HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-02-18-SC-min Page 57
February 18, 1975
The regular meeting of the Lexington School Committee came to order at 7:30 p.m.
at Jonas Clarke Jr. High School. Present were Mesdames Berchtold, Davison, and
Swanson, Messrs. Currier, Rotberg, and Wadsworth. Also present were Messrs. Barnes, _
Maclnnes, Spiris, Dr. Ponderer, Dr. Fobert and Mss. Cummings.
Renee Cochin read a prepared statement concerning the recent decision PUBLIC
of the school committee not to extend bus service to those students living PARTICIPATION
more than 1 1/2 miles from school. She questioned the necessity to take a
vote at a special session which she claimed was not publicized. She hoped
the school committee would reconsider the vote at another time.
Barbara Daugherty commented on Mr. Richard Rosane's unpublicized appearance
at a previous meeting. She was told that this was an inadvertent slipup and
that the public will have another opportunity to meet with Mr. Rosane.
The minutes of 2/10/75 were discussed and it was MINUTES
2/10/75
VOTED: To accept these minutes as amended. (Davison, Swanson, Unanimous)
The Schedule of Payments were discussed, and upon the recommendation of SCHEDULE OF
the Superintendent of Schools, it was PAYMENTS
VOTED: To accept the Schedule of Payments as presented. (Davison, Swanson, Unan.)
(See next page)
Dr. Fobert and the school committee proceeded to analyze the proposed
budget figures for 1975-76. Mrs. Davison questioned his decision not to
add a speech therapist for next year. She was concerned about our ability
ti fill our obligations to parents and students. Dr. Fobert reviewed our
resources regarding our therapists and pointed out that Lexington ranks No. 2
on the list for speech therapists in the MACOBS Study. Mrs. Berchtold
reminded the committee that they had already looked at many alternatives and
said even if we take Alternative #1, it would make a slight increase in
improving the teacher/pupil ratio. THE BUDGET
Mrs. Davison then made a MOTION which was seconded by Mr. Rotberg, to
amend Alternative #1 to reduce staff by 14 and add 1 speech therapist. A
vote was called after this MOTION was discussed. (Rotberg, Davison,. YES,
Wadsworth, Swanson, Berchtold, OPPOSED)
Mrs. Swanson presented a list of figures supporting her recommendation
to set a figure of $14,283,211 which would be an increase of 8.5% over last year.
She described areas where we could cut back to meet this figure. These areas
included science specialists, library purchases account and sabbatical leaves.
Dr. Fobert noted that if we reduce the library figure we could also lose
$15,000 of federal money which we have been receiving to improve the libraries.
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February 18, 1975
SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS
Personal Services
February 14, 1975 Professional Payroll #18-C $381,540.29
Expenses
February 13, 1975 Bill Schedules #103 2,454.16
February 13, 1975 #104 5,252:78
February 13, 1975 #105 19,405.03
Out of State Travel
February 13,1975 Bill Schedule 20 57.50
Adult Education
February 14, 1975 Professional Payroll 1,274.40
Adult Education (Driver Education)
February 14, 1975 Professional Payroll 765.00
SPECIAL PROGRAMS (non-Lexington Funds)
Title III - Learning Disabilities Training Film Project
February. 14, 1975 Professional Payroll 1,025.08
February 13, 1975 Bill Schedule #78 530.00
LAB. , Pre-Vocational Life Care Program
February 14, 1975 Professional Payroll 519.54
Metco Program
February 14, 1975 Professional Payroll 4,520.71
Autistic Program (Lexington)
February 14, 1975 Professional Payroll 694.54
Autistic Program (Arlington)
February 14, 1975 Professional Payroll 1,535.46
February 13, 1975 Bill Schedule #11 17.10
Multi-Handicapped (Burlington)
February 14, 1975 Professional Payroll 1,015.96
February 13, 1975 Bill Schedule #9 98.05
-Page 59
February 18, 1975
Mr. Wadsworth then made a MOTION, which was seconded by Mrs. Swanson, to
set the budget figure at $14,000,000 and proceeded to explain how he had
arrived at the figure. He said "We are in a financial bind at this time.
There are people who have lost their jobs. The cost of living is very high.
The state is cutting services. My belief is that a budget of $14,000,000 is
all we can expect people to pay. Other towns are cutting services. My ex-
perience has been that every once in a while_we should look closely at what THE BUDGET
we have and cut back."
