fine to put money into equipment, but you need direction and more staff too. Mr. Schettini stated there is no money in this section for a technology position, but there is money to bring up technology levels in the middle schools. Mr. LaLecheur stated it is hard for the FinCom to look at the three columns on the budget pages with out any idea about the FY04 actuals. It is very difficult to know where we are. Mr. Foley suggested that he could use any format with any detail that they would like. Mr. Spadafora would like the Technology Director issue addressed. Is it possible to share a Technology Director with another Town? Mr. Schettini stated he would look into it. Mr. Dahl asked Mr. Schettini about bringing the Business Manager half way through the year. Mr. Schettini stated that he would not say no to bring the person at the half-year mark, but he would prefer the entire year because it is a contract negotiation year. Mr. Dahl asked the audience if anyone had any questions. He stated there would be a ten-minute break. Mr. Dahl called the meeting back to order at 9:02. He asked the people in the back to speak louder. It is hard to hear in the room. The discussion shifted to the FY05 Maintenance Budget. There was discussion regarding hiring a HVAC person and a plumber. This would decrease the expenses paid to outside vendors for these services. There was discussion about temporary employees versus overtime. Mr. Dahl asked where custodians used for facility rentals are paid? Mr. Foley stated the custodians were paid from the Use of Property Account. Mr. Dahl stressed the need for a discount from RMLD since we use electricity during non-peak hours. Mr. Dahl thanked John Thiffault, Facilities Director. Mr. Schettini gave an overview of the nursing budget and the Department of Public Health certification. There was a need to look at the Nursing situation district wide. We need to provide good medical services. We hired a nurse at the RISE Pre- School in FY04. Regular Session 4 Januarv 8, 2004 Next, there was discussion regarding Extra-Curricular Activities. The Lacrosse Program is proposed in the Superintendent's Recommended FY05 Budget. Mr. Russo asked for a list of all sports. He suggested that we need a social worker for the students who are not doing well due to drugs and alcohol etc. Mr. McFadden asked how many students played sports. Mr. Vaccaro responded 1,300 students play sports. Some students play three sports. 68% of students play one sport. Mr. McFadden stated that he would like to see the budget for Drama and Band doubled. He asked Mr. Vaccaro what they would do with the increase in funds if this were to happen. The band could direct the extra money onto transportation costs and equipment rentals. Mr. Spadafora stated he would like to know if they increase the drama budget what would they then decrease? Mr. Schettini stated that no program(s) had been subtracted. Mr. Spadafora would like to see a list of all activities. Mr. Dahl stated the importance of providing many activities for high school students. We want all students to participate in something. Most teens get into trouble between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. He stated that he was not eager to see what could be sliced out of the budget. He wants all students to be able to participate if they wish too. Ms. Webb stated that she would be hesitant to fund extra curricular activities and cut other things such as physical education. She would like to look at the big picture and look at the core items that parents cannot fund. Physical Education is very important. Mr. McFadden stated that everyone is very excited about the early acceptances at the high school. All of these students participate in extra curricular activities. Colleges like these activities. Parents have increased their taxes to pay for costs. Superintendent Schettini stated there are students in lots of programs. If there is an interest, a club is typically formed. Mr. Orlando stated that colleges are looking for a total package student, students that have excelled in many things, especially those students that apply early acceptance. Mr. Carpenter arrived at 9:50 p.m. Chair Dahl thanked Mr. Orlando for his input. Mr. Russo was concerned with equity between the money spent on sports versus the money spent on band and drama. There were calculations made and Ms. Webb stated that it seems somewhat equitable. Regular Session -5 January 8, 2004 Mr. Orlando stated that students who do extra curricular activities do well in school. We deliver quality challenges. The discussion shifted to user fees. One option is to increase user fees to offset half of the cost of the Lacrosse Program. Mrs. Webb asked the audience how they felt about an increase in user fees. Mrs. Perry responded that most parents would support user fees. Chair Dahl stated that he was pleased there was an increase in Regular Day for FY05. Mr. Russo stated that he was a member of the Substance Abuse Committee in Reading and they were advocating for a social worker for the middle schools and the high school. Ms. Webb reminded the committee that they had set budget priorities in October. Chair Dahl stated that the committee developed budget priorities and the Superintendent addressed each priority of the Committee in the budget. Chair Dahl recommended that all areas of the budget are presented to the School Committee, and after that review the Committee can recommend areas for change. MOVE TO ADJOURN At 10:30 p.m. Mr. Spadafora moved to adiourn Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Mr. Car, enter Mr. Dahl Mr. McFadden Mr. Russo Mr. Spadafora, and Ms Webb Respelly submitted, X Patrick A. Sbhettini, Jr. Superintendent of Schools