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Southern
Berkshire Regional School Committee
Mt. Everett Regional School
Sheffield, MA
March 16, 2011
Meeting #1428
School Committee Members: Mr. Abelow, Mr. Willig, Mr. Valentini, Mr. Sears, Mr. McSpiritt, Ms. Mielke, Ms. Silvestri, Mr. Fetterhoff
Absent: Ms. Miller, Mr. Flynn
Administration: Dr. Singleton, Mr. Turner, Mr. Hastings, Ms. Kenyon, Mr. Devoti, Ms. Hubbard
Press: CTSB
Student Representatives:
Others: Ms. Julie Hannum, Ms. Renée Wood, Mr. David Smith, Sheffield Select Board; Ms. Tara White, New Marlborough Select Board; Mr. Travis Daly; Ms. Linda Higgins
Chairman Abelow called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m.
Minutes: Mr. McSpiritt noted that the Meeting of March 1 ended at 10:55 a.m. Hearing no further corrections or additions, Chairman Abelow declared the Minutes of the Open Public Hearing of February 17, 2011, School Committee Meeting #1,427, and the Special School Committee Meeting of March 1, 2011 accepted, with the correction so noted.
Communications: There were no communications from the audience.
Business:
Adoption of FY’12 Operating, Transportation, and Capital Budgets: Mr. Valentini, Chairman of the School Committee Finance Subcommittee, explained that following the last presentation of the budget, he had done a detailed analysis of the entire budget using 2010 as a benchmark. He said that he had flagged any area with a difference of greater than 5% over the two-year period as an anomaly and then had asked Mr. Turner and Dr. Singleton to consider reductions in those areas. Some reductions were then made in those areas, resulting in overall budget reductions, and, in some instances, funds had been redirected to the contingency account. A Finance Subcommittee meeting was then held, and a final review was conducted. Mr. Valentini said that the Finance Subcommittee was now able
to recommend adoption of the budget, as presented.
Mr. Valentini then moved to approve FY’12 Operating and Capital Budgets in the following amounts:
Operating Expenditures: $12,809,142
Transportation Expenditures: 1,009,750
Capital 125,000
Total: $13,943,892
Mr. Valentini also moved to approve FY’12 assessments to member towns in the following amounts:
Operating Assessments: $10,583,119
Transportation Assessments: 609,750
Capital 125,000
Total: $11,317,869
Mr. Willig seconded the motion.
Discussion then followed. It was noted that the budget was very tight, especially given the fact that the District is likely to take another hit in Transportation reimbursement this year, and Chapter 70 allotments will not be known until the state budget is finalized. Mr. Turner stated that he had not budgeted to the full amount of the original Cherry Sheets from the state, and he felt comfortable that the District would be able to handle any shortfalls in state aid.
Chairman Abelow then called for a role call vote. The vote:
Mr. Valentini Yes Ms. Mielke Yes
Mr. Fetterhoff Yes Mr. McSpiritt Yes
Mr. Sears Yes Ms. Silvestri Yes
Mr. Willig Yes Mr. Abelow Yes
Ms. Hannum, Chairman of the Sheffield Select Board, thanked the Committee for their hard and diligent work. She said that she was concerned because Sheffield will need an override in the mid to upper $90,000 range, and she was worried about trying to explain bond issues and asking for an override in the same evening.
Mr. Valentini stated that the average increase in all budget items was 2.5% over last year. He said that the budget is very tight, without compromising the District’s programs. He added that he believed that in tough times, the worst thing to do would be to “cheapen the product”, and said that the budget, as presented, meets the needs of the schools.
Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Singleton reported on upcoming staff development projects, and he thanked Mr. Hastings for spearheading the projects. He also said that the NEASC report would be presented at the April 14 meeting.
Dr. Singleton explained that after the District’s anti-bullying plan had been submitted to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the DESE had come out with more definitive explanation of what was required. He distributed a memo from the Bullying committee and an updated anti-bullying plan, and informed the Committee that the District will send both to DESE. Mr. Devoti explained that a parent information evening will be held to inform them of the new regulations and the District’s approved plan. Also, information will be available on the Web page, and a brochure will be mailed to all parents.
Subcommittee/Representative Reports:
Buildings, Grounds & Technology Subcommittee: Mr. Abelow spoke regarding the meeting that had taken place earlier in the evening with the Subcommittee and the Long Range Capital Planning Committee. He explained that the Long Range Capital Planning Committee had been established as an advisory committee early in 2010 and had worked to develop a listing of priorities for capital projects. Subsequently, he said, the Buildings & Grounds Subcommittee reviewed the list and developed an idea to group several projects and request a bond. The purpose of the bond would be to allow the District to complete the work while allowing the towns to exempt the amount of the bond payment from Proposition 2 ½. Mr. Abelow continued by saying that the School Committee will go forward with
the bonding only if it meets the needs of the member towns. He also stated that the listing of items under consideration by the Buildings, Grounds & Technology Subcommittee was just a list which was meant to show that the District has well over $3 million in projects it needs to complete.
Ms. Hannum asked that the School Committee consider that using a bond for such projects presents a major shift in the mindset of how capital expenditures are planned and implemented, given that up until this time, the taxpayers have been able to look at each proposal and weigh in on a yearly basis. She said that passage of the bonding would mean that people would not get to have a voice in the projects each year. For this reason, Ms. Hannum stated that she believed the bonding would be a hard issue to sell at the town meetings.
Financial Updates / Transfers: Ms. Sears moved, seconded by Mr. Willig, to approve a request for transfers in the amount of $1,500 from the AIMS Web account and $250 from the Study Island Account for a total of $1,750 to the Instructional Materials Math Account to be used to purchase math manipulatives for the elementary classes. It was so voted.
Presentation: Summer of 2011 Theater Arts Project Proposal: Mr. Devoti and Mr. Daly explained a proposal to offer a summer theater camp for students. Following a question and answer session, Committee members requested that Dr. Singleton and Mr. Turner consult with the District’s attorneys to determine the proper procedures for establishing such a camp. The proposal will then be brought back for a vote at the next meeting.
Communications / Requests for Future Agenda Items:
- Chairman Abelow thanked the Administrators and the Finance Subcommittee, and offered a special thank you to Mr. Valentini, for all the work they had put into developing the budget.
Mr. Willig moved, seconded by Mr. Fetterhoff, to adjourn the meeting. It was so voted, and the meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
Documents presented for this meeting:
- Agenda – School Committee Meeting #1,428
- Minutes – Public Hearing on FY’12 District Operating, Transportation, and Capital Budgets; School Committee Meeting #1,427
- Minutes –Special School Committee Meeting of March 1, 2011
- Request for Transfer of $1,750
- E-mail from James Foster to Bruce Turner Dated March 9, 2011
- SBRSD Summer of 2011 Theater Arts Project Proposal: March 11, 2011
- Operating and Transportation Budgets Spreadsheet Dated 3/9/2011
- Presentation of the Southern Berkshire Regional School District FY12 Budget, For Final Adoption, March 16, 2011
- FY’12 Town Assessments
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