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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-01-12-SC-min CARR' MEMORIAL =.F" Page 7 LEXINGTON, MASS. 0217: January 12, 1976 On Monday evening January 12, the Lexington School Committee con- ducted a regular meeting at the Jonas Clarke Junior High School. The meeting began at 8:15 p.m. The following were in attendance: Mesdames Swanson and Berchtold, Messrs. Brown, Rotberg, Wadsworth and student representative Alan Wachman. Also present were Messrs. Spiris, Maclnnes, Monderer, Barnes and Miss Quinn. The January 5, 1976 minutes were reviewed. It was JANUARY 5, 1976 MINUTES VOTED: to accept the minutes of January 5, 1976. (Brown, Berchtold, Unanimous)(to be embodied in official minutes) Mr. Robert Gartside, 20 Loring Road, Boston University music pro- PUBLIC fessor expressed his concerns to the school committee regarding the cut- PARTICIPATION ting of specialists. He stated that the school committee was eroding bit by bit that which made the Lexington school system different. He felt specialists were incredibly overworked considering the ratio of teachers to number of students. He said transfer and reassignment of specialists to other schools would have a negative effect on children. Mr. Gartside felt the School Committee could save money in other ways such as using assistant principals as teachers, cutting administrative costs, etc. He further commented on the school budget by stating that he rejected the school department's proposal to add additional guidance counselors, and secretaries to help with Chapter 766. He stated that this type of money should be used to assist classroom teachers or for additional professional staff. He said if teachers had more time to work with students there would be fewer problems. He requested the School Committee reconsider its action. Mr. Joel E. Jensen, 60 Bloomfield Street, of the Munroe School dis- trict said he understood the possibility of closing Munroe School was due to administrative needs. He felt that administrative needs might be a priority, however, students should be the first priority in any school system. He said the disruption would not be worth it. Mrs. Swanson replied saying the School Committee had never considered closing Munroe School in order to make space for the Lexington administration. She said that good administration was a focus of the School Committee, however, it was not the reason for closing any school. Mrs. Marjorie Jensen, 60 Bloomfield Street, asked if cost estimates were available for the analysis of the current school administration building versus the Munroe School, and if Munroe School were operated as an administration building what the cost would be. She asked for all costs to be included. Mr. Spiris said it would be easy to deter- mine and would give a report at a future meeting. Mr. Robert Safford, of 12 Meriam Street, inquired of the School Committee as to what would happen if the declining enrollments begin to reverse themselves. Were there any contingency plans developed by the School Committee, and was it possible to set aside some money now that might be used in future years to build new buildings? Mrs. Swanson Page 8 January 12, 1976 replied that it was the law that a school system set up a five year cap- ital expenditure plan, however, this had not been done. Mr. Wadsworth commented that the state does not allow the setting aside of monies as suggested by Mr. Safford. The Student Advisory Committee met in open public session with the STUDENT ADVISORY School Committee. Members of the advisory committee stated they would COMMITTEE like to discuss various topics in the next few months with the School Committee such as high school problems, methods of attacking problems, ways of trying to get in touch with graduates regarding their experien- ces while in high school. They wanted to survey graduates regarding reorganization of Lexington High School, guidance and scheduling, and the concept of education of a high school student. The advisory committee asked if they could receive School Committee agendas. Mr. Spiris agreed that they would receive future agendas. SCHOOL DEPARTMENT BUDGETS SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS Personal Services September 12, 1975 Professional Payroll # 6C $392,984. 18 January 9, 1976 Classified Payroll #14NC 55,975. 17 Expenses January 9, 1976 Bill Schedule #100 3,712. 78 January 9, 1976 #101 16,328.81 Out-of-State Travel January 9, 1976 Bill Schedule. 0 9 10. 00 SPECIAL PROGRAMS (Non-Lexington Funds) METCO January 9, 1976 Classified Payroll #8NC 588. 39 January 9, 1976 Bill Schedule # 3 30.00 Teacher Training Program II January 9, 1976 Classified Payroll #9NC 50.40 LAB.-Pre-Vocational Life Care Program January 9, 1976 Classified Payroll #9L.A.B. 745.88 January 9, 1976 Bill Schedule 08 123.50 LEADS January 9, 1976 Classified Payroll #9 335.25 Autistic Program - Lexington January 9, 1976 Classified Payroll #9 140.00 January 9, 1976 Bill Schedule #1 61. 10 Autistic Program - Arlington January 9, 1976 Classified Payroll #10 76.80 January 9, 1976 Bill Schedule #5 236.83 Page 9 January 12, 1976 Multi-Handicapper' - Burlington SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS January 9, 1976 Classified Payroll #9 $ 120.00 (CONTINUED) January 9, 1976 Bill Schedule #4 70. 