1979-12-03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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282 Mr. Gatewood remarked that the Council is being requested to appropriate funds to support a specific program and are not being asked to rule on the merits of the program, but he feels that in effect that's what the Council is doing, and considering the nature of the request he thinks it is proper that the School Board has come to Council for guidance. He stated there are several key points to be considered. First~ whether the requested program is the only alternative that satisfied the legal requirement, Second, whether our current programs in our school system might also be appropriate with- in the meaning of the law. The staff has indicated that our program is appropriate and the staff has agreed with the feeling up to this point, whether one of these alternatives might be better for the child involved in another question. Third, whether this action~would set a precedent resulting in an unbearable financial burden on the taxpayers. Fourth, whether the requested program would have an adverse effect on the other children in the class room and indications are that it would. He stated he feels it is too drastic a step for the board to take, the true value tO the child is questionable~ and without a definitive direction as to what is legally required and without such a legal direction he doesn't feel this burden should be ptHeedon the tax- payers. He stated he feels that the additional $5,000 that has been requested to boost the existing program is appropriate. Mrs. O'Brien remarked that the setting of a precedent has bothered all members of Council since this is a fairly major expense for one particular individual. However, the precedent has been force on us and our choices under the federal law are limited. The appropriate place to argue the burden on the taxpayers is with our representatives in Congress who pass the law requiring us to do this. Mr. Albro suggested that each item be voted on individually. He stated he will support the $5,000 for the part-time speech therapist. He stated the building modifications may be beneficial effects for hearing impaired children in the school, but he would prefer that this item be addressed in the next budget proposal. He stated this is not a vote he can cast without reservations, but it is a policy decision that Council must deal with and he has to think of the community as a whole and the futume of the school system. The Mayor stated that he has problems with this because of the precedent it might set, but he will support the $5,000 for the speech therapist and funds for the building modifications. Mr. Buck stated that after reading the report he came to the conclusion that the consultants were pretty consistent in agreement that this program was the best one. The Advisory Board supports it and the School Board and administration support it. He stated the amount of money is disturbing to a lot of people and although the cost is great it is worthwhile cost. He stated he does not accept the argument that has been raised that because of this one precedent that it will open the doors for many children to come in for this. The law that allows this is a law that affects all children throughout the,~c~untry. He stated even if this weren't legally required, given