1976-01-31-SC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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CAR ! ;.; F.''A' UBRAR' 02173 Page 24 January 31, 1976 A budget meeting was conducted on Saturday, January 31, 1976 at the School Administration Building. The meeting was called to order at 9:15 a.m. The following were in attendance: Mesdames Swanson and Berch- told, Messrs, Brown, Rotberg, Wadsworth. Also present were Messrs. Spi- ris, Maclnnes, Monderer, Barnes and Miss Quinn. The discussion of the Personal Services Budget began with Mr. PERSONAL SERVICES Spiris presenting his request to finish this budget by reviewing para- BUDGET professional and high school guidance. Mrs. Swanson said she felt that there were more than two items within the Personal Services Budget that the School Committee would like to discuss. Even though there had been tentative approval of items she stated the School Committee would re- view additional items within the Personal Services Budget. She doubted that a final decision on the entire budget would be made by February 9, 1976. The publication, Our Schools, was discussed briefly. It was agreed to use the term "tentative" on the School Budget publication which would be mailed to the public prior to town meeting. Mr. Spiris reviewed the topic of para-professionals. He said they PARA- would give classroom teachers additional assistance, and would help with PROFESSIONALS special needs students. He stated that in this way more help could be obtained for less dollars. He said a role description would be developed and presented to the LEA-School Committee during negotiation sessions. Mrs. Swanson replied saying she had difficulty accepting the addition of para-professionals. She felt the School Committee had attempted to help classroom teachers by reducing pupil-teacher ratios, large classes, etc. She stated that one of the important priorities would be for flexi- bility in movement of students within the school system rather than an increase in additional staff. Mr. Brown agreed. He said he wished he could agree with the concept as presented in the budget, but found it most difficult. He felt that realignment from within would be one of the priorities. Mrs. Berchtold said she could not support the idea either. She felt that Lexington was very well off when it came to sup- portive staff. It was VOTED: to take the item ($43,500) para-professionals out of the Personal Services -udget. (Berchtold, Brown, Swanson, Wadsworth, YES, Rotberg absent when vote taken) Mr. Spiris commented on the second item, secretarial help for coun- selors. He said the net difference was only $5400, and all reports stressed that the guidance could be strengthened by the addition of such help. It was the consensus of the committee to keep this item in the budget pending further review. Mrs. Swanson announced the School Committee had received a finding SABBATICALS regarding the sabbatical grievance from the arbitration board. The board stated that the School Committee's vote to put a moratorium for sabbaticals for one year was discretionary. The committee asked Mr. Spiris to check with Alan Miller to see if the School Committee was required to vote sabbaticals as a total or if alternatives could be considered.