Mt. Everett Regional School

                                                                  Sheffield, MA

                                                                                          March 10, 2005

                                                                                          Special Budget Meeting Re: FY’06 BUDGET

 

School Committee Members: Mr. Stevens, Mr. Pollitt, Ms. LeGeyt, Mr. Ronan, Mr. Tillett, Ms. Maggio, Mr. Mielke, Mr. Abelow

          

Administrators:  Ms. Spriggs, Ms. Brown, Mr. Devoti, Mr. Nadolny, Ms. Sands

 

Press: CTSB; Mr. Peter Rowntree, Sheffield Times

 

Others: Town Officials: Jonathan Sylbert, Monterey; Staff Members: Marie Erwin, Matthew Wohl, Paul O’Brien, Patrick Barrett, Jennifer DeAngelo, Carol Ide, Joanne Pavoni, Joellen Height, Susan Happ, Amy Murray, Barbara Delmolino, Margaret Larkin, Steven Small, Julie Milani, Tracy Weston, Patricia Heinsman, Patricia Poulos, Christine Martin, Gary Burkle, Jody Burkle, Karen Ketchen, Susan Turner, Katinka Jaszai, James Berlstein, Andrea Scott; Community Members:  Eileen Vining, Mr. & Mrs. Scott Sanes, Mr. Peter Tucker, approximately ten others; Recorder, Linda Higgins

 

Student Representatives:  

 

I.                    Chairman Stevens welcomed the audience at 6:35 p.m.

 

II.                 Communications from the Public:

 

·         Ms. Brown noted that she had spoken with the Department of Revenue, and was informed that if the budget figures should increase, it would be necessary to hold an additional public hearing.

·         Mr. Sylbert requested that the School Committee begin the budget process earlier next year.  He noted that with the time constraints, the only option for unhappy parents would be to vote down the budget at the town meetings.  Mr. Sylbert also expressed appreciation to Ms. Brown for her work in the keeping the District fiscally sound.

·         Mr. Wohl spoke at length.  He said that in his role of teacher leader, he felt that his input in the budget process had been sought and valued.  He said that he felt that for many teachers, the issue had not been input, but of communication.  He requested that the administration consider that fewer staff members will inevitably compromise services and that competition from neighboring school districts needs to be kept in mind in forming the budget.  He also requested, on behalf of the Teachers’ Association, that should the District receive additional state aid, that positions would be reinstated.  Mr. Wohl continued that he loves working in this district, but that he feels that the staff is discouraged this year, and he asked that above all else, things be done to reinvigorate the sense of optimism and hope.

·         Mr. Scott Sanes stated that he was attending in support of reinstating the elementary guidance position, but he questioned whether that was a possibility.

·         Mr. Stevens clarified that the School Committee could not address specific positions, but could address the overall budget.

·         Ms. Height questioned what other positions were being cut.  Ms. Spriggs responded that although not a secret, she did not wish to speak to that publicly, out of respect for those who had been informed that their positions had been cut and had requested that they be allowed to finish out the rest of the year quietly.  She said that identifying those positions was equal to identifying the people, as they were singular in nature.

·         Ms. Ackerman relayed her anger and concern that anyone leaving would do harm to her children’s education.  She asked that the staff not be cut.

·         Mr. Ronan asked how the perceived gaps would be filled (particularly re: the guidance position).

·         Chairman Stevens stated that although he felt that Mr. Ronan had posed an appropriate question, he wanted to finish the public comment portion of the meeting first.  He promised to address Mr. Ronan’s question first, after public comments.

·         Mr. Mielke said that he felt that this is the first year that the budget had not started at a high number and then worked down.  He reiterated his respect and admiration for the teaching staff that make budget cuts work.

·         Ms. Martin, Foreign Language Teacher Leader, stated that she had not been informed of impending budget cuts until an elementary staff meeting.

·         Ms. Murray voiced frustration that although she did not feel the budget was adequate, she felt that it was basically a “done deal”.

·         Mr. Stevens assured all that their input was valued; he said that it was helpful to hear what the public thinks, and that he was glad to see so many in attendance.

·         Ms. DeAngelo questioned who had mandated a full-time psychologist for the District.  Superintendent Spriggs explained that the District had been cited as needing that service in the Mid-Cycle Coordinated Program Review.  She noted that the District had not responded to the need last year.

·         Mr. Peter Tucker, parent from Alford, echoed Ms. Ackerman’s comments.  He said he was concerned about reductions, in general, but especially concerned about losing Ms. Lichtenfeld.

·         Ms. Ackerman questioned why the decision to cut the elementary guidance position could not be reversed.  She asked who decides what is no longer needed, and would the new psychologist be working with the children.  Chairman Stevens responded that the administrators organize and staff the facilities.  He noted that they would make changes and set the schedules of personnel.

