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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-02-02-SC-min C ,;1` "?',RARY Page 33 February 2, 1976 Li.Xii',:313i1, " i .SS. 02173 A regular meeting of the Lexington School Committee came to order at 8:00 p.m. at Jonas Clarke Junior High School. Present were Mesdames Swanson and Berc'. :old, Messrs. Brown, Rotberg and Wadsworth. Also pre- sent were Messrs. Spiris and Maclnnes, Dr. Monderer and Miss Quinn. Mrs. Swanson noted that her use of the word "maintained" in a let- PUBLIC ter which appeared in the Lexington Minuteman (January 29) referred to PARTICIPATION painting and other modernizing of the Munroe School, not to upkeep. She cited Mr. Val Zazula as an excellent custodian of the building and apolo- gized for any misunderstanding. Mr. Maclnnes explained briefly that programmed budget statements FINANCIAL are available and could be provided on a regular basis if the School STATEMENT Committee wished. Mrs. Swanson felt that this would probably not be necessary, and Dr. Rotberg added that such statements would be most useful only after the system was using programmed budgeting exclus- ively. It was agreed that a copy of the programmed budget would be available at Mr. Maclnnes 's office should anyone desire to examine it. Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools it was SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS VOTED: to accept the Schedule of Payments as presented. (Berchtold, Wadsworth, Unanimous) SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS SCHOOL DEPARTMENT BUDGETS Personal Services January 30, 1976 Professional Payroll #16C $399,401.94 Expenses January 30, 1976 Bill Schedules #108 3,159.56 January 30, 1976 #109 7,446. 75 Vocational Education January 30, 1976 Tuition #15V 30.00 SPECIAL PROGRAMS (Non-Lexington Funds) Driver Education (Adult Education) January 30, 1976 Professional Payroll 1, 107.50 METCO Program January 30, 1976 Professional Payroll 3,472.49 Teacher Training Program II January 30, 1976 Professional Payroll 368.85 January 30, 1976 Bill Schedule #8 57.12 LAB Pre-Vocational Life Care Program January 30, 1976 Professional Payroll 830.46 January 30, 1976 Bill Schedule #9 116.66 LEADS Program January 30, 1976 Professional Payroll 1,403.87 Autistic Program (Lexington) January 30, 1976 Professional Payroll 717.96 Page 34 February 2, 1976 Autistic Program (Arlington) January 30, 1976 Professional Payroll 2,667.45 January 30, 1976 Bill Schedule #6 46.08 Multi-Handicapped (Burlington) January 30, 1976 Professional Payroll 425.65 Pre-School Program (Burlington) January 30, 1976 Professional Payroll 1,475.78 LABB: Pre-Kindergarten Program (Bedford) January 30, 1976 Professional Payroll 269.23 Title I: PL89-313 Spec. Ed. January 30, 1976 Professional Payroll 102.89 Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools it was PERSONNEL CHANGES (CLASSIFIED) VOTED: to accept the following personnel changes(classified) New Personnel Elizabeth T. Walsh - Secretary/Key Punch Operator Sr. High School - Class 10 Step I, @$3.44 p/hr. 371/2 hrs/wk Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools it was PERSONNEL CHANGES (CERTIFIED) VOTED: to accept the following personnel changes (certified) (Rotberg Berchtold, Unanimous) Change in Salary Upon the re-ommendation of the Superintendent of Schools it was NEW PERSONNEL VOTED: Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools it was BIDS VOTED: to accept the bid for transcribing equipment from International Business Machines, Inc. (Wadsworth, Rotberg, Unanimous) Page 35 February 2, 1976 Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent it was BIDS (CONTINUED) VOTED: to accept the bid for Data Processing Services of the 1976 Lex- ington Census from the L.H.S. Associates in the amount of $6,000 as being in the best interests of Lexington. (Rotberg, Berchtold, Unanimous) Mr. Maclnnes commented that though he chose the higher bidder, he felt that this was in the best interest of the system, based on prior good service by the chosen bidder. He noted, too, that the cost of this service had increased markedly and that he would have to reflect increases in the 1976-77 budget. Dr. Rotberg asked how the census item had come to be included in the school budget. Mr. Maclnnes indicated that the State required a census by law, and that the school system had at one time done its own census. Dr. Monderer indicated that the school census had been combined with the town census six or seven years ago in an effort to save money and avoid duplication of effort. He explained that we use the informa- tion for a number of purposes: kindergarten population, screening for special needs, filing State reports, etc. Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent it was VOTED: that orders (for food service paper supplies) be placed with the companies indicated, based upon low unit prices meeting specifi- cations in the listed approximate totals. (Berchtold, Rotberg, Unanimous) Mr. Wadsworth EVALUATION OF PRINCIPALS MOVED: to accept the Superintendent 's recommendation of the process for the evaluation of principals. (Berchtold seconded) Mr. Spiris explained that the process had been devised as a means, for this year at least, of evaluating the principals and assisting their professional growth. At issue, he said, was whether or not the evalua- tion submitted by the professional staff to the Superintendent should be signed. He noted that his personal philosophy would mandate signing. However, he felt, at this time, unsigned evaluations would provide a pur- er reading of staff reactions. He cited staff uneasiness as a result of necessary reductions in force, and the staff's unfamiliarity with the new process as among reasons for his feelings. Mr. Spiris noted, too, that results of a small sampling of staff and principals generally supported his contention that professional staff might be hesitant to express their most accurate perceptions on a signed instrument. He admitted that 8 of the principals surveyed would prefer to have a signed document; how- ever, even two of them were of the opinion that the document would be less valid if it were signed. Dr. Wadsworth concurred with the current proposal, noting that it had been his experience that a signed evaluation tended to be less open. Page 36 February 2, 1976 Dr. Rotberg expressed the hope that all comments on the instrument would be shared with the principal involved, even where such comments might be repetitive. Whether the comments were positive or negative he