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91 <br /> <br />savings of about $100,000 was realized last year. Mr. Hutchinson said that new <br />initiatives include the Westhaven and South 1~t Street computer clubs. <br /> <br />Mr. Cox asked which location is frequented most for GED students. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards asked about plans for upgrading the school's infrastructure for <br />technology, and Mr. Ed Gillespie, Finance Director of the Schools, said that new long <br />distance and local phone systems are being installed as well as a new wide area network. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty suggested that the Schools explore more links with Albemarle <br />County schools. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox explained that the Council had discussed the possibility of the schools <br />providing funding for the Clark School computers proposed to be funded by the Weed <br />and Seed program in order to free up funds for the Music Resource Center. <br /> <br /> Dr. William Symons, Superintendent of Schools, said he was not aware of the <br />request by Clark School, but noted that the schools are looking system wide at the <br />appropriate use of computers in elementary schools, so it may be that the proposal should <br />be held off until this study is completed. <br /> <br /> Ms. Artie Dimberg, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, suggested that other <br />funds might be available for the Clark School computers. <br /> <br /> Ms. Marianne Kosiewicz, Coordinator of Special Education for the Schools, said <br />that 17% to 18% of students city wide are identified for inclusion in the Special <br />Education program, and it costs an average of $15,000 to $19,000 per student per year to <br />educate children in this program, approximately 40% of which is reimbursed by the State. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he continues to have concerns about how efficient we are in the <br />delivery of special education services and recommended that the schools separate out the <br />efficiencies of each program and undertake an objective assessment. <br /> <br /> Ms. Kosiewicz said there is an issue of how to meet State standards with less <br />personnel. <br /> <br /> Dr. Symons noted that 80% of special education budget expenditures go toward <br />personnel. <br /> <br /> Regarding reducing funding in the overall School budget, Dr. Symons said that <br />staff can look at reducing teacher assistants, peripheral programs such as art, music and <br />physical education, and coordinator positions incrementally over years. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty asked for the School's reaction to MACAA's request for a <br />disabilities coordinator for the Headstart Program. <br /> <br /> Ms. Kosiewicz said she feels MACAA could benefit by having this position, but <br />most of the tasks described for the position are not ones that would be done by that <br />person, but instead are the responsibility of the Schools and have been for years. Ms. <br />Kosiewicz said that there does need to be a point of contact at MACAA. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said she understands that the issue raised by MACAA has to do <br />with HUD ratings, and Mr. O'Connell said he believes MACAA's documentation is an <br />issue with HUD. <br /> <br /> Regarding the alternative school program, Dr. Symons said that the schools are <br />trying to improve services to students. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Cox, Ms. Kathy Johnson Harris said that the <br />intervention specialist position has been upgraded to attract someone with more <br />experience and background. <br /> <br /> <br />