26 Pre-School Program - Burlington January 9, 1976 Classified Payroll #8 240.00 January 9, 1976 Bill Schedule #9 603.58 Ace Program January 9, 1976 Bill Schedule #2 2,700.00 Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools it was VOTED: to accept the Schedule of Payments. (Brown, Wadsworth, Unanimous) The Financial Statement was discussed. FINANCIAL STATEMENT Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent it was NEW PERSONNEL (PROFESSIONAL) VOTED: Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent it was PERSONNEL CHANGES (CLASSIFIED) VOTED: to accept the following Personnel Changes. (Brown, Rotberg, Unan. ) New Personnel Custodians Aides Mr. John Deutch, Chairman of the Financial Implications Committee FINANCIAL responded to the administration's report on school closings. He agreed IMPLICATIONS that there was a lot of common ground in the two reports. Minor differ- COMMITTEE ences were in transportation costs and also the definition of building- related versus pupil-related costs on some specialists. He also agreed that the administration did use a 1967 survey of cost and renovation figures which were outdated; however, those kinds of things were not in Page 10 January 12, 1976 the Committee's original charge, and therefore they did not address them- selves to that. His final point was that all should consider attitudes towards cost savings, in thinking of school closings. He stated that the School Committee's responsibility was for assessing cost implications for the schools, but they also had obligation to project beyond the school budget. He said one must realize the difference in actual cost savings versus credit for savings. He reminded the committee that the taxpayer was concerned with the final figure in the tax bill. He noted that to close a school without some commitment for disposition could not be con- sidered a credit for cost savings. He repeated that he and the members of his committee were willing to assist the School Committee in any addi- tional proposals regarding financial implications due to school closings. He also stated he looked forward to Mr. Wadsworth 's figures on the cost savings for closing some schools. Mrs , Swanson asked Mr Deutch if he agreed that if 5 schools were closed, the effect on the school budget would be $516,891 as stated on Page 73 of the school administration's report. Mr. Deutch stated that he agreed. Mrs. Swanson on behalf of the School Committee thanked Mr. Deutch and his committee for their re- sponse to the administration report. Mr. Spiris presented the Personal Services Budget to the School PERSONAL SERVICES Committee commenting that there were several topics to be discussed that BUDGET 1976-1977 evening. He noted that the toal change in the Personal Services Budget at this time amounted to a 1.8% increase or $222,051. He wished to em- phasize that of this total amount $130,000 was due to Chapter 766. The 1.8% included all the increase recommended. The remainder of the budget increase would be a result of negotiations between the LEA and the School Committee. He further emphasized that the Personal Services Budget and other budgets would reflect the input of principals, program directors and central office. Even though budgets do not meet all the needs of all the people a great deal of time and energy had been spent in develop- ing them. He hoped that the information presented to the School Commit- tee was complete and informative. The School Committee continued a page by page discussion of the PAGE 90-7 budget. Mr. Spiris presented a recommendation to place three profes- sional staff, Drs. Guldager, DiGiammarino and Mr. Walter Koetke on a twelve month contract. Mr. Spiris felt that these three people were needed on a full time basis rather than on a teacher contract basis. The School Committee temporarily agreed to these needs. There was no vote for approval on this item, however. The Superintendent also re- quested the addition of a bookkeeper-payroll clerk at the central office and two maintenance men with license. All School Committee members a- greed with Mr. Maclnnes that some additional classified staff were need- ed if a preventive maintenance program was to be put into effect. Dr. Rotberg said that the $23,000 request certainly would be worth it if a delineation could be made of where the benefits would occur and how much would be saved. He felt that he could not support the measure until a detailed prevention maintenance plan was presented to the School Com- mittee. Other members agreed. Mr. Wadsworth then declared that the request for two additional maintenance people was too few. He felt the town should invest more in maintenance of its buildings and would be hap- py to review a plan. Mr. Maclnnes agreed to develop such a plan. Mr. Spiris presented the proposed changes in Chapter 766 legisla- CHAPTER 766 tion. The School Committee postponed action on this item until the LEGISLATION next meeting. Page 11 January 12, 1976 It was VOTED: to go into Executive Session to discuss a negotiation matter at 11:21 p.m. (Brown, Wadsworth, Unanimous) Respectfully submitted !{, 6&1 de-- A G' Gi�-"./-'-'L/ / R" Aard H. Barn / Recording Sec tary /k ✓✓✓ Pro Tem