1993-10-27-AC-MIN.pdf - Laserfiche WebLink

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APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE MEETING OCTOBER 27, 1993 COMPTROLLER OFFICE, 7:30 PM Present: G. Burnell, S. Nablo, M. Mairson, J. Pagett, C. Coughlin, C. Abbott, R. Borghesani, P. Lapointe, M. O'Sullivan, J. Ryan Absent. R Snuca Also Present: J. Oberteuffer, J. Young, L. Lees * Minutes of October 25, 1993 meeting accepted with addition of building consolidation added and spelling errors corrected. Unanimous * S. Nablo commented that the Town Manager had not mentioned the consolidation of the Recreation Dept with DPW when he met with the Committee on October 25th. It was felt that the proposal was probably not fully discussed with the BOS and will probably be discussed at a later date. * J. Young distributed a handout on enrollments, the school budgetary process * J. Oberteuffer discussed the need to prioritized programs once again due to continuing budgetary problems. * Over the past five years the enrollment system wide has increases by over 500 while the per pupil cost has dropped below $ 6,000 per pupil * The opening of Hastings appears to be the top priority of the SC for FY 95, while they continue to look at elementary art, music, foreign languages as possible cuts. * The assessment of fees has reached the maximum. Stain on a lot of families for sports and busing fees. Some sense that they shouldn't be there if the school system is public. * Alternative to opening Hastings is to attempt to free up other space or increase class size at the elementary level. * SC will meet on November 5th in order to prepare for the joint meeting with all the boards and committees on November 8th. * Hastings re-opening is clearly the priority having been voted as such on three separate occasions. The re-opening will undoubtedly need an override. * General discussion of Ed Reform and the potential impacts on Lexington * School Choice decision has not been made by the SC, in accordance with ED Reform but must be done so no later than June 1, 1994. SC has previously rejected School Choice * General discussion of the decentralization impact brought about by Ed Reform. J. Young indicated that Lexington was already somewhat decentralized and therefore the imp[act will hopefully be minimal. * J. Young stated that Lexingtron is at a crossroad and the citizens must make a decision as to the type of school system it wishes to have.If there is no override the elementary, particularly, as well as the entire system will be adversely affected.