1976-01-17-SC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 12 January 17, 1976 On Saturday, January 17, 1976 the Lexington School Committee con- ducted a budget meeting at the School Administration Building. The meeting began at 9:00 a.m. Those in attendance were Mesdames Swanson, Berchtold, Messrs. Brown, Rotberg, Wadsworth and student representative Alan Wachman. Also present were Messrs. Spiris, Maclnnes, Monderer, Barnes and Miss Quinn. The School Committee began the meeting with a discussion of Page PERSONAL SERVICES 90-10 in the Personal Services Budget. Mr. Spiris emphasized the need BUDGET 1976-1977 for an additional speech therapist as requested, stating that for sev- eral years there had been a waiting list. He said that it was not a teaching positior request, but a need for a clinician. Dr. Guldager supported Mr. Spiris 's comment stating that the waiting list for the last two years had been growing and that there was a great deal of speech therapy needed in the Lexington schools. Mrs. Berchtold said that she was concerned with the amount of supportive staff in the Lex- ington Public Schools. This request probably was valid similar to the nurse's request, etc. , but felt that the present level of support ser- vices was more than adequate. She hoped something like a three-year plan would be developed to make the School Committee aware of needs. Dr. Monderer agreed that this type of planning would probably be most effective, however, at the moment he was concerned with the increased number of programs being set up under Chapter 766, which have been ap- proved by parents which included services for speech therapy. He felt there was an obligation to the parents who signed the plans. Mrs. Swanson replied with several questions. Where do we go from here? How far do we go? Must we do everything? Could not everyone use more help? She said we need to help the severe cases to get along. Mr. Wadsworth said that he agreed with Mrs. Berchtold's statement and he felt reallo- cation within the present budget was the key, not additional money or staff and any increase should be offset with a similar decrease. The decrease should be recommended by the administration or by the School Committee. Mr. Spiris replied that the job to be done was really not a swap-off. The committee was asked to support a need and Chapter 766 had placed upon the Lexington schools certain responsibilities for lev- els of service. He said that if there were no changes, we could per- haps end up not complying with the law. After this discussion it was VOTED: that there be no increase in professional, staff under Chapter 766 above the level of last year. (Brown, Berchtold, Swanson, Wadsworth, Yes ; Rotberg not present when vote taken) Mrs. Swanson summarized saying that she hoped that if the Pupil Personnel Services department felt that speech therapy was a priority the staff would take measures to reallocate within the present budget. She felt that the School Committee's request for realignment of services and the statements of the ADL report indicated there should be some pull- ing together. This would demonstrate concern for improvement and allow