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222 <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said this topic needs to be discussed with the Schools, and the City <br />should recommend areas of assistance from the state. <br /> <br /> It was the consensus of Council to move forward with the integrated systems <br />project by approving the concept, and taking the necessary steps to hire a project manager <br />and consultant. <br /> <br />~~djOurned' <br /> 7esident ~ - - ~~ <br /> <br />NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING <br /> <br />A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Friday, November 3, <br />2000 AT 12:00 noon IN THE Basement Conference Room. <br /> <br />THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: <br /> <br />Luncheon meeting with School Board <br /> <br />BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR <br /> <br />BY Jeanne Cox (signed) <br /> <br />BASEMENT CONFERENCE ROOM - November 3, 2000 <br /> <br /> Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: <br />Mr. Caravati, Mr. Cox, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Richards, Mr. Toscano. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said that the topic of discussion will be raising teacher salaries. He <br />said he is interested in doing this and feels we need to go that way in order to attract good <br />teachers. <br /> <br /> Dr. William Symons, Superintendent of Schools, said he does not feel it would be <br />responsible for the School Board to ask for more money for teacher salaries. He said the <br />local effort is among the highest in the state regarding per pupil expenditures. Dr. <br />Symons said $1.5 million is needed in redeployed resources, and if this is not realized, <br />teachers can expect at best a 3% increase. Dr. Symons said he is comfortable with the <br />system going through the process of redeploying these resources, with the understanding <br />that there will be negative reactions. Dr. Symons said the plan is to form a committee to <br />explore this further. <br /> <br /> Ms. Muriel Wiggins, School Board member, said her concern is that the schools <br />cannot tighten their belt completely to cover the cost to increase the salaries, especially <br />given building needs and the demand for new teachers and teacher shortages. Ms. <br />Wiggins said she thinks the School Board will eventually have to get more money from <br />the City. <br /> <br /> Dr. Symons said he wants to redeploy the resources in a way that does not <br />decrease student/teacher ratios. Dr. Symons said that in the future multi-age grading <br />instruction or closing ora school may be needed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he appreciates that the schools are looking internally and at things <br />outside the classroom. Mr. Cox said the City needs to have extraordinary teachers, and to <br />get them you have to increase salaries. Mr. Cox said he suppo, rts what Dr. Symons is <br />trying to do. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano said that if you proceed with the assumption that the schools are <br />rapidly approaching facing a crisis in recruiting, we need to proceed with Dr. Symons' <br />suggestion. Mr. Toscano noted that the City has huge capital needs, and iLyou project <br />City revenues out ten years, there is not that great of an increase projected, so something <br />has to give in order to increase salaries. Mr. Toseano said he would assume that the City <br /> <br /> <br />