5/29/1997 SCHOOL COMMITTEE Minutes

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i I � + acquisition being made in 199.. $54,500 total, $58,500 is needed. Terrie added this does not include instrumental lessons or library or pre-first. Janice made a notion to eliminate the alternative education program, in its present form. Steve seconded the motion. All members were in favor 5-0** Kathy asked Dr. DeMoura to send Mr. Miceli a letter explaining that it was not because of his lack of effort,, the Committee felt the program was successful. Steve Paxton made a motion to eliminate the gifted and talented program, remove it from the 1998 school year. Maryanne seconded the motion. All members were in favor 5-0** Steve made a motion to hire an additional kindergarten teacher when enrollments exceed 175 students. Terrie seconded the motion. Donna McCaffrey asked if we don't exceed 175 and.tete salary is in the budget, could we use it for pre-first? The pre-first decision must he made tonight. They are projecting 225 kindergarten students. Ms. Reynolds asked how far past 175 students until you hire a 10th teacher. Steve said the MA requirements say kindergarten cannot exceed 25 students per class. Kathy asked that issue to be put on the July agenda. All members were in favor 5- Janice made a motion to retain the pre-first program. Terrie seconded the notion. Discussion: Steve said he cannot vote for something we don't have the money for. Maryanne agreed. Kathy said before voting we should consider a time commitment to the program. Janice said that is the intent of the motion, to retain pre-first as an integral part of our system. She thfinks the funds could be taken out of special ed. Dr. DeMoura has a problem with that, we can't just reduce the special ed Budget by $30,000. Janice said we have continuous overages in special ed. It has always been understood, if we find out during the year we don't have enough in that budget we could go to Finance Committee. She is angry that we have funds remaining in the budget at the end of every year. Dr. DeMoura responded that he feels we do a very good job. If you take into a nsideration the mild winter and contributions from Willow end it is less than .5° which is very good. Kathy Lynch said it is not that she doesn't support pre-first but also feels she needs to see here the money ill vane from. She is hoping a Business manager Vn*11 find money for us. All in favor of the above motion to retain pre-first. Janice and Terrie in favor, Kathy, Steve and Maryanne opposed. I Steve made a motion to remove the pre-first program from FY 1998. Maryanne seconded the motion. Kathy, Steve and Maryanne in favor, Janice and Terrie opposed. � Kathy asked ed r. I eMoura to also send a letter to the pre-first teacher. 7