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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-01-19-SC-min Page 5 January 19, 1980 A meeting of the Lexington School Committee was held on January 19, 1980, 9: a.m. at the School Administration Building. Those in attendance were: Brown, Swanson, Shaw, Michelman, Gaudet , and student representative, Dohan. Also present were: Lawson, Maclnnes , Monderer, Pierson,DiGiammar- ino, and Barnes. A 1980-81 proposed budget was presented by the superintendent of 1980-81 schools. He noted that the enrollments continued to decline and costs PROPOSED escalate which required different approaches from those used in periods BUDGET of growth and prosperity. He added that the school department had es- tablished a management system which incorporated information for needs assessment , evaluations, established priorities which were made by teachers, principals, coordinators, and system-wide administrators regarding the al- location of resources. He listed among the significant factors which in- fluenced the budgetary planning for 1980-81 as follows: . negotiated 5.5% wage increase (salary improvement $675 ,579; salary increments $243,553) • negotiated early retirement incentive ($47,500) • severance pay commitments ($55,200) . major increases in the cost of fuel ($277,320; + 113.5% . mandated Chapter 766 state programs including special transportation (130,338; + 7.5%) . needed building maintenance projects ($31,131; + 47%) . recommendations by the NEASSP related to the High School Library and Science wing ($138,000) . recommendations from the citizens ' Energy Commission ($300,000) . increases in costs for texts, tea.chini; materials, and other in- structional related items ($44,206; + 5 .9%) In light of the above commitments , he noeed two factors that aided in preventing the budget from further escalation: . declining enrollments (-359 students) . maintaining current staffing ratios (-$432,829) He said he felt the budgetary requests was a sincere effort to respond to the needs of the community and to provide quality education for the students of Lexington. The School Cown,ittee began. a page-by-page review of the proposed budget . The following programs were reviewed: . Kindergarten, Code 1105 . Art , Code 1110 . Business. Code 1115 • Language Arts, Code 1120: Mr. Brown asked for an explanation of the increased cost for materials under Object Code 218. Dr. Pierson res- ponded that the increase was due to handwriting and spelling needs, and anticipated needs for materials in the seventh grade programs to develop Recommendations A and C. The superintendent noted that all schools were involved in a spelling program this year, and either had adopted one or were in the pilot stage. Dr. Pierson also added that some of the spelling had been programmed on micro-computers for student use. Mrs. Gaudet expressed concern for the purchase of an additional micro- computer under Object Code 331. She noted that a plan for the system had yet to be presented to the School Committee, and felt that perhaps the process should be reversed. Dr. D iGianmari_no responded that a plan had been completed and due to the constraints of closing school Page 6 January 19, 1980 and budget, it had not been presented but would be shortly, He said that when the plans eree developed in the summer, it was an estimate of the needs only. This wopld be reviewed. • Drama, Code 1121 . Foreign Languages, Code 1125: Mr. Michelman suggested that the phrase, "that demands established by the President 's Commission on Foreign Languages", contained in the program objectives be changed. The superintendent noted that teaching culture was also an objective. Dr. Pierson added that he agreed that the phrase, "Demands established by the Presider:`t Commission on Foreign Languages" might be agreeable as part of an objective and it was something that our Foreign Languages Department would have as an objective. He said the program objectives would be reviewed. . Program Tesol, Code 1126 . Home Economics , Code 1130: Mrs. Shaw suggested that the phrase, "reduction of stereotyping" in the program objectives , be changed to the phrase, "elimination of stereotyping". Thus , the program objective would read, "To encourage elimination of sex stereotyping and more equitable enrollments of male/female students in Home Economics classes". It was agreed to make this change. . Child Care. Code 1131 . Industrial Arts, Code 1135: The same comment was made for the fourth paragraph in the program description to change the phrase, "reduction of stereotyping", to, "elimination of stereotyping". . Instructional Materials and Services , Code 1140 . Mathematics, Code 1145 . Music, Code 1150 . Physical Education, Code 1161: The School Committee requested a breakdown of boys and girls involved in each of the sports. Also of concern was Oject Code 214, Towels as to why the ac- count had decreased by $5000. Dr. Pierson said the towel ac- count would now only pay for physical education , not for the athletic program. Towels would be available for visitors only. . Interscholastic Athletics , Code 1163 . Reading, Code 1170 • Science, Code 1175: Mr. Michelman asked if the program objective, "to begin to establish and implement a scope and sequence in science", meant there would be a greater degree of similarity in each elementary school on curriculum. Dr. Pierson responded in the affirmative. . Social Studies Program, Code 1180: In the fourth item under the program description it was agreed to re-phrase and to read, "to develop and evaluate approved or adopted program changes in the junior high program to carry out Recommendation B of the group- study." This notation (approved or adopted program changes) was made in the School Committee Objectives Program, and would be included in. other segments of the program descriptions were ap- propriate. . Project LEAP, Code1185: It was agreed that Project LEAP should have a description of Program Objectives . Dr. Pierson said he would provide for the budget booklet. The School Cummittee also commended Paul Ciano for the fine job coordinating Project LEAP. Page 7 January 19, 1980 . Experienced Based Education, Code 1187 . Health Education, Code 1190: It was agreed that Health Education should have a page of objectives and description. . Instruction-Special: Budget Request . Special Needs Regular with Modification , Programs 1205 , 1210, 1215, 1220 . Special Needs Day School, Code 1225: It :was noted that the 1978-79 credit refund was not available for 1980-81 under Code 1225 , The superintendent noted that last year the balance from the LABE was applied to the budget . It had accumulated in the collaborative this year; this year there was an insignificant balance. . Special Needs Residential, Code 1230 . Special Needs Pre-School, Code 1255 . Vocational Ed, Code 1305 . Summer Programs-Sumner Reading, Code 1410: All were reviewed. The meeting adjourned at 12 Noon. (Michelman, Swanson, Unanimous) Respectfully submitped, Richard H. Barnes /�Recordingecret ary /mc