believed that the repetition could in itself be helpful. Mr. Brown felt that professionals in our system who have a complaint are not afraid to say so. He suggested that we try the process this year with signatures and change it next near if necessary. He MOVED: to amend Dr. Wadsworth's motion and provide that staff signatures would be required (seconded Rotberg) Defeated (Brown, Rotberg, YES; Berchtold, Swanson, Wadsworth, NO). Dr. Rotberg questioned the reason for requiring parent 's signatures, but not those of staff. Mr. Spiris responded that the reasons for not requiring staff sig- natures did not apply in the case of parents. Committee members continued a review of the expense budget which EXPENSE BUDGET was presented January 26, 1976. In considering the #2400 (Textbook) account, Mrs. Berchtold asked whether kindergarten pupils were included in the enrollment figures used to calculate this account. Mr. Maclnnes responded that they were not. Discussion then returned briefly to the #2300 (Teaching Supplies) account. Mrs. Berchtold asked if funds in the music and art accounts were allocated on the real per-pupil course enrollment or on a pupils- per-building basis. Mr. Maclnnes responded that the funds were allocated for these pro- grams according to the same per-pupil basis as for other programs. He indicated that the real figures could be derived if the Committee so de- sired. The Committee agreed that this more refined tabulation would be a good idea for the 1977-1978 school budget. In considering the #2500 (Library) account, Dr. Wadsworth asked if there was some control over the selection of library books. He noted that some parents had expressed concern about inappropriate choices being offered their children from the schools ' libraries. Mr. Spiris, Miss Quinn, and Mr. Lombard assured him that such controls were indeed func- tioning through librarians, curriculum committees, principals, department heads, and staff as a whole. Mrs. Berchtold asked whether, in choosing books, attention was paid to the provisions of Chapter 622. She was as- sured that this was a prime concern. Mrs. Berchtold expressed concern that the fund for media purchase was too high. She MOVED: to decrease the amount in that account by $10,000 to $8,712. (Brown, seconded) . Dr. Rotberg expressed concern that such a drastic cut would reduce the availability of audio-visual aids to the classroom teacher. Page 37 February 2, 1976 Mr. Brown questioned the reason for the increase at the elementary level when this is where the pupil decline is greatest. Dr. Wadsworth felt that the cut was too drastic. He MOVED: to amend Mrs. Berchtold's motion, setting an approximate ceiling of $15,000 on that item (Brown seconded) It was VOTED: to accept the amended motion, setting an approximate ceiling of $15,000 on the 2600-5b account (Media purchase). Mr. Maclnnes asked to be allowed a certain leeway with that figure so that equitable per pupil amounts could be established. The Committee agreed that this was the spirit of the motion. Discussion of the #2800 (Psychological) account was postponed until the testing report is received. Dr. Rotberg asked whether the #3300 (Transportation) account should reflect an anticipated decrease in state reimbursement. Mr. Maclnnes responded that reimbursement does not affect the item as it appears in this budget. In discussing the #4100 (Operation of Plant) account, Dr. Rotberg mentioned that suggested restrictions on use of heat and electricity adopted during the fuel crisis two years ago might be appropriate money- saving measures even now. Mr. Maclnnes agreed that it might be a good idea to re-issue that memo as a reminder to conserve. In discussing the #7210-20 (Maintenance of Plant) account, Mrs. Swanson questioned the increase in the #4210-4 (Grounds) account. Mr. Maclnnes indicated that this involved some planned paving which he hoped would be both preventive maintenance and improvement of appearance at several schools. Mrs. Swanson asked whether this could be contracted to the town. Mr. Maclnnes said that it was usually contracted out due to the magnitude of the job, but that the contracts were bid through the town. In discussing #4220-4b (Repair and Replacement) , Dr. Wadsworth MOVED: to delete from the item the replacement of oil burner and con- trols at Munroe School. (Brown, seconded) He contended that such replacement seemed unwise at this time, given the uncertainty of school closings. He noted that the burners were functioning and Mr. Maclnnes assured him that repairs could be made in the event of an emergency. The Committee VOTED: to delete from item #4220-4b the replacement of oil burner and controls at Munroe School. (Wadsworth, Brown, Unanimous) Page 38 February 2, 1976 In decreasing the #5300 (Rental of Buildings) account, Mr. Maclnnes noted that it may be possible to delete this account completely, pending some housing arrangements currently under investigation. He mentioned that if he was able to delete this item, he would have to use some of the funds to cover the increased cost of the census. In discussing the #7300 (Outlay-Equipment) account, Mrs. Swanson questioned the need for additional filing cabinets. Mr. Maclnnes re- sponded that the need was created by record storage required for special programs such as LIRSP, and by storing of Core evaluation forms and ma- terials. In discussing the #7490 (Replacement of Equipment) account Mrs. Swanson questioned the advisability of air conditioning the Professional Library before other areas which are more widely used during warm weather. Mr. Maclnnes responded that the Professional Library would not be cooled by its own unit, but by a duct from the unit to be installed in the de- partment heads office. That was agreeable to the committee; however, Mrs. Swanson suggested that a program be explored so that areas in wide use during warm weather be air conditioned as soon as financially feasible. In discussing the #7490-8b account, Mr. Spiris asked the members of the School Committee to compare items budgeted with those requested. He noted that the members might wish to add some requests that had been cut. He pointed out that failure to purchase some items, for example band uniforms, might have serious effect on educational programs. As as result of further discussion it was VOTED: to add $750 to the replacement budget for replacement band uni- forms at the high school. (Rotberg, Wadsworth, Unanimous) The meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m. Respectfully su itted, 1 /k Eli? beth A. Quinn