·         Ms. Maggio noted that the budget was larger than the one presented last year.  She said that many teacher leaders seemed to feel that the budget process had been a good one.  She noted that some staff members do not send their children to school in the District, and she said that she believes that every resident of the District needs to support the school by doing that.  She added that the School Committee meets twice every month, and no one ever comes, unless there is a “hot” issue.

·         Chairman Stevens noted that there were lots of passionate feelings in the room.  He also pointed out that although there were reductions, there were also some enhancements included in the budget.

·         Mr. Barrett thanked the Committee for having the extra meeting and listening.  He said that he was most concerned with what happens in the future, as he feared that additional cuts would be requested next year.

·         Ms. Herndon-Wilson stated that although she attends many School Committee meetings, she did not realize what was happening.  Mr. Sylbert also pointed out that the minutes of several meetings had not been released to the public in a timely fashion, as the Committee had not voted approval earlier. 

 

As discussion wound down, Mr. Stevens thanked all for caring about what the District provides for children, and for giving up time that they could have been spending elsewhere in order to articulate their concerns. 

 

III.               Continued Discussion of FY’06 Budget

 

Mr. Stevens then returned to Mr. Ronan’s earlier question, as promised.  Mr. Ronan repeated his question, and he also added his appreciation to the teachers, saying that he felt that the work they do, virtually molding children, was amazing.  He noted that he was a parent, school committee member and taxpayer, and he said that although every year he has tried to raise the budget, he recognized that there is only so much that can be asked of the towns, when the state and federal governments keep cutting.  He said that he was afraid that passing the budget would send a message that the school is fine, but the day will come when the school is absolutely not fine at all.

 

Superintendent Spriggs addressed the audience, thanking all who came.  She stated that she, too, recognized that the teachers work magic every day with the children, and she also recognized that the funding for them is not as it should be.  She said that she will lobby to push forward initiatives with her contact groups, and she urged the teachers to also contact their legislators to do the same.  She made particular note of a communication from the Department of Education stating that Massachusetts will need to absorb a decrease in Title I funds in FY’06. 

 

Ms. Spriggs continued, saying that she respects the work that the teachers do, and that she wants everything in place to enhance their work.  .  One enhancement would be through the hiring of a psychologist for intervention, counseling, testing and evaluation services.  Ms. Spriggs assured the staff that she knows how many children are seen by counselors regularly.

 

Superintendent Spriggs said that she was committed to improving communications in the budget process next year.

 

Ms. Spriggs pointed out that the District offers incredible services to children, including nineteen different support programs.  She said that there is some apparent overlap, which will be addressed to fill in the gaps.  She promised that no child would be denied needed services.  She added that the 5^th and 6^th grade keyboarding classes would be addressed.  She offered to meet with teachers on an individual or grade level basis to work with them.

 

Ms. Brown also spoke, reviewing the budget process and pointing out that since January 4, the budget had been presented ten different times.  She also noted that each 1% increase in assessments nets the District $77,000.

 

Mr. Tillett moved to take a 10-minute recess.  Mr. Pollitt seconded the motion, and it was so voted.

 

A recess was taken at 8:02 p.m.

 

The meeting resumed at 8:15 p.m.

 

At Mr. Ronan’s request, Superintendent Spriggs gave other examples of areas that would change in FY’06, including exploring the possibility of combining consumer math and applied math courses, and at the elementary level, a paraprofessional who is leaving the District will not be replaced.

 

Mr. Tillett said that the Committee needed to discuss the format, timing, and process of building the budget for next year.  He said that he felt that two public hearings should be allowed.  Also, he suggested lengthening the amount of time that teacher leaders have to present their budgets. 

 

Mr. Mielke noted that the process had been different this year.  He said he did not feel that the District could raise their budget by 3%, when the cost of everything is going up by 6-12% and expect to maintain status quo.

 

Mr. Pollitt stated that he was happy that more people want to get involved, and that he definitely would want to hold the public hearing earlier next year.  He noted that everyone is welcome to come to any School Committee meeting or finance committee meeting, though, and he said that he might not support holding two public hearings.

 

Mr. Stevens wrapped up the discussion portion by commenting that he felt good that the budget is growing and that it had been proposed in order to strengthen and build the District.  He said that everyone – School Committee, administrators, teachers, and parents – were trying to do just that, although all of them look at it from a slightly different point of view.

 

IV.              Program of Studies:  The School Committee received copies of the 2005-2006 Mt. Everett Program of Studies.  Superintendent Spriggs and Mr. Devoti pointed out changes from 2004-05.  The Committee will be requested to vote approval at the March 17 meeting.

 

 

Mr. Abelow moved, seconded by Mr. Tillett, to adjourn the meeting.  It was so voted, and the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.