NEWTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING - MARCH 24, 2003

EDUCATION CENTER, FRAZIER ROOM, 7:30 P.M.

PRESENT: Chairperson Anne Larner, Vice-Chairperson Susan Albright, Gail Glick, Patricia Kellogg, Marc Laredo, Nancy Levine, Leslie Schneider, Dori Zaleznik, Mayor David Cohen

ABSENT: student representatives

CALL TO ORDER

Chairperson Anne Larner called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Srdjan Nedeljkovic, 15 Bemuth Rd., Newton Highlands, expressed opposition to the bus fee. Their neighborhood has suffered over the years from school closings that have resulted in further distances to travel. He has six children who will have to be bused to school. The financial aspect would be quite burdensome. He and his wife have to be at work very early in the morning and the nanny does not drive. He urged the Committee not to impose a fee that would unfairly burden residents who have no other options. He suggested they attempt to develop a plan that would be born equitably by all in the system, including families who drive their children to school, which increases traffic congestion around the buildings. As a member of the Mayor's Comprehensive Planning Advisory Committee, they are in the process of reviewing long-term planning and transportation issues. One of their goals is improved public transportation options for Newton residents and reducing the need for people to utilize single occupancy vehicles for routine daily trips. A transportation fee is only going to add to the congestion, pose safety issues, and be counter-productive to the work of the Advisory Committee. He would be happy to work with the system and volunteer his time to develop other options.

Karen Lumino, 11 Arden Rd., Newtonville, Cabot Elementary School parent, believes that transportation should be a basic service for elementary aged children. She supported the Override, donated items for her son's classroom, and never had to utilize many of the services the system offers for her child even though her tax dollars pay for these items. If a bus fee is imposed, she would like the option of not having to pay for things they do not use.

Bette Lupo, President of the Newton Educational Secretaries Association (NESA), wished to respond to some of the comments expressed by speakers at the public hearing on the budget. Unlike those in the private sector, staff in the school system did not participate in the times of a booming economy, with 10% raises, and stock options. Rather, over the past nine years the average annual secretarial salary increase has amounted to 2.5%. They are facing a 12% reduction in positions, leaving the rest of the staff to take up the slack and shoulder more responsibility. Several of the people who addressed the Committee at the public hearing do not even have children in the schools. She would invite them to visit their buildings and see firsthand what the secretaries do on a daily basis.

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES' DISCUSSION

None.

RECOGNITIONS

None.

APPROVAL OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

MOTION: It was moved to approve the executive session

meeting minutes of 2/21 and 2/27/03, and

regular meeting minutes of 2/24/03.

(Levine - Schneider)

unanimous

REPORTS

NEWTON NORTH HIGH SCHOOL TASK FORCE

Susan Albright briefed the Committee on the work of the Task Force to date. Turner Construction and DRA made a presentation at the last meeting on regard the questions that had been posed from the ideas forum regarding work on the existing structure, a partially renovated building, and new construction. Their recommendation was a hybrid option involving renovation and a new wing. Tonight's Task Force meeting involved two presentations by architects who were members of the ideas forum that had suggested the original competition, which was eventually cancelled. Since the architects had done so much work already, the Task Force agreed to allow them to present. One of the presentations was very similar to the recommendation of DRA, which uses the core structure of the existing building, with new academic classrooms. Next week they will discuss costs. At the following meeting, there will be a presentation from Environmental Health Engineering, for a second opinion regarding whether or not the building can be occupied while being renovated.

Dori Zaleznik asked if DRA's preferred option involves any demolition of the current structure.

Susan Albright stated that it does involve some demolition, in order to create an interior courtyard that would allow light into the building. One of the architect's presentations entailed similar demolition and the other involved a great deal more.

Superintendent Jeffrey Young reminded people that none of these options ha3 yet to be reviewed or analyzed by the school department in terms of the impact on the educational program.

OPERATIONS STATUS REPORT

Jeff Young mentioned the progress they have been making in the areas of source reduction and environmental programs and thanked Michael Cronin, Chief of Operations, for his leadership.

HIGH SCHOOL BUIDLING PROJECT UPDATE

Jeff Young reported that Phase II of the project is moving along. Staff have moved into the new wing and are very excited about the space. Demolition has begun on Wheeler and Goodwin Houses and they are in the process of purchasing furniture and equipment.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

None.

ACTION ITEMS

VOTE TO ACCEPT GRANT

MOTION: It was moved to accept the new grants totaling $303,555,

as outlined in Attachment C.

(Levine - Zaleznik)

unanimous

FINAL VOTE ON FY04 BUDGET

Susan Albright raised the issue of user fees. She wondered if they could pass a bottom line on the budget this evening without being specific with regard to this subject, so that they can spend more time on examining the issues. Perhaps they can devise a way to distribute the fees in a more equitable manner systemwide.

Dori Zaleznik supports this suggestion. Clearly revenue is needed, but the Committee has heard some compelling arguments against the bus fees. It would be helpful to receive some additional information about the legality of a general activity fee. Even if this is not possible, at least they will have exhausted all efforts.

Marc Laredo has consistently opposed a transportation fee and this has not changed. He welcomes the suggestion to take a step back and examine the issue from a more global perspective; understanding that it will not change the bottom line of the budget.

Patty Kellogg also likes the idea of having more time to look at the fee structure as a whole and supports this recommendation.

Jeff Young stated that they will be happy to provide the Committee with whatever information they require. From a staff perspective, they would support this holistic approach to the subject. A "super" cap that would cover all fees might be tolerable in terms of the ultimate expenditure one family may be required to make.

