2004-02-20 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Friday, February 20, 2004 AT 12:00 noon IN THE Basement Conference Room. THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Luncheon meeting with School Board APPOINTMENT : Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox BASEMENT CONFERENCE ROOM - February 20, 2004 Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: Mr. Caravati, Mr. Cox, Mr. Lync h, Ms. Richards, Mr. Schilling. Mr. Ed Gillespie, Budget Director for Charlottesville Public Schools, gave an overview of the School Board's budget. Budget highlights include: maintain competitive position; no increase in class sizes; consistency in in structional programs; sustainable reallocations; minimum impact on direct instruction; 4 - 10% increase in salaries; 42% increase in VRS; 7% increase due to composite index; 15% increase in health insurance. Mr. Gillespie said the budget includes a reduc tion of 25.84 positions. Mr. Ron Hutchinson, Superintendent of Schools, said that no special education programs are affected by the budget reductions. Mr. Schilling asked how many employees could be kept if the pay for instructors was not increased, an d Mr. Gillespie estimated between eight and ten. Ms. Richards said the schools will still be richly staffed, and Mr. Hutchinson agreed and said Charlottesville compares most favorably in the state even with the proposed cuts. Mr. Hutchinson said the sch ools need to remain competitive and feels that merits taking this direction. Ms. Muriel Wiggins, School Board member, said the School Board needs more money from Council for the school budget. She said instructional aids are being cut who work with kids who have needs. She said the schools should be doubling the number of instructional aids, not reducing the number. Mr. Lynch asked what would be the School Board's priority for enhancing their budget if the General Assembly passes tax reform and are ab le to provide City Schools with more funds. Mr. Hutchinson said he would not necessarily be positive toward adding positions back. He said this is an item for School Board discussion of unmet needs. Mr. Caravati asked about the schools coming into the City's retirement system, and Mr. Hutchinson said this would need to be looked at from a legal standpoint. Responding to a question from Mr. Caravati about the schools pooling with the City on health insurance, Mr. Gillespie said this issue was studied but because of the size it was found there would be no further returns to be had, and no savings in spreading out the risk. Mr. Caravati asked if there is a savings in contracting with the City for maintenance services, and Mr. Hutchinson said the saving s will have to be researched, but he noted that the buildings are much better maintained now.