A vote was called on Mr. Wadsworth's MOTION. (Berchtold, Swanson,
Davison, Rotberg, NO, Wadsworth YES)
Mrs. Swanson made a MOTION, which was seconded by Mr. Wadsworth, to set
the budget at $14,283,211. She said we should examine some of the trade-offs
in areas where we have to cut back, and pointed out that our goal should be
to lower class size.
Mr. Rotberg MOVED to amend Mrs. Swanson's MOTION to set the figure at
$14,385,217. This was seconded by Mrs. Davison. She commented that the
figure was a very narrow one in which to operate.
Mrs. Berchtold said that both MOTIONS bothered her. She said $14,283,211
did not include the food services figures and $14,3$5,217 was a little too high.
It could reflect a reduction in the number of science specialists. Fr. Rotberg
hoped that we could vote in favor of the amendment tonight since it is easier
to cut back than to add on to the budget. It was suggested that we vote a
figure and. then discuss specific ways to cut back.
A vote was called on Mr. Rotberg's amendment to Mrs. Swanson's MOTION
setting the budget at $14,385,217 and to include Alternative #l.
(Berchtold, Davison, Rotberg, YES, Swanson, Wadsworth, NO)
Mrs. Swanson made a MOTION, which was seconded by Mr. Wadsworth, requesting
that if the cost of living figure is less than that reflected in the budget,
the budget figure will be adjusted downward. (Berchtold, Swanson, Wadsworth,
YES, Davison, NO, Rotberg ABSTAIN)
Mrs. Swanson introduced the following MOTION, which was seconded by
Mr. Wadsworth:
"To eliminate the category of elementary science specialists and establish
a new title of science coordinator". She added that it would seem that
two coordinators could coordinate the science programs in our elementary schools.
Eventually she would like to see a science coordinator for Y-12 so that the entire
program can be coordinated like our French and Art programs are, or should be.
Perhaps at this time we could also establish the procedure of referring to the
Art, French, Music and P/E teachers as classroom teachers who teach those subjects.
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February 18, 1975
Dr. Fobert said Mrs. Swanson was voting a name without a job description.
The committee debated the need for specialists in the system. Mrs. Davison
said she was very concerned. She felt she was witnessing a lack of understanding
as to how we put on our prog,am and added that if we take away our specialists,
the science program will be crippled. Mr. Wadsworth felt that a teacher with a
supervisor could do the same job. Mrs. Berchtold said she would like to reduce
the specialists from 41 to 2. Mr. Rotberg suggested that we invite the specialists
to hold a further discussion. Mrs. Berchtold pointed out that a meeting had been
held with them previously. Dr. Fobert said that if we reduce the specialists,
there is no way the program will be the same as before. Mr. Spiris said he had
material on his desk from the science specialists regarding the program and recommended
that we look at it before making any decisions.
Mrs. Davison made a MOTION, which was seconded by Mr. Rotberg, to TABLE
discussion of the specialists until Monday evening. The vote was called:
(Berchtold, Davison, Rotberg, Swanson YES, Wadsworth ABSTAIN)
A list showing the distribution of 32 tuition students in schools other
than the Lexington Public Schools was discussed briefly. Total amount expended
is $83,821.46. Tuition is about $2700 per pupil. TUITION
STUDENTS
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, it was
VOTED: To accept Personnel Changes as presented. (certificated)
(Swanson, Davison, Unanimous) PERSONNEL
CHANGES (cart)
It was
VOTED: To express our appreciation and best wishes to Mr. Stanley G. Boynton
for his services as Head Basketball Coach to the students of Lexington.
(Rotberg, Davison, Unanimous)
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, it was
VOTED:' To accept Personnel Changes (non-certificated) as presented. (non-certifica-t
(Wadsworth, Davison, Unanimous)
New Personnel
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February 18, 1975
CITIZEN`S
It was COMMITTEES
VOTED: To appoint the following persons to study the cost implications of the
school building survey.
Abigail Thernstrom Frank Parrish
Nancy Knickerbocker Robert Gary
John Deutch William Bicknell
(Swanson, Wadsworth, Unanimous)
It was
VOiE'll: To appoint the following persons to sit on the committee to study
redistribution of pupils as it applies to the school building survey.
(Swanson, Wadsworth, Unanimous)
It was
VOTED: To move to Executive Session at 11:10 p.m. to discuss a personnel
matter. (Swanson, Wadsworth, Unanimous)
The meeting adjourned at midnight.
Respectfully submitted,
I
Isabelle ?I Cummings
Recording Secretary