Anne Larner stated that no one on the Committee is pleased to have to impose fees, but perhaps this extra time will help them explore various possibilities that might result in a more equitable solution.

Nancy Levine asked if the administration could provide additional information on the changes that will occur with the loss of interns in the integrated classrooms.

Carol Daynard, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Services, explained that the decision will most directly impact on Angier Elementary School and involves five special education interns, and one at Memorial-Spaulding. Those staff members are graduate interns from Simmons and receive a $14,000 fee. Their goal is to replace these positions with student teachers, who are not paid staff. The drawback is that there will be periods of time during the year when the student teachers are not available and when there will be coverage issues. There is another alternative, which she just learned about last week, and that has to do with using regular education interns. These people are paid $3,500. Their internship is under the regular education model, which involves a full-year

program and, therefore, would alleviate the coverage issue. This is something she is currently exploring.

Nancy Levine expressed concern about continuity of coverage and support in the integrated classrooms, which up to this point has been very successful. She worries about undergraduate students taking on an enormous amount of supervision.

Jeff Young noted that they have made a consistent effort to keep the numbers down in the integrated classes. Given the size of the cut in special education, programs are going to look different; not only at Angier and Memorial-Spaulding, but in many areas that have been outlined in the special education budget. They realize the importance of the integrated classrooms and their past success and have had numerous conversations around possible options and solutions. He personally is going to visit them next week to get a firsthand experience of the day-to-day activities. He asked the Committee to give the administration some additional time and flexibility, while they continue to work out some ideas. If they need to make some adjustments in this area, they can do so without changing the bottom line of the budget.

Dori Zaleznik commented that one of the difficulties of working with a budget that has so many cuts is that there are cogent arguments for every area. The administration has done an excellent job in developing creative approaches that will attempt to provide similar services while minimizing the impact of the cuts. In these fiscal times, they cannot afford to continue with business as usual. Giving the leeway to the administration to make some internal shifts, where necessary, is one way to retain the bottom line while keeping the quality of the program a priority.

Nancy Levine is pleased to hear that the administration is still investigating options in this area because, in most cases, this program is the last stop before students end up in outside placements.

Marc Laredo thanked the Superintendent and staff for their hard work and responsiveness to the requests from the School Committee for information and materials over the past few weeks. The improved budget document itself has allowed both the Committee and the public to better understand how money is spent. The redesigning of special education services was a considerable initiative. The administration has done a good job in examining how services are delivered and attempting to do that in a more efficient manner without sacrificing the needs of students. The reorganization at the Education Center is another example of saving money and improving services. Despite considerable restraints on the system this year, they have managed to develop a budget that meets the Mayor's allocation and still provides a first-rate education for Newton's children. He hopes they will look at future budgets with this same approach and

continue to be open to new ways of doing business. They should not be fearful of eliminating programs that are not working, nor supporting those that are.

Mayor Cohen appreciates the work that the Superintendent and his staff did in crafting a budget that was forced to meet some very stringent fiscal limitations.

However, they have still managed to preserve the core mission of the school system. Today he received a letter from the Chairpersons of the House and Senate Ways & Means Committees that talked about a worst case scenario of a 15-20% reduction in lottery local aid and that they should not assume funding for categorical grants. He will continue to work with the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, and Massachusetts Association of School Committees to try to reverse what appears to be forthcoming. These cuts on communities are too deep.

Anne Larner stated that she has not heard anyone from the State level talking about things getting any better either in FY04 or FY05. She believes they are going to have to continue to work toward an FY05 budget that is quite modest and do that work throughout the year so that there are no surprises. In some cases, Newton is in a far better situation that many other communities. They have been able to keep class size at reasonable levels and continue to provide opportunities for a broad range of students. If they are fortunate to see additional State funding, she would like that to go back to the per pupil allocation. This is an area that does not have a constituency that will advocate for its needs and the Committee needs to be the steward. She has heard from a number of Committee members who would also like to see some funding returned to guidance at the high schools. She was also moved by the numerous speakers at the public hearing who talked about the importance of the role of the enrichment coordinator and how much of a difference that person makes in the lives of students and the environment of the schools.

Leslie Schneider echoed people's comments about the budget meeting the allocation while retaining services. However, she still harbors concerns about some large commitments to particular programs, such as the kindergarten aides. She will defer to the Superintendent and staff in these areas, but hopes they can revisit and discuss these issues next year. She would like to see any additional funding restored to guidance, as well as high school staffing.

Dori Zaleznik would like to reinstate funding in many areas. However, she is pessimistic about future State funding. She would encourage them to continue to focus on their long-term commitment of keeping class size low.

Nancy Levine agreed and noted that it took nearly a decade of rebuilding to get class size to its current levels and would want to retain this as the core mission.

MOTION: It was moved to approve the FY04 Superintendent's Recommended Budget, as outlined in the straw vote,

for a total of $127,198,480.

(Zaleznik - Glick)

unanimous

COMMUNICATIONS

Anne Larner announced that the Education Collaborative (EdCo) legislative forum will be held on Friday. She also reminded people about next week's Kidz in Jeopardy fundraiser hosted by the Newton Child Care Commission.

Jeff Young congratulated the cast and crew of Les Miserables, for their excellent performance this past weekend at Newton North High School and a particular thanks to Adam Brown, Theater Director, for his incredible work with the students.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no members of the public who wished to address the Committee at this time.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.