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Meeting of Southern Berkshire Regional School District Administrators
With Member Town Select Board and Finance Committee Representatives
And Southern Berkshire Regional School Committee Members
October 27, 2011
Mt. Everett Regional School
Sheffield, MA
In Attendance:
Southern Berkshire Regional School District Administrators: Michael J. Singleton, Ed.D., Superintendent; Bruce Turner, Business Administrator (also Chair, Egremont Select Board)
Member Town Officials: David Macy, Sheffield Finance Committee; Rhonda LaBombard, Sheffield town Administrator; Rene Wood, Chair, Julie Hannum and David Smith, Members, Sheffield Select Board; Tara White, Chair, and Nathan Yohalem, Member, New Marlborough Select Board; Edgar Zukauskis, Chair, Prudence Spaulding and William Dowling, Members, New Marlborough Finance Committee; Richard Burdsall, Member, Egremont Select Board; Charles Ketchen, Chair, Alford Select Board
School Committee Members: Mr. Stephen Willig, Vice Chair; Mr. Carl Stewart, Mr. Charles McSpiritt, Ms. Catherine Miller, Mr. H. Dennis Sears, Mr. Vito Valentini, Ms. Deborah Mielke, Mr. Charles Flynn (also Member of Egremont Select Board)
Others: H Glenn Devoti, Principal, Mt. Everett Regional School; David Hastings, Curriculum and Professional Development Coordinator, Ms. Theresa Licata; Mrs. Burdsall; Ms. Linda Higgins; two others
Dr. Singleton welcomed all in attendance at 6:00 p.m. He introduced himself and District Business Administrator Turner. He directed the attention of those present to the materials on the table, which included an agenda for the evening, an approved calendar for the development of the FY 2013 budget, and a copy of the FY 2012 budget, as presented to town meetings this past spring. He stressed that all meetings listed on the budget development calendar are open to the public and asked that all town representatives feel especially free to come to any of the meetings to listen and to provide input.
He then turned the floor over to Mr. Turner who gave a brief presentation of the budget document, highlighting areas of particular interest. Mr. Turner noted the following: there are 14 subdivisions of the budget contained in the document; the District has currently retired all of its debt; the document includes a historical comparison of budgets and shows how much E & D and school choice funds have been used to subsidize the budget each year. He also noted that the FY 2013 budget will be the first to be fully computed using the statutory methodology.
A lengthy question and answer session then took place.
The following were items discussed:
- The line item “tuition to private schools” includes anticipated payments for special needs out of district residential placements. The District currently has two such placements. It was noted that although one of the placements carries a yearly tuition of $70,000, the tuition to most such schools is generally over $100,000 per year. It was also noted that most schools our size have more students in private residential placements. Dr. Singleton and others present credited the Student Services Department for working to be sure the needs of every child can be met within the District’s schools.
- Official October 1 enrollment numbers will be available by mid-November. The towns’ census workers are currently checking the numbers.
- It was noted that a loss of 15 students rarely translates into the loss of a teacher; as such a decline in enrollment would be spread throughout 14 grade levels.
- Audience members questioned at what point the District would “tuition everyone out”.
- Dr. Singleton noted that some teaching positions have been eliminated over the past three years, and the administration monitors and adjusts staffing levels each year, as needed.
- In response to a question regarding at what point does education begin to suffer, Dr. Singleton stated that different teacher to student ratios are appropriate for different grade levels (i.e., less students per teacher in the earliest grades). Also, the number of students with special needs in a classroom needs to be considered, as well as whether or not a teaching assistant is available to the class.
- Changes within society that have placed a greater work load on teachers than in the past were discussed. Mr. Sears pointed out that such changes are noticeable in the budget in that the increase in teachers’ salaries line item has gone up by approximately 1.5%, but the line item for teaching assistants has gone up by 11%.
- Mr. Sylbert said it was logical to assume that three of the towns would find the FY 2013 budget affordable, leaving one town as instrumental in passing the budget. He urged all to keep in mind the affordability in Sheffield, while trying to do the best possible for New Marlborough, as well.
- Ms. White noted that the state formula could change again.
- Those present discussed the difficulty faced in the towns because they receive the budget late in the season. Reasons for the timeline were reiterated. Several town representatives expressed an interest in moving their town meetings to later in the season; however, as such a change needs to be voted at a town meeting, it was felt that the change may not be possible in 2012.
- Ms. LaBombard stated that the Sheffield Select Board and Finance Committee had recently held a joint meeting, and it was the consensus to ask for a level budget and a level assessment.
- Dr. Singleton stated that he feels required to be concerned about the educational quality for the children in the District, including providing a healthy and safe environment and quality instruction. He pointed out that the school is more than a service to supervise children. He said that the fact that Southern Berkshire’s kids do very well, get accepted into good colleges, and their test scores are among the best in the state, and therefore, among the best in the nation, is something to be very proud of. He said that the budget makes it possible to maintain that quality. He stressed that the District needs to be concerned about students’ needs, parents’ needs, and the taxpayers’ needs.
- Ms. White stated that New Marlborough would also like to see a level-funded budget.
- Mr. Yohalem suggested that the District try, to the extent possible, to live within a level budget; but, if such was not possible, explain exactly why to the voters and what would be needed. Ms. Miller thanked him for the suggestion and stated that she felt it was incumbent for the administration and School Committee to look on education from a different perspective and try to find creative solutions.
- Dr. Singleton and Mr. Devoti explained the budget process that will be transpiring internally between October 27 and December 8. They said that the Business Administrator will share the format with the administrators and curriculum leaders. The principals will then meet with the leaders, charging them to bring the needs to them within a week or two. Administrators will then begin the process of meeting with the leaders to compile the proposed budget. Dr. Singleton stressed that every item in the budget must be explained in order to be included.
- Mr. Sylbert proposed that the process be such that by the time town meetings come around, everyone on the floor would be able to support the budget.
- Dr. Singleton again stressed that it is not just about money; it is about the quality of education, as well. He said the District needs to come up with a compromise so the towns can support the budget, and the District’s schools can still offer a quality education.
- Mr. Sylbert urged that the budget be translated into meaningful language so voters would know what they are voting on. Ms. Wood agreed, adding that if the budget were to pass in all five towns, it would lay a good foundation for future years.
- Mr. Zukauskis stated that the budget contained a heavy administrative expense.
The meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m.
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