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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-03-17-SC-min Page 23 March 17, 1980 A meeting of the Lexington School Coumdttee was held on March 17, 1980, at 3:30 p.m. , at the School Administration Building. Those in attendance were: Brown, Gaudet , Swanson, Shaw, and Michelman. Also present were: Lawson, Maclnnes, Monderer, Pierson, DiGiammarino and Barnes, Mr. Brown reviewed the situation regarding the transportation bid TRANSPORTATION which had been received by the school system on the prior week. He noted that there was an increase of $163,570 above the projected bud- get. The superintendent, at this point , responded that he did not feel that the $163,570 could be found in the present operation budget to offset the bid. Mr. Brown asked if there were ways to find other items that could compensate for this increase. Mrs. Swanson asked if it were possible to check the tax exemption. status of school buses to see if such vehicles could be filled with gasoline which would not be subject to taxes. The superintendent spec- ulated that a non-profit organization probably would have to purchase the gasoline and that a private bus company would not be tax exempt . He said it would be worth checking into this matter, which, if approved, could result in savings. Mr. Maclnnes, at this point , reviewed transportation options even though they were not being recommended: 1. A reconsideration change in the mileage policy. He noted that this item would be a recommendation for discussion by the com- mittee in the near future. 2. Ticket purchase elimination. 3. Non-transportation of those students under a mile where there are sidewalks or places for potential sidewalks, sheltered walkways, etc. The superintendent said that he reviewed the budget again with the administration and had a list of possible reductions in the 1980-81 bud- get. He outlined the reductions as follows: 1. $4,000 - Elimination of Clarke NEASC Evaluation - Not needed next year 2. Two fewer buses because of better scheduling 3. $5,241 -Budget for 183 rather than 185 days of school for students (This difference is based on historical experiences, cancellation of weather, etc.) 4. $6,325 - CRC Secretary (double budget entry) 5. $2,000 - Testing 6. $4, 115 - Senior Teachers ' Stipends 7. $9,952 - Team Leader Stipends 8. $4,900 - Crossing Guards ( 2 less because of Adam's closing) 9. $1,000 - High School snowblowers ( 2 new ones this last year) 10. $20,000 - L.A.B.B. Credit for Tuition, for a total of $97,533. Each of these items was then discussed. Mrs. Swanson said that she hoped that the committee would not over- react to the increased budget because of busing. She said that the com- mittee should not lose track that the School Committee had saved million of dollars in the past years due to school closings and other efficiencies and not all the increases had been within its control, Mr. Brown added that he felt the listing that the superintendent posed was valid, and Page 24 March 17, 1980 suggested the School Committee address the transportation policy as Mr. Maclnnes stated within the next year. He recocmnended discussion with the town since the policy had implications for budget for them due to the installation of sidewalks and other measures. It was the consensus of the School Committee to dismiss busing with the selectmen at a later date. It was also agreed that Mr. Mac- Innes should project an increase ticket purchase price consistent with that of LEXPRESS. He agreed to review this matter. Mrs. Swanson asked if parents paid a fifty dollar charge for Early Admission Testing? Dr. Monderer said that they did not and other sys- tems were not charging parents either. The superintendent responded that it was a viable possibility that a registration fee could be charged to the parent , and agreed that he and Dr. Monderer would look into the matter. At this point, the superintendent noted that to do everything planned in the budget for 1980-81, it was necessary to include the ad- ditional $72,000 (net cost of increase in transportation after $97,533 reduction) . Also, he noted that if there were any reduction in the energy article, the School Committee would need to add approximately $70,000 more into the budget , At this point , Mr. Michelman asked if there would be a balance at the end of the year in order to fill oil tanks. Mr. Maclnnes said he hoped there would be. He said it was only a projection at this time, but he answered in the affirmative. The superintendent responded that it was still too early to say that filling the tanks in June could be done due to the uncertainty of weather conditions from now until the end of the year. He and Mr. Maclnnes would be monitoring the situation. It was moved that the School Committee's total budget for the Lex- ington Public Schools for the fiscal year 1980-81 be $17,459,022 of which $16,989,262 be requested under Article 4, and $331,000 be requested under Article 44, and $138,000 under Article 43. (Michelman, Swanson, Unanimous) It was VOTED:to adjourn at 5:19 p.m. (Michelman, Daudet, Unanimous) Respectfully submitted, Richard H. Barnes Recording Secretary Inc