1989-12-11 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

262 NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Wednesday, January 11, 1989 IN THE Basement Conference Room. THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Luncheon meeting with School Board BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox (signed) BASEMENT CONFERENCE ROOM - January 11, 1989 Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: Mr. Buck, Rev. Edwards, Mr. Towe, Mr. Vandever, Ms. Waters. Mr. John Pezzoli, Chairman of the School Board, recommended the following items for discussion at the meeting: budget update; funds for space expansion at Walker; and an update on the superintendent search process. Rev. Alvin Edwards stated that Dr. Vincent Cibbarelli, Superintendent of City Schools, had been guest speaker at Mr. Zion Baptist Church on Sunday and had done an excellent job challenging church members to continue their support of and involvement in the schools. Rev. Edwards stated that he would hold a press conference on January 12th to respond to statements made by Mr. Jim Hingeley, School Board member, regarding Walker Upper Elementary School. Mr. Towe requested that the Schools comment on the supplemental salary survey. Mr. Vandever requested that the School Board and administration address the questions raised by Mr. Hingeley after his withdrawal of two of his children from Walker, regarding the educational quality at Walker School. Dr. Cibbarelli listed the following increases in the FY 89 - 90 proposed budget: 8% increase in staff salaries to meet the mandated 15% increase in the next two years required by the State; $148,000 increase in bus transportation for new buses and maintenance costs; 3) $60,000 for furniture at Venable (contingency money for the Venable renovation may be used if available); 4) $154,000 increase for the PREP Program; 5) $37,000 increase in vocational education; 6) $22,000 to replenish band instruments; 7) $105,000 increase in special education; and 8) $328_,000 increase for fringe benefits. Dr. Cibbarelli stated that the proposed budget was 8% above this year's budget, and added that if the City does not provide a 8% increase to the Schools as requested, cuts will be necessary. Ms. Linda Seaman, School Board member and Chairman of the committee studying supplemental salaries, stated that the School board has received the committee's report but no action has been taken. Regarding recent criticisms of Walker School, Mr. Pezzoli stated that the School Board had anticipated some problems because of the number of changes at the school this year, but that the Board has focused heavily on the situation to ensure that these concerns were addressed. Mr. Pezzoli stated that many people are extremely pleased with Walker School, though a sizable number have expressed concerns. Mr. Pezzoli stated that while these concerns are difficult to generalize, they appear to have occurred in the following areas: 1) space concerns; 2) general newness of the operation; and 3) regular, annual problems due to weakness of certain staff, which is made worse by the newness of the changes.