FinCom & Selectmen FY18 Budget Hearing January 26, 2017 Meeting Minutes
Present: FinCom Members; Susan Murphy, Bruce Golden, Vicki Divoll, Adam DeBettencourt, Eric Glasgow and Rob Hannemann. Chairman Marshall Carroll and Bruce Golden were not present Selectmen; Chairman Doty and Bill Rossi, Jim Malkin was not present. Others: Tim Carroll, Melanie Becker, Diana DeBlase, Matthew D’Andrea, Susan Stevens, Amy Tierney, Donna Lowell-Bettencourt, Richard Smith, Skipper Manter, Robert Lionette, Mary Boyd, Mark Friedman, Sara Dingledy and Sam Hart.
At 7:00 PM Ms. Divoll moved to appoint Susan Murphy as acting Chairman in Marshall Carroll’s absence. Rob Hannemann seconded the motion SO VOTED: FinCom 5 Ayes, 2 not present. Selectmen 2 ayes, 1 not present
Chairman Murphy called meeting to order in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room.
#300 Education / Superintendents’ Office & Shared Services Programs:
Superintendent Matt D’ Andrea presented this budget. As there are new faces on the FinCom and School system introductions were made. Mr. D’Andrea said this budget includes central office (his office) office expenses, personnel, and shared services program that consists of; The Bridge Program, Social Skills and Project headway an integrated preschool.
Mr. D’Andrea said there was really little change to the budget but gave an outline of the increases that they do have;
- The Special Education transportation was shifted from the MVRHS budget to the shared services budget there is an increase of $169,340.00 for a total of $384,340.00
- Additional increase to the all-island elementary String (violin) program, because there where so many children on the waiting list. Now there are 2 teachers rather than 1.5 teacher positions for string program.
- $63,308.00 increase to salary
- $37,142.00 increase to benefits (health insurance…)
Mr. D’Andrea said starting in FY18 for any new school choice student the sending town will be charged for the student. (Origin of where child comes from) rather than the way it is now as the school they are attending being charged. $3,600.00 is the fee that will be charged to the sending town. Amy Tierney said the school of choice assessment per student is now $5,000.00.
Acting Chair Murphy thanked Mr. D’Andrea and Ms. Tierney for the presentation.
MV Regional High School:
New high school Principal Sara Dingledy presented the high school budget along with Mark Friedman and Mr. D’Andrea.
Mr. D’Andrea said the policy that the school system is working to apply is when a teacher retires considering reduction of that position. That came into play in this budget described in the “highlights prepared by Mr. Friedman Reductions compared to FY17:
- Staff Attrition / Reductions -$199,271.00
- Transportation - $44,876.00 this represents the shift to the Superintendents budget that was discussed earlier.
- Utilities (excluding electricity)primarily heating fuel-$34,454.00
- CTE (vocational department)Machinery & Equipment -$29,900.00
- Admin Supplies -$5,000.00
MV Regional High School Continued…
Increases to FY18 budget compared to FY17:
- Health insurance (estimating at 10% increase) $357,207.00
- Contractual salary increases $307,516.00
- OPEB trust liability $ 288,783.00
The policy has been a “pay as you go” system but the School System is working to paying into the school system’s liability.
- Special Education Residential Care $242,572.00
- Facilities Maintenance $175,157.00
- Teacher Retirement (GIC/OPEB) $54,733.00
- Workers Comp $55,361.00
- Electricity $29,196.00
- Medicare &Dental (combined) $24,815.00
- Shared Serviced (net of all line) $4,922.00
- Miscellaneous increases (net) $19,198.00
With a total increase of $1,245,959.00 a 6.68% increase compared to FY17
There is an expected revenue increase of $365,909.00 which is a 16.35% increase.
The assessed expenses total is $880,050.00 a 5.36% increase from FY17.
Ms. Dingledy spoke about their policy of attrition of teachers. When there is a need for hiring a replacement they will hire but if there is for an example an assistant and not as many students in that class they will not seek to fill that position again.
