HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-01-19-AC-MIN.pdf APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE MEETING
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1995
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, 7:30 PM
Present: P Lapointe, J Pagett, M Miley, L Peck, R Leone, R Borghesani, C Coughlin, R
Neumeier, M Mairson
Also Attending: J Young, J Dini, J Moynihan, B Collier
* P Lapointe opened the meeting welcoming the invited guests
* J Dini stated that he felt the need to focus on the out years. His major areas of concern
are enrollment, mandates, catching up and innovation.
* The only way to keep the budget relatively level will be at the expense of class
size
* J Young discussed the creation of a Special Education Committee in an attempt to review
the special education program.
* J Young discussed his handout and the budget options he has presented: Maintenance
of Effort, Restoration of Programs, and Program Improvement
* J Young discussed his budget request ( pg 7-13),maintaining class size at the 1995 levels,
special education ( pg 8), collective bargaining ( five unions contracts expire June 30,
1995). The fiscal 1996 budget request has set aside an amount for the anticipated cost
of these agreements.
* The Restoration Budget appears on pages 9 and 10 of his budget document
* The Program Improvement Budget includes $ 186,000 for professional development ( Ed
Reform dictates that the Town pay all the costs associated with professional development
associated with the certification program. R Borghesani questioned J Young on this
issue as to whether the town had to assume the full cost. J Young responded that we do.
* J Young discussed the issue of the 900 hours of instructional time required in the
elementary schools and the 990 hours required in other grade levels. School department
reviewing and looking at the possible cost ramifications of a longer school day and
therefore additional costs.
* P Lapointe discussed the Principles adopted by the AC. All costs of a department should
be appropriated as such. J Dini agreed that all the costs associated with the operation of
the school department should be a part of the budget request.
* J Paget discussed the Technology Plan. Costs seem to vary such as the current
estimated personnel costs of $ 139,500 vs the original $ 500,000
* General discussion of special education and mandates in general
* Budget presentation discussed and identified as very important
* Minutes of December 14, 1994 meeting approved as amended
* Upcoming BOS budget schedule discussed
* Meeting of January 23, 1995 re negotiation process at the Clarke Middle School
announced.
* Upcoming meetings TMMA on February 2nd, CEC and AC jointly on March 1st, TMMA
on March 15th, 16th and 22nd
* Principles as adopted will appear in the AC report to the Town Meeting and P Lapointe
will make a presentation at the Town Meeting under Article 2.
* Motion to adjourn
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