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Lexington School Committee Minutes - November 17, 1975 Page 219 On Monday evening November 17, 1975 the Lexington School Committee held a meeting at the Jonas Clarke Junior High School. The meeting be- gan at 8:00 p.m. School Committee members in attendance were: Mesdames Swanson, Berchtold, Messrs. Brown, Rotberg and Wadsworth, Student Repre- sentative Alan Wachman. Administrators present were Messrs. Spiris, MacInnes, Monderer, Barnes, and Miss Quinn. Dr. John Deutch, Chairman of the Advisory Committee to study Cost SCHOOL FACILITIES implications of the School Facilities Report, made a statement pertain- REPORT (COST ing to the findings of his committee as previously reported. Motivation COMMITTEE for his statement was due to the publication of a newspaper article which the advisory committee felt needed further comment. Dr. Deutch noted the report did say the savings which may be rea- lized by closing schools are not sufficient to justify taking such ac- tion if the buildings are (a) left vacant, (b) employed for other school purposes, or (c) transferred to another town use. More substantial sav- ings might be realized from closing schools if the buildings are (d) leased or sold, or (e) demolished, but it did not say don't close schools. No case was made that there will be cost savings made to the town by closing a school or schools. He noted that the study committee had not determined any final cost savings. He reiterated the study committee analysis of facts was just that-- not opinions. Specific numbers, reasons and concentrated study result- ed in a report. He concluded by stating the Study Committee was avail- able to "cost-out" proposals or assist on proposals for further study. Mrs. Swanson assured Dr. Deutch that their study committee had not been discharged and the School Committee planned to invite the Advisory Committee to readdress the School Committee in the near future. Mr. John Sherf, representing the Munroe P.T.A. read the following MUNROE P.T.A. communication: STATEMENT "We wish to express our concern that the School Committee may make a premature decision regarding school closings. We don't understand what pressures are so great as to require an immedi- ate decision. Certainly a decision is necessary. But we can wait a few more months until all reports are in and have been re- viewed. To make a decision without the results of the Study Committee on Educational Programs implies that educational aspects of school closings are unimportant. To us they are important and they should also be important to you who are entrusted to establish educational policy. What is so important? The answer obviously is money and taxes. Will money be saved? The conventional wisdom certainly says, 'Close and consolidate schools and Lexington saves money.' Is this conven- tional wisdom correct or is it just convenient? You now have a much better means to determine if and how much money will be saved, both in the report of the Cost Committee and by working further withmembers of that committee.