2000-03-10 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

17 NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Friday, March 10, 2000 AT t2:00 noon IN THE Basement Conference Room THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Luncheon meeting with School Board: Budget Work Session BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox (signed) BASEMENT CONFERENCE ROOM - March 10, 2000 Council met in special session on fids date with the following members present: Mr. Caravati, Mr. Cox, Ms. Daugherty, Ms Richards, Mr. Toscano. " Ms. Daugherty said that Councilors had expressed interest in discussing the following with regard to the School Board's budget: extra request for $122,000; fund balances; and preschool program expansion. ~ Dr. William Symons, Superintendent of Schools, said that up to $172,000 of the School's fund balance may need to be used for the Comprehensive Services Act. Mr. Toscano noted that approximately $50,000 offhe total fund balance of $224,000 may be available to be put toward the $122,000 additional being requested. Dr, Symons said that the staff could also look to find additional savings in operations. Mr. Ed Gitlespie, Finance Director offhe Schools, said that if the Vkginia Retirement System rate is cut then the schools will not have a problem and will not need the additional $!22,000, but that will not be known until next week. Dr. Symons noted that some offne reserve funds may need to be used to address recommendations in the school safety review study which is underway. Mr. Toscano asked if the Schools are linked on the wide area network with the library, and noted that the plan for a seven year replacement cycle for technology is not very long. Mr. Gillespie said he does not know about the link with the library, and agreed that the optimal replacement cycle is three years, but even a five year cycle will cost $100,000 more. Mr. Cox asked about elircination of instructional coordinators, and Dr. Symons explained that in the elementary schools the coordinators are being converted to assistant principals, and staffare being reorganized at Buford and Walker. Responding to a question from Mr. Caravati, Dr. Symons said that if further reductions are needed, they may come from instructional assistants. Mr. Cox asked if the Schools are taking any steps to "grow" teachers from assistants, and Mr. Ran HutChinson, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, said that the Schools hire between 10 and 15 instructional assistants a year and they are eligible for the same tuition assistance as teachers. Ms. Daugherty asked if the year round school piloted at Jackson-Via School has been successful enough to put in other schools, and Dr. Symons said the program is being evaluated. Regarding the pre-school program, Mr. Toscano asked how the School Board is setting priorities and what is their current thinking regarding a facility for the program.