1977-02-24-AC-MIN.pdf - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Duuget ` s could be done without lowering R (o1'l IS the quality of education,there is Continued from Page 1 no question that your argument three years time of 50 percent. is a strong one. But to close Machines also explained that "We're not purchasing desks schools just to save money is not during the last renewal period, and chairs,"replied Dr.Lawson. fie," Lexington had expected to pay "We realize we can transfer "This year we have spent 0.00-- $290000 for 23 buses. When_the some equipment from one school 000 more for teachers without ac- number of required buses was to another." complishing a thing," Mrs. cut to 17 for the present year,the "If they're not properly Swanson said to Michelman. contracted amount fell to equipped, then let's close them "When we should have con- $170,000. right now,"Furash said of school soh'dated(because of assignment According to Richard Barnes, closings. enrollments), we had to keep director of information and "Is it possible to run a school seven more teachers on the federal funding, a declining system for 7500 pupils for $15 payroll." enrollment also accounts for million?" he asked the Michelman admitted to being reductions, and he reported that superintendent. a t odds with Assistant sells it was found to be cheaper to use Superintendent MitchSpiris cars(73 cents a mile)than buses. Needs tools and Superintendent Lawson over During discussion of costs of this. plant operation, it was pointed "Yes. It's like buying a Mrs. Swanson expressed con- out that thermostats have been stripped down Chevrolet without fidence in the school ad- lowered and attempts made to headlights,"Lawson replied. He ministration. "They are the ones calibrate all of them,in an effort told the finance committee who make the educational to save fuel consumption; but chairman that Lexington ranks decisions. They have worked that electricity has shown the 10th or 12th in per pupil expen- very,very,hard to keep costs to most drastic jump, although diture, pointing out that if Lex- a level where we are now.We're schools are showing a decrease ington aspires to quality very dollar conscious," she said in total kilowatt hours. education,it has to pay the price in conclusion. Dr. Lawson also reported that "so that our students will be able vandalism has been reduced by to compete with others.He needs the addition of outside lighting the proper tools if we are going and hiring of two additional to teach him to compete. custodians last year. "In my best judgment,you will "Improvements at the high lower the quality of education" school are a result of the new ad- by cutting the equipment, he ministration," he said, adding added. that in all schools, when a "can you have quality educe- ,youngster has been identified as tion for 5500 kids for $15 ,the vandal, his parents are million?" was Furash's next 'notified and costs assessed. question,pointing out a reduction 1"Word gets around," the in enrollment by one third and a !superintendent said. budget reduction of only one- ' hate to tell you we told you sixteenth. so," quipped Furash. "You can't judge it by that," school committee chairman Equipment budget Patricia Swanson replied. "We are attempting to cut where we Hitting the equipment budget can. There comes a time when again,Furash took strong excep- we're going to have to cut tion with the purchase of 30 buildings as unneeded facilities." I,calculators at$30 each("Did we "It's time we put the lid,on used to supply slide rules ad in- regardless of complaints of the finitum?") and $80 apiece for two-door file cabinets ("Don't majority of the the minority.axpaIts is the you throw anything away?") of taxpayers about globes at Diamond,carousel pro- whom we must be concerned," tectors,an electric oriental wok, Fur"If closingh said. hree overhead projectors at cschoolsetins the only Franklin. way for cost effectiveness, that "We equipschools each year," is what the appropriation coin- "We mittee says we should do. he said,pointing out the attitude "There is no sense spending it reflects in terms of declining $13 million for teachers and not enrollments and people struggl- giving them the equipment," ing with their tax bills. Mrs. Swanson answered. "What is the philosophy behind "I'd be happy to spend $12 these kinds of expenditures?"he million and give them another asked. $500,000 for equipment," Furash I am not going to defend past responded. purchases," the superintendent said. "We have looked at every Responsibility to taxpayer category this year, and we have "We understand the school asked each person to defend each committee has a responsibility to piece of equipment requested.' the taxpayer to make sizeable Replacement is necessary in savings where we can with no the eyes of the teachers andprm- educational set-backs," cipals," he said. Michelman asserted. "You "It would be very safe to say proceeded to the conclusion that that this system is not well the thing to do is to close schools equipped in terms of giving the one, two and three. You stated teachers the basic tools to do the that you understood that three job," the superintendent stated. schools can be closed.This would "It's like hiring a policeman and involve a significant not giving him"the weapons to reorganization." You also said protect property." you want to see substantial "I know teachers can find savings. That there are some rationale to justify each piece of savings is clear." new equipment," Furash said, Furash replied that such a "but teachers seem to teach just restructuring would get some as well without every piece of teachers off the payroll, equipment they ask for.," resulting in savings there_ unc..,+ndina to ilr....Lawson s.` ---