1976-10-13-AC-MIN.pdf - Laserfiche WebLink

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245 APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE DATE: October 13, 1976 TIME: 8 :00 P.M. PLACE: Town Office Building-Room G-15 PRESENT: Edward E. Furash, Chairman, Peter Hall, Vice Chairman- Gen. Gov't. , Donald White , Vice Chairman-Schools , John Blaisdell, Secretary, Martin Gilman, Howard L. Levingston, Patricia Hagedorn, Mitzi Kutchin, Richard M. Perry, Acting Town Manager School Committee : Patricia Swanson, Chairman, Otis Brown, Frank Michelman, George Wadsworth, Superintendent Lawson I . PURPOSE Introduction of School Superintendent Lawson to the Appropriation Committee as well as acquainting them with his goals. II . ITEMS DISCUSSED a. Great lack of vandelism in the schools has taken place - almost non-existent - a cash saving of $200, 000-250,000 per year. Parents are being billed for repairs: b. Reorganization of the administration is taking place. Dr. Lawson stated that he did not forsee adding any administrators c . Dr. Lawson "hopes to make Lexington school system the best in the state - I want to do this as economically as possible. d. Dr. Lawson stated that he had visited the schools about 50 times to check on classroom activities and general school administration. e . Dr. Lawson stated that they are trying to approach all expenditures at zero base budget. 80% of school budget is for personnel and unless a cut in this area can be made a significant cut will not occur. f. 5.5% salary increase granted last year, in addition to step increases have already built-in sizeable increases for next year. We are trying to maintain two separate budgets - one for expenses and one for personal expenses. g. There will be a better record kept re repairs. h. It is hoped that some classes will eventually be consolidated - 318 courses now offered. i. Chairman Furash stated that what we want is more for what we are spending. j . Metco - 280 students in Lexington. This Town is breaking even here Dr. Lawson stated. k. Yearly evaluation system - each teacher goes through a primary and secondary evaluation and why he has been added to the group. I will monitor the system to see that school committee goals are met Dr. Lawson said. No increase is automatic: