Mt. Everett Regional School

Sheffield, MA

January 27, 2005

SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING

 

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

 

Administrators:  Ms. Spriggs, Ms. Brown

 

Press:

 

Others: Ms. Bobbie D=Alessandro, MADOE; Ms. Linda Higgins

 

Student Representatives:

 

1.             Chairman Stevens called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m.

 

2.            Mr. Stevens turned the meeting over to Superintendent Spriggs.  She thanked the members who had attended the Finance Subcommittee meeting on January 25, and noted that this is the first time that the full School Committee has seen the preliminary FY=06 budget.  After reading a letter addressed to the School Committee members, the Superintendent turned the meeting over to Ms. Brown to share the preliminary proposed FY=06 Operating and Capital Budgets (copy on file with these minutes). 

 

Ms. Brown noted that the numbers reflect a 2.04% increase in overall assessments to the towns, including a 10.51% increase in overall capital assessments.  She said that the House I budget had been released the previous day, and included no additional Chapter 70 funds for SBRSD.  Ms. Brown also pointed out that less Medicaid funds are anticipated.  Capital Projects line includes the updating of the accounting package to the Windows version (approx. $50,000), and an additional $50,000 for building projects.  The Buildings & Grounds Subcommittee, along with District Administrators and Director of Buildings & Grounds, Fred Finkle, will determine which projects to fund in the upcoming year.  Ms. Brown also noted when the updated equalized valuations are available, each town=s share of the capital budget could change.

 

Mr. Ronan noted that he had read that the state has increased Chapter 70 monies.  Ms. Brown explained that although that is true, none has been designated for SBRSD.  Mr. Ronan further asked if taking so much from the District=s E & D fund would put the District in a precarious position.  Ms. Brown stated that the District needs to keep enough reserves to remain fiscally sound, but it was not a good idea to keep too much.  She said she felt it was a safe figure.

 

Mr. Pollitt questioned what would happen with the Mt. Everett Assistant Principal position, now that that person has taken on the special education director=s duties.  Ms. Spriggs stated that for the remainder of the year, three staff members had agreed to divide up the duties of the assistant principal, and she will be seeking stipends from the assistant principal=s salary line to compensate those individuals. 

 

Members questioned what the $94,250 increase in the administrative line item represented.  Ms. Brown noted that items such as postage and district supplies are included in that line, and it is a very large Aumbrella@.

 

Regarding the District accounting program upgrade, Supt. Spriggs noted that the anticipated cost seems to be the going rate for such upgrades.  Mr. Tillett stated that the School Committee has requested a presentation from the company regarding what will be included.

 

Mr. Pollitt questioned whether the deficit in the lunchroom fund would be addressed.  Mr. Stevens responded that that item has not been addressed, although the School Committee did promise to begin to address it in response to the Audit Management Letter.  However, he noted that the auditor had been pleased that the deficit has stabilized.

 

Mr. Ronan noted that the increase seems very low.  He asked if it was a viable budget.  Superintendent Spriggs stated that she felt very confident that the budget addresses all of the variables.  She said she was excited because of the energy she senses going forward into strategic planning.  She indicated that everything is moving forward and promised that the focus on technology will not go away.  She noted that the District has a tremendous talent in Mr. O=Brien, and said that people are working with him to stratagize on how to best move forward.  She explained that although it was not easy to go forward with a reduction in force, she felt that the administrators and school committee had the responsibility to look at the data and listen to the teachers, etc.  She said that it could not be ignored that the District has had a sufficient decline in enrollment to warrant the cutting of one teaching position.  She also noted the need to look at mandates, both state and federal, as they are demanding more and more, while providing less funding.  She said the District will need to look to the towns to provide the funds, but acknowledged that the towns also have their own set of problems. 

 

Mr. Ronan expressed concern that the District will be facing a very competitive market, especially with the opening of new schools in the neighboring district.  He stressed that as choice funds are a large part of the budget, the District needs to get the word out about the strengths of the SBRSD schools. 

 

Ms. Spriggs noted that the best advertisement is word of mouth, and she urged Committee members to visit the classrooms and see what is happening so they will be able to spread the word.

 

Mr. Pollitt questioned whether the District was set for the addition of science tests to the MCAS.  Ms. Spriggs stated that as the state has not yet issued final curriculum frameworks, moving up the time line, as requested by Gov. Romney, will be difficult, at best.

 

Mr. Abelow expressed doubt that the District will be able to duplicate this budget in FY=07.  Ms. Spriggs acknowledged that she could make no promises regarding the FY=07 budget.

 

Ms. Spriggs noted that the administrators are looking at a 3 to 5 year strategic plan, which would ultimately be voted on by the School Committee.  Once voted, she was hopeful that the strategic plan would help drive the budget process.

 

Ms. Spriggs reported that almost all requests were funded this year.  She also spoke of her appreciation of the work that Ms. Brown and her team had done.

 

Following discussion, it was agreed that the preliminary budget draft would be disseminated to member town officials on the following day.

 

Superintendent Spriggs agreed to invite the administrators to attend the budget meeting with the town representatives scheduled for February 2.

 

Mr. Abelow requested additional details of the budget.  He expressed disappointment that the Committee had not received such that evening.  Superintendent Spriggs explained that she had pulled the detail page from the packets because it was apparent that some positions were not included in the budget, and she had not yet had the opportunity to forewarn the employees who will be affected.  She said that the details will be released once she has met with personnel.

 

It was agreed to provide the preliminary budget numbers to the towns the following day and to send along the detail pages as soon as practicable. 

 

It was also agreed that Superintendent Spriggs= letter would be shared with the town representatives.

 

On a motion by Mr. Ronan, seconded by Mr. Tillett, the meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.