2005-11-07-STM-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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November 14, 2005 Adjourned Session of the November 2005 Special Town Meeting, cont... 8:28 p.m. Presented by Selectman Jeanne Krieger ARTICLE 5 SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATIONS MOTION: (a) That, in addition to the amount previously appropriated therefore at the 2005 annual Town Meeting, $847,396 be appropriated for Line Item 1100 Lexington Public Schools for the current fiscal year's budget, and that to raise such amount, $57,000 be transferred from Line Item 1200 Minuteman Regional School of the current fiscal year's budget, $434,287 be transferred from the Unreserved Fund Balance, and that $356,109 be raised in the tax levy; (b)Further, that $425,000 be appropriated to reduce the tax levy for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2005, and that such amount be transferred from Overlay Surplus. The Moderator explained part (A) and part (B) would be voted separately. 8:28 p.m. Helen Cohen, School Committee Chairman, commented on funds requested. Superintendent Paul Ash commented further. 8:50 p.m. Selectman Jeanne Krieger reported the Board of Selectmen's unanimous support for part (A). Alan Levine reported the Appropriation Committee's unanimous support for part (A). 8:53 p.m. James Shaw, pr.5, explained and moved the following: AMENDMENT: The motion under Article 5, Part (A) be amended by striking the figure $847,396 and substituting therefore the figure $922,396, and by striking the figure $434,287 and substituting therefore the figure $509,287. Mr. Shaw spoke on the amendment. 9:00 p.m. Helen Cohen reported the School Committee's opposition (4-1). 9:03 p.m. Jeanne Krieger reported the unanimous opposition of the Board of Selectmen. 9:03 p.m. Alan Levine reported the unanimous opposition of the Appropriation Committee. 9:04 p.m. Alessandro Alessandrini, pr.2, spoke in support. 9:05 p.m. Ephraim Weiss, pr.5, questioned cancellation of the grant. After a brief recess School Committee Chairman Helen Cohen, and school administrators, commented on school wellness programs and grant discontinuation. Members questioned further the school wellness programs and if the amendment were to be adopted how the funds would be used. High School students spoke in support of the Lexington's Drug Free Community Support Program. 9:17 p.m. Superintendent Paul Ash confirmed he wouldn't recommend funds be used for the proposed purpose. 9:18 p.m. Members spoke in support and questioned possible municipal programs that might fill any void in loss of program. 9:32 p.m. Following a voice vote, the Moderator declared the Amendment Not Adopted. 9:34 p.m. Fred Martin, pr.7, questioned staffing availability to effect fiscal controls newly identified. Superintendent Ash confirmed sufficient staffing. 9:35 p.m. Nyles Barnert, pr.4, questioned severing relationship between Lexington Public Schools and Minuteman Technology High School. Superintendent Ash confirmed severing middle school program relationship. 9:36 p.m. Members further presented questions on budget cuts and programmatic impact, with Superintendent Ash responding. 9:47 p.m. Andrew Friedlich, pr.5, moved the question. Motion Adopted. Following a voice vote on Article 5, Part (A), the Moderator declared the Motion Adopted Unanimously.