4/7/2004 SCHOOL COMMITTEE Minutes

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NIASHPEE SCHOOL COMMITTEE=REGULAR MEETING—APRIL 7, 2004 PAGE 2 1. Michael Prsi - Mashpee Teachers' Association President Michael P rsi o read aloud a statement regarding the FY05 budget. In his statement, Mr. Prsio stated that while the teachers "appreciate (the School Committee's) position and difficulties, w (the teachers) also have concerns about the loss of staff and increases class sizes and their effect on education in general. We therefore encourage you to make every effort to meet budgetary needs without reducing teaching staff." 2. Dan and Joanne Komb rt—Dr. and Mrs. I onm bert have two children currently attending the Coombs School with two younger children at hone. with the proposed cuts of possibly eight elementary teachers, Dr. Kornbert said that would lead to larger class sizes. He also mentioned implementing user fees for sports and band, parents could purchase school supplies for their children and transportation fees t avoid elementary teacher reduction. A. petition was presented to the Committee signed by parents who would be in favor of these as well as charging high school students for parking their cars. . Beth Wunder — Mrs. Wunder expressed her concerns regarding the possible reduction in elementary teaching staff: She has three children in the school system and suggested the Committee re-examine the staffing through the entire school system to minimize the growing class sizes in the elementary grades. . ,len McDonald --- Mrs. McDonald, a teacher in the Bourne school system, addressed the Committee stating that Bourne school officials found it necessary to implement transportation fees and are investing the possibility of charging user fees in the coming school year. She noted the financial impact on families has been small and suggested the Committee look into these fees before reducing its staff. . Kathy Lynch—F i nance Committee member Mrs. Lynch began her statement saying"I'm the voice of doom." She said that although this year's budget is very tight, next year's will be worse. Once again, Mrs. Lynch stressed the need for parents to attend town meetings and support the school's budget. Parental involvement has been very minimal and their support is extremely important. . Mrs. Cook reminded the audience of the defeat of the Proposition 2-1/2 override in 1999. While explaining the importance of attending not only School Committee meetings, but also Selectmen and Finance Committee meetings as well, she, too, outlined the importance f parental involvement and the process taken in formulating the school's budget. V. Acknowledgment .1 Council on, g Letter dated March 5, 2004—Mrs. Cook read aloud the letter from the Council on Aging who thanked the students from Mrs. > Bor's class for their biographies.