Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-01-24 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session Date: January 24, 2011 Time: 7:30 p.m. (Open Session) Place: Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Members Present Chuck Robinson Karen Janowski Chris Caruso Lisa Gibbs David Michaud Hal Croft Visitors: Karen Feeney, Eaton Interim Principal Joanne King, Wood End Teacher Staff Members Present John Doherty, Superintendent Patty deGaravilla, Assistant Superintendent Mary DeLai, Director of Finance and Operations Kim Oliveira, Director of Pupil Services Elizabeth Conway, Human Resources Administrator Matt Casey, Reading Patch Art Katz, Reading Advocate Barry Berman, Fincom Paula Perry, Fincom RPS Budget Parents 1. Call to Order Chairperson Caruso called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Mrs. Gibbs moved to enter into executive session to discuss safety and security issues and to approve minutes to return to open session at approximately 7:30 p.m. The roll call vote was 4-0. Mrs. Janowski, Mr. Caruso, Mrs. Gibbs and Mr. Croft. Chair Caruso called the meeting back to order at 7:35 p.m. The Chair reviewed the agenda and welcomed guests. FYI 2 Budget Public Hearing Chair Caruso opened the Public Hearing on the FYI 2 budget at 7:40 p.m. Mrs. Heinemann asked for clarification of the EduJobs money use. Mr. Coram asked how the process would move forward from this point. Mr. Breslin asked about incoming kindergarten. Chair Caruso closed the Public Hearing at 7:52 p.m. II. Recommended Procedure January 24, 2011 A. Public Input (I) Reports (1) 1. Student 2. Liaison 3. Superintendent's Report 4. Director of Finance and Operations 5. Assistant Superintendent 6. Director of Pupil Services B. Continued Business Continued Discussion FY12 Budget The School Committee began their FYI 2 budget deliberations Dr. Doherty updated the committee on the information coming from the State House. It appears that the Chapter 70 percentage may be increased. Most of Reading's State Aid is from Chapter 70. There also may be movement in the circuit breaker funding. The other component is health insurance rate increase which is predicted to be between 6 and 16%. Dr. Doherty will inform the School Committee of additional information as it is made available. There was a consensus among the committee that class sizes are a priority. They would like to avoid the reduction of the 3.7 teachers, 6.7 paraeducator and the Instructional Specialist positions. Mr. Caruso is not comfortable raising user fees for athletics. Mr. Robinson suggested a $25 increase instead of the $40 proposed. Mrs. Janowski indicated she is uncomfortable making decisions without all information available and agreed with Mrs. Gibbs suggestion of revising the town charter with respect to the budget timetable. Rebecca Liberman, parent, asked about athletic and extracurricular user fees. Dr. Doherty explained that user fees for extracurricular activities, except band and drama, have been eliminated in the FY 12 budget. There was continued discussion on athletic user fees. Chair Caruso asked Dr. Doherty for his recommendations. Dr. Doherty indicated teaching and learning is the priority of the district and agrees with the committee that restoration of instructional staff, paraeducators and the Instructional Specialist makes sense. Mrs. Gibbs asked the total cost to reinstate those positions. Ms. DeLai indicated it would be $375,000. January 24, 2011 The committee asked for direction on the athletic user fee increase. Dr. Doherty suggested the $40,000 ($40/athlete/sport) be included in the School Committee approved budget as a placeholder. There was continued discussion on athletic user fees. Mrs. Fennelly, budget parent, asked about the addition of JV girl's hockey. Dr. Doherty explained it is a Title IX issue and not offering it could lead to lawsuits and fines. Mrs. Heinemann, budget parent, asked if the increase in the Athletic budget was contractual or discretionary. Ms. DeLai said all increases were contractual. Mr. Boran, budget parent, stated that the paraeducators are extremely vital to the success of the learning in the district. Mr. Breslin, budget parent, echoed his sentiments. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs to instruct the Superintendent to present a budget that provides additional fundin6 in the total amount of $345,000 which includes: $50,000 - Instructional Specialist $120,000 - 6.3 FTE paraeducators 5175,000 - 3.7 FTE teachers The motion carried 6-0. _Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs to instruct the Superintendent to present a budget that provides for a $25 increase in the athletic user fee Mr. Caruso offered an amendment to increase the athletic user fee to $40. Mr. Robinson moved to accept the motion as amended. The motion carried 4-1-1 Mrs Janowski voting against and Mr. Croft abstaining. C. New Business 2011-2012 School Calendar Dr. Doherty indicated that this calendar is similar to this year's calendar. He reminded the School Committee that they were voting on the dates and that the early release dates may shift. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs Janowski, to approve the 201-1-2012 School Calendar, with the first day of school August 31, 2011, no school on September 2, 2011 and the last day of school with 4 snow days built of June 22, 2012, as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated January 20, 2011. The motion carried 6-0. Mrs. Janowski inquired about the possibility of making December 23`d a half day. III. Routine Matters • Bills and Payroll (A) • Approval of Minutes January 24, 2011 • Bids and Donations Calendar IV. Information V. Adjournment Mr. Robinson moved to enter into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining and approval of minutes and not to reconvene to open session. The roll call vote was 5-0-1. Mr. Caruso, Mr. Michaud, Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. Robinson and Mrs. Janowski voting for. Mr. Croft abstaining. VI. Future Business Meeting adjourned at 9:23 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. r'F. Doherty, Ed.D erintendent of Schools