Discussion returned to OPEP liabilities. Town Treasurer Melanie Becker said as a board member on the County Retirement Contributory Board they have seen an increase to disability claims and recommended to the Superintendent to have a pre-employment physical for custodial and janitorial positions. Superintendent D’Andrea said they will be practicing that recommendation for future hiring.
Chairman Doty requested discussion of facility maintenance and facility repairs.
Mr. D’Andrea said the school has re applied to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for a building repair grant. If we are accepted into the program they will pay a percentage (40% to 80%). Mr. D’Andrea said both of our applications thus far have been turned down. This most recent application came close the administration said there are schools in a lot worse shape at this time; it’s not if we will be accepted into this program it’s when.
Mr. D’Andrea said we will re-submit a statement of interest next year. The school system has established a maintenance schedule and capital plan for the high school. There was discussion of the maintenance plans. Mr. D’Andrea said the principals from each of the island schools are working with their maintenance plan and will seek shared purchasing for better pricing.
Mr. D’Andrea said he is not pushing to get a new Superintendent’s Building at this time because he believes there could be a space in a building project in the future with either Tisbury School or the High School.
Mr. Friedman said the Chilmark student population at the High School is expected to increase from 24 to 32. That is an increase of 32% that is what drives the increase to the assessment for Chilmark. Chairman Doty said that is an estimate of $200,000.00 for that increase.
Up Island Regional School District (UIRSD):
Chilmark School Principal Susan Stevens, West Tisbury School Principal Donna Lowell-
Bettencourt and Mr. D’Andrea presented the UIRSD budget.
Mr. D’Andrea presented the overview of increases:
- There was personnel increase to the Spanish department to a full time position. Grades 7th and 8th grade went from 66 students to 100 students this year.
- Instructional Technology increases; the 6th 7th and 8th grades increase from 120 to 150 students.
- There was an increase of 15 Special Education Students that added the need for an additional Special Education Teacher. This teacher is already working at the school increasing the hours they are working.
- Increase to the athletic budget for coaching stipends $960.00
- The UIRSD has increased the health insurance line by 12%
- Residential Student increase $119,200.00
The decreases to this budget are: (at the West Tisbury School)
- Cut 2 Special Education Assistants -$48,441.00
- Furniture -$5,000.00
- Professional development -$7,500.00
- Heating fuel -$2,700.00 & electricity-$5,000.00
There are no major personnel changes to Chilmark School budget this year. Decreases are to the following budget lines:
- -$6,000.00 to the textbook budget line due to purchasing a new math program
- -$5,000.00 to the fuel line
- -$3,500.00 to the painting line
Discussion turned to facility maintenance for both towns schools. Mr. D’Andrea said they raised the facility maintenance line (at West Tisbury) by $11,000.00 Capital projects for the second phase to the fire alarm system.
Chilmark School facilities maintenance line increased by $27,000.00 will be working on the second phase of the HVAC system. Also $14,000.00 is being added for the flooring repairs.
UIRSD is working to cap their OPEB liability. The amount needed this year totals $697,181.00 $200,000.00 is in this budget. $288,000.00 is in the retirement health insurance budget. The remaining $208,000.00 (estimates; there is $1,181.00 additional to add to one of these figures) UIRSD is requesting put to the towns on their Annual Town Meeting Warrants.
Mr. D’Andrea said there is an increase of 1.63% to the West Tisbury School budget and a decrease of 0.08% to the Chilmark School budget.
There is an overall increase of 3.81 % to this budget. Chairman Doty questioned this figure. Mr. D’Andrea explained the district has an increase to the residential special needs student bringing the district budget up 12%. Chilmark’s portion (assessment) FY18 is an increase of $72,000.00 compared to last year.
Mr. Rossi explained to everyone at the meeting that we have been working and exploring the assessment formula for the UIRSD and comparing West Tisbury expenses to Chilmark expenses. Mr. Rossi expressed great frustration with the article that was printed in the MV Times with West Tisbury recommendations.
