2000-03-27 to 2000-04-10 ATM-min

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2000 Annual Town Meeting—March 27, 2000 ARTICLE 3: APPOINTMENTS TO CARY LECTURE SERIES 9:04 p.m. Presented by Selectman Jeanne Krieger. MOTION: That a committee of three be appointed by the Moderator to have the charge of the lectures under the wills of Eliza Cary Farnham and Suzanna E. Cary for the current year. 9:04 p.m. Following a unanimous voice vote, the Moderator declared the motion ADOPTED. 9:05 p.m. The Moderator declared the meeting open under Article 4 and explained that she would be reading the budget, line item by line item. ARTICLE 4: OPERATING BUDGET 9:05 p.m. Presented by Selectman Jeanne Krieger. MOTION: That the following amounts be appropriated for the ensuing fiscal year and be raised in the tax levy except where a transfer is indicated they shall be provided by such a transfer. Education 1100 Lexington Public Schools $52,939,850 (Provided, however, that $1,238,338 of the appropriation is contingent upon the approval of an override question appearing on the ballot for the May, 2000 special election.) (And further that the School Department is authorized to enter into equipment lease/purchase agreements from time to time provided that each such agreement is subject to annual appropriations.) 9:07 p.m. School Committee Chairman Robin DiGiammarino provided a brief overview for the School Committee and requested the Moderator recognize Superintendent Dr. Patricia Ruane for her presentation. 9:11 p.m. Superintendent Patricia Ruane provided an overview of budgetary issues confronting the School Department for FY2001. 9:24 p.m. Ephraim Weiss, pr.5, questioned the appropriate level of funding to meet maintenance needs. 9:26 p.m. Dr. Ruane explained that it is debatable as to proper level of funding for maintenance. 9:28 p.m. Ephraim Weiss, pr.5, questioned the exact amount the Town should be spending on school building maintenance. 9:28 p.m. Robin DiGiammarino explained that the maintenance software included in the Town's budget request should give the School Department a better sense of funding needs. 9:29 p.m. Jonathan Lederman, pr.7, questioned Town spending in excess of State mandated Ch. 766 levels. 9:30 p.m. Dr. Ruane explained that it is difficult to assess, but that Lexington Special Education costs comprise approximately 19% of the School Department budget, while the State average is 16%. 9:31 p.m. Jonathan Lederman, pr.7, questioned the upcoming override of Proposition 2 1/2 vote and the electorate's valuing of school needs. 1200 Minuteman Regional School 811,455