HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-10-27-AC-MIN.pdf 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.
* Contact with LEA expires August 31, 1995. The contract calls for no increase
in FY 94 , with a 3.1% increases scheduled for FY 95.
* General discussion of the classroom shortage in accordance with the handout
distributed by J. Young. The possibility of using portable classrooms was
discussed. J. Young indicated that he didn't think that was a viable solution
due to the fact that the room requirements vary from year to year and school to school.
* Middle schools and high school are filled to capacity at the present time
* S. Nablo suggested that some historical information be supplied due to the fact
that the enrollment at the high school was as high as 1900 and is now at 1300
therefore how rats it he filled?
* M.O'Sullivan brought up subject of portable v Hastings re-opening. J. Young
estimated the cost of each portable to be in the area of $ 100K or $ 1.6M
to meet all the projected classroom requirements.
* General discussion followed as to staffing levels for principal, secretary,
custodial staff at the Hastings v expansion of each school.
* S. Nablo asked why the apparent discrepancy between the increase in enrollment
and the tremendous increase in classrooms required. J. Young responded that
it was due in part to the reclaiming of classroom space for specialties such
as music and art.
* General discussion on class size. Currently there are two elementary classes
greater than 26, projected to be 12 next year, and 30 in fy 96 if Hastings
is not re-opened.
* General discussion of special education and the mandates forced upon the system
* S. Nablo asked if there had been any selective redistricting in order to
minimize the larger classes. J. Young indicated that it was being done this year
to a limited degree and the problems associated with doing so.
* G. Burnell posed questions to J. Oberteuffer regarding negotiations over pay
and benefits. Response was that the SC and BOS need to get together. There is too much
emphasis placed on Town/School parity when parity should be with other
communities for similar positions
* J. Oberteuffer indicated that he thought that an override would be placed before the
voters. With respect to negotiations he felt that the SC attempted to minimize costs
as much as possible in dealing with the various bargaining groups.
* P. Lapointe asked if there was a similar plan for the needs of the two
middle schools and the highs school to which the response was no.
* R. Borghesani asked about privatization and user fees. Fees are maximized out presently
and the only possible place for privatization would be in the custodial and
nursing areas, neither of which are being discussed presently
* J. Oberteuffer discussed the formation of a school revenue committee and the
possibility of hiring a part time grant writer.
* Level of funding for the school department, as compared to other systems,
to be done by way of a survey to be developed by J. Ryan.
* G. Burnell summarized major areas and assigned responsibility to report to the
full committee.
School: Hastings, Ed Reform, School Choice,Negotiations, Health Insurance
Town: Capital, Street Lights, Drainage, Health Insurance, Privatization
* Next meeting scheduled for November 22, 1993 with all being urged to attend the
meeting to be held on November 8, 1993
* Motion to adjourn
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