12/07/2005 SCHOOL COUNCIL - KC COOMBS SCHOOL Minutes

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Kenneth C. Coombs School Council Meeting Minutes Wednesday, December 7, 2005 I. Present at the meeting were Mrs. Doyle, Mr. McNamara, Mrs. Snider, Mrs. Moore, Ms. Russell, Mrs. Palmer, Mrs. Williams, and Mr. Hendricks. Not prescnt at the meeting was Mrs. O'Brien. A. motion to approve the November S{ember minutes was made by Mary RUssell and seconded by Kim Palmer. The minutes were unanimously approved. fI. The Superintendent, Aran BradIshaw, made a presentation to the Council at the Open Forum'. She discussed. a recommendation for 3 hI =clays this year for Professional Development. She will present this to the School Committee. .The Boys and Girls Clii1 and Leisure Services will provide day care n these days. There was some discussion as to whether or not there would be an extended school year because ofthe half-days. These days do count as regular school days. An extension is not necessary- JR.R. Mrs. Doyle diSCLISsed the budget. There will be a 5-6% increase in art supplies, a % increase in paper, and additional salary requirements. There will be no additional programs, services or technology. There was discussion about putting in a separate article at Town.Meeting for additional funding for reduced class size, and improved technology. There may also be a possibility of having a Medicaid reimbursement approximately $250,00 requested on a year to year Iasis. This money now goes into the Chapter 70 Fund. More parent involvement is necessary and more parent votes at town meeting are important for the schools. Some ideas are notices, letters to the editor, notices t preschool, and talking with our senior p ulati 11. No Child Left Behind mandates are difficult on the current budget. KCC needs Funding to retain a 7th K teacher and Th e C ouneil proposes an increase i n Grades 1&2 l one teacher per grade to reduce class size for more effective learning and instruction. FY 7 attrition will see 1 teacher, l guidance secretary and 2 guidance Pers rmel retiring/relocating next year. This will open up some salary monies going forward. we project an additional $100,000 in savings from these positions. A Title One teacher is retiring next December, which would open funding for a title one paraprofessional. we are also in need of a Preschool Special Education teacher. The Council also proposes a literacy coach- at present this is on a grant-only basis. KCC hopes to again receive the current Kindergarten grant and Title One grant, though they are reduced approximately 15% in funding every year. IV The Council's priorities for the PY7 budget are as follows: . Reduced class size b. Literacy Coach c. Special Education Teacher V The meeting adjourned at 4:40 pm Respectfully submitted, nl illi ani s