Up Island Regional School District Continued…
Mr. Rossi explained that a Selectmen and the Town Accountant from the three up-island towns were going to meet and work on what formula changes are appropriate for each town. West Tisbury Selectmen Skipper Manter chose not to contribute at these meetings but apparently had material for the papers. Mr. Manter said he has not read the paper and could not comment about an article he did not read. Discussion ensued; no action was taken at this time.
Mr. Smith recommended continuing this conversation with a smaller group.
There was discussion by each up-island of the school principal about enrollment numbers and what to project for. Mr. D’Andrea said the enrollment island wide is pretty stable at 2,100 students.
Acting Chair Susan Murphy asked for a report on the Playground project at the West Tisbury School. West Tisbury Principal Donna Lowell-Bettencourt said the first phase has been very successful the big-toy area and the ADA access to the area. The next phase will be completed in fundraising, donations and possible CPC funds. This phase includes:
- soccer field with grass turf
- “natural play” structure for little children
- Basketball court -resurfaced
Mr. Rossi pointed out that the nice new basketball structure near the school now is not school property and would be a liability concern. Assistant Principal Mary Boyd said that the parking lot is a 3to 5 year capital plan. They are utilizing the M.V. Commission planners to help with making the whole paved area around the school flow better and safer. Ms. Boyd said the West Tisbury Parks & Recreation uses the area to sell beach stickers and will be asked to consider partially funding some of the lot repairs.
Acting Chair Susan Murphy asked Principal Stevens about the condition of the Chilmark playground. Principal Stevens said it is in horrible condition. At this time she is evaluating a plan with the Chilmark Town Affairs Council who operates the summer program at the Chilmark Community Center. The plan is to replace the “big-toy” with a toy for kids’ ages 2 to 5 years of age. Acting chair Susan Murphy asked for ACE MV to present their budget.
ACEMV:
Director of Adult and Community Education on Martha’s Vineyard Sam Hart presented this budget. Mr. Hart discussed the profit & loss with the Budget vs. Actuals from July 2016 to November. Mr. Hart is requesting to submit a warrant article to support the ACEMV program on the Chilmark Annual town Meeting Warrant in the amount of $11,130.00
There was discussion of the many programs that are offered through ACEMV. Mr. Hart said that the program is structuring useful certification courses for island contractors and workers and business owners.
Prior to School Departments leaving the budget hearing; there was further discussion about the concerns that Chilmark has about the article in the newspaper concerning the Up Island Regional School District formula.
#291 Emergency Management:
Chilmark Emergency Manager Tim Carroll presented this budget. This is a flat budget with no increases. The total is $5,150.00 last year a total of $2,338.23 was expended. Mr. Carroll explained that he uses the expense line to meet the required match for grants. Last year he purchased cots and MRE for emergency use. The year prior only spent $206.45.
The all island EMD is working to manage a single emergency shelter which we will pay into to be managed. Mr. Carroll pointed out that West Tisbury has a $15,000.0o0 budget for EM. Mr. Carroll said next year the EMD will be returning to their towns requesting a 50/50 formula to maintain the shelter.
#122 Moderator:
Mr. Carroll said there are no changes to this budget it will remain at $100.00
#122 Selectmen:
Tim Carroll presented this budget. The increases are in the salary line: step, COLA and longevity. Chairman Doty recommended raising the budget line # 5310 Printing of town Report to $6,000.00 from $5,100.00. Last year it cost the town $6,036.80. This change was made.
At 8:58 PM with no further budgets to discuss Mr. Glasgow moved to adjourn, Mr. DeBettencourt seconded the motion. SO VOTED: FinCom: 6 Ayes 1, not present
Selectmen: 2 Ayes, 1 not present.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Diana DeBlase
Approved 02/06/17
Document list (in addition to Budget Binders):
- MVRHS FY18 Budget Highlights comparing FY17 to FY18.
- MVRHS FY18 budget certification
- MVRHS report /handout
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