Finance Committee Minutes – 27 January, 2007, Town Hall
Meeting called to order at 8:40 a.m.
Finance Committee Members present: Colwell, McKenna, Ricci, Russo, Sobalvarro
Administrators present: Bragan
Different approaches to structuring the override were presented. The primary approach was using the Town’s FY07-08 increase (5%) as a baseline for the School budget, and splitting the library’s projected incremental increase of $190k into $100k operating and $90k staffing.
For FY08, small warrant articles would be funded subject to the passage of an override.
The meeting converged with the Board of Selectmen and School Committee at 9:15 a.m.
Finance Committee Members present: Colwell, McKenna, Ricci, Russo, Sobalvarro
Selectmen present: Eubanks, Kimball, Dean, Marinelli, Wallace
Administrators present: Leonard, Bragan, Jefferson
School Committee Members present: Wickman, Verbits, Shaw, Wormser, Hardy
Devens Monies:
Jefferson distributed an overview of the projected Devens revenue for FY08 and projected expenses. Total expected revenue is $110k, plus $10k/pupil. (Currently 8 students; this may drop to 5 next year). Total expenses are $95k Learning Center, $35k (.5FTE) School Adjustment Counselor, $10k athletic user fees, and $20k (TBD during the summer) for additional FTEs required due to pupil enrollment. Updated information regarding Devens enrollment numbers will be available 4/2007.
Federal Contracts:
SC and Jefferson presented the SPED 94-142 Entitlement Grant. The current grant (9/06-8/07) is for $234k, which covers 4 FTEs plus supplies and contractual (evaluation) services.
School Committee Prioritization:
The SC made general statements about what would happen with $200k fewer dollars; (b) what would happen with $400k fewer dollars.
For (a), the supply, textbook, and professional development budget would be cut, no additional staff would be added (i.e., 3 FTEs to-be-hired would not be hired). For (b), an additional 4 (existing) FTEs would be cut.
Override Structure/General Comments:
A discussion ensued regarding the optimal structure of the override.
- A tiered approach using the 5% (Town budget growth) metric. This would imply 3 tiers: Town and School at $549k; School (additional) at $438k, and Library at $90k.
- One override of $1M
The Selectmen voted 3-2 in favor of tiered overrides (1 absention) ; FinComm voted 4-1 in favor of the tiered approach; School Committee voted 4-1 in favor of one override.
- Concerns were raised whether residents could afford or support the school budget.
- School Committee and FinComm will meet separately during the week of 1/29 to address specific questions about the budget (which will be compiled at FinComm’s 1/30 meeting)
- The three boards will meet next Saturday to continue the discussion of override structure, and the outcome of FinComm and School Committee’s meeting.
Questions were taken from the public.
The meeting adjourned at 12:15 p.m. to an executive session for discussion of contract